[House Report 115-1072]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


115th Congress      }                                  {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session         }                                  {     115-1072
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     



                  AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018


                               ----------                              


                           CONFERENCE REPORT

                              to accompany

                                 H.R. 2
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 

 [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]








               December 10, 2018.--Ordered to be printed
               
               
               
               
               


                










115th Congress      }                                  {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session         }                                  {     115-1072
                                                               
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     



                  AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018


                               __________


                           CONFERENCE REPORT

                              to accompany

                                 H.R. 2
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]








               December 10, 2018.--Ordered to be printed

                                   ______

                      U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

33-422                       WASHINGTON : 2018











115th Congress      }                                  {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session         }                                  {     115-1072

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



 
                  AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018

                                _______
                                

               December 10, 2018.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Conaway, from the committee of conference, submitted the following

                           CONFERENCE REPORT

                         [To accompany H.R. 2]

      The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of 
the two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 
2), to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural 
and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through 
fiscal year 2023, and for other purposes, having met, after 
full and free conference, have agreed to recommend and do 
recommend to their respective Houses as follows:
      That the House recede from its disagreement to the 
amendment of the Senate and agree to the same with an amendment 
as follows:
      In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the 
Senate amendment, insert the following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

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

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

                          TITLE I--COMMODITIES

                      Subtitle A--Commodity Policy

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

                       Subtitle B--Marketing Loans

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

                            Subtitle C--Sugar

Sec. 1301. Sugar policy.

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

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

        Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance

Sec. 1501. Supplemental agricultural disaster assistance.

                 Subtitle F--Noninsured Crop Assistance

Sec. 1601. Noninsured crop assistance program.

                       Subtitle G--Administration

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

                         TITLE II--CONSERVATION

                    Subtitle A--Wetland Conservation

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

                Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program

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

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

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

                 Subtitle D--Other Conservation Programs

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

                 Subtitle E--Funding and Administration

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

         Subtitle F--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

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

          Subtitle G--Regional Conservation Partnership Program

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

              Subtitle H--Repeals and Technical Amendments

                             PART I--Repeals

Sec. 2811. Repeal of Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program.
Sec. 2812. Repeal of cranberry acreage reserve program.
Sec. 2813. Repeal of National Natural Resources Foundation.
Sec. 2814. Repeal of flood risk reduction.
Sec. 2815. Repeal of study of land use for expiring contracts and 
          extension of authority.
Sec. 2816. Repeal of Integrated Farm Management Program Option.
Sec. 2817. Repeal of clarification of definition of agricultural lands.

                      PART II--Technical Amendments

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

                            TITLE III--TRADE

                     Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act

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

               Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978

Sec. 3201. Agricultural trade promotion and facilitation.

                Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws

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

                           TITLE IV--NUTRITION

          Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

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

               Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs

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

                        Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

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

                             TITLE V--CREDIT

                    Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans

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

                       Subtitle B--Operating Loans

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

                  Subtitle C--Administrative Provisions

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

                        Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

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

                       TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

         Subtitle A--Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America

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

     Subtitle B--Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband

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

                        Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

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

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

Sec. 6401. Strategic economic and community development.
Sec. 6402. Expanding access to credit for rural communities.
Sec. 6403. Water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants.
Sec. 6404. Rural water and wastewater technical assistance and training 
          programs.
Sec. 6405. Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.
Sec. 6406. Tribal college and university essential community facilities.
Sec. 6407. Emergency and imminent community water assistance grant 
          program.
Sec. 6408. Water systems for rural and native villages in Alaska.
Sec. 6409. Rural decentralized water systems.
Sec. 6410. Solid waste management grants.
Sec. 6411. Rural business development grants.
Sec. 6412. Rural cooperative development grants.
Sec. 6413. Locally or regionally produced agricultural food products.
Sec. 6414. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
Sec. 6415. Rural economic area partnership zones.
Sec. 6416. Intemediary relending program.
Sec. 6417. Access to information to verify income for participants in 
          certain rural housing programs.
Sec. 6418. Providing for additional fees for guaranteed loans under the 
          Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Sec. 6419. Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs technical 
          assistance and training.
Sec. 6420. National Rural Development Partnership.
Sec. 6421. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters.
Sec. 6422. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.
Sec. 6423. Health care services.
Sec. 6424. Rural innovation stronger economy grant program.
Sec. 6425. Delta Regional Authority.
Sec. 6426. Rural business investment program.
Sec. 6427. Rural business investment program.

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

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

                       Subtitle F--Program Repeals

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

                    Subtitle G--Technical Corrections

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

           TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                      PART I--Agricultural Security

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

                         PART II--Miscellaneous

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

                  Subtitle E--Amendments to Other Laws

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

                        Subtitle F--Other Matters

Sec. 7601. Enhanced use lease authority program.
Sec. 7602. Transfer of administrative jurisdiction over portion of Henry 
          A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, 
          Beltsville, Maryland.
Sec. 7603. Foundation for food and agriculture research.
Sec. 7604. Assistance for forestry research under the McIntire-Stennis 
          Cooperative Forestry Act.
Sec. 7605. Legitimacy of industrial hemp research.
Sec. 7606. Collection of data relating to barley area planted and 
          harvested.
Sec. 7607. Collection of data relating to the size and location of dairy 
          farms.
Sec. 7608. Agriculture innovation center demonstration program.
Sec. 7609. Smith-Lever community extension program.
Sec. 7610. Mechanization and automation for specialty crops.
Sec. 7611. Experienced services program.
Sec. 7612. Simplified plan of work.
Sec. 7613. Review of land-grant time and effort reporting requirements.
Sec. 7614. Matching funds requirement.

                          TITLE VIII--FORESTRY

         Subtitle A--Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978

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

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

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

        Subtitle C--Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990

Sec. 8301. Repeals relating to biomass.

           Subtitle D--Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003

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

Subtitle E--Repeal or Reauthorization of Miscellaneous Forestry Programs

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

                      Subtitle F--Forest Management

Sec. 8601. Definition of National Forest System.

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

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

           PART II--Miscellaneous Forest Management Activities

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

                       PART III--Timber Innovation

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

                        Subtitle G--Other Matters

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

                            TITLE IX--ENERGY

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

                          TITLE X--HORTICULTURE

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

                        TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE

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

                        TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS

                          Subtitle A--Livestock

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

                Subtitle B--Agriculture and Food Defense

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

             Subtitle C--Historically Underserved Producers

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

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

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

               Subtitle E--Other Miscellaneous Provisions

              PART I--Miscellaneous Agriculture Provisions

Sec. 12501. Acer access and development program.
Sec. 12502. Protecting animals with shelter.
Sec. 12503. Marketing orders.
Sec. 12504. Establishment of food loss and waste reduction liaison.
Sec. 12505. Report on business centers.
Sec. 12506. Report on personnel.
Sec. 12507. Report on absent landlords.
Sec. 12508. Century farms program.
Sec. 12509. Report on importation of live dogs.
Sec. 12510. Tribal Promise Zones.
Sec. 12511. Precision agriculture connectivity.
Sec. 12512. Improvements to United States Drought Monitor.
Sec. 12513. Dairy business innovation initiatives.
Sec. 12514. Report on funding for the National Institute of Food and 
          Agriculture and other extension programs.
Sec. 12515. Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human 
          consumption.
Sec. 12516. Labeling exemption for single ingredient foods and products.
Sec. 12517. South Carolina inclusion in Virginia/Carolina peanut 
          producing region.
Sec. 12518. Forest Service hire authority.
Sec. 12519. Conversion authority.
Sec. 12520. Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary of 
          Agriculture and others.

               PART II--National Oilheat Research Alliance

Sec. 12531. National oilheat research alliance.

                     Subtitle F--General Provisions

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

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY.

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

                          TITLE I--COMMODITIES

                      Subtitle A--Commodity Policy

SEC. 1101. DEFINITION OF EFFECTIVE REFERENCE PRICE.

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

SEC. 1102. BASE ACRES.

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

SEC. 1103. PAYMENT YIELDS.

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

SEC. 1104. PAYMENT ACRES.

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

SEC. 1105. PRODUCER ELECTION.

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

SEC. 1106. PRICE LOSS COVERAGE.

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

SEC. 1107. AGRICULTURE RISK COVERAGE.

    Section 1117 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
9017) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(beginning with the 2019 
                crop year, based on the physical location of 
                the farm)'' after ``payments''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or the 2019 through 2023 
                crop years, as applicable'' after ``2014 
                through 2018 crop years'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``paragraph (4)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraphs (4) and (5)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``(5)'' and inserting ``(6)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by 
                        striking ``(5)'' and inserting ``(6)''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                        ``2023'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by striking ``If'' and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(A) 2014 through 2018 crop years.--
                Effective for the 2014 through 2018 crop years, 
                if''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(B) 2019 through 2023 crop years.--
                Effective for the 2019 through 2023 crop years, 
                if the yield per planted acre for the covered 
                commodity or historical county yield per 
                planted acre for the covered commodity for any 
                of the 5 most recent crop years, as determined 
                by the Secretary, is less than 80 percent of 
                the transitional yield, as determined by the 
                Secretary, the amounts used for any of those 
                years in paragraph (2)(A) or (3)(A)(i) shall be 
                80 percent of the transitional yield.'';
                    (D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as 
                paragraph (6);
                    (E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the 
                following:
            ``(5) Trend-adjusted yield.--The Secretary shall 
        calculate and use a trend-adjusted yield factor to 
        adjust the yield determined under paragraph (2)(A) and 
        subsection (b)(1)(A), taking into consideration, but 
        not exceeding, the trend-adjusted yield factor that is 
        used to increase yield history under the endorsement 
        under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et 
        seq.) for that crop and county.''; and
                    (F) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) by striking ``Reference 
                        price.--If the national average market 
                        price'' and inserting the following: 
                        ``Low national average market price.--
                    ``(A) Reference price.--For the 2014 
                through 2018 crop years, if the national 
                average market price''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(B) Effective reference price.--For the 
                2019 through 2023 crop years, if the national 
                average market price received by producers 
                during the 12-month marketing year for any of 
                the 5 most recent crop years is lower than the 
                effective reference price for the covered 
                commodity, the Secretary shall use the 
                effective reference price for any of those 
                years for the amounts in paragraph (2)(B) or 
                (3)(A)(ii).'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by redesignating 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and 
                (ii), respectively, and indenting 
                appropriately;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) 
                as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
                    (C) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A) (as so redesignated), by striking ``The 
                payment'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The payment''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Announcement.--Not later than 30 days after 
        the end of each applicable 12-month marketing year for 
        each covered commodity, the Secretary shall publish the 
        payment rate determined under paragraph (1) for each 
        county.'';
            (4) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
        ``2023'';
            (5) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to the 
                maximum extent practicable,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' 
                after the semicolon at the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                        ``effective for the 2014 through 2018 
                        crop years,'' before ``in the case 
                        of''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) effective for the 2019 through 2023 crop 
        years, in the case of county coverage, assign an actual 
        or benchmark county yield for each planted acre for the 
        crop year for the covered commodity--
                    ``(A) for a county for which county data 
                collected by the Risk Management Agency are 
                sufficient for the Secretary to offer a county-
                wide insurance product, using the actual 
                average county yield determined by the Risk 
                Management Agency; or
                    ``(B) for a county not described in 
                subparagraph (A), using--
                            ``(i) other sources of yield 
                        information, as determined by the 
                        Secretary; or
                            ``(ii) the yield history of 
                        representative farms in the State, 
                        region, or crop reporting district, as 
                        determined by the Secretary.''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Publications.--
            ``(1) County guarantee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For each crop year for a 
                covered commodity, the Secretary shall publish 
                information describing, for that crop year for 
                the covered commodity in each county--
                            ``(i) the agriculture risk coverage 
                        guarantee for county coverage 
                        determined under subsection (c)(1);
                            ``(ii) the average historical 
                        county yield determined under 
                        subsection (c)(2)(A); and
                            ``(iii) the national average market 
                        price determined under subsection 
                        (c)(2)(B).
                    ``(B) Timing.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clauses (ii) and (iii), not 
                        later than 30 days after the end of 
                        each applicable 12-month marketing 
                        year, the Secretary shall publish the 
                        information described in subparagraph 
                        (A).
                            ``(ii) Insufficient data.--In the 
                        case of a covered commodity, such as 
                        temperate japonica rice, for which the 
                        Secretary cannot determine the national 
                        average market price for the most 
                        recent 12-month marketing year by the 
                        date described in clause (i) due to 
                        insufficient reporting of timely 
                        pricing data by 1 or more 
                        nongovernmental entities, including a 
                        marketing cooperative for the covered 
                        commodity, as soon as practicable after 
                        the pricing data are made available, 
                        the Secretary shall publish information 
                        describing--
                                    ``(I) the agriculture risk 
                                coverage guarantee under 
                                subparagraph (A)(i); and
                                    ``(II) the national average 
                                market price under subparagraph 
                                (A)(iii).
                            ``(iii) Transition.--Not later than 
                        60 days after the date of enactment of 
                        the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
                        2018, the Secretary shall publish the 
                        information described in clauses (i) 
                        and (ii) of subparagraph (A) for the 
                        2018 crop year.
            ``(2) Actual average county yield.--As soon as 
        practicable after each crop year, the Secretary shall 
        determine and publish each actual average county yield 
        for each covered commodity, as determined under 
        subsection (b)(1)(A).
            ``(3) Data sources for county yields.--For the 2018 
        crop year and each crop year thereafter, the Secretary 
        shall make publicly available information describing, 
        for the most recent crop year--
                    ``(A) the sources of data used to calculate 
                county yields under subsection (c)(2)(A) for 
                each covered commodity--
                            ``(i) by county; and
                            ``(ii) nationally; and
                    ``(B) the number and outcome of occurrences 
                in which the Farm Service Agency reviewed, 
                changed, or determined not to change a source 
                of data used to calculate county yields under 
                subsection (c)(2)(A).
    ``(i) Administrative Units.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of agriculture risk 
        coverage payments in the case of county coverage, a 
        county may be divided into not greater than 2 
        administrative units in accordance with this 
        subsection.
            ``(2) Eligible counties.--A county that may be 
        divided into administrative units under this subsection 
        is a county that--
                    ``(A) is larger than 1,400 square miles; 
                and
                    ``(B) contains more than 190,000 base 
                acres.
            ``(3) Elections.--Before making any agriculture 
        risk coverage payments for the 2019 crop year, the Farm 
        Service Agency State committee, in consultation with 
        the Farm Service Agency county or area committee of a 
        county described in paragraph (2), may make a 1-time 
        election to divide the county into administrative units 
        under this subsection along a boundary that better 
        reflects differences in weather patterns, soil types, 
        or other factors.
            ``(4) Limitation.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) limit the number of counties that may 
                be divided into administrative units under 
                paragraph (3) to 25 counties; and
                    ``(B) give preference to the division of 
                counties that have greater variation in 
                climate, soils, and expected productivity 
                between the proposed administrative units.
            ``(5) Administration.--For purposes of providing 
        agriculture risk coverage payments in the case of 
        county coverage, the Secretary shall consider an 
        administrative unit elected under paragraph (3) to be a 
        county for the 2019 through 2023 crop years.''.

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

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

                      Subtitle B--Marketing Loans

SEC. 1201. EXTENSIONS.

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

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

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

SEC. 1203. ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR TEXTILE MILLS.

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

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

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

SEC. 1205. AVAILABILITY OF RECOURSE LOANS.

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

                           Subtitle C--Sugar

SEC. 1301. SUGAR POLICY.

    (a) Sugar Program.--
            (1) Sugarcane.--Section 156(a) of the Federal 
        Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 
        U.S.C. 7272(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) 19.75 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for 
        each of the 2019 through 2023 crop years.''.
            (2) Sugar beets.--Section 156(b)(2) of the Federal 
        Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 
        U.S.C. 7272(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.
            (3) Effective period.--Section 156(i) of the 
        Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
        (7 U.S.C. 7272(i)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Flexible Marketing Allotments for Sugar.--
            (1) Sugar estimates.--Section 359b(a)(1) of the 
        Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 
        1359bb(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.
            (2) Effective period.--Section 359l(a) of the 
        Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 
        1359ll(a)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

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

SEC. 1401. DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE.

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


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

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


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

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

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

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

SEC. 1402. REAUTHORIZATIONS.

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

SEC. 1403. CLASS I SKIM MILK PRICE.

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

SEC. 1404. DAIRY PRODUCT DONATION.

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

                   ``PART III--MILK DONATION PROGRAM

``SEC. 1431. MILK DONATION PROGRAM.

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

       Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance

SEC. 1501. SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

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

                 Subtitle F--Noninsured Crop Assistance

SEC. 1601. NONINSURED CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end 
                the following:
                    ``(C) Data collection and sharing.--The 
                Secretary shall coordinate with the 
                Administrator of the Risk Management Agency on 
                the type and format of data received under the 
                noninsured crop disaster assistance program 
                that--
                            ``(i) best facilitates the use of 
                        that data in developing policies or 
                        plans of insurance offered under the 
                        Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
                        1501 et seq.); and
                            ``(ii) ensures the availability of 
                        that data on a regular basis.
                    ``(D) Coordination.--The Secretary shall 
                coordinate between the agencies of the 
                Department that provide programs or services to 
                farmers and ranchers that are potentially 
                eligible for the noninsured crop disaster 
                assistance program under this section--
                            ``(i) to make available coverage 
                        under--
                                    ``(I) the fee waiver under 
                                subsection (k)(2); or
                                    ``(II) the premium discount 
                                under subsection (l)(3); and
                            ``(ii) to share eligibility 
                        information to reduce paperwork and 
                        avoid duplication.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), in this section, the term `eligible crop' 
                means each commercial crop or other 
                agricultural commodity that is produced for 
                food or fiber (except livestock) for which 
                catastrophic risk protection under subsection 
                (b) of section 508 of the Federal Crop 
                Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) and additional 
                coverage under subsections (c) and (h) of such 
                section are not available or, if such coverage 
                is available, it is only available under a 
                policy that provides coverage for specific 
                intervals based on weather indexes or under a 
                whole farm plan of insurance.''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4)(B)--
                            (i) by striking clause (i) and 
                        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--
                                    ``(I) Agricultural act of 
                                2014.--During the first 4 crop 
                                years of planting, as 
                                determined by the Secretary, 
                                native sod acreage that has 
                                been tilled for the production 
                                of an annual crop during the 
                                period beginning on February 8, 
                                2014, and ending on the date of 
                                enactment of the Agriculture 
                                Improvement Act of 2018 shall 
                                be subject to a reduction in 
                                benefits under this section as 
                                described in this subparagraph.
                                    ``(II) Subsequent years.--
                                Native sod acreage that has 
                                been tilled for the production 
                                of an eligible crop after the 
                                date of enactment of the 
                                Agriculture Improvement Act of 
                                2018 shall be subject to a 
                                reduction in benefits under 
                                this section as described in 
                                this subparagraph for not more 
                                than any 4 crop years--
                                            ``(aa) during the 
                                        first 10 crop years 
                                        after the initial 
                                        tillage; and
                                            ``(bb) during which 
                                        a crop on that acreage 
                                        is enrolled under 
                                        subsection (l)(2) or 
                                        (k).''; and
                            (ii) in clause (iii)(I), by 
                        striking ``transitional yield of the 
                        producer'' and inserting ``county 
                        expected yield'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``not 
                later than 30 days'' and inserting ``by an 
                appropriate deadline''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Streamlined submission process.--The 
        Secretary shall establish a streamlined process for the 
        submission of records and acreage reports under 
        paragraphs (2) and (3) for diverse production systems 
        such as those typical of urban production systems, 
        other small-scale production systems, and direct-to-
        consumer production systems.'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), 
                and (3) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), 
                respectively;
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as 
                so redesignated) the following:
            ``(1) the producer's share of the total acres 
        devoted to the eligible crop; by''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking ``established yield for the crop'' 
                and inserting ``approved yield for the crop, as 
                determined by the Secretary'';
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``farm'' 
                and inserting ``approved'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the second sentence--
                                    (I) by inserting 
                                ``approved'' before ``yield''; 
                                and
                                    (II) by striking 
                                ``Subject'' and inserting the 
                                following:
                    ``(B) Calculation.--Subject''; and
                            (ii) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (B) (as so designated)--
                                    (I) by striking ``yield 
                                coverage'' and inserting ``an 
                                approved yield''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``The 
                                Secretary'' and inserting the 
                                following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking 
                ``transitional yield of the producer'' and 
                inserting ``county expected yield'';
            (5) in subsection (i)(2), by striking ``exceed 
        $125,000'' and inserting the following: ``exceed--
                    ``(A) in the case of catastrophic coverage 
                under subsection (c), $125,000; and
                    ``(B) in the case of additional coverage 
                under subsection (l), $300,000'';
            (6) in subsection (k)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``$250'' and inserting ``$325''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``$750'' and 
                        inserting ``$825''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``$1,875'' and 
                        inserting ``$1,950''; and
            (7) in subsection (l)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs 
                        (A), (B), and (C) as subparagraphs (B), 
                        (C), and (D), respectively;
                            (ii) by inserting before 
                        subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) 
                        the following:
                    ``(A) the producer's share of the total 
                acres devoted to the crop;''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so 
                        redesignated), by inserting ``, 
                        contract price, or other premium price 
                        (such as a local, organic, or direct 
                        market price, as elected by the 
                        producer)'' after ``price'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)--
                            (i) in subclause (IV), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subclause (V), by striking 
                        ``or'' at the end and inserting 
                        ``and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                                    ``(VI) the producer's share 
                                of the crop; or'';
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5); and
                    (D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as 
                paragraph (3).

                       Subtitle G--Administration

SEC. 1701. REGULATIONS.

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

SEC. 1702. SUSPENSION OF PERMANENT PRICE SUPPORT AUTHORITY.

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

SEC. 1703. PAYMENT LIMITATIONS.

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

SEC. 1704. ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATIONS.

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

SEC. 1705. FARM SERVICE AGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY.

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

SEC. 1706. IMPLEMENTATION.

    (a) Maintenance of Base Acres and Payment Yields.--Section 
1614(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(a)) is 
amended by inserting ``, and as adjusted pursuant to sections 
1112 and 1113'' before the period at the end.
    (b) Streamlining.--Section 1614 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097) is amended by striking subsection (b) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(b) Streamlining.--In implementing this title and the 
amendments made by this title, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) continue to reduce administrative burdens and 
        costs to producers by streamlining and reducing 
        paperwork, forms, and other administrative 
        requirements, to ensure that--
                    ``(A) a producer (or an agent of a 
                producer) may report information, 
                electronically (including geospatial data) or 
                conventionally, to the Department of 
                Agriculture, subject to the Secretary--
                            ``(i) establishing reasonable 
                        levels of tolerance that reflect the 
                        differences in accuracy between 
                        measures of common land units and 
                        geospatial data; and
                            ``(ii) ensuring that discrepancies 
                        that occur within the levels of 
                        tolerance established under clause (i) 
                        shall not be used to penalize a 
                        producer (or an agent of a producer) 
                        under any program administered by the 
                        Department of Agriculture;
                    ``(B) on the request of a producer (or an 
                agent of a producer), the Department of 
                Agriculture electronically shares with the 
                producer (or agent) in real time and without 
                cost to the producer (or agent) the common land 
                unit data, related farm level data, 
                conservation practices, and other information 
                of the producer through a single Department of 
                Agriculture-wide login;
                    ``(C) not later than September 30, 2020, 
                the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency 
                and the Administrator of the Farm Service 
                Agency shall implement a consistent method for 
                determining crop acreage, acreage yields, farm 
                acreage, property descriptions, and other 
                common informational requirements, including 
                measures of common land units;
                    ``(D) except in the case of 
                misrepresentation, fraud, or scheme and device, 
                no crop insurance agent, approved insurance 
                provider, or employee or contractor of a crop 
                insurance agency or approved insurance provider 
                bears responsibility or liability under the 
                Acreage Crop Reporting and Streamlining 
                Initiative (or any successor or similar 
                initiative) for the eligibility of a producer 
                for a program administered by the Department of 
                Agriculture, not including a policy or plan of 
                insurance offered under the Federal Crop 
                Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and
                    ``(E) on request of a crop insurance agent 
                or approved insurance provider required to 
                deliver policies and plans of insurance under 
                the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 
                et seq.) the crop insurance agent or approved 
                insurance provider receives, in a timely 
                manner, any information held by the Farm 
                Service Agency that is necessary to ensure 
                effective crop insurance coverage for farmer 
                customers;
            ``(2) continue to improve coordination, information 
        sharing, and administrative work among the Farm Service 
        Agency, Risk Management Agency, Natural Resources 
        Conservation Service, and other agencies, as determined 
        by the Secretary;
            ``(3) continue to take advantage of new 
        technologies to enhance the efficiency and 
        effectiveness of the delivery of Department of 
        Agriculture programs to producers, including by 
        developing and making publicly available data standards 
        and security procedures to allow third-party providers 
        to develop applications that use or feed data 
        (including geospatial and precision agriculture data) 
        into the datasets and analyses of the Department of 
        Agriculture; and
            ``(4) reduce administrative burdens on producers 
        participating in price loss coverage or agriculture 
        risk coverage by offering--
                    ``(A) those producers an option to remotely 
                and electronically sign annual contracts for 
                that coverage; and
                    ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, an 
                option to sign a multiyear contract for that 
                coverage.''.
    (c) Implementation.--Section 1614(c) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(c)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
            ``(4) Agriculture improvement act of 2018.--The 
        Secretary shall make available to the Farm Service 
        Agency to carry out title I of the Agriculture 
        Improvement Act of 2018 and the amendments made by that 
        title $15,500,000.''.
    (d) Loan Implementation.--Section 1614(d)(1) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)(1)) is amended by 
striking ``under subtitles'' and all that follows through 
``except'' and inserting ``under subtitle B or C, under the 
amendments made by subtitle B or C, or under the amendments 
made by subtitle B or C of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018, except''.
    (e) Deobligation of Unliquidated Obligations.--Section 1614 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Deobligation of Unliquidated Obligations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), any 
        payment obligated or otherwise made available by the 
        Secretary under this title on or after the date of 
        enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
        that is not disbursed to the recipient by the date that 
        is 5 years after the date on which the payment is 
        obligated or otherwise made available shall--
                    ``(A) be deobligated; and
                    ``(B) revert to the Treasury.
            ``(2) Outstanding payments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph 
                (3), any payment obligated or otherwise made 
                available by the Farm Service Agency (or any 
                predecessor agency of the Department of 
                Agriculture) under the laws described in 
                subparagraph (B) before the date of enactment 
                of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
                that is not disbursed by the date that is 5 
                years after the date on which the payment is 
                obligated or otherwise made available shall--
                            ``(i) be deobligated; and
                            ``(ii) revert to the Treasury.
                    ``(B) Laws described.--The laws referred to 
                in subparagraph (A) are any of the following:
                            ``(i) This title.
                            ``(ii) Title I of the Food, 
                        Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 
                        U.S.C. 8702 et seq.).
                            ``(iii) Title I of the Farm 
                        Security and Rural Investment Act of 
                        2002 (7 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.).
                            ``(iv) The Agricultural Market 
                        Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.).
                            ``(v) Titles I through XI of the 
                        Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
                        Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624; 
                        104 Stat. 3374) and the amendments made 
                        by those titles.
                            ``(vi) Titles I through X of the 
                        Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 
                        99-198; 99 Stat. 1362) and the 
                        amendments made by those titles.
                            ``(vii) Titles I through XI of the 
                        Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 
                        (Public Law 97-98; 95 Stat. 1218) and 
                        the amendments made by those titles.
                            ``(viii) Titles I through X of the 
                        Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 
                        (Public Law 95-113; 91 Stat. 917) and 
                        the amendments made by those titles.
            ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may delay the date of 
        the deobligation and reversion under paragraph (1) or 
        (2) of any payment--
                    ``(A) that is the subject of--
                            ``(i) ongoing administrative review 
                        or appeal;
                            ``(ii) litigation; or
                            ``(iii) the settlement of an 
                        estate; or
                    ``(B) for which the Secretary otherwise 
                determines that the circumstances are such that 
                the delay is equitable.''.
    (f) Report.--Section 1614 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(7 U.S.C. 9097) (as amended by subsection (e)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2020, and each 
January 1 thereafter through January 1, 2023, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the tilled 
native sod acreage that was subject to a reduction in benefits 
under section 196(a)(4)(B) of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333(a)(4)(B) and 
section 508(o)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(o)(2))--
            ``(1) as of the date of submission of the report; 
        and
            ``(2) by State and county, relative to the total 
        acres of cropland in the State or county.''.

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

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

                         TITLE II--CONSERVATION

                    Subtitle A--Wetland Conservation

SEC. 2101. WETLAND CONVERSION.

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

SEC. 2102. WETLAND CONSERVATION.

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

SEC. 2103. MITIGATION BANKING.

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

                Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program

SEC. 2201. CONSERVATION RESERVE.

    (a) In General.--Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Eligible Land.--Section 1231(b) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``Agricultural 
        Act of 2014 (except for land enrolled in the 
        conservation reserve program as of that date)'' and 
        inserting ``Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, on the 
        condition that the Secretary shall consider to be 
        planted cropland enrolled in the conservation reserve 
        program'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
        paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) cropland, marginal pasture land, and 
        grasslands that will have a positive impact on water 
        quality and will be devoted to--
                    ``(A) a grass sod waterway;
                    ``(B) a contour grass sod strip;
                    ``(C) a prairie strip;
                    ``(D) a filterstrip;
                    ``(E) a riparian buffer;
                    ``(F) a wetland or a wetland buffer;
                    ``(G) a saturated buffer;
                    ``(H) a bioreactor; or
                    ``(I) another similar water quality 
                practice, as determined by the Secretary;'';
            (4) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or 
                filterstrips or riparian buffers devoted to 
                trees, shrubs, or grasses'' and inserting 
                ``salt tolerant vegetation, field borders, or 
                practices to benefit State or federally 
                identified wellhead protection areas''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``or'' 
                after the semicolon;
            (5) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), in 
        subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) as determined by the Secretary, land--
                    ``(A) that was enrolled in the conservation 
                reserve program under a 15-year contract that 
                expired on September 30, 2017, or September 30, 
                2018;
                    ``(B) for which there was no opportunity 
                for additional enrollment in that program; and
                    ``(C) on which the conservation practice 
                under the expired contract under subparagraph 
                (A) is maintained.''.
    (c) Enrollment.--Section 1231(d) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) 
        through (E) and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) fiscal year 2019, not more than 
                24,000,000 acres;
                    ``(B) fiscal year 2020, not more than 
                24,500,000 acres;
                    ``(C) fiscal year 2021, not more than 
                25,000,000 acres;
                    ``(D) fiscal year 2022, not more than 
                25,500,000 acres; and
                    ``(E) fiscal year 2023, not more than 
                27,000,000 acres.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
                and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) Limitation.--For purposes of applying 
                the limitations in paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) the Secretary shall enroll 
                        and maintain in the conservation 
                        reserve not fewer than 2,000,000 acres 
                        of the land described in subsection 
                        (b)(3) by September 30, 2023; and
                            ``(ii) in carrying out clause (i), 
                        to the maximum extent practicable, the 
                        Secretary shall maintain in the 
                        conservation reserve at any one time 
                        during--
                                    ``(I) fiscal year 2019, 
                                1,000,000 acres;
                                    ``(II) fiscal year 2020, 
                                1,500,000 acres; and
                                    ``(III) fiscal years 2021 
                                through 2023, 2,000,000 acres.
                    ``(B) Priority.--In enrolling acres under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give 
                priority to land, as determined by the 
                Secretary--
                            ``(i) with expiring conservation 
                        reserve contracts;
                            ``(ii) at risk of conversion or 
                        development; or
                            ``(iii) of ecological significance, 
                        including land that--
                                    ``(I) may assist in the 
                                restoration of threatened or 
                                endangered species under the 
                                Endangered Species Act of 1973 
                                (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);
                                    ``(II) may assist in 
                                preventing a species from being 
                                listed as a threatened or 
                                endangered species under the 
                                Endangered Species Act of 1973 
                                (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
                                    ``(III) improves or creates 
                                wildlife habitat corridors.'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) by striking ``In enrolling'' 
                        and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--In enrolling'';
                            (ii) in clause (i) (as so 
                        designated), by striking ``a 
                        continuous'' and inserting ``an 
                        annual''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(ii) Timing of grassland ranking 
                        period.--For purposes of grasslands 
                        described in subsection (b)(3), the 
                        Secretary shall announce at least 1 
                        ranking period subsequent to the 
                        announcement of general enrollment 
                        offers.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Reservation of unenrolled acres.--If 
                the Secretary is unable in a fiscal year to 
                enroll enough acres of land described in 
                subsection (b)(3) to meet the number of acres 
                described in clause (ii) or (iii) of 
                subparagraph (A) for the fiscal year--
                            ``(i) the Secretary shall reserve 
                        the remaining number of acres for that 
                        fiscal year for the enrollment of land 
                        described in subsection (b)(3); and
                            ``(ii) that number of acres shall 
                        not be available for the enrollment of 
                        any other type of eligible land.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Water quality practices to foster clean 
        lakes, estuaries, and rivers (clear initiative).--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall give 
                priority within continuous enrollment under 
                paragraph (6) to the enrollment of land 
                described in subsection (b)(4).
                    ``(B) Sediment and nutrient loadings.--In 
                carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
                shall give priority to the implementation of 
                practices on land that, if enrolled, will help 
                reduce sediment loadings, nutrient loadings, 
                and harmful algal blooms, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(C) Acreage.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Of the acres 
                        maintained in the conservation reserve 
                        in accordance with paragraph (1), to 
                        the maximum extent practicable, not 
                        less than 40 percent of acres enrolled 
                        in the conservation reserve using 
                        continuous enrollment under paragraph 
                        (6) shall be of land described in 
                        subsection (b)(4).
                            ``(ii) Limitation.--The acres 
                        described in clause (i) shall not 
                        include grasslands described in 
                        subsection (b)(3).
                    ``(D) Report.--The Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) in the monthly publication of 
                        the Secretary describing conservation 
                        reserve program statistics, include a 
                        description of enrollments through the 
                        priority under this paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) publish on the website of 
                        the Farm Service Agency an annual 
                        report describing a summary of, with 
                        respect to the enrollment priority 
                        under this paragraph--
                                    ``(I) new enrollments;
                                    ``(II) expirations;
                                    ``(III) geographic 
                                distribution; and
                                    ``(IV) estimated water 
                                quality benefits.
            ``(4) State enrollment rates.--At the beginning of 
        each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, the Secretary shall allocate to the 
        States proportionately 60 percent of the available 
        number of acres each year for enrollment in the 
        conservation reserve, in accordance with historical 
        State enrollment rates, taking into consideration--
                    ``(A) the average number of acres of all 
                land enrolled in the conservation reserve in 
                each State during each of fiscal years 2007 
                through 2016;
                    ``(B) the average number of acres of all 
                land enrolled in the conservation reserve 
                nationally during each of fiscal years 2007 
                through 2016; and
                    ``(C) the acres available for enrollment 
                during each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
                excluding acres described in paragraph (2).
            ``(5) Frequency.--In carrying out this subchapter, 
        for contracts that are not available on a continuous 
        enrollment basis, the Secretary shall hold a signup and 
        enrollment not less often than once each year.
            ``(6) Continuous enrollment procedure.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To the maximum extent 
                practicable, the Secretary shall allow 
                producers to submit applications on a 
                continuous basis for enrollment in--
                            ``(i) the conservation reserve of--
                                    ``(I) marginal pasture land 
                                described in subsection (b)(2);
                                    ``(II) land described in 
                                subsection (b)(4); and
                                    ``(III) cropland described 
                                in subsection (b)(5); and
                            ``(ii) the conservation reserve 
                        enhancement program under section 
                        1231A.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--For purposes of applying 
                the limitations in paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) the Secretary shall, to the 
                        maximum extent practicable, enroll and 
                        maintain not fewer than 8,600,000 acres 
                        of land under subparagraph (A) by 
                        September 30, 2023; and
                            ``(ii) in carrying out clause (i), 
                        to the maximum extent practicable, the 
                        Secretary shall maintain in the 
                        conservation reserve at any one time 
                        during--
                                    ``(I) fiscal year 2019, 
                                8,000,000 acres;
                                    ``(II) fiscal year 2020, 
                                8,250,000 acres;
                                    ``(III) fiscal year 2021, 
                                8,500,000 acres; and
                                    ``(IV) fiscal years 2022 
                                and 2023, 8,600,000 acres.''.
    (d) Eligibility for Consideration.--Section 1231(h) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(h)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``On the expiration'' and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(1) In general.--On the expiration''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Reenrollment limitation for certain land.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), land subject to a contract 
                entered into under this subchapter shall be 
                eligible for only one reenrollment in the 
                conservation reserve under paragraph (1) if the 
                land is devoted to hardwood trees.
                    ``(B) Exclusions.--Subparagraph (A) shall 
                not apply to--
                            ``(i) riparian forested buffers;
                            ``(ii) forested wetlands enrolled 
                        under subsection (d)(3) or the 
                        conservation reserve enhancement 
                        program under section 1231A; and
                            ``(iii) shelterbelts.''.

SEC. 2202. CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.

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

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

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) CREP.--The term `CREP' means a conservation 
        reserve enhancement program carried out under 
        subsection (b)(1).
            ``(2) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land' 
        means land that is eligible to be included in the 
        program established under this subchapter.
            ``(3) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible 
        partner' means--
                    ``(A) a State;
                    ``(B) a political subdivision of a State;
                    ``(C) an Indian tribe (as defined in 
                section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); or
                    ``(D) a nongovernmental organization.
            ``(4) Management.--The term `management' means an 
        activity conducted by an owner or operator under a 
        contract entered into under this subchapter after the 
        establishment of a conservation practice on eligible 
        land, to regularly maintain or enhance the vegetative 
        cover established by the conservation practice--
                    ``(A) throughout the term of the contract; 
                and
                    ``(B) consistent with the conservation plan 
                that covers the eligible land.
    ``(b) Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into an 
        agreement with an eligible partner to carry out a 
        conservation reserve enhancement program--
                    ``(A) to assist in enrolling eligible land 
                in the program established under this 
                subchapter; and
                    ``(B) that the Secretary determines will 
                advance the purposes of this subchapter.
            ``(2) Contents.--An agreement entered into under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) describe--
                            ``(i) 1 or more specific State or 
                        nationally significant conservation 
                        concerns to be addressed by the 
                        agreement;
                            ``(ii) quantifiable environmental 
                        goals for addressing the concerns under 
                        clause (i);
                            ``(iii) a suitable acreage goal for 
                        enrollment of eligible land under the 
                        agreement, as determined by the 
                        Secretary;
                            ``(iv) the location of eligible 
                        land to be enrolled in the project area 
                        identified under the agreement;
                            ``(v) the payments to be offered by 
                        the Secretary and eligible partner to 
                        an owner or operator; and
                            ``(vi) an appropriate list of 
                        conservation reserve program 
                        conservation practices that are 
                        appropriate to meeting the concerns 
                        described under clause (i), as 
                        determined by the Secretary in 
                        consultation with eligible partners;
                    ``(B) subject to subparagraph (C), require 
                the eligible partner to provide matching 
                funds--
                            ``(i) in an amount determined 
                        during a negotiation between the 
                        Secretary and 1 or more eligible 
                        partners, if the majority of the 
                        matching funds to carry out the 
                        agreement are provided by 1 or more 
                        eligible partners that are not 
                        nongovernmental organizations; or
                            ``(ii) in an amount not less than 
                        30 percent of the cost required to 
                        carry out the conservation measures and 
                        practices described in the agreement, 
                        if a majority of the matching funds to 
                        carry out the agreement are provided by 
                        1 or more nongovernmental 
                        organizations; and
                    ``(C) include procedures to allow for a 
                temporary waiver of the matching requirements 
                under subparagraph (B), or continued enrollment 
                with a temporary suspension of incentives or 
                eligible partner contributions for new 
                agreements, during a period when an eligible 
                partner loses the authority or ability to 
                provide matching contributions, if the 
                Secretary determines that the temporary waiver 
                or continued enrollment with a temporary 
                suspension will advance the purposes of this 
                subchapter.
            ``(3) Effect on existing agreements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), an agreement under this subsection shall 
                not affect, modify, or interfere with existing 
                agreements under this subchapter.
                    ``(B) Modification of existing 
                agreements.--To implement this section, the 
                signatories to an agreement under this 
                subsection may mutually agree to a modification 
                of an agreement entered into before the date of 
                enactment of this section under the 
                Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 
                established by the Secretary under this 
                subchapter.
    ``(c) Payments.--
            ``(1) Matching requirement.--Funds provided by an 
        eligible partner may be in cash, in-kind contributions, 
        or technical assistance, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(2) Marginal pastureland cost-share payments.--
        The Secretary shall ensure that cost-share payments to 
        an owner or operator to install stream fencing, 
        crossings, and alternative water development on 
        marginal pastureland under a CREP reflect the fair 
        market value of the cost of installation.
            ``(3) Cost-share and practice incentive payments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--On request of an owner 
                or operator, the Secretary shall provide cost-
                share payments when a major component of a 
                conservation practice is completed under a 
                CREP, as determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Exemption.--For purposes of 
                implementing conservation practices on land 
                enrolled under a CREP, the Secretary may waive 
                the contribution limitation described in 
                section 1234(b)(2)(A).
            ``(4) Riparian buffer management payments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of an 
                agreement under subsection (b)(1) that includes 
                riparian buffers as an eligible practice, the 
                Secretary shall make cost-share payments to 
                encourage the regular management of the 
                riparian buffer throughout the term of the 
                agreement, consistent with the conservation 
                plan that covers the eligible land.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--The amount of payments 
                received by an owner or operator under 
                subparagraph (A) shall not be greater than 100 
                percent of the normal and customary projected 
                management cost, as determined by the 
                Secretary, in consultation with the applicable 
                State technical committee established under 
                section 1261(a).
    ``(d) Forested Riparian Buffer Practice.--
            ``(1) Food-producing woody plants.--In the case of 
        an agreement under subsection (b)(1) that includes 
        forested riparian buffers as an eligible practice, the 
        Secretary shall allow an owner or operator--
                    ``(A) to plant food-producing woody plants 
                in the forested riparian buffers, on the 
                conditions that--
                            ``(i) the plants shall contribute 
                        to the conservation of soil, water 
                        quality, and wildlife habitat; and
                            ``(ii) the planting shall be 
                        consistent with--
                                    ``(I) recommendations of 
                                the applicable State technical 
                                committee established under 
                                section 1261(a); and
                                    ``(II) technical guide 
                                standards of the applicable 
                                field office of the Natural 
                                Resources Conservation Service; 
                                and
                    ``(B) to harvest from plants described in 
                subparagraph (A), on the conditions that--
                            ``(i) the harvesting shall not 
                        damage the conserving cover or 
                        otherwise have a negative impact on the 
                        conservation concerns targeted by the 
                        CREP;
                            ``(ii) only native plant species 
                        appropriate to the region shall be used 
                        within 35 feet of the watercourse; and
                            ``(iii) the producer shall be 
                        subject to a reduction in the rental 
                        rate commensurate to the value of the 
                        crop harvested.
            ``(2) Technical assistance.--For the purpose of 
        enrolling forested riparian buffers in a CREP, the 
        Administrator of the Farm Service Agency shall 
        coordinate with the applicable State forestry agency.
    ``(e) Drought and Water Conservation Agreements.--In the 
case of an agreement under subsection (b)(1) to address 
regional drought concerns, in accordance with the conservation 
purposes of the CREP, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
applicable State technical committee established under section 
1261(a), may--
            ``(1) notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), enroll 
        other agricultural land on which the resource concerns 
        identified in the agreement can be addressed if the 
        enrollment of the land is critical to the 
        accomplishment of the purposes of the agreement;
            ``(2) permit dryland agricultural uses with the 
        adoption of best management practices on enrolled land 
        if the agreement involves the significant long-term 
        reduction of consumptive water use and dryland 
        production is compatible with the agreement; and
            ``(3) calculate annual rental payments consistent 
        with existing administrative practice for similar 
        drought and water conservation agreements under this 
        subtitle and ensure regional consistency in those 
        rates.
    ``(f) Status Report.--Not later than 180 days after the end 
of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report that describes, with respect to each agreement entered 
into under subsection (b)(1)--
            ``(1) the status of the agreement;
            ``(2) the purposes and objectives of the agreement;
            ``(3) the Federal and eligible partner commitments 
        made under the agreement; and
            ``(4) the progress made in fulfilling those 
        commitments.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 1240R(c)(3) of the Food Security Act of 
        1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5(c)(3)) is amended by striking 
        ``a special conservation reserve enhancement program 
        described in section 1234(f)(4)'' and inserting ``a 
        conservation reserve enhancement program under section 
        1231A''.
            (2) Section 1244(f)(3) of the Food Security Act of 
        1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(f)(3)) is amended by striking 
        ``subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii) or (g)(2) of section 1234'' 
        and inserting ``section 1231A''.

SEC. 2203. FARMABLE WETLAND PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 2204. PILOT PROGRAMS.

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

``SEC. 1231C. PILOT PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) CLEAR 30.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Enrollment.--The Secretary shall 
                establish a pilot program to enroll land in the 
                conservation reserve program through a 30-year 
                conservation reserve contract (referred to in 
                this subsection as a `CLEAR 30 contract') in 
                accordance with this subsection.
                    ``(B) Inclusion of acreage limitation.--For 
                purposes of applying the limitations in section 
                1231(d)(1), the Secretary shall include acres 
                of land enrolled under this subsection.
            ``(2) Expired conservation contract election.--
                    ``(A) Definition of covered contract.--In 
                this paragraph, the term `covered contract' 
                means a contract entered into under this 
                subchapter that--
                            ``(i) expires on or after the date 
                        of enactment of the Agriculture 
                        Improvement Act of 2018; and
                            ``(ii) covers land enrolled in the 
                        conservation reserve program under the 
                        clean lakes, estuaries, and rivers 
                        priority described in section 
                        1231(d)(3) (or the predecessor 
                        practices that constitute the priority, 
                        as determined by the Secretary).
                    ``(B) Election.--On the expiration of a 
                covered contract, an owner or operator party to 
                the covered contract shall elect--
                            ``(i) not to reenroll the land 
                        under the contract;
                            ``(ii) to offer to reenroll the 
                        land under the contract if the land 
                        remains eligible under the terms in 
                        effect as of the date of expiration; or
                            ``(iii) not to reenroll the land 
                        under the contract and to enroll that 
                        land through a CLEAR 30 contract under 
                        this subsection.
            ``(3) Eligible land.--Only land that is subject to 
        an expired covered contract shall be eligible for 
        enrollment through a CLEAR 30 contract under this 
        subsection.
            ``(4) Term.--The term of a CLEAR 30 contract shall 
        be 30 years.
            ``(5) Agreements.--To be eligible to enroll land in 
        the conservation reserve program through a CLEAR 30 
        contract, the owner of the land shall enter into an 
        agreement with the Secretary--
                    ``(A) to implement a conservation reserve 
                plan developed for the land;
                    ``(B) to comply with the terms and 
                conditions of the contract and any related 
                agreements; and
                    ``(C) to temporarily suspend the base 
                history for the land covered by the contract.
            ``(6) Terms and conditions of clear 30 contracts.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A CLEAR 30 contract 
                shall include terms and conditions that--
                            ``(i) permit--
                                    ``(I) repairs, 
                                improvements, and inspections 
                                on the land that are necessary 
                                to maintain existing public 
                                drainage systems; and
                                    ``(II) owners to control 
                                public access on the land while 
                                identifying access routes to be 
                                used for restoration activities 
                                and management and contract 
                                monitoring;
                            ``(ii) prohibit--
                                    ``(I) the alteration of 
                                wildlife habitat and other 
                                natural features of the land, 
                                unless specifically authorized 
                                by the Secretary as part of the 
                                conservation reserve plan;
                                    ``(II) the spraying of the 
                                land with chemicals or the 
                                mowing of the land, except 
                                where the spraying or mowing is 
                                authorized by the Secretary or 
                                is necessary--
                                            ``(aa) to comply 
                                        with Federal or State 
                                        noxious weed control 
                                        laws;
                                            ``(bb) to comply 
                                        with a Federal or State 
                                        emergency pest 
                                        treatment program; or
                                            ``(cc) to meet 
                                        habitat needs of 
                                        specific wildlife 
                                        species;
                                    ``(III) any activity to be 
                                carried out on the land of the 
                                owner or successor that is 
                                immediately adjacent to, and 
                                functionally related to, the 
                                land that is subject to the 
                                contract if the activity will 
                                alter, degrade, or otherwise 
                                diminish the functional value 
                                of the land; and
                                    ``(IV) the adoption of any 
                                other practice that would tend 
                                to defeat the purposes of the 
                                conservation reserve program, 
                                as determined by the Secretary; 
                                and
                            ``(iii) include any additional 
                        provision that the Secretary determines 
                        is appropriate to carry out this 
                        section or facilitate the practical 
                        administration of this section.
                    ``(B) Violation.--On the violation of a 
                term or condition of a CLEAR 30 contract, the 
                Secretary may require the owner to refund all 
                or part of any payments received by the owner 
                under the conservation reserve program, with 
                interest on the payments, as determined 
                appropriate by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Compatible uses.--Land subject to a 
                CLEAR 30 contract may be used for compatible 
                economic uses, including hunting and fishing, 
                managed timber harvest, or periodic haying or 
                grazing, if the use--
                            ``(i) is specifically permitted by 
                        the conservation reserve plan developed 
                        for the land; and
                            ``(ii) is consistent with the long-
                        term protection and enhancement of the 
                        conservation resources for which the 
                        contract was established.
            ``(7) Compensation.--
                    ``(A) Amount of payments.--The Secretary 
                shall provide payment under this subsection to 
                an owner of land enrolled through a CLEAR 30 
                contract using 30 annual payments in an amount 
                equal to the amount that would be used if the 
                land were to be enrolled in the conservation 
                reserve program under section 1231(d)(3).
                    ``(B) Form of payment.--Compensation for a 
                CLEAR 30 contract shall be provided by the 
                Secretary in the form of a cash payment in an 
                amount determined under subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) Timing.--The Secretary shall provide 
                any annual payment obligation under 
                subparagraph (A) as early as practicable in 
                each fiscal year.
                    ``(D) Payments to others.--The Secretary 
                shall make a payment, in accordance with 
                regulations prescribed by the Secretary, in a 
                manner as the Secretary determines is fair and 
                reasonable under the circumstances, if an owner 
                who is entitled to a payment under this 
                section--
                            ``(i) dies;
                            ``(ii) becomes incompetent;
                            ``(iii) is succeeded by another 
                        person or entity who renders or 
                        completes the required performance; or
                            ``(iv) is otherwise unable to 
                        receive the payment.
            ``(8) Technical assistance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                assist owners in complying with the terms and 
                conditions of a CLEAR 30 contract.
                    ``(B) Contracts or agreements.--The 
                Secretary may enter into 1 or more contracts 
                with private entities or agreements with a 
                State, nongovernmental organization, or Indian 
                Tribe to carry out necessary maintenance of a 
                CLEAR 30 contract if the Secretary determines 
                that the contract or agreement will advance the 
                purposes of the conservation reserve program.
            ``(9) Administration.--
                    ``(A) Conservation reserve plan.--The 
                Secretary shall develop a conservation reserve 
                plan for any land subject to a CLEAR 30 
                contract, which shall include practices and 
                activities necessary to maintain, protect, and 
                enhance the conservation value of the enrolled 
                land.
                    ``(B) Delegation of contract 
                administration.--
                            ``(i) Federal, state, or local 
                        government agencies.--The Secretary may 
                        delegate any of the management, 
                        monitoring, and enforcement 
                        responsibilities of the Secretary under 
                        this subsection to other Federal, 
                        State, or local government agencies 
                        that have the appropriate authority, 
                        expertise, and resources necessary to 
                        carry out those delegated 
                        responsibilities.
                            ``(ii) Conservation 
                        organizations.--The Secretary may 
                        delegate any management 
                        responsibilities of the Secretary under 
                        this subsection to conservation 
                        organizations if the Secretary 
                        determines the conservation 
                        organization has similar expertise and 
                        resources.
    ``(b) Soil Health and Income Protection Pilot Program.--
            ``(1) Definition of eligible land.--In this 
        subsection:
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible land' 
                means cropland that--
                            ``(i) is selected by the owner or 
                        operator of the land for proposed 
                        enrollment in the pilot program under 
                        this subsection; and
                            ``(ii) as determined by the 
                        Secretary--
                                    ``(I) is located within 1 
                                or more States that are part of 
                                the prairie pothole region, as 
                                selected by the Secretary based 
                                on consultation with State 
                                Committees of the Farm Service 
                                Agency and State technical 
                                committees established under 
                                section 1261(a) from that 
                                region;
                                    ``(II) had a cropping 
                                history or was considered to be 
                                planted during each of the 3 
                                crop years preceding 
                                enrollment; and
                                    ``(III) is verified to be 
                                less-productive land, as 
                                compared to other land on the 
                                applicable farm.
                    ``(B) Exclusion.--The term `eligible land' 
                does not include any land that was enrolled in 
                a conservation reserve program contract in any 
                of the 3 crop years preceding enrollment in the 
                pilot program under this subsection.
            ``(2) Establishment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish a voluntary soil health and income 
                protection pilot program under which eligible 
                land is enrolled through the use of contracts 
                to assist owners and operators of eligible land 
                to conserve and improve the soil, water, and 
                wildlife resources of the eligible land.
                    ``(B) Deadline for participation.--Eligible 
                land may be enrolled in the program under this 
                section through December 31, 2020.
            ``(3) Contracts.--
                    ``(A) Requirements.--A contract described 
                in paragraph (2) shall--
                            ``(i) be entered into by the 
                        Secretary, the owner of the eligible 
                        land, and (if applicable) the operator 
                        of the eligible land; and
                            ``(ii) provide that, during the 
                        term of the contract--
                                    ``(I) the lowest 
                                practicable cost perennial 
                                conserving use cover crop for 
                                the eligible land, as 
                                determined by the applicable 
                                State conservationist after 
                                considering the advice of the 
                                applicable State technical 
                                committee, shall be planted on 
                                the eligible land;
                                    ``(II) except as provided 
                                in subparagraph (E), the owner 
                                or operator of the eligible 
                                land shall pay the cost of 
                                planting the conserving use 
                                cover crop under subclause (I);
                                    ``(III) subject to 
                                subparagraph (F), the eligible 
                                land may be harvested for seed, 
                                hayed, or grazed outside the 
                                primary nesting season 
                                established for the applicable 
                                county;
                                    ``(IV) the eligible land 
                                may be eligible for a walk-in 
                                access program of the 
                                applicable State, if any; and
                                    ``(V) a nonprofit wildlife 
                                organization may provide to the 
                                owner or operator of the 
                                eligible land a payment in 
                                exchange for an agreement by 
                                the owner or operator not to 
                                harvest the conserving use 
                                cover.
                    ``(B) Payments.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraphs (E) and (F)(ii)(II), the annual 
                rental rate for a payment under a contract 
                described in paragraph (2) shall be equal to 50 
                percent of the average rental rate for the 
                applicable county under section 1234(d), as 
                determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Limitation on enrolled land.--Not 
                more than 15 percent of the eligible land on a 
                farm may be enrolled in the pilot program under 
                this subsection.
                    ``(D) Term.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), each contract 
                        described in paragraph (2) shall be for 
                        a term of 3, 4, or 5 years, as 
                        determined by the parties to the 
                        contract.
                            ``(ii) Early termination.--
                                    ``(I) Secretary.--The 
                                Secretary may terminate a 
                                contract described in paragraph 
                                (2) before the end of the term 
                                described in clause (i) if the 
                                Secretary determines that the 
                                early termination of the 
                                contract is necessary.
                                    ``(II) Owners and 
                                operators.--An owner and (if 
                                applicable) an operator of 
                                eligible land enrolled in the 
                                pilot program under this 
                                subsection may terminate a 
                                contract described in paragraph 
                                (2) before the end of the term 
                                described in clause (i) if the 
                                owner and (if applicable) the 
                                operator pay to the Secretary 
                                an amount equal to the amount 
                                of rental payments received 
                                under the contract.
                    ``(E) Beginning, limited resource, socially 
                disadvantaged, or veteran farmers and 
                ranchers.--With respect to a beginning, limited 
                resource, socially disadvantaged, or veteran 
                farmer or rancher, as determined by the 
                Secretary--
                            ``(i) a contract described in 
                        paragraph (2) shall provide that, 
                        during the term of the contract, of the 
                        actual cost of establishment of the 
                        conserving use cover crop under 
                        subparagraph (A)(ii)(I)--
                                    ``(I) using the funds of 
                                the Commodity Credit 
                                Corporation, the Secretary 
                                shall pay 50 percent; and
                                    ``(II) the beginning, 
                                limited resource, socially 
                                disadvantaged, or veteran 
                                farmer or rancher shall pay 50 
                                percent; and
                            ``(ii) the annual rental rate for a 
                        payment under a contract described in 
                        paragraph (2) shall be equal to 75 
                        percent of the average rental rate for 
                        the applicable county under section 
                        1234(d), as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
                    ``(F) Harvesting, haying, and grazing 
                outside applicable period.--The harvesting for 
                seed, haying, or grazing of eligible land under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) outside of the 
                primary nesting season established for the 
                applicable county shall be subject to the 
                conditions that--
                            ``(i) with respect to eligible land 
                        that is so hayed or grazed, adequate 
                        stubble height shall be maintained to 
                        protect the soil on the eligible land, 
                        as determined by the applicable State 
                        conservationist after considering the 
                        advice of the applicable State 
                        technical committee; and
                            ``(ii) with respect to eligible 
                        land that is so harvested for seed--
                                    ``(I) the eligible land 
                                shall not be eligible to be 
                                insured or reinsured under the 
                                Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
                                U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and
                                    ``(II) the rental payment 
                                otherwise applicable to the 
                                eligible land under this 
                                subsection shall be reduced by 
                                25 percent.
            ``(4) Acreage limitation.--Of the number of acres 
        available for enrollment in the conservation reserve 
        under section 1231(d)(1), not more than 50,000 total 
        acres of eligible land may be enrolled under the pilot 
        program under this subsection.
            ``(5) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report 
        describing the eligible land enrolled in the pilot 
        program under this subsection, including--
                    ``(A) the estimated conservation value of 
                the land; and
                    ``(B) estimated savings from reduced 
                commodity payments, crop insurance indemnities, 
                and crop insurance premium subsidies.''.

SEC. 2205. DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS.

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

SEC. 2206. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

    (a) Cost-Share and Rental Payments.--Section 1233(a) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3833(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including 
        the cost of fencing and other water distribution 
        practices, if applicable'' after ``interest''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``in an amount necessary to 
                compensate'' and inserting ``, in accordance 
                with section 1234(d),'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, marginal 
                        pastureland,'' after ``cropland''; and
                            (ii) by adding ``or'' at the end;
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (B); and
                    (D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (B).
    (b) Specified Activities Permitted.--Section 1233 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3833) is amended by 
striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Specified Activities Permitted.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination 
        with the applicable State technical committee 
        established under section 1261(a), shall permit certain 
        activities or commercial uses of established cover on 
        land that is subject to a contract under the 
        conservation reserve program if--
                    ``(A) those activities or uses--
                            ``(i) are consistent with the 
                        conservation of soil, water quality, 
                        and wildlife habitat;
                            ``(ii) are subject to appropriate 
                        restrictions during the primary nesting 
                        season for birds in the local area that 
                        are economically significant, in 
                        significant decline, or conserved in 
                        accordance with Federal or State law;
                            ``(iii) contribute to the health 
                        and vigor of the established cover; and
                            ``(iv) are consistent with a site-
                        specific plan, including vegetative 
                        management requirements, stocking 
                        rates, and frequency and duration of 
                        activity, taking into consideration 
                        regional differences, such as climate, 
                        soil type, and natural resources; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary, in coordination with 
                the State technical committee, includes 
                contract modifications--
                            ``(i) without any reduction in the 
                        rental rate for--
                                    ``(I) emergency haying, 
                                emergency grazing, or other 
                                emergency use of the forage in 
                                response to a localized or 
                                regional drought, flooding, 
                                wildfire, or other emergency, 
                                on all practices, outside the 
                                primary nesting season, when--
                                            ``(aa) the county 
                                        is designated as D2 
                                        (severe drought) or 
                                        greater according to 
                                        the United States 
                                        Drought Monitor;
                                            ``(bb) there is at 
                                        least a 40 percent loss 
                                        in forage production in 
                                        the county; or
                                            ``(cc) the 
                                        Secretary, in 
                                        coordination with the 
                                        State technical 
                                        committee, determines 
                                        that the program can 
                                        assist in the response 
                                        to a natural disaster 
                                        event without permanent 
                                        damage to the 
                                        established cover;
                                    ``(II) emergency grazing on 
                                all practices during the 
                                primary nesting season if 
                                payments are authorized for a 
                                county under the livestock 
                                forage disaster program under 
                                clause (ii) of section 
                                1501(c)(3)(D) of the 
                                Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
                                U.S.C. 9081(c)(3)(D)), at 50 
                                percent of the normal carrying 
                                capacity determined under 
                                clause (i) of that section, 
                                adjusted to the site-specific 
                                plan;
                                    ``(III) emergency haying on 
                                certain practices, outside the 
                                primary nesting season, if 
                                payments are authorized for a 
                                county under the livestock 
                                forage disaster program under 
                                clause (ii) of section 
                                1501(c)(3)(D) of the 
                                Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
                                U.S.C. 9081(c)(3)(D)), on not 
                                more than 50 percent of 
                                contract acres, as identified 
                                in the site-specific plan;
                                    ``(IV) grazing of all 
                                practices, outside the primary 
                                nesting season, if included as 
                                a mid-contract management 
                                practice under section 
                                1232(a)(5);
                                    ``(V) the intermittent and 
                                seasonal use of vegetative 
                                buffer established under 
                                paragraphs (4) and (5) of 
                                section 1231(b) that are 
                                incidental to agricultural 
                                production on land adjacent to 
                                the buffer such that the 
                                permitted use--
                                            ``(aa) does not 
                                        destroy the permanent 
                                        vegetative cover; and
                                            ``(bb) retains 
                                        suitable vegetative 
                                        structure for wildlife 
                                        cover and shelter 
                                        outside the primary 
                                        nesting season; or
                                    ``(VI) grazing on all 
                                practices, outside the primary 
                                nesting season, if conducted by 
                                a beginning farmer or rancher; 
                                or
                            ``(ii) with a 25 percent reduction 
                        in the annual rental rate for the acres 
                        covered by the authorized activity, 
                        including--
                                    ``(I) grazing not more 
                                frequently than every other 
                                year on the same land, except 
                                that during the primary nesting 
                                season, grazing shall be 
                                subject to a 50 percent 
                                reduction in the stocking rate 
                                specified in the site-specific 
                                plan;
                                    ``(II) grazing of all 
                                practices during the primary 
                                nesting season, with a 50 
                                percent reduction in the 
                                stocking rate specified in the 
                                site-specific plan;
                                    ``(III) haying and other 
                                commercial use (including the 
                                managed harvesting of biomass 
                                and excluding the harvesting of 
                                vegetative cover), on the 
                                condition that the activity--
                                            ``(aa) is completed 
                                        outside the primary 
                                        nesting season;
                                            ``(bb) occurs not 
                                        more than once every 3 
                                        years; and
                                            ``(cc) maintains 25 
                                        percent of the total 
                                        contract acres 
                                        unharvested, in 
                                        accordance with a site-
                                        specific plan that 
                                        provides for wildlife 
                                        cover and shelter;
                                    ``(IV) annual grazing 
                                outside the primary nesting 
                                season if consistent with a 
                                site-specific plan that is 
                                authorized for the control of 
                                invasive species; and
                                    ``(V) the installation of 
                                wind turbines and associated 
                                access, except that in 
                                permitting the installation of 
                                wind turbines, the Secretary 
                                shall determine the number and 
                                location of wind turbines that 
                                may be installed, taking into 
                                account--
                                            ``(aa) the 
                                        location, size, and 
                                        other physical 
                                        characteristics of the 
                                        land;
                                            ``(bb) the extent 
                                        to which the land 
                                        contains threatened or 
                                        endangered wildlife and 
                                        wildlife habitat; and
                                            ``(cc) the purposes 
                                        of the conservation 
                                        reserve program under 
                                        this subchapter.
            ``(2) Conditions on haying and grazing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may permit 
                haying or grazing in accordance with paragraph 
                (1) on any land or practice subject to a 
                contract under the conservation reserve 
                program.
                    ``(B) Exceptions.--
                            ``(i) Damage to vegetative cover.--
                        Haying or grazing described in 
                        paragraph (1) shall not be permitted on 
                        land subject to a contract under the 
                        conservation reserve program, or under 
                        a particular practice, if haying or 
                        grazing for that year under that 
                        practice, as applicable, would cause 
                        long-term damage to vegetative cover on 
                        that land.
                            ``(ii) Special agreements.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Except 
                                as provided in subclause (II), 
                                haying or grazing described in 
                                paragraph (1) shall not be 
                                permitted on--
                                            ``(aa) land covered 
                                        by a contract enrolled 
                                        under the State acres 
                                        for wildlife 
                                        enhancement program 
                                        established by the 
                                        Secretary; or
                                            ``(bb) land covered 
                                        by a contract enrolled 
                                        under a conservation 
                                        reserve enhancement 
                                        program established 
                                        under section 1231A or 
                                        the Conservation 
                                        Reserve Enhancement 
                                        Program established by 
                                        the Secretary under 
                                        this subchapter.
                                    ``(II) Exception.--
                                Subclause (I) shall not apply 
                                to land on which haying or 
                                grazing is specifically 
                                permitted under the applicable 
                                conservation reserve 
                                enhancement program agreement 
                                or other partnership agreement 
                                entered into under this 
                                subchapter.''.
    (c) Natural Disaster or Adverse Weather as Mid-contract 
Management.--Section 1233 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3833) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Natural Disaster or Adverse Weather as Mid-contract 
Management.--In the case of a natural disaster or adverse 
weather event that has the effect of a management practice 
consistent with the conservation plan, the Secretary shall not 
require further management practices pursuant to section 
1232(a)(5) that are intended to achieve the same effect.''.

SEC. 2207. PAYMENTS.

    (a) Cost Sharing Payments.--Section 1234(b) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (2) through (4) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Limitations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
                cost sharing payments to an owner or operator 
                under this subchapter, when combined with the 
                sum of payments from all other funding sources 
                for measures and practices described in 
                paragraph (1), do not exceed 100 percent of the 
                total actual cost of establishing those 
                measures and practices, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(B) Mid-contract management grazing.--The 
                Secretary may not make any cost sharing payment 
                to an owner or operator under this subchapter 
                pursuant to section 1232(a)(5).
                    ``(C) Seed cost.--In the case of seed costs 
                related to the establishment of cover, cost 
                sharing payments under this subchapter shall 
                not exceed 50 percent of the actual cost of the 
                seed mixture, as determined by the 
                Secretary.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
        (3);
            (3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``An owner'' and inserting ``Except in the 
        case of incentive payments that are related to the cost 
        of the establishment of a practice and received from 
        eligible partners under the conservation reserve 
        enhancement program under section 1231A, an owner''; 
        and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Practice incentives for continuous 
        practices.--In addition to the cost sharing payment 
        described in this subsection, the Secretary shall make 
        an incentive payment to an owner or operator of land 
        enrolled under section 1231(d)(6) in an amount not to 
        exceed 50 percent of the actual cost of establishing 
        all measures and practices described in paragraph (1), 
        including seed costs related to the establishment of 
        cover, as determined by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Incentive Payments.--Section 1234(c) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(c)) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking 
        ``Incentive'' and inserting ``Forest Management 
        Incentive'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The Secretary'' 
        and inserting ``Using funds made available under 
        section 1241(a)(1)(A), the Secretary''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``150 percent'' 
        and inserting ``100 percent''.
    (c) Annual Rental Payments.--Section 1234(d) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``the Secretary may 
                consider, among other things, the amount'' and 
                inserting the following: ``the Secretary shall 
                consider--
                    ``(A) the amount'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), 
                by striking the period at the end and inserting 
                a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) the impact on the local farmland 
                rental market; and
                    ``(C) such other factors as the Secretary 
                determines to be appropriate.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``; 
                        or'' and inserting a period;
                            (ii) by striking clause (ii); and
                            (iii) by striking ``determined 
                        through--'' in the matter preceding 
                        clause (i) and all that follows through 
                        ``the submission of bids'' in clause 
                        (i) and inserting ``determined through 
                        the submission of applications'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C);
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Multiple enrollments.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to 
                        clause (ii), if land subject to a 
                        contract entered into under this 
                        subchapter is reenrolled under section 
                        1231(h)(1) or has been previously 
                        enrolled in the conservation reserve, 
                        the annual rental payment shall be in 
                        an amount that is not more than 85 
                        percent in the case of general 
                        enrollment contacts, or 90 percent in 
                        the case of continuous enrollment 
                        contracts, of the applicable estimated 
                        average county rental rate published 
                        pursuant to paragraph (4) for the year 
                        in which the reenrollment occurs.
                            ``(ii) Conservation reserve 
                        enhancement program.--The reduction in 
                        annual rental payments under clause (i) 
                        may be waived as part of the 
                        negotiation between the Secretary and 
                        an eligible partner to enter into a 
                        conservation reserve enhancement 
                        program agreement under section 
                        1231A.'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``In the case'' and 
                inserting ``Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
                in the case''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Continuous sign-up incentives.--The 
                Secretary shall make an incentive payment to 
                the owner or operator of land enrolled under 
                section 1231(d)(6) at the time of initial 
                enrollment in an amount equal to 32.5 percent 
                of the amount of the first annual rental 
                payment under subparagraph (A).'';
            (3) by striking paragraph (4);
            (4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
        (4); and
            (5) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``, not less 
                        frequently than once every other 
                        year,'' and inserting ``annually''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, and shall 
                        publish the estimates derived from the 
                        survey not later than September 15 of 
                        each year'' before the period at the 
                        end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and 
                the average current and previous soil rental 
                rates for each county'' after ``subparagraph 
                (A)'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``may 
                use'' and inserting ``shall consider''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Submission of additional information 
                by state fsa offices and crep partners.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary 
                        shall provide an opportunity for State 
                        Committees of the Farm Service Agency 
                        or eligible partners (as defined in 
                        section 1231A(a)) in conservation 
                        reserve enhancement programs under 
                        section 1231A to propose an alternative 
                        soil rental rate prior to finalizing 
                        new rates, on the condition that 
                        documentation described in clause (ii) 
                        is provided to support the proposed 
                        alternative.
                            ``(ii) Acceptable documentation.--
                        Documentation referred to in clause (i) 
                        includes--
                                    ``(I) an average of cash 
                                rents from a random sample of 
                                lease agreements;
                                    ``(II) cash rent estimates 
                                from a published survey;
                                    ``(III) neighboring county 
                                estimate comparisons from the 
                                National Agricultural 
                                Statistics Service;
                                    ``(IV) an average of cash 
                                rents from Farm Service Agency 
                                farm business plans;
                                    ``(V) models that estimate 
                                cash rents, such as models that 
                                use returns to estimate crop 
                                production or land value data; 
                                or
                                    ``(VI) other documentation, 
                                as determined by the Secretary.
                            ``(iii) Notification.--Not less 
                        than 14 days prior to the announcement 
                        of new or revised soil rental rates, 
                        the Secretary shall offer a briefing to 
                        the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
                        Committee on Agriculture of the House 
                        of Representatives and the Chairman and 
                        Ranking Member of the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate, including information on 
                        and the rationale for the alternative 
                        rates proposed under clause (i) that 
                        were accepted or rejected.
                    ``(E) Rental rate limitation.--
                Notwithstanding forest management incentive 
                payments described in subsection (c), the 
                county average soil rental rate (before any 
                adjustments relating to specific practices, 
                wellhead protection, or soil productivity) 
                shall not exceed--
                            ``(i) 85 percent of the estimated 
                        rental rate determined under this 
                        paragraph for general enrollment; or
                            ``(ii) 90 percent of the estimated 
                        rental rate determined under this 
                        paragraph for continuous enrollment.''.
    (d) Payment Limitation for Rental Payments.--Section 
1234(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(g)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The total'' and 
        inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        total''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(2) Wellhead protection.--Paragraph (1) and 
        section 1001D(b) shall not apply to rental payments 
        received by a rural water district or association for 
        land that is enrolled under this subchapter for the 
        purpose of protecting a wellhead.''.

SEC. 2208. CONTRACTS.

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

SEC. 2209. ELIGIBLE LAND; STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.

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

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

SEC. 2301. REPEAL OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

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

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

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

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

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

    (b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--Subchapter B of 
chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating sections 1238D through 1238G 
        as sections 1240I through 1240L, respectively; and
            (2) by moving sections 1240I through 1240L (as so 
        redesignated) so as to appear after the subchapter 
        heading for subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
        title XII of that Act (as added by subsection (a)(2)).
    (c) Repeal.--
            (1) In general.--Chapter 2 of subtitle D of title 
        XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838 et 
        seq.) (as amended by subsection (b)) is repealed.
            (2) Termination of conservation stewardship 
        program.--Effective on the date of enactment of this 
        Act, the conservation stewardship program under 
        subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of 
        the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) 
        (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
        of this Act) shall cease to be effective.
            (3) Transitional provisions.--
                    (A) Effect on existing contracts and 
                agreements.--The cessation of effectiveness 
                under paragraph (2) shall not affect--
                            (i) the validity or terms of any 
                        contract entered into by the Secretary 
                        under subchapter B of chapter 2 of 
                        subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
                        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d 
                        et seq.) before the date of enactment 
                        of this Act, or any payments, 
                        modifications, or technical assistance 
                        required to be made in connection with 
                        the contract; or
                            (ii) subject to subparagraph (D), 
                        any agreement entered into by the 
                        Secretary under the regional 
                        conservation partnership program under 
                        subtitle I of title XII of the Food 
                        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871 et 
                        seq.) on or before September 30, 2018, 
                        under which conservation stewardship 
                        program acres and associated funding 
                        have been allocated to the agreement 
                        for the purpose of entering into a 
                        contract under subchapter B of chapter 
                        2 of subtitle D of title XII of that 
                        Act (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in 
                        effect on the day before the date of 
                        enactment of this Act).
                    (B) Extension permitted.--Notwithstanding 
                paragraph (2), the Secretary may extend for 1 
                year a contract described in subparagraph 
                (A)(i) if that contract expires on or before 
                December 31, 2019, under the terms and payment 
                rate of the existing contract and in accordance 
                with subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of 
                title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
                U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
                before the date of enactment of this Act).
                    (C) Renewal not permitted.--
                            (i) In general.--Notwithstanding 
                        subparagraph (A), and subject to clause 
                        (ii), the Secretary may not renew a 
                        contract or agreement described in that 
                        subparagraph.
                            (ii) Exception.--The Secretary may 
                        renew a contract described in 
                        subparagraph (A)(i)--
                                    (I) if that contract 
                                expires on or after December 
                                31, 2019;
                                    (II) under the terms of the 
                                conservation stewardship 
                                program under subchapter B of 
                                chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
                                title XII of the Food Security 
                                Act of 1985 (as added by 
                                subsections (a)(2) and (b)); 
                                and
                                    (III) subject to the 
                                limitation on funding for that 
                                subchapter under section 1241 
                                of the Food Security Act of 
                                1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841).
                    (D) RCPP contracts.--
                            (i) Treatment of acreage.--In the 
                        case of an agreement described in 
                        subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary may 
                        provide an amount of funding that is 
                        equivalent to the value of any acres 
                        covered by the agreement.
                            (ii) Funds and acres not 
                        obligated.--In the case of an agreement 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(ii) to 
                        which program acres and associated 
                        funding have been allocated but not yet 
                        obligated to enter into a contract 
                        under subchapter B of chapter 2 of 
                        subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
                        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d 
                        et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
                        before the date of enactment of this 
                        Act)--
                                    (I) the Secretary shall 
                                modify the agreement to 
                                authorize the entrance into a 
                                contract under subchapter B of 
                                chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
                                title XII of the Food Security 
                                Act of 1985 (as added by 
                                subsections (a)(2) and (b)); 
                                and
                                    (II) the funds associated 
                                with the conservation 
                                stewardship program acres 
                                allocated under that agreement, 
                                on modification under subclause 
                                (I), may be used to enter into 
                                conservation stewardship 
                                program contracts with 
                                producers under subchapter B of 
                                chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
                                title XII of the Food Security 
                                Act of 1985 (as added by 
                                subsections (a)(2) and (b)).
            (4) Contract administration.--Subject to paragraphs 
        (3)(C) and (3)(D)(ii)(II), the Secretary shall 
        administer each contract and agreement described in 
        clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (3)(A) until the 
        expiration of the contract or agreement in accordance 
        with the regulations to carry out the conservation 
        stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter 2 of 
        subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
        1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
        before the date of enactment of this Act) that are in 
        effect on the day before that date of enactment.
            (5) Funding.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and 
        (2), any funds made available from the Commodity Credit 
        Corporation under section 1241(a)(4) of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(4)) for fiscal 
        years 2014 through 2018 shall be available to carry 
        out--
                    (A) any contract or agreement described in 
                paragraph (3)(A)(i) for fiscal year 2019;
                    (B) any contract or agreement described in 
                paragraph (3)(A)(ii);
                    (C) any contract extended under paragraph 
                (3)(B); and
                    (D) any contract or agreement under 
                subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
                title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as 
                added by subsections (a)(2) and (b)).
    (d) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Food security act of 1985.--
                    (A) Section 1211(a)(3)(A) of the Food 
                Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)(3)(A)) 
                is amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' 
                before ``chapter 4''.
                    (B) Section 1221(b)(3)(A) of the Food 
                Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821(b)(3)(A)) 
                is amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' 
                before ``chapter 4''.
                    (C) Section 1240J(b)(1) of the Food 
                Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by 
                subsection (b)(1)) is amended by striking 
                subparagraph (C).
                    (D) Section 1240 of the Food Security Act 
                of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) is amended in the 
                matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
                ``chapter'' and inserting ``subchapter''.
                    (E) Section 1240A of the Food Security Act 
                of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is amended by 
                striking ``chapter'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``subchapter''.
                    (F) Section 1240B(i)(2)(B) of the Food 
                Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
                2(i)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``chapter'' 
                and inserting ``subchapter''.
                    (G) Section 1240C(b) of the Food Security 
                Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3(b)) is amended 
                in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
                striking ``chapter'' and inserting 
                ``subchapter''.
                    (H) Section 1240E(b)(2) of the Food 
                Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-5(b)(2)) 
                is amended by striking ``chapter'' and 
                inserting ``subchapter''.
                    (I) Section 1240G of the Food Security Act 
                of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7) is amended by 
                striking ``chapter'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``subchapter''.
                    (J) Section 1240H of the Food Security Act 
                of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is amended by 
                striking ``chapter'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``subchapter''.
                    (K) Section 1244(c)(3) of the Food Security 
                Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(c)(3)) is amended 
                by inserting ``subchapter A of'' before 
                ``chapter 4''.
                    (L) Section 1244(l) of the Food Security 
                Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(l)) is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``chapter 2'' and 
                        inserting ``chapter 4''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``subchapter A 
                        of'' after ``incentives program 
                        under''.
            (2) Other laws.--
                    (A) Section 344(f)(8) of the Agricultural 
                Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1344(f)(8)) is 
                amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' before 
                ``chapter 4''.
                    (B) Section 377 of the Agricultural 
                Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1377) is 
                amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' before 
                ``chapter 4''.
                    (C) Paragraph (1) of the last proviso of 
                the matter under the heading ``conservation 
                reserve program'' under the heading ``Soil Bank 
                Programs'' of title I of the Department of 
                Agriculture and Farm Credit Administration 
                Appropriation Act, 1959 (7 U.S.C. 1831a), is 
                amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' before 
                ``chapter 4''.
                    (D) Section 8(b)(1) of the Soil 
                Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 
                U.S.C. 590h(b)(1)) is amended by inserting 
                ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 4''.
                    (E) Section 1271(c)(3)(C) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                1990 (16 U.S.C. 2106a(c)(3)(C)) is amended by 
                inserting ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 
                4''.
                    (F) Section 304(a)(1) of the Lake Champlain 
                Special Designation Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 1270 
                note; Public Law 101-596) is amended by 
                inserting ``subchapter A of'' before ``chapter 
                4''.
                    (G) Section 202(c) of the Colorado River 
                Basin Salinity Control Act (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)) 
                is amended by inserting ``subchapter A of'' 
                before ``chapter 4''.

SEC. 2302. PURPOSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 2303. DEFINITIONS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

    Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-1) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) 
        and (5) as paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8), 
        respectively;
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(1) Conservation planning assessment.--The term 
        `conservation planning assessment' means a report, as 
        determined by the Secretary, that--
                    ``(A) is developed by--
                            ``(i) a State or unit of local 
                        government (including a conservation 
                        district);
                            ``(ii) a Federal agency; or
                            ``(iii) a third-party provider 
                        certified under section 1242(e) 
                        (including a certified rangeland 
                        professional);
                    ``(B) assesses rangeland or cropland 
                function and describes conservation activities 
                to enhance the economic and ecological 
                management of that land; and
                    ``(C) can be incorporated into a 
                comprehensive planning document required by the 
                Secretary for enrollment in a conservation 
                program of the Department of Agriculture.'';
            (3) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in 
        subparagraph (B)(vi)--
                    (A) by inserting ``environmentally 
                sensitive areas,'' after ``marshes,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``identified or expected'' 
                before ``resource concerns'';
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(3) Incentive practice.--The term `incentive 
        practice' means a practice or set of practices approved 
        by the Secretary that, when implemented and maintained 
        on eligible land, address 1 or more priority resource 
        concerns.'';
            (5) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (iv), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) by redesignating clause (v) as 
                        clause (vii); and
                            (iii) by inserting after clause 
                        (iv) the following:
                            ``(v) soil testing;
                            ``(vi) soil remediation to be 
                        carried out by the producer; and''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) by redesignating clause (ii) 
                        as clause (vi); and
                            (iii) by inserting after clause (i) 
                        the following:
                            ``(ii) planning for resource-
                        conserving crop rotations (as defined 
                        in section 1240L(d)(1));
                            ``(iii) soil health planning, 
                        including increasing soil organic 
                        matter and the use of cover crops;
                            ``(iv) a conservation planning 
                        assessment;
                            ``(v) precision conservation 
                        management planning; and'';
            (6) by inserting after paragraph (6) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(7) Priority resource concern.--The term 
        `priority resource concern' means a natural resource 
        concern or problem, as determined by the Secretary, 
        that--
                    ``(A) is identified at the national, State, 
                or local level as a priority for a particular 
                area of a State; and
                    ``(B) represents a significant concern in a 
                State or region.''; and
            (7) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) Soil remediation.--The term `soil 
        remediation' means scientifically based practices 
        that--
                    ``(A) ensure the safety of producers from 
                contaminants in soil;
                    ``(B) limit contaminants in soil from 
                entering agricultural products for human or 
                animal consumption; and
                    ``(C) regenerate and sustain the soil.
            ``(10) Soil testing.--The term `soil testing' means 
        the evaluation of soil health, including testing for--
                    ``(A) the optimal level of constituents in 
                the soil, such as organic matter, nutrients, 
                and the potential presence of soil 
                contaminants, including heavy metals, volatile 
                organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic 
                hydrocarbons, or other contaminants; and
                    ``(B) the biological and physical 
                characteristics indicative of proper soil 
                functioning.''.

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

    (a) Establishment.--Section 1240B(a) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(a)) is amended by striking 
``2019'' and inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Payments.--Section 1240B(d) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (i)--
                            (i) by striking ``Not more than'' 
                        and inserting ``On an election by a 
                        producer described in subparagraph (A), 
                        the Secretary shall provide at least'';
                            (ii) by striking ``may be 
                        provided''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``the purpose 
                        of'' and inserting ``all costs related 
                        to''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Notification and 
                        documentation.--The Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) notify each producer 
                                described in subparagraph (A), 
                                at the time of enrollment in 
                                the program, of the option to 
                                receive advance payments under 
                                clause (i); and
                                    ``(II) document the 
                                election of each producer 
                                described in subparagraph (A) 
                                to receive advance payments 
                                under clause (i) with respect 
                                to each practice that has costs 
                                described in that clause.''; 
                                and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Increased payments for high-priority 
        practices.--
                    ``(A) State determination.--Each State, in 
                consultation with the State technical committee 
                established under section 1261(a) for the 
                State, may designate not more than 10 practices 
                to be eligible for increased payments under 
                subparagraph (B), on the condition that the 
                practice, as determined by the Secretary--
                            ``(i) addresses specific causes of 
                        impairment relating to excessive 
                        nutrients in groundwater or surface 
                        water;
                            ``(ii) addresses the conservation 
                        of water to advance drought mitigation 
                        and declining aquifers;
                            ``(iii) meets other environmental 
                        priorities and other priority resource 
                        concerns identified in habitat or other 
                        area restoration plans; or
                            ``(iv) is geographically targeted 
                        to address a natural resource concern 
                        in a specific watershed.
                    ``(B) Increased payments.--Notwithstanding 
                paragraph (2), in the case of a practice 
                designated under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary may increase the amount that would 
                otherwise be provided for a practice under this 
                subsection to not more than 90 percent of the 
                costs associated with planning, design, 
                materials, equipment, installation, labor, 
                management, maintenance, or training.''.
    (c) Allocation of Funding.--Section 1240B(f) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(f)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and 
                inserting ``2019 through 2023'';
                    (B) by striking ``60'' and inserting 
                ``50''; and
                    (C) by striking ``production.'' and 
                inserting ``production, including grazing 
                management practices.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``For each'' and inserting 
                the following:
                    ``(A) Fiscal years 2014 through 2018.--For 
                each''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Fiscal years 2019 through 2023.--For 
                each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, at 
                least 10 percent of the funds made available 
                for payments under the program shall be 
                targeted at practices benefitting wildlife 
                habitat under subsection (g).''.
    (d) Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.--Section 1240B(g) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(g)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Maximum term.--In the case of a contract 
        under the program entered into solely for the 
        establishment of 1 or more annual management practices 
        for the benefit of wildlife as described in paragraph 
        (1), notwithstanding any maximum contract term 
        established by the Secretary, the contract shall have a 
        term that does not exceed 10 years.
            ``(4) Included practices.--For the purpose of 
        providing seasonal wetland habitat for waterfowl and 
        migratory birds, a practice that is eligible for 
        payment under paragraph (1) and targeted for funding 
        under subsection (f) may include--
                    ``(A) a practice to carry out postharvest 
                flooding; or
                    ``(B) a practice to maintain the hydrology 
                of temporary and seasonal wetlands of not more 
                than 2 acres to maintain waterfowl and 
                migratory bird habitat on working cropland.''.
    (e) Water Conservation or Irrigation Efficiency Practice.--
Section 1240B(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-2(h)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) Availability of payments.--The Secretary may 
        provide water conservation and system efficiency 
        payments under this subsection to an entity described 
        in paragraph (2) or a producer for--
                    ``(A) water conservation scheduling, water 
                distribution efficiency, soil moisture 
                monitoring, or an appropriate combination 
                thereof;
                    ``(B) irrigation-related structural or 
                other measures that conserve surface water or 
                groundwater, including managed aquifer recovery 
                practices; or
                    ``(C) a transition to water-conserving 
                crops, water-conserving crop rotations, or 
                deficit irrigation.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph 
        (3);
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Eligibility of certain entities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 
                1001(f)(6), the Secretary may enter into a 
                contract under this subsection with a State, 
                irrigation district, groundwater management 
                district, acequia, land-grant mercedes, or 
                similar entity under a streamlined contracting 
                process to implement water conservation or 
                irrigation practices under a watershed-wide 
                project that will effectively conserve water, 
                provide fish and wildlife habitat, or provide 
                for drought-related environmental mitigation, 
                as determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Implementation.--Water conservation 
                or irrigation practices that are the subject of 
                a contract entered into under subparagraph (A) 
                shall be implemented on--
                            ``(i) eligible land of a producer; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) land that is--
                                    ``(I) under the control of 
                                an irrigation district, 
                                groundwater management 
                                district, acequia, land-grant 
                                mercedes, or similar entity; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) adjacent to eligible 
                                land described in clause (i), 
                                as determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Waiver authority.--The Secretary may 
                waive the applicability of the limitations in 
                section 1001D(b) or section 1240G for a payment 
                made under a contract entered into under this 
                paragraph if the Secretary determines that the 
                waiver is necessary to fulfill the objectives 
                of the project.
                    ``(D) Contract limitations.--If the 
                Secretary grants a waiver under subparagraph 
                (C), the Secretary may impose a separate 
                payment limitation for the contract with 
                respect to which the waiver applies.'';
            (4) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``to a producer'' and 
                inserting ``under this subsection'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the 
                eligible land of the producer is located, there 
                is a reduction in water use in the operation of 
                the producer'' and inserting ``the land on 
                which the practices will be implemented is 
                located, there is a reduction in water use in 
                the operation on that land''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
                ``except in the case of an application under 
                paragraph (2),'' before ``the producer 
                agrees''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection 
        authorizes the Secretary to modify the process for 
        determining the annual allocation of funding to States 
        under the program.''.
    (f) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Organic 
Production.--Section 1240B(i)(3) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Payments'' 
        and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Payments'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``In 
        applying these limitations'' and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(B) Technical assistance.--In applying 
                the limitations under subparagraph (A)''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)--
                    (A) by striking ``aggregate, $20,000 per 
                year or $80,000 during any 6-year period.'' and 
                inserting the following: ``aggregate--
                            ``(i) through fiscal year 2018--
                                    ``(I) $20,000 per year; or
                                    ``(II) $80,000 during any 
                                6-year period; and''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) during the period of fiscal 
                        years 2019 through 2023, $140,000.''.
    (g) Conservation Incentive Contracts.--Section 1240B of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Conservation Incentive Contracts.--
            ``(1) Identification of eligible priority resource 
        concerns for states.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in 
                consultation with the applicable State 
                technical committee established under section 
                1261(a), shall identify watersheds (or other 
                appropriate regions or areas within a State) 
                and the corresponding priority resource 
                concerns for those watersheds or other regions 
                or areas that are eligible to be the subject of 
                an incentive contract under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--For each of the relevant 
                land uses within the watersheds, regions, or 
                other areas identified under subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary shall identify not more than 3 
                eligible priority resource concerns.
            ``(2) Contracts.--
                    ``(A) Authority.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary 
                        shall enter into contracts with 
                        producers under this subsection that 
                        require the implementation, adoption, 
                        management, and maintenance of 
                        incentive practices that effectively 
                        address at least 1 eligible priority 
                        resource concern identified under 
                        paragraph (1) for the term of the 
                        contract.
                            ``(ii) Inclusions.--Through a 
                        contract entered into under clause (i), 
                        the Secretary may provide--
                                    ``(I) funding, through 
                                annual payments, for certain 
                                incentive practices to attain 
                                increased levels of 
                                conservation on eligible land; 
                                or
                                    ``(II) assistance, through 
                                a practice payment, to 
                                implement an incentive 
                                practice.
                    ``(B) Term.--A contract under this 
                subsection shall have a term of not less than 
                5, and not more than 10, years.
                    ``(C) Prioritization.--Notwithstanding 
                section 1240C, the Secretary shall develop 
                criteria for evaluating incentive practice 
                applications that--
                            ``(i) give priority to applications 
                        that address eligible priority resource 
                        concerns identified under paragraph 
                        (1); and
                            ``(ii) evaluate applications 
                        relative to other applications for 
                        similar agriculture and forest 
                        operations.
            ``(3) Incentive practice payments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                provide payments to producers through contracts 
                entered into under paragraph (2) for--
                            ``(i) adopting and installing 
                        incentive practices; and
                            ``(ii) managing, maintaining, and 
                        improving the incentive practices for 
                        the duration of the contract, as 
                        determined appropriate by the 
                        Secretary.
                    ``(B) Payment amounts.--In determining the 
                amount of payments under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary shall consider, to the extent 
                practicable--
                            ``(i) the level and extent of the 
                        incentive practice to be installed, 
                        adopted, completed, maintained, 
                        managed, or improved;
                            ``(ii) the cost of the 
                        installation, adoption, completion, 
                        management, maintenance, or improvement 
                        of the incentive practice;
                            ``(iii) income foregone by the 
                        producer, including payments, as 
                        appropriate, to address--
                                    ``(I) increased economic 
                                risk;
                                    ``(II) loss in revenue due 
                                to anticipated reductions in 
                                yield; and
                                    ``(III) economic losses 
                                during transition to a 
                                resource-conserving cropping 
                                system or resource-conserving 
                                land use; and
                            ``(iv) the extent to which 
                        compensation would ensure long-term 
                        continued maintenance, management, and 
                        improvement of the incentive practice.
                    ``(C) Delivery of payments.--In making 
                payments under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
                shall, to the extent practicable--
                            ``(i) in the case of annual 
                        payments under paragraph (2)(A)(ii)(I), 
                        make those payments as soon as 
                        practicable after October 1 of each 
                        fiscal year for which increased levels 
                        of conservation are maintained during 
                        the term of the contract; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of practice 
                        payments under paragraph 
                        (2)(A)(ii)(II), make those payments as 
                        soon as practicable on the 
                        implementation of an incentive 
                        practice.''.

SEC. 2305. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM PLAN.

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

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

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

SEC. 2307. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS.

    (a) Competitive Grants for Innovative Conservation 
Approaches.--Section 1240H(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``program;'' 
        and inserting ``program or community colleges (as 
        defined in section 1473E(a) of the National 
        Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
        Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e(a))) carrying out 
        demonstration projects on land of the community 
        college;'';
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
        subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the 
        following:
                    ``(E) partner with farmers to develop 
                innovative practices for urban, indoor, or 
                other emerging agricultural operations;
                    ``(F) utilize edge-of-field and other 
                monitoring practices on farms--
                            ``(i) to quantify the impacts of 
                        practices implemented under the 
                        program; and
                            ``(ii) to assist producers in 
                        making the best conservation 
                        investments for the operations of the 
                        producers;''.
    (b) Air Quality Concerns From Agricultural Operations.--
Section 1240H(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-8(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``$25,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2009 through 2018'' and inserting ``$37,500,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.
    (c) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials; Reporting and 
Database.--Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is amended by striking subsection (c) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(c) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible 
                entity' means, as determined by the Secretary--
                            ``(i) a third-party private entity 
                        the primary business of which is 
                        related to agriculture;
                            ``(ii) a nongovernmental 
                        organization with experience working 
                        with agricultural producers; or
                            ``(iii) a governmental 
                        organization.
                    ``(B) New or innovative conservation 
                approach.--The term `new or innovative 
                conservation approach' means--
                            ``(i) new or innovative--
                                    ``(I) precision agriculture 
                                technologies;
                                    ``(II) enhanced nutrient 
                                management plans, nutrient 
                                recovery systems, and 
                                fertilization systems;
                                    ``(III) soil health 
                                management systems, including 
                                systems to increase soil carbon 
                                levels;
                                    ``(IV) water management 
                                systems;
                                    ``(V) resource-conserving 
                                crop rotations (as defined in 
                                section 1240L(d)(1));
                                    ``(VI) cover crops; and
                                    ``(VII) irrigation systems; 
                                and
                            ``(ii) any other conservation 
                        approach approved by the Secretary as 
                        new or innovative.
            ``(2) Testing new or innovative conservation 
        approaches.--Using $25,000,000 of the funds made 
        available to carry out this subchapter for each of 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the Secretary shall 
        carry out on-farm conservation innovation trials, on 
        eligible land of producers, to test new or innovative 
        conservation approaches--
                    ``(A) directly with producers; or
                    ``(B) through eligible entities.
            ``(3) Incentive payments.--
                    ``(A) Agreements.--In carrying out 
                paragraph (2), the Secretary shall enter into 
                agreements with producers (either directly or 
                through eligible entities) on whose land an on-
                farm conservation innovation trial is being 
                carried out to provide payments (including 
                payments to compensate for foregone income, as 
                appropriate to address the increased economic 
                risk potentially associated with new or 
                innovative conservation approaches) to the 
                producers to assist with adopting and 
                evaluating new or innovative conservation 
                approaches to achieve conservation benefits.
                    ``(B) Adjusted gross income requirements.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Adjusted gross 
                        income requirements under section 
                        1001D(b)(1) shall--
                                    ``(I) apply to producers 
                                receiving payments under this 
                                subsection; and
                                    ``(II) be enforced by the 
                                Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Reporting.--An eligible 
                        entity participating in an on-farm 
                        conservation innovation trial under 
                        this subsection shall report annually 
                        to the Secretary on the amount of 
                        payments made to individual farm 
                        operations under this subsection.
                    ``(C) Limitation on administrative 
                expenses.--None of the funds made available to 
                carry out this subsection may be used to pay 
                for the administrative expenses of an eligible 
                entity.
                    ``(D) Length of agreements.--An agreement 
                entered into under subparagraph (A) shall be 
                for a period determined by the Secretary that 
                is--
                            ``(i) not less than 3 years; and
                            ``(ii) if appropriate, more than 3 
                        years, including if such a period is 
                        appropriate to support--
                                    ``(I) adaptive management 
                                over multiple crop years; and
                                    ``(II) adequate data 
                                collection and analysis by a 
                                producer or eligible entity to 
                                report the natural resource and 
                                agricultural production 
                                benefits of the new or 
                                innovative conservation 
                                approaches to the Secretary.
            ``(4) Flexible adoption.--The scale of adoption of 
        a new or innovative conservation approach under an on-
        farm conservation innovation trial under an agreement 
        under paragraph (2) may include multiple scales on an 
        operation, including whole farm, field-level, or sub-
        field scales.
            ``(5) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall 
        provide technical assistance--
                    ``(A) to each producer or eligible entity 
                participating in an on-farm conservation 
                innovation trial under paragraph (2) with 
                respect to the design, installation, and 
                management of the new or innovative 
                conservation approaches; and
                    ``(B) to each eligible entity participating 
                in an on-farm conservation innovation trial 
                under paragraph (2) with respect to data 
                analyses of the on-farm conservation innovation 
                trial.
            ``(6) Geographic scope.--The Secretary shall 
        identify a diversity of geographic regions of the 
        United States in which to establish on-farm 
        conservation innovation trials under paragraph (2), 
        taking into account factors such as soil type, cropping 
        history, and water availability.
            ``(7) Soil health demonstration trial.--Using funds 
        made available to carry out this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall carry out a soil health demonstration 
        trial under which the Secretary coordinates with 
        eligible entities--
                    ``(A) to provide incentives to producers to 
                implement conservation practices that--
                            ``(i) improve soil health;
                            ``(ii) increase carbon levels in 
                        the soil; or
                            ``(iii) meet the goals described in 
                        clauses (i) and (ii);
                    ``(B) to establish protocols for measuring 
                carbon levels in the soil and testing carbon 
                levels on land where conservation practices 
                described in subparagraph (A) were applied to 
                evaluate gains in soil health as a result of 
                the practices implemented by the producers in 
                the soil health demonstration trial; and
                    ``(C)(i) not later than September 30, 2020, 
                to initiate a study regarding changes in soil 
                health and, if feasible, economic outcomes, 
                generated as a result of the conservation 
                practices described in subparagraph (A) that 
                were applied by producers through the soil 
                health demonstration trial; and
                    ``(ii) to submit to the Committee on 
                Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
                Forestry of the Senate annual reports on the 
                progress and results of the study under clause 
                (i).
    ``(d) Reporting and Database.--
            ``(1) Report required.--Not later than September 
        30, 2019, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
        report on the status of activities funded under this 
        section, including--
                    ``(A) funding awarded;
                    ``(B) results of the activities, including, 
                if feasible, economic outcomes;
                    ``(C) incorporation of findings from the 
                activities, such as new technology and 
                innovative approaches, into the conservation 
                efforts implemented by the Secretary; and
                    ``(D) on completion of the study required 
                under subsection (c)(7)(C), the findings of the 
                study.
            ``(2) Conservation practice database.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall use 
                the data reported under paragraph (1) to 
                establish and maintain a publicly available 
                conservation practice database that provides--
                            ``(i) a compilation and analysis of 
                        effective conservation practices for 
                        soil health, nutrient management, and 
                        source water protection in varying soil 
                        compositions, cropping systems, slopes, 
                        and landscapes; and
                            ``(ii) a list of recommended new 
                        and effective conservation practices.
                    ``(B) Privacy.--Information provided under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be transformed into a 
                statistical or aggregate form so as to not 
                include any identifiable or personal 
                information of individual producers.''.

SEC. 2308. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at 
                the end;
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period 
                at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) development of a 
                        comprehensive conservation plan, as 
                        defined in section 1240L(e)(1);
                            ``(iv) soil health planning, 
                        including planning to increase soil 
                        organic matter; and
                            ``(v) activities that will assist a 
                        producer to adapt to, or mitigate 
                        against, increasing weather 
                        volatility.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting the following: ``through the use of--
                    ``(A) quality criteria under a resource 
                management system;
                    ``(B) predictive analytics tools or models 
                developed or approved by the Natural Resources 
                Conservation Service;
                    ``(C) data from past and current enrollment 
                in the program; and
                    ``(D) other methods that measure 
                conservation and improvement in priority 
                resource concerns, as determined by the 
                Secretary.''.
    (b) Conservation Stewardship Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--Subsection (a) of section 1240J 
        of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by 
        section 2301(b)) is amended in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and 
        inserting ``2019 through 2023''.
            (2) Exclusions.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 1240J 
        of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by 
        section 2301(b)) is amended in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1) by striking ``the Agricultural Act of 
        2014'' and inserting the ``Agriculture Improvement Act 
        of 2018''.
    (c) Stewardship Contracts.--Section 1240K of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (1) 
        and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Ranking of applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In evaluating contract 
                offers submitted under subsection (a) and 
                contract renewals under subsection (e), the 
                Secretary shall rank applications based on--
                            ``(i) the natural resource 
                        conservation and environmental benefits 
                        that result from the conservation 
                        treatment on all applicable priority 
                        resource concerns at the time of 
                        submission of the application;
                            ``(ii) the degree to which the 
                        proposed conservation activities 
                        increase natural resource conservation 
                        and environmental benefits; and
                            ``(iii) other consistent criteria, 
                        as determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Additional criterion.--If 2 or more 
                applications receive the same ranking under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall rank 
                those contracts based on the extent to which 
                the actual and anticipated conservation 
                benefits from each contract are provided at the 
                lowest cost relative to other similarly 
                beneficial contract offers.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``the program under 
                subsection (a)'' and inserting ``a contract or 
                contract renewal under this section'';
                    (B) by inserting ``or contract renewal'' 
                before ``offer ranks'';
                    (C) by inserting ``or contract renewal'' 
                after ``stewardship contract''; and
                    (D) by adding ``or contract renewal'' 
                before the period at the end;
            (3) in subsection (d)(2)(A), by striking 
        ``1238G(d)'' and inserting ``1240L(c)''; and
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``At the end'' and all that follows 
                through ``period'' the second place it appears 
                and inserting the following: ``The Secretary 
                may provide the producer an opportunity to 
                renew an existing contract in the first half of 
                the fifth year of the contract period'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                ``initial'' and inserting ``existing'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting ``new or 
                        improved'' after ``integrate''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``demonstrating 
                        continued improvement during the 
                        additional 5-year period,'' after 
                        ``operation,''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ``to 
                exceed the stewardship threshold of'' and 
                inserting ``to adopt or improve conservation 
                activities, as determined by the Secretary, to 
                achieve higher levels of performance with 
                respect to not less than''.
    (d) Duties of Secretary.--Section 1240L of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by striking ``acres'' and inserting 
        ``funding'';
            (2) by striking subsection (c);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as 
        subsections (c) and (d), respectively;
            (4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by 
        adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Payment for cover crop activities.--The 
        amount of a payment under this subsection for cover 
        crop activities shall be not less than 125 percent of 
        the annual payment amount determined by the Secretary 
        under paragraph (2).'';
            (5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting 
                ``and Advanced Grazing Management'' after 
                ``Rotations'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (4) 
                as paragraphs (2) and (1), respectively, and 
                moving the paragraphs so as to appear in 
                numerical order;
                    (D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs 
                        (A) through (D) and (E) as clauses (i) 
                        through (iv) and (vi), respectively, 
                        and indenting appropriately;
                            (ii) by striking the paragraph 
                        designation and all that follows 
                        through ``the term'' in the matter 
                        preceding clause (i) (as so 
                        redesignated) and inserting the 
                        following:
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Advanced grazing management.--The 
                term `advanced grazing management' means the 
                use of a combination of grazing practices (as 
                determined by the Secretary), which may include 
                management-intensive rotational grazing, that 
                provide for--
                            ``(i) improved soil health and 
                        carbon sequestration;
                            ``(ii) drought resilience;
                            ``(iii) wildlife habitat;
                            ``(iv) wildfire mitigation;
                            ``(v) control of invasive plants; 
                        and
                            ``(vi) water quality improvement.
                    ``(B) Management-intensive rotational 
                grazing.--The term `management-intensive 
                rotational grazing' means a strategic, 
                adaptively managed multipasture grazing system 
                in which animals are regularly and 
                systematically moved to fresh pasture in a 
                manner that--
                            ``(i) maximizes the quantity and 
                        quality of forage growth;
                            ``(ii) improves manure distribution 
                        and nutrient cycling;
                            ``(iii) increases carbon 
                        sequestration from greater forage 
                        harvest;
                            ``(iv) improves the quality and 
                        quantity of cover for wildlife;
                            ``(v) provides permanent cover to 
                        protect the soil from erosion; and
                            ``(vi) improves water quality.
                    ``(C) Resource-conserving crop rotation.--
                The term''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so 
                        designated)--
                                    (I) in clause (iv) (as so 
                                redesignated), by striking 
                                ``and'' at the end; and
                                    (II) by inserting after 
                                clause (iv) (as so 
                                redesignated) the following:
                            ``(v) builds soil organic matter; 
                        and'';
                    (E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking ``improve resource-conserving'' and 
                all that follows through the period at the end 
                and inserting the following: ``improve, manage, 
                and maintain--
                    ``(A) resource-conserving crop rotations; 
                or
                    ``(B) advanced grazing management.'';
                    (F) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' 
                        and inserting ``paragraph (2)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and maintain'' 
                        and all that follows through the period 
                        at the end and inserting ``or improve, 
                        manage, and maintain resource-
                        conserving crop rotations or advanced 
                        grazing management for the term of the 
                        contract.''; and
                    (G) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Amount of payment.--An additional payment 
        provided under paragraph (2) shall be not less than 150 
        percent of the annual payment amount determined by the 
        Secretary under subsection (c)(2).'';
            (6) by inserting after subsection (d) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
    ``(e) Payment for Comprehensive Conservation Plan.--
            ``(1) Definition of comprehensive conservation 
        plan.--In this subsection, the term `comprehensive 
        conservation plan' means a conservation plan that meets 
        or exceeds the stewardship threshold for each priority 
        resource concern identified by the Secretary under 
        subsection (a)(2).
            ``(2) Payment for comprehensive conservation 
        plan.--The Secretary shall provide a 1-time payment to 
        a producer that develops a comprehensive conservation 
        plan.
            ``(3) Amount of payment.--The Secretary shall 
        determine the amount of payment under paragraph (2) 
        based on--
                    ``(A) the number of priority resource 
                concerns addressed in the comprehensive 
                conservation plan; and
                    ``(B) the number of types of land uses 
                included in the comprehensive conservation 
                plan.'';
            (7) in subsection (f), by striking ``2014 through 
        2018'' and inserting ``2019 through 2023'';
            (8) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) by striking the subsection designation 
                and heading and all that follows through ``The 
                Secretary'' and inserting the following:
    ``(h) Organic Certification.--
            ``(1) Coordination.--The Secretary''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Allocation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Using funds made 
                available for the program for each of fiscal 
                years 2019 through 2023, the Secretary shall 
                allocate funding to States to support organic 
                production and transition to organic production 
                through paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Determination.--The Secretary shall 
                determine the allocation to a State under 
                subparagraph (A) based on--
                            ``(i) the number of certified and 
                        transitioning organic operations within 
                        the State; and
                            ``(ii) the number of acres of 
                        certified and transitioning organic 
                        production within the State.''; and
            (9) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Streamlining and Coordination.--To the maximum extent 
feasible, the Secretary shall provide for streamlined and 
coordinated procedures for the program and the environmental 
quality incentives program under subchapter A, including 
applications, contracting, conservation planning, conservation 
practices, and related administrative procedures.
    ``(k) Soil Health.--To the maximum extent feasible, the 
Secretary shall manage the program to enhance soil health.
    ``(l) Annual Report.--Each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the payment 
rates for conservation activities offered to producers under 
the program and an analysis of whether payment rates can be 
reduced for the most expensive conservation activities.''.

SEC. 2309. GRASSLAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE.

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

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

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

                Subtitle D--Other Conservation Programs

SEC. 2401. WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION.

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

``SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

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

``SEC. 15. FUNDING.

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

SEC. 2402. SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION.

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

SEC. 2403. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

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

``SEC. 401. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

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

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

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

``SEC. 402B. PAYMENT LIMITATION.

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

``SEC. 404. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.

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

SEC. 2404. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND.

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

SEC. 2405. GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM.

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

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

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

SEC. 2407. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

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

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

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

SEC. 2409. REPORT ON SMALL WETLANDS.

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

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

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

                 Subtitle E--Funding and Administration

SEC. 2501. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.

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

SEC. 2502. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 1242(a) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible participant.--The term `eligible 
        participant' means a producer, landowner, or entity 
        that is participating in, or seeking to participate in, 
        programs in which the producer, landowner, or entity is 
        otherwise eligible to participate under this title or 
        the agricultural management assistance program under 
        section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
        U.S.C. 1524(b)).
            ``(2) Third-party provider.--The term `third-party 
        provider' means a commercial entity (including a farmer 
        cooperative, agriculture retailer, or other commercial 
        entity (as defined by the Secretary)), a nonprofit 
        entity, a State or local government (including a 
        conservation district), or a Federal agency, that has 
        expertise in the technical aspect of conservation 
        planning, including nutrient management planning, 
        watershed planning, or environmental engineering.''.
    (b) Certification Process.--Section 1242(e) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(e)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
            ``(4) Certification process.--The Secretary shall 
        certify a third-party provider through--
                    ``(A) a certification process administered 
                by the Secretary, acting through the Chief of 
                the Natural Resources Conservation Service; or
                    ``(B) a non-Federal entity approved by the 
                Secretary to perform the certification.
            ``(5) Streamlined certification.--The Secretary 
        shall provide a streamlined certification process for a 
        third-party provider that has an appropriate specialty 
        certification, including a sustainability 
        certification.''.
    (c) Expedited Revision of Standards.--Section 1242(h) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(h)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (A) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) not later than 1 year after the date 
                of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
                of 2018, complete a review of each conservation 
                practice standard, including engineering design 
                specifications, in effect on the day before the 
                date of enactment of that Act;'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end;
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) evaluate opportunities to increase 
                flexibility in conservation practice standards 
                in a manner that ensures equivalent natural 
                resource benefits.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``State 
        technical committees established under section 
        1261(a),'' before ``crop consultants''; and
            (3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(3) Expedited revision of standards.--Not later 
        than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 
        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary 
        shall develop for the programs under this title an 
        administrative process for--
                    ``(A) expediting the establishment and 
                revision of conservation practice standards;
                    ``(B) considering conservation innovations 
                and scientific and technological advancements 
                with respect to any establishment or revision 
                under subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) allowing local flexibility in the 
                creation of--
                            ``(i) interim practice standards 
                        and supplements to existing practice 
                        standards to address the considerations 
                        described in subparagraph (B); and
                            ``(ii) partnership-led proposals 
                        for new and innovative techniques to 
                        facilitate implementing agreements and 
                        grants under this title; and
                    ``(D) soliciting regular input from State 
                technical committees established under section 
                1261(a) for recommendations that identify 
                innovations or advancements described in 
                subparagraph (B).
            ``(4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the 
        date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
        2018, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall 
        submit to Congress a report on--
                    ``(A) the administrative process developed 
                under paragraph (3);
                    ``(B) conservation practice standards that 
                were established or revised under that process; 
                and
                    ``(C) conservation innovations that were 
                considered under that process.''.

SEC. 2503. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Acreage Limitations.--Section 1244(f) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(f)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``10'' and 
        inserting ``15''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``the 
        Agricultural Act of 2014'' and inserting ``the 
        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018''.
    (b) Requirements for Conservation Programs.--Section 1244 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (m);
            (2) by redesignating subsections (j) through (l) as 
        subsections (k) through (m), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (i) the 
        following:
    ``(j) Review and Guidance for Practice Costs and Payment 
Rates.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
        2018, and not later than October 1 of each year 
        thereafter, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) review the estimates for practice 
                costs and rates of payments made to producers 
                for practices on eligible land under this 
                title; and
                    ``(B) evaluate whether those costs and 
                rates reflect a payment that--
                            ``(i) encourages participation in a 
                        conservation program administered by 
                        the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) encourages implementation of 
                        the most effective practices to address 
                        local natural resource concerns on 
                        eligible land; and
                            ``(iii) accounts for regional, 
                        State, and local variability relating 
                        to the complexity, implementation, and 
                        adoption of practices on eligible land.
            ``(2) Guidance; review.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) issue guidance to States to annually 
                review and adjust the estimates for practice 
                costs and rates of payments made to producers 
                to reflect the evaluation factors described in 
                paragraph (1)(B); and
                    ``(B) determine the appropriate practice 
                costs and rates of payments for each State by--
                            ``(i) annually reviewing each 
                        conservation program payment schedule 
                        and payment rate used in the State; and
                            ``(ii) consulting with the State 
                        technical committee established under 
                        section 1261(a) in that State.''.
    (c) Funding for Indian Tribes.--Section 1244(m) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall'';
            (2) by striking ``that the goals'' and inserting 
        the following: ``that--
            ``(1) the goals'';
            (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
        striking ``arrangements, and that statutory'' and 
        inserting the following: ``arrangements;
            ``(2) a sufficient number of eligible participants 
        will be aggregated under the alternative funding 
        arrangement to accomplish the underlying purposes and 
        objectives of the applicable program; and
            ``(3) statutory''; and
            (4) in paragraph (3) (as so designated), by 
        striking the period at the end and inserting ``, except 
        that the Secretary may approve a waiver if the 
        Secretary is authorized to approve a waiver under the 
        statutory authority of the applicable program.''.
    (d) Source Water Protection Through Targeting of 
Agricultural Practices.--Section 1244 of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by subsection (b)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(n) Source Water Protection Through Targeting of 
Agricultural Practices.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out any conservation 
        program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary 
        shall encourage practices that relate to water quality 
        and water quantity that protect source water for 
        drinking water (including protecting against public 
        health threats) while also benefitting agricultural 
        producers.
            ``(2) Collaboration with water systems and 
        increased incentives.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In encouraging practices 
                under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) work collaboratively with 
                        community water systems and State 
                        technical committees established under 
                        section 1261(a) to identify, in each 
                        State, local priority areas for the 
                        protection of source waters for 
                        drinking water; and
                            ``(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), 
                        for practices described in paragraph 
                        (1), offer to producers increased 
                        incentives and higher payment rates 
                        than are otherwise statutorily 
                        authorized by the applicable 
                        conservation program administered by 
                        the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--An increased payment 
                under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not exceed 90 
                percent of practice costs associated with 
                planning, design, materials, equipment, 
                installation, labor, management, maintenance, 
                or training.
            ``(3) Reservation of funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In each of fiscal years 
                2019 through 2023, the Secretary shall use to 
                carry out this subsection not less than 10 
                percent of any funds available for conservation 
                programs administered by the Secretary under 
                this title (other than the conservation reserve 
                program established under subchapter B of 
                chapter 1 of subtitle D).
                    ``(B) Limitation.--Funds available for a 
                specific conservation program shall not be 
                transferred to fund a different conservation 
                program under this title.''.
    (e) Environmental Services Market.--Section 1244 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by 
subsection (d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(o) Environmental Services Market.--The Secretary may not 
prohibit, through a contract, easement, or agreement under this 
title, a participant in a conservation program administered by 
the Secretary under this title from participating in, and 
receiving compensation from, an environmental services market 
if 1 of the purposes of the market is the facilitation of 
additional conservation benefits that are consistent with the 
purposes of the conservation program administered by the 
Secretary.''.
    (f) Regulatory Certainty.--Section 1244 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by subsection 
(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(p) Regulatory Certainty.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to technical and 
        programmatic information that the Secretary is 
        otherwise authorized to provide, on request of a 
        Federal agency, a State, an Indian tribe, or a unit of 
        local government, the Secretary may provide technical 
        and programmatic information--
                    ``(A) subject to paragraph (2), to the 
                Federal agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of 
                local government to support specifically the 
                development of mechanisms that would provide 
                regulatory certainty, regulatory 
                predictability, safe harbor protection, or 
                other similar regulatory assurances to a 
                farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial 
                forest landowner under a regulatory 
                requirement--
                            ``(i) that relates to soil, water, 
                        or wildlife; and
                            ``(ii) over which that Federal 
                        agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of 
                        local government has authority; and
                    ``(B) relating to conservation practices or 
                activities that could be implemented by a 
                farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial 
                forest landowner to address a targeted soil, 
                water, or wildlife resource concern that is the 
                direct subject of a regulatory requirement 
                enforced by that Federal agency, State, Indian 
                tribe, or unit of local government, as 
                applicable.
            ``(2) Mechanisms.--The Secretary shall only provide 
        additional technical and programmatic information under 
        paragraph (1) if the mechanisms to be developed by the 
        Federal agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of local 
        government, as applicable, under paragraph (1)(A) are 
        anticipated to include, at a minimum--
                    ``(A) the implementation of 1 or more 
                conservation practices or activities that 
                effectively addresses the soil, water, or 
                wildlife resource concern identified under 
                paragraph (1);
                    ``(B) the on-site confirmation that the 
                applicable conservation practices or activities 
                identified under subparagraph (A) have been 
                implemented;
                    ``(C) a plan for a periodic audit, as 
                appropriate, of the continued implementation or 
                maintenance of each of the conservation 
                practices or activities identified under 
                subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(D) notification to a farmer, rancher, or 
                private nonindustrial forest landowner of, and 
                an opportunity to correct, any noncompliance 
                with a requirement to obtain regulatory 
                certainty, regulatory predictability, safe 
                harbor protection, or other similar regulatory 
                assurance.
            ``(3) Continuing current collaboration on soil, 
        water, or wildlife conservation practices.--The 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) continue collaboration with Federal 
                agencies, States, Indian tribes, or local units 
                of government on existing regulatory certainty, 
                regulatory predictability, safe harbor 
                protection, or other similar regulatory 
                assurances in accordance with paragraph (2); 
                and
                    ``(B) continue collaboration with the 
                Secretary of the Interior on consultation under 
                section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act 
                of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or conference 
                under section 7(a)(4) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
                1536(a)(4)), as applicable, for wildlife 
                conservation efforts, including the Working 
                Lands for Wildlife model of conservation on 
                working landscapes, as implemented on the day 
                before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, in accordance with--
                            ``(i) the document entitled 
                        `Partnership Agreement Between the 
                        United States Department of Agriculture 
                        Natural Resources Conservation Service 
                        and the United States Department of the 
                        Interior Fish and Wildlife Service', 
                        numbered A-3A75-16-937, and formalized 
                        by the Chief of the Natural Resources 
                        Conservation Service on September 15, 
                        2016, and by the Director of the United 
                        States Fish and Wildlife Service on 
                        August 4, 2016, as in effect on 
                        September 15, 2016; and
                            ``(ii) United States Fish and 
                        Wildlife Service Director's Order No. 
                        217, dated August 9, 2016, as in effect 
                        on August 9, 2016.
            ``(4) Savings clause.--Nothing in this subsection--
                    ``(A) preempts, displaces, or supplants any 
                authority or right of a Federal agency, a 
                State, an Indian tribe, or a unit of local 
                government;
                    ``(B) modifies or otherwise affects, 
                preempts, or displaces--
                            ``(i) any cause of action; or
                            ``(ii) a provision of Federal or 
                        State law establishing a remedy for a 
                        civil or criminal cause of action; or
                    ``(C) applies to a case in which the 
                Department of Agriculture is the originating 
                agency requesting a consultation or other 
                technical and programmatic information or 
                assistance from another Federal agency in 
                assisting farmers, ranchers, or nonindustrial 
                private forest landowners participating in a 
                conservation program administered by the 
                Secretary.''.

SEC. 2504. TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

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

         Subtitle F--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

SEC. 2601. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.

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

SEC. 2602. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 1265A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph(1)(B), by striking ``subject to an 
        agricultural land easement plan, as approved by the 
        Secretary'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and 
        (5) as paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) Buy-protect-sell transaction.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `buy-protect-
                sell transaction' means a legal arrangement--
                            ``(i) between an eligible entity 
                        and the Secretary relating to land that 
                        an eligible entity owns or is going to 
                        purchase prior to acquisition of an 
                        agricultural land easement;
                            ``(ii) under which the eligible 
                        entity certifies to the Secretary that 
                        the eligible entity shall--
                                    ``(I)(aa) hold an 
                                agricultural land easement on 
                                that land, but transfer 
                                ownership of the land to a 
                                farmer or rancher that is not 
                                an eligible entity prior to or 
                                on acquisition of the 
                                agricultural land easement; or
                                    ``(bb) hold an agricultural 
                                land easement on that land, but 
                                transfer ownership of the land 
                                to a farmer or rancher that is 
                                not an eligible entity in a 
                                timely manner and, subject to 
                                subparagraph (B), not later 
                                than 3 years after the date of 
                                acquisition of the agricultural 
                                land easement; and
                                    ``(II) make an initial sale 
                                of the land subject to the 
                                agricultural land easement to a 
                                farmer or rancher at not more 
                                than agricultural value, plus 
                                any reasonable holding and 
                                transaction costs incurred by 
                                the eligible entity, as 
                                determined by the Secretary; 
                                and
                            ``(iii) under which the Secretary 
                        shall be reimbursed for the entirety of 
                        the Federal share of the cost of the 
                        agricultural land easement by the 
                        eligible entity if the eligible entity 
                        fails to transfer ownership under item 
                        (aa) or (bb), as applicable, of clause 
                        (ii)(I).
                    ``(B) Time extension.--Under subparagraph 
                (A)(ii)(I)(bb), an eligible entity may transfer 
                land later than 3 years after the date of 
                acquisition of the agricultural land easement 
                if the Secretary determines an extension of 
                time is justified.'';
            (4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i)--
                            (i) by striking ``to a'' and 
                        inserting the following: ``to--
                                    ``(I) a'';
                            (ii) in subclause (I) (as so 
                        designated), by adding ``or'' at the 
                        end; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                                    ``(II) a buy-protect-sell 
                                transaction;''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II), by striking 
                ``, as determined by the Secretary in 
                consultation with the Secretary of the Interior 
                at the local level''; and
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(5) Monitoring report.--The term `monitoring 
        report' means a report, the contents of which are 
        formulated and prepared by the holder of an 
        agricultural land easement, that accurately documents 
        whether the land subject to the agricultural land 
        easement is in compliance with the terms and conditions 
        of the agricultural land easement.''.

SEC. 2603. AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS.

    (a) Availability of Assistance.--Section 1265B(a) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``provide for the 
        conservation of natural resources pursuant to an 
        agricultural land easement plan.'' and inserting 
        ``implement the program, including technical assistance 
        for the development of a conservation plan under 
        subsection (b)(4)(C)(iv); and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) buy-protect-sell transactions.''.
    (b) Cost-share Assistance.--
            (1) Scope of assistance available.--Section 
        1265B(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
        3865b(b)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking clause 
                (ii) and inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) Grasslands exception.--In 
                        the case of grassland of special 
                        environmental significance, as 
                        determined by the Secretary, the 
                        Secretary may provide an amount not to 
                        exceed 75 percent of the fair market 
                        value of the agricultural land 
                        easement.
                            ``(iii) Permissible forms.--The 
                        non-Federal share provided by an 
                        eligible entity under this subparagraph 
                        may comprise--
                                    ``(I) cash resources;
                                    ``(II) a charitable 
                                donation or qualified 
                                conservation contribution (as 
                                defined in section 170(h) of 
                                the Internal Revenue Code of 
                                1986) from the private 
                                landowner from which the 
                                agricultural land easement will 
                                be purchased;
                                    ``(III) costs associated 
                                with securing a deed to the 
                                agricultural land easement, 
                                including the cost of 
                                appraisal, survey, inspection, 
                                and title; and
                                    ``(IV) other costs, as 
                                determined by the Secretary.''; 
                                and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (C).
            (2) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--
        Section 1265B(b)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
        (16 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (E); and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) Accounting for geographic 
                differences.--The Secretary may adjust the 
                criteria established under subparagraph (A) to 
                account for geographic differences, if the 
                adjustments--
                            ``(i) meet the purposes of the 
                        program; and
                            ``(ii) continue to maximize the 
                        benefit of the Federal investment under 
                        the program.
                    ``(D) Priority.--In evaluating applications 
                under the program, the Secretary may give 
                priority to an application for the purchase of 
                an agricultural land easement that, as 
                determined by the Secretary, maintains 
                agricultural viability.''.
            (3) Agreements with eligible entities.--Section 
        1265B(b)(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
        3865b(b)(4)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                clauses (iii) and (iv) and inserting the 
                following:
                            ``(iii) include a right of 
                        enforcement for the Secretary that--
                                    ``(I) may be used only if 
                                the terms and conditions of the 
                                easement are not enforced by 
                                the eligible entity; and
                                    ``(II) does not extend to a 
                                right of inspection unless--
                                            ``(aa)(AA) the 
                                        holder of the easement 
                                        fails to provide 
                                        monitoring reports in a 
                                        timely manner; or
                                            ``(BB) the 
                                        Secretary has a 
                                        reasonable and 
                                        articulable belief that 
                                        the terms and 
                                        conditions of the 
                                        easement have been 
                                        violated; and
                                            ``(bb) prior to the 
                                        inspection, the 
                                        Secretary notifies the 
                                        eligible entity and the 
                                        landowner of the 
                                        inspection and provides 
                                        a reasonable 
                                        opportunity for the 
                                        eligible entity and the 
                                        landowner to 
                                        participate in the 
                                        inspection;
                            ``(iv) include a conservation plan 
                        only for any portion of the land 
                        subject to the agricultural land 
                        easement that is highly erodible 
                        cropland; and'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and 
                (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; 
                and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                following:
                    ``(D) Additional permitted terms and 
                conditions.--An eligible entity may include 
                terms and conditions for an agricultural land 
                easement that--
                            ``(i) are intended to keep the land 
                        subject to the agricultural land 
                        easement under the ownership of a 
                        farmer or rancher, as determined by the 
                        Secretary;
                            ``(ii) allow subsurface mineral 
                        development on the land subject to the 
                        agricultural land easement and in 
                        accordance with applicable State law 
                        if, as determined by the Secretary--
                                    ``(I) the subsurface 
                                mineral development--
                                            ``(aa) has a 
                                        limited and localized 
                                        impact;
                                            ``(bb) does not 
                                        harm the agricultural 
                                        use and conservation 
                                        values of the land 
                                        subject to the 
                                        easement;
                                            ``(cc) does not 
                                        materially alter or 
                                        affect the existing 
                                        topography;
                                            ``(dd) shall comply 
                                        with a subsurface 
                                        mineral development 
                                        plan that--
                                                    ``(AA) 
                                                includes a plan 
                                                for the 
                                                remediation of 
                                                impacts to the 
                                                agricultural 
                                                use and 
                                                conservation 
                                                values of the 
                                                land subject to 
                                                the easement; 
                                                and
                                                    ``(BB) is 
                                                approved by the 
                                                Secretary prior 
                                                to the 
                                                initiation of 
                                                mineral 
                                                development 
                                                activity;
                                            ``(ee) is not 
                                        accomplished by any 
                                        surface mining method;
                                            ``(ff) is within 
                                        the impervious surface 
                                        limits of the easement 
                                        under subparagraph 
                                        (C)(v); and
                                            ``(gg) uses 
                                        practices and 
                                        technologies that 
                                        minimize the duration 
                                        and intensity of 
                                        impacts to the 
                                        agricultural use and 
                                        conservation values of 
                                        the land subject to the 
                                        easement; and
                                    ``(II) each area impacted 
                                by the subsurface mineral 
                                development shall be reclaimed 
                                and restored by the holder of 
                                the mineral rights at cessation 
                                of operation; and
                            ``(iii) include other relevant 
                        activities relating to the agricultural 
                        land easement, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.''.
            (4) Certification of eligible entities.--Section 
        1265B(b)(5) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
        3865b(b)(5)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``; 
                        and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iv) allow a certified eligible 
                        entity to use its own terms and 
                        conditions, notwithstanding paragraph 
                        (4)(C), as long as the terms and 
                        conditions are consistent with the 
                        purposes of the program.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (iii), by 
                        redesignating subclauses (I) through 
                        (III) as items (aa) through (cc), 
                        respectively, and indenting 
                        appropriately;
                            (ii) by redesignating clauses (i) 
                        through (iii) as subclauses (I) through 
                        (III), respectively, and indenting 
                        appropriately;
                            (iii) in the matter preceding 
                        subclause (I) (as so redesignated), by 
                        striking ``entity will'' and inserting 
                        the following: ``eligible entity--
                            ``(i) will'';
                            (iv) in clause (i)(III)(cc) (as so 
                        redesignated), by striking the period 
                        at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
                        and
                            (v) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(ii) has--
                                    ``(I) been accredited by 
                                the Land Trust Accreditation 
                                Commission, or by an equivalent 
                                accrediting body, as determined 
                                by the Secretary;
                                    ``(II) acquired not fewer 
                                than 10 agricultural land 
                                easements under the program or 
                                any predecessor program; and
                                    ``(III) successfully met 
                                the responsibilities of the 
                                eligible entity under the 
                                applicable agreements with the 
                                Secretary, as determined by the 
                                Secretary, relating to 
                                agricultural land easements 
                                that the eligible entity has 
                                acquired under the program or 
                                any predecessor program; or
                            ``(iii) is a State department of 
                        agriculture or other State agency with 
                        statutory authority for farm and 
                        ranchland protection that has--
                                    ``(I) acquired not fewer 
                                than 10 agricultural land 
                                easements under the program or 
                                any predecessor program; and
                                    ``(II) successfully met the 
                                responsibilities of the 
                                eligible entity under the 
                                applicable agreements with the 
                                Secretary, as determined by the 
                                Secretary, relating to 
                                agricultural land easements 
                                that the eligible entity has 
                                acquired under the program or 
                                any predecessor program.''.
            (5) Technical assistance.--Section 1265B of the 
        Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is amended 
        by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
technical assistance, if requested, to assist in compliance 
with the terms and conditions of easements.''.

SEC. 2604. WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENTS.

    Section 1265C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865c) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``or 
                improving water quality'' before the period at 
                the end; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) by striking ``Land 
                                subject'' and inserting the 
                                following:
                            ``(i) In general.--Land subject'';
                                    (II) in clause (i) (as so 
                                designated), by inserting 
                                ``water management,'' after 
                                ``timber harvest,''; and
                                    (III) by adding at the end 
                                the following:
                            ``(ii) Compatible use 
                        authorization.--In evaluating and 
                        authorizing a compatible economic use 
                        under clause (i), the Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) request and consider 
                                the advice of the applicable 
                                State technical committee 
                                established under section 
                                1261(a) about the 1 or more 
                                types of uses that may be 
                                authorized to be conducted on 
                                land subject to a wetland 
                                reserve easement, including the 
                                frequency, timing, and 
                                intensity of those uses;
                                    ``(II) consider the ability 
                                of an authorized use to 
                                facilitate the practical 
                                administration and management 
                                of that land; and
                                    ``(III) ensure that an 
                                authorized use furthers the 
                                functions and values for which 
                                the wetland reserve easement 
                                was established.''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D)(i)(III), 
                        by inserting after ``under subsection 
                        (f)'' the following: ``or a grazing 
                        management plan that is consistent with 
                        the wetland reserve easement plan and 
                        has been reviewed, and modified as 
                        necessary, at least every 5 years''; 
                        and
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(1) Wetland reserve easement plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                develop a wetland reserve easement plan--
                            ``(i) for any eligible land subject 
                        to a wetland reserve easement; and
                            ``(ii) that restores, protects, 
                        enhances, manages, maintains, and 
                        monitors the eligible land subject to 
                        the wetland reserve easements acquired 
                        under this section.
                    ``(B) Practices and activities.--A wetland 
                reserve easement plan under subparagraph (A) 
                shall include practices and activities, 
                including repair or replacement, that are 
                necessary to restore and maintain the enrolled 
                land and the functions and values of the 
                wetland subject to a wetland reserve 
                easement.'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) 
                as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                following:
            ``(2) Alternative plant communities.--The 
        Secretary, in coordination with State technical 
        committees established under section 1261(a) and 
        pursuant to State-specific criteria and guidelines, may 
        authorize the establishment or restoration of a 
        hydrologically appropriate native community or 
        alternative naturalized vegetative community as part of 
        a wetland reserve easement plan on land subject to a 
        wetland reserve easement if that hydrologically 
        appropriate native or alternative naturalized 
        vegetative community shall--
                    ``(A) substantially support or benefit 
                migratory waterfowl or other wetland wildlife; 
                or
                    ``(B) meet local resource concerns or needs 
                (including as an element of a regional, State, 
                or local wildlife initiative or plan).''.

SEC. 2605. ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 1265D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865d) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (a)(4), by striking ``proposed'' 
        and inserting ``permitted'';
            (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(c) Subordination, Exchange, Modification, and 
Termination.--
            ``(1) Subordination.--The Secretary may subordinate 
        any interest in land, or portion of such interest, 
        administered by the Secretary (including for the 
        purposes of utilities and energy transmission services) 
        either directly or on behalf of the Commodity Credit 
        Corporation under the program if the Secretary 
        determines that the subordination--
                    ``(A) increases conservation values or has 
                a limited negative effect on conservation 
                values;
                    ``(B) minimally affects the acreage subject 
                to the interest in land; and
                    ``(C) is in the public interest or furthers 
                the practical administration of the program.
            ``(2) Modification and exchange.--
                    ``(A) Authority.--The Secretary may approve 
                a modification or exchange of any interest in 
                land, or portion of such interest, administered 
                by the Secretary, either directly or on behalf 
                of the Commodity Credit Corporation under the 
                program if the Secretary determines that--
                            ``(i) no reasonable alternative 
                        exists and the effect on the interest 
                        in land is avoided or minimized to the 
                        extent practicable; and
                            ``(ii) the modification or 
                        exchange--
                                    ``(I) results in equal or 
                                increased conservation values;
                                    ``(II) results in equal or 
                                greater economic value to the 
                                United States;
                                    ``(III) is consistent with 
                                the original intent of the 
                                easement;
                                    ``(IV) is consistent with 
                                the purposes of the program; 
                                and
                                    ``(V) is in the public 
                                interest or furthers the 
                                practical administration of the 
                                program.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--In modifying or 
                exchanging an interest in land, or portion of 
                such interest, under this paragraph, the 
                Secretary may not increase any payment to an 
                eligible entity.
            ``(3) Termination.--The Secretary may approve a 
        termination of any interest in land, or portion of such 
        interest, administered by the Secretary, directly or on 
        behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation under the 
        program if the Secretary determines that--
                    ``(A) termination is in the interest of the 
                Federal Government;
                    ``(B) the United States will be fully 
                compensated for--
                            ``(i) the fair market value of the 
                        interest in land;
                            ``(ii) any costs relating to the 
                        termination; and
                            ``(iii) any damages determined 
                        appropriate by the Secretary; and
                    ``(C) the termination will--
                            ``(i) address a compelling public 
                        need for which there is no practicable 
                        alternative even with avoidance and 
                        minimization; and
                            ``(ii) further the practical 
                        administration of the program.
            ``(4) Consent.--The Secretary shall obtain consent 
        from the landowner and eligible entity, if applicable, 
        for any subordination, exchange, modification, or 
        termination of interest in land, or portion of such 
        interest, under this subsection.
            ``(5) Notice.--At least 90 days before taking any 
        termination action described in paragraph (3), the 
        Secretary shall provide written notice of such action 
        to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.''; and
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                ``transferred into the program'' and inserting 
                ``enrolled in an easement under section 
                1265C(b)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Agricultural land easements.--A farmer or 
        rancher who owns eligible land subject to an 
        agricultural land easement may enter into a contract 
        under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D.''.

         Subtitle G--Regional Conservation Partnership Program

SEC. 2701. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.

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

SEC. 2702. DEFINITIONS.

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

SEC. 2703. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS.

    Section 1271B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871b) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(b) Length.--
            ``(1) In general.--A partnership agreement shall 
        be--
                    ``(A) for a period not to exceed 5 years; 
                or
                    ``(B) for a period that is longer than 5 
                years, if the longer period is necessary to 
                meet the objectives of the program, as 
                determined by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Renewal.--A partnership agreement may be 
        renewed under subsection (e)(5) for a period not to 
        exceed 5 years.
            ``(3) Extension.--A partnership agreement, or any 
        renewal of a partnership agreement, may each be 
        extended 1 time for a period not longer than 12 months, 
        as determined by the Secretary.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by redesignating 
                                clauses (iii) and (iv) as 
                                clauses (iv) and (v), 
                                respectively; and
                                    (II) by striking clauses 
                                (i) and (ii) and inserting the 
                                following:
                            ``(i) 1 or more conservation 
                        benefits that the project shall 
                        achieve;
                            ``(ii) the eligible activities on 
                        eligible land to be conducted under the 
                        project to achieve conservation 
                        benefits;
                            ``(iii) the implementation timeline 
                        for carrying out the project, including 
                        any interim milestones;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by 
                        striking ``funds'' and inserting 
                        ``contributions''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (E), by 
                        striking ``of the project's effects; 
                        and'' and inserting the following: 
                        ``of--
                            ``(i) the progress made by the 
                        project in achieving each conservation 
                        benefit defined in the partnership 
                        agreement, including in a quantified 
                        form to the extent practicable; and
                            ``(ii) as appropriate, other 
                        outcomes of the project; and''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``An eligible'' and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(B) Form.--A contribution of an eligible 
                partner under this paragraph may be in the form 
                of--
                            ``(i) direct funding;
                            ``(ii) in-kind support; or
                            ``(iii) a combination of direct 
                        funding and in-kind support.
                    ``(C) Treatment.--Any amounts expended 
                during the period beginning on the date on 
                which the Secretary announces the approval of 
                an application under subsection (e) and ending 
                on the day before the effective date of the 
                partnership agreement by an eligible partner 
                for staff salaries or development of the 
                partnership agreement may be considered to be a 
                part of the contribution of the eligible 
                partner under this paragraph.'';
            (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection 
        (e);
            (4) by inserting after subsection (c) the 
        following:
    ``(d) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) establish a timeline for carrying out the 
        duties of the Secretary under a partnership agreement, 
        including--
                    ``(A) entering into program contracts with 
                producers;
                    ``(B) providing financial assistance to 
                producers; and
                    ``(C) in the case of a partnership 
                agreement that is funded through an alternative 
                funding arrangement or grant agreement under 
                section 1271C(d), providing the payments to the 
                eligible partner for carrying out eligible 
                activities;
            ``(2) identify in each State a program coordinator 
        for the State, who shall be responsible for providing 
        assistance to eligible partners under the program;
            ``(3) establish guidance to assist eligible 
        partners with carrying out the assessment required 
        under subsection (c)(1)(E);
            ``(4) provide to each eligible partner that has 
        entered into a partnership agreement that is not funded 
        through an alternative funding arrangement or grant 
        agreement under section 1271C(d)--
                    ``(A) a semiannual report describing the 
                status of each pending and obligated contract 
                under the project of the eligible partner; and
                    ``(B) an annual report describing how the 
                Secretary used amounts reserved by the 
                Secretary for that year for technical 
                assistance under section 1271D(f); and
            ``(5) ensure that any eligible activity effectively 
        achieves the conservation benefits identified in the 
        partnership agreement under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i).'';
            (5) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph 
        (3))--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                ``simplified'' after ``conduct a'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking the paragraph 
                        designation and heading and all that 
                        follows through ``description of--'' 
                        and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Contents.--The Secretary shall develop a 
        simplified application that includes a description of--
        '';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking ``, including the covered 
                        programs to be used''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (D), by 
                        striking ``financial'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (D);
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs 
                        (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (G) and 
                        (H), respectively; and
                            (iii) by inserting after 
                        subparagraph (C) the following:
                    ``(D) build new partnerships with local, 
                State, and private entities to include a 
                diversity of stakeholders in the project;
                    ``(E) deliver a high percentage of applied 
                conservation--
                            ``(i) to achieve conservation 
                        benefits; or
                            ``(ii) in the case of a project in 
                        a critical conservation area under 
                        section 1271F, to address the priority 
                        resource concern for that critical 
                        conservation area;
                    ``(F) implement the project consistent with 
                existing watershed, habitat, or other area 
                restoration plans;''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Renewals.--If the Secretary determines that a 
        project that is the subject of a partnership agreement 
        has met or exceeded the objectives of the project, the 
        Secretary may renew the partnership agreement through 
        an expedited noncompetitive process if the 1 or more 
        eligible partners that are parties to the partnership 
        agreement request the renewal in order--
                    ``(A) to continue to implement the project 
                under a renewal of the partnership agreement; 
                or
                    ``(B) to expand the scope of the project 
                under a renewal of the partnership agreement, 
                as long as the expansion is within the 
                objectives and purposes of the original 
                partnership agreement.''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Nonapplicability of Adjusted Gross Income 
Limitation.--The adjusted gross income limitation described in 
section 1001D(b)(1) shall not apply to an eligible partner 
under the program.''.

SEC. 2704. ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCERS.

    Section 1271C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871c) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--A producer may receive financial or 
technical assistance to conduct eligible activities on eligible 
land through a program contract entered into with the 
Secretary.
    ``(b) Program Contracts.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        program contract to be entered into with a producer to 
        conduct eligible activities on eligible land, subject 
        to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may 
        establish.
            ``(2) Application bundles.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible partner may 
                submit to the Secretary, on behalf of 
                producers, a bundle of applications for 
                assistance under the program through program 
                contracts to address a substantial portion of 
                the conservation benefits to be achieved by the 
                project, as defined in the partnership 
                agreement.
                    ``(B) Priority.--The Secretary may give 
                priority to applications described in 
                subparagraph (A).'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``In 
                accordance with statutory requirements of the 
                covered programs involved, the Secretary may 
                make payments to a producer'' and inserting 
                ``Subject to section 1271D, the Secretary may 
                make payments to a producer''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking 
                ``participating''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Funding Through Alternative Funding Arrangements or 
Grant Agreements.--
            ``(1) In general.--A partnership agreement entered 
        into with an eligible partner may be funded through an 
        alternative funding arrangement or grant in accordance 
        with this subsection.
            ``(2) Duties of the secretary.--The Secretary 
        shall--
                    ``(A) under a funding agreement under 
                paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) use funding made available to 
                        carry out this subtitle to provide 
                        funding directly to the eligible 
                        partner; and
                            ``(ii) provide technical and 
                        administrative assistance, as mutually 
                        agreed by the parties; and
                    ``(B) enter into not more than 15 
                alternative funding arrangements or grant 
                agreements with 1 or more eligible partners 
                each fiscal year.
            ``(3) Duties of eligible partners.--Under a funding 
        agreement under paragraph (1), the eligible partner 
        shall--
                    ``(A) carry out eligible activities on 
                eligible land in agreement with producers to 
                achieve conservation benefits on a regional or 
                watershed scale, such as--
                            ``(i) infrastructure investments 
                        relating to agricultural or 
                        nonindustrial private forest production 
                        that would--
                                    ``(I) benefit multiple 
                                producers; and
                                    ``(II) address natural 
                                resource concerns such as 
                                drought, wildfire, or water 
                                quality impairment on the land 
                                covered by the project;
                            ``(ii) projects addressing natural 
                        resources concerns in coordination with 
                        producers, including the development 
                        and implementation of watershed, 
                        habitat, or other area restoration 
                        plans;
                            ``(iii) projects that use 
                        innovative approaches to leveraging the 
                        Federal investment in conservation with 
                        private financial mechanisms, in 
                        conjunction with agricultural 
                        production or forest resource 
                        management, such as--
                                    ``(I) the provision of 
                                performance-based payments to 
                                producers; and
                                    ``(II) support for an 
                                environmental market; or
                            ``(iv) other projects for which the 
                        Secretary determines that the goals and 
                        objectives of the program would be 
                        easier to achieve through the funding 
                        agreement under paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) submit to the Secretary, in addition 
                to any information that the Secretary requires 
                to prepare the report under section 1271E(b), 
                an annual report that describes the status of 
                the project, including a description of--
                            ``(i) the use of the funds awarded 
                        under paragraph (1);
                            ``(ii) any subcontracts awarded;
                            ``(iii) the producers receiving 
                        funding through the funding agreement 
                        under paragraph (1);
                            ``(iv)(I) the progress made by the 
                        project in addressing each natural 
                        resource concern defined in the funding 
                        agreement under paragraph (1), 
                        including in a quantified form to the 
                        extent practicable; and
                            ``(II) as appropriate, other 
                        outcomes of the project; and
                            ``(v) any other reporting data the 
                        Secretary determines are necessary to 
                        ensure compliance with the program 
                        rules.''.

SEC. 2705. FUNDING.

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

SEC. 2706. ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 1271E of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871e) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``1271B(d)'' 
        each place it appears and inserting ``1271B(e)'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``December 31, 2014'' and inserting 
                ``December 31, 2019'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
                (4) as paragraphs (2) through (5), 
                respectively;
                    (C) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as 
                so redesignated) the following:
            ``(1) a summary of--
                    ``(A) the progress made towards achieving 
                the conservation benefits defined for the 
                projects; and
                    ``(B) any other related outcomes of the 
                projects;'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (E) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``1271C(b)(2)'' and inserting 
                        ``1271C(d)''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``; and''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) in the case of a project within a critical 
        conservation area under section 1271F, the status of 
        each priority resource concern for each designated 
        critical conservation area, including--
                    ``(A) the priority resource concerns for 
                which each critical conservation area is 
                designated;
                    ``(B) conservation goals and outcomes 
                sufficient to demonstrate that progress is 
                being made to address the priority resource 
                concerns;
                    ``(C) the partnership agreements selected 
                to address each conservation goal and outcome; 
                and
                    ``(D) the extent to which each conservation 
                goal and outcome is being addressed by the 
                partnership agreements.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Compliance With Certain Requirements.--The Secretary 
may not provide assistance under the program to a producer 
unless the producer agrees, during the program year for which 
the assistance is provided--
            ``(1) to comply with applicable conservation 
        requirements under subtitle B; and
            ``(2) to comply with applicable wetland protection 
        requirements under subtitle C.
    ``(d) Historically Underserved Producers.--To the maximum 
extent practicable, in carrying out the program, the Secretary 
and eligible partners shall conduct outreach to beginning 
farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource 
farmers and ranchers to encourage participation by those 
producers in a project subject to a partnership agreement or 
funding agreement under 1271C(d).
    ``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue regulations 
to carry out the program.''.

SEC. 2707. CRITICAL CONSERVATION AREAS.

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

              Subtitle H--Repeals and Technical Amendments

                            PART I--REPEALS

SEC. 2811. REPEAL OF CONSERVATION CORRIDOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 2812. REPEAL OF CRANBERRY ACREAGE RESERVE PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 2813. REPEAL OF NATIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION.

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

SEC. 2814. REPEAL OF FLOOD RISK REDUCTION.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                     PART II--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS

SEC. 2821. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

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

SEC. 2822. STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES.

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

                            TITLE III--TRADE

                     Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act

SEC. 3101. LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

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

SEC. 3102. FOOD AID QUALITY ASSURANCE.

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

SEC. 3103. LOCAL SALE AND BARTER OF COMMODITIES.

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

SEC. 3104. MINIMUM LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE.

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

SEC. 3105. FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP.

    Section 205 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(1), in the first sentence, by 
        striking ``45'' and inserting ``30''; and
            (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 3106. ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS.

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

SEC. 3107. OVERSIGHT, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 3110. ALLOWANCE FOR DISTRIBUTION COSTS.

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

SEC. 3111. PREPOSITIONING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 3114. MINIMUM LEVEL OF NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.

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

SEC. 3115. TERMINATION DATE FOR MICRONUTRIENT FORTIFICATION PROGRAMS.

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

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

    Section 501 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1737) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by inserting ``section 1342 of title 31, United 
                States Code, or'' after ``Notwithstanding'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) by inserting 
                ``technical'' before ``assistance''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                        ``employees or staff of a State 
                        cooperative institution (as such term 
                        is defined in paragraph 18 of section 
                        1404 of the National Agricultural 
                        Research, Extension, and Teaching 
                        Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103), 
                        except that subparagraphs (E), (F), and 
                        (G) of such paragraph shall not 
                        apply),'' after ``private 
                        corporations,''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking ``; and'' 
                                at the end of clause (viii); 
                                and
                                    (II) by striking clause 
                                (ix) and inserting the 
                                following:
                            ``(ix) agricultural education and 
                        extension;
                            ``(x) selection of seed varieties 
                        and plant stocks;
                            ``(xi) knowledge of insecticide and 
                        sanitation procedures to prevent crop 
                        destruction;
                            ``(xii) use and maintenance of 
                        agricultural equipment and irrigation 
                        systems; and
                            ``(xiii) selection of fertilizers 
                        and methods of soils treatment; and'';
            (2) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
        ``2023'';
            (3) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
        ``2023''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Grant Program to Create New Partners and 
Innovation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Agency 
        for International Development shall develop a grant 
        program to be carried out in fiscal years 2019 through 
        2023 to facilitate new and innovative partnerships and 
        activities under this title.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--A grant recipient under this 
        subsection shall use funds received under this 
        subsection to--
                    ``(A) prioritize new implementing partners;
                    ``(B) develop innovative volunteer models;
                    ``(C) develop, improve, or maintain 
                strategic partnerships with other United States 
                development programs; and
                    ``(D) expand the footprint and impact of 
                the programs and activities under this title, 
                and diversity among program participants, 
                including land-grant colleges and universities 
                and cooperative extension services (as such 
                terms are defined in section 1404 of the 
                National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
                Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
                3103)).''.

               Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978

SEC. 3201. AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION AND FACILITATION.

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

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

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out 
activities under this section--
            ``(1) to access, develop, maintain, and expand 
        markets for United States agricultural commodities; and
            ``(2) to promote cooperation and the exchange of 
        information.
    ``(b) Market Access Program.--
            ``(1) Definition of eligible trade organization.--
        In this subsection, the term `eligible trade 
        organization' means--
                    ``(A) a United States agricultural trade 
                organization or regional State-related 
                organization that promotes the export and sale 
                of United States agricultural commodities and 
                that does not stand to profit directly from 
                specific sales of United States agricultural 
                commodities;
                    ``(B) a cooperative organization or State 
                agency that promotes the sale of United States 
                agricultural commodities; or
                    ``(C) a private organization that promotes 
                the export and sale of United States 
                agricultural commodities if the Secretary 
                determines that such organization would 
                significantly contribute to United States 
                export market development.
            ``(2) In general.--The Commodity Credit Corporation 
        shall establish and carry out a program, to be known as 
        the `Market Access Program', to encourage the 
        development, maintenance, and expansion of commercial 
        export markets for United States agricultural 
        commodities (including commodities that are organically 
        produced (as defined in section 2103 of the Organic 
        Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502))) through 
        cost-share assistance to eligible trade organizations 
        that implement a foreign market development program.
            ``(3) Participation requirements.--
                    ``(A) Marketing plan and other 
                requirements.--To be eligible for cost-share 
                assistance under this subsection, an eligible 
                trade organization shall--
                            ``(i) prepare and submit a 
                        marketing plan to the Secretary that 
                        meets the guidelines governing such a 
                        marketing plan specified in this 
                        paragraph or otherwise established by 
                        the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) meet any other requirements 
                        established by the Secretary; and
                            ``(iii) enter into an agreement 
                        with the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Purpose of marketing plan.--A 
                marketing plan submitted under this paragraph 
                shall describe the advertising or other market 
                oriented export promotion activities to be 
                carried out by the eligible trade organization 
                with respect to which assistance under this 
                subsection is being requested.
                    ``(C) Specific elements.--To be approved by 
                the Secretary, a marketing plan submitted under 
                this paragraph shall--
                            ``(i) specifically describe the 
                        manner in which assistance received by 
                        the eligible trade organization, in 
                        conjunction with funds and services 
                        provided by the eligible trade 
                        organization, will be expended in 
                        implementing the marketing plan;
                            ``(ii) establish specific market 
                        goals to be achieved under the 
                        marketing plan; and
                            ``(iii) contain whatever additional 
                        requirements are determined by the 
                        Secretary to be necessary.
                    ``(D) Branded promotion.--A marketing plan 
                approved by the Secretary may provide for the 
                use of branded advertising to promote the sale 
                of United States agricultural commodities in a 
                foreign country under such terms and conditions 
                as may be established by the Secretary.
                    ``(E) Amendments.--An approved marketing 
                plan may be amended by the eligible trade 
                organization at any time, subject to the 
                approval of the amendment by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Level of assistance and cost-share 
        requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                justify in writing the level of assistance to 
                be provided to an eligible trade organization 
                under this subsection and the level of cost 
                sharing required of the organization.
                    ``(B) Limitation on branded promotion.--
                Assistance provided under this subsection for 
                activities described in paragraph (3)(D) shall 
                not exceed 50 percent of the cost of 
                implementing the marketing plan, except that 
                the Secretary may determine not to apply such 
                limitation in the case of United States 
                agricultural commodities with respect to which 
                there has been a favorable decision by the 
                United States Trade Representative under 
                section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 
                2411). Criteria used by the Secretary for 
                determining that the limitation shall not apply 
                shall be consistent and documented.
            ``(5) Other terms and conditions.--
                    ``(A) Multiyear basis.--The Secretary may 
                provide assistance under this subsection on a 
                multiyear basis, subject to annual review by 
                the Secretary for compliance with the approved 
                marketing plan.
                    ``(B) Termination of assistance.--The 
                Secretary may terminate any assistance made, or 
                to be made, available under this subsection if 
                the Secretary determines that--
                            ``(i) the eligible trade 
                        organization is not adhering to the 
                        terms and conditions applicable to the 
                        provision of the assistance;
                            ``(ii) the eligible trade 
                        organization is not implementing the 
                        approved marketing plan or is not 
                        adequately meeting the established 
                        goals of the plan;
                            ``(iii) the eligible trade 
                        organization is not adequately 
                        contributing its own resources to the 
                        implementation of the plan; or
                            ``(iv) the Secretary determines 
                        that termination of assistance in a 
                        particular instance is in the best 
                        interests of the Market Access Program.
                    ``(C) Evaluations.--Beginning not later 
                than 15 months after the initial provision of 
                assistance under this subsection to an eligible 
                trade organization, the Secretary shall monitor 
                the expenditures by the eligible trade 
                organization of such assistance, including the 
                following:
                            ``(i) An evaluation of the 
                        effectiveness of the marketing plan of 
                        the eligible trade organization in 
                        developing or maintaining markets for 
                        United States agricultural commodities.
                            ``(ii) An evaluation of whether 
                        assistance provided under this 
                        subsection is necessary to maintain 
                        such markets.
                            ``(iii) A thorough accounting of 
                        the expenditure by the eligible trade 
                        organization of the assistance provided 
                        under this subsection.
            ``(6) Restrictions on use of funds.--Assistance 
        provided under this subsection to an eligible trade 
        organization may not be used--
                    ``(A) to provide direct assistance to any 
                foreign for-profit corporation for the 
                corporation's use in promoting foreign-produced 
                products; or
                    ``(B) to provide direct assistance to any 
                for-profit corporation that is not recognized 
                as a small business concern (as described in 
                section 3(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
                U.S.C. 632(a))), excluding--
                            ``(i) a cooperative;
                            ``(ii) an association described in 
                        the first section of the Act entitled 
                        `An Act To authorize association of 
                        producers of agricultural products', 
                        approved February 18, 1922 (7 U.S.C. 
                        291); or
                            ``(iii) a nonprofit trade 
                        association.
            ``(7) Permissive use of funds.--Assistance provided 
        under this subsection to a United States agricultural 
        trade association, cooperative, or small business may 
        be used for individual branded promotional activity 
        related to a United States branded product, if the 
        beneficiaries of the activity have provided funds for 
        the activity in an amount that is at least equivalent 
        to the amount of such assistance.
            ``(8) Priority.--In providing assistance for 
        branded promotion, the Secretary should give priority 
        to small-sized entities.
            ``(9) Contribution level.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary should 
                require a minimum contribution level of 10 
                percent from an eligible trade organization 
                that receives assistance for nonbranded 
                promotion.
                    ``(B) Increases in contribution level.--The 
                Secretary may increase the contribution level 
                in any subsequent year that an eligible trade 
                organization receives assistance for nonbranded 
                promotion.
            ``(10) Additionality.--The Secretary should require 
        each participant in the Market Access Program to 
        certify that any Federal funds received supplement, but 
        do not supplant, private or third party participant 
        funds or other contributions to Program activities.
            ``(11) Independent audits.--If as a result of an 
        evaluation or audit of activities of a participant 
        under the Market Access Program, the Secretary 
        determines that a further review is justified in order 
        to ensure compliance with the requirements of the 
        Program, the Secretary should require the participant 
        to contract for an independent audit of the Program 
        activities, including activities of any subcontractor.
            ``(12) Tobacco.--No funds made available under the 
        Market Access Program may be used for activities to 
        develop, maintain, or expand foreign markets for 
        tobacco.
    ``(c) Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program.--
            ``(1) Definition of eligible trade organization.--
        In this subsection, the term `eligible trade 
        organization' means a United States trade organization 
        that--
                    ``(A) promotes the export of 1 or more 
                United States agricultural commodities; and
                    ``(B) does not have a business interest in 
                or receive remuneration from specific sales of 
                agricultural commodities.
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
        and, in cooperation with eligible trade organizations, 
        carry out a program to be known as the `Foreign Market 
        Development Cooperator Program' to maintain and develop 
        foreign markets for United States agricultural 
        commodities.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--Funds made available to carry 
        out this subsection shall be used only to provide--
                    ``(A) cost-share assistance to an eligible 
                trade organization under a contract or 
                agreement with the eligible trade organization; 
                and
                    ``(B) assistance for other costs that are 
                appropriate to carry out the Foreign Market 
                Development Cooperator Program, including 
                contingent liabilities that are not otherwise 
                funded.
    ``(d) E (Kika) De La Garza Emerging Markets Program.--
            ``(1) Definition of emerging market.--In this 
        subsection, the term `emerging market' means any 
        country, foreign territory, customs union, or other 
        economic market that the Secretary determines--
                    ``(A) is taking steps toward a market-
                oriented economy through the food, agriculture, 
                or rural business sectors of its economy; and
                    ``(B) has the potential to provide a viable 
                and significant market for United States 
                agricultural commodities.
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
        and carry out a program, to be known as the `E (Kika) 
        de la Garza Emerging Markets Program'--
                    ``(A) to develop agricultural markets in 
                emerging markets; and
                    ``(B) to promote cooperation and exchange 
                of information between agricultural 
                institutions and agribusinesses in the United 
                States and emerging markets.
            ``(3) Development of agricultural systems.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Implementation.--To develop, 
                        maintain, or expand markets for exports 
                        of United States agricultural 
                        commodities, the Secretary shall make 
                        available to emerging markets the 
                        expertise of the United States--
                                    ``(I) to make assessments 
                                of food and rural business 
                                systems needs;
                                    ``(II) to make 
                                recommendations on measures 
                                necessary to enhance the 
                                effectiveness of the food and 
                                rural business systems 
                                described in subclause (I), 
                                including potential reductions 
                                in trade barriers; and
                                    ``(III) to identify and 
                                carry out specific 
                                opportunities and projects to 
                                enhance the effectiveness of 
                                the food and rural business 
                                systems described in subclause 
                                (I).
                            ``(ii) Extent of program.--The 
                        Secretary shall implement this 
                        subparagraph with respect to at least 3 
                        emerging markets in each fiscal year.
                    ``(B) Experts from the united states.--The 
                Secretary may implement subparagraph (A) by 
                providing--
                            ``(i) assistance to teams 
                        (consisting primarily of agricultural 
                        consultants, agricultural producers, 
                        other persons from the private sector, 
                        and government officials expert in 
                        assessing the food and rural business 
                        systems of other countries) to enable 
                        those teams to conduct the assessments, 
                        make the recommendations, and identify 
                        the opportunities and projects 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(i) in 
                        emerging markets;
                            ``(ii) for necessary subsistence 
                        and transportation expenses of--
                                    ``(I) United States food 
                                and rural business system 
                                experts, including United 
                                States agricultural producers 
                                and other United States 
                                individuals knowledgeable in 
                                agricultural and agribusiness 
                                matters, to enable such United 
                                States food and rural business 
                                system experts to assist in 
                                transferring knowledge and 
                                expertise to entities from 
                                emerging markets; and
                                    ``(II) individuals 
                                designated by emerging markets 
                                to enable such designated 
                                individuals to consult with 
                                such United States experts to 
                                enhance food and rural business 
                                systems of such emerging 
                                markets and to transfer 
                                knowledge and expertise to such 
                                emerging markets.
                    ``(C) Cost-sharing.--The Secretary shall 
                encourage the nongovernmental experts described 
                in subparagraph (B) to share the costs of, and 
                otherwise assist in, the participation of those 
                experts in the E (Kika) de la Garza Emerging 
                Markets Program.
                    ``(D) Technical assistance.--The Secretary 
                is authorized to provide, or pay the necessary 
                costs for, technical assistance (including the 
                establishment of extension services) to enable 
                individuals or other entities to carry out 
                recommendations, projects, and opportunities in 
                emerging markets, including recommendations, 
                projects, and opportunities described in 
                subclauses (II) and (III) of subparagraph 
                (A)(i).
                    ``(E) Reports to secretary.--A team that 
                receives assistance under subparagraph (B)(i) 
                shall prepare and submit to the Secretary such 
                reports as the Secretary may require.
                    ``(F) Advisory committee.--To provide the 
                Secretary with information that may be useful 
                to the Secretary in carrying out this 
                subsection, the Secretary may establish an 
                advisory committee composed of representatives 
                of the various sectors of the food and rural 
                business systems of the United States.
                    ``(G) Effect.--The authority provided under 
                this subsection shall be in addition to and not 
                in place of any other authority of the 
                Secretary or the Commodity Credit Corporation.
    ``(e) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall establish an export assistance program, in this 
        subsection referred to as the `program', to address 
        existing or potential unique barriers that prohibit or 
        threaten the export of United States specialty crops.
            ``(2) Purpose.--The program shall provide direct 
        assistance through public and private sector projects 
        and technical assistance, including through the program 
        under section 2(e) of the Competitive, Special, and 
        Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(e)), to 
        remove, resolve, or mitigate existing or potential 
        sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers to 
        trade.
            ``(3) Priority.--The program shall address time 
        sensitive and strategic market access projects based 
        on--
                    ``(A) trade effect on market retention, 
                market access, and market expansion; and
                    ``(B) trade impact.
            ``(4) Multiyear projects.--The Secretary may 
        provide assistance under the program to a project for 
        longer than a 5-year period if the Secretary determines 
        that further assistance would effectively support the 
        purpose described in paragraph (2).
            ``(5) Outreach and technical assistance.--The 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) conduct outreach to inform eligible 
                organizations of the requirements of the 
                program and the process by which such 
                organizations may submit proposals for funding;
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance to 
                eligible organizations to assist in developing 
                proposals and complying with the requirements 
                of the program; and
                    ``(C) solicit input from eligible 
                organizations on improvements to streamline and 
                facilitate the provision of assistance under 
                this subsection.
            ``(6) Regulations and procedures.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall 
                review program regulations, procedures, and 
                guidelines for assistance under this subsection 
                and make revisions to streamline, improve, and 
                clarify the application, approval and 
                compliance processes for such assistance, 
                including revisions to implement the 
                requirements of paragraph (5).
                    ``(B) Considerations.--In reviewing and 
                making revisions under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary shall consider--
                            ``(i) establishing accountability 
                        standards that are appropriate for the 
                        size and scope of a project; and
                            ``(ii) establishing streamlined 
                        application and approval processes, 
                        including for smaller-scale projects or 
                        projects to address time-sensitive 
                        trade barriers.
            ``(7) Annual report.--Each year, the Secretary 
        shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
        a report that contains, for the period covered by the 
        report, a description of--
                    ``(A) each factor that affects the export 
                of specialty crops, including each factor 
                relating to any--
                            ``(i) significant sanitary or 
                        phytosanitary issue;
                            ``(ii) trade barrier; or
                            ``(iii) emerging sanitary or 
                        phytosanitary issue or trade barrier; 
                        and
                    ``(B)(i) any funds provided under 
                subsection (f)(3)(A)(iv) that were not 
                obligated in a fiscal year; and
                    ``(ii) the reason such funds were not 
                obligated.
    ``(f) Funding and Administration.--
            ``(1) Commodity credit corporation.--The Secretary 
        shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section.
            ``(2) Funding amount.--For each of fiscal years 
        2019 through 2023, of the funds of, or an equal value 
        of commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit 
        Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $255,000,000, to remain available until 
        expended.
            ``(3) Allocation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For each of fiscal years 
                2019 through 2023, the Secretary shall allocate 
                funds to carry out this section in accordance 
                with the following:
                            ``(i) Market access program.--For 
                        market access activities authorized 
                        under subsection (b), of the funds of, 
                        or an equal value of commodities owned 
                        by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
                        not less than $200,000,000 for each 
                        fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) Foreign market development 
                        cooperator program.--To carry out 
                        subsection (c), of the funds of, or an 
                        equal value of commodities owned by, 
                        the Commodity Credit Corporation, not 
                        less than $34,500,000 for each fiscal 
                        year.
                            ``(iii) E (kika) de la garza 
                        emerging markets program.--To provide 
                        assistance under subsection (d), of the 
                        funds of, or an equal value of 
                        commodities owned by, the Commodity 
                        Credit Corporation, not more than 
                        $8,000,000 for each fiscal year.
                            ``(iv) Technical assistance for 
                        specialty crops.--To carry out 
                        subsection (e), of the funds of, or an 
                        equal value of the commodities owned 
                        by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
                        $9,000,000 for each fiscal year.
                            ``(v) Priority trade fund.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--In 
                                addition to the amounts 
                                allocated under clauses (i) 
                                through (iv), and 
                                notwithstanding any limitations 
                                in those clauses, as determined 
                                by the Secretary, for 1 or more 
                                programs under this section for 
                                authorized activities to 
                                access, develop, maintain, and 
                                expand markets for United 
                                States agricultural 
                                commodities, $3,500,000 for 
                                each fiscal year.
                                    ``(II) Considerations.--In 
                                allocating funds made available 
                                under subclause (I), the 
                                Secretary may consider 
                                providing a greater allocation 
                                to 1 or more programs under 
                                this section for which the 
                                amounts requested under 
                                applications exceed available 
                                funding for the 1 or more 
                                programs.
                    ``(B) Reallocation.--Any funds allocated 
                under clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph 
                (A) that remain unobligated one year after the 
                end of the fiscal year in which they are first 
                made available shall be reallocated to the 
                priority trade fund under subparagraph (A)(v). 
                To the maximum extent practicable, the 
                Secretary shall allocate such reallocated funds 
                to support exports of those types of United 
                States agricultural commodities eligible for 
                assistance under the program for which the 
                funds were originally allocated under 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(4) Cuba.--Notwithstanding section 908 of the 
        Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 
        2000 (22 U.S.C. 7207) or any other provision of law, 
        funds made available under this section may be used to 
        carry out the programs authorized under subsections (b) 
        and (c) in Cuba. Funds may not be used as described in 
        the previous sentence in contravention with directives 
        set forth under the National Security Presidential 
        Memorandum entitled `Strengthening the Policy of the 
        United States Toward Cuba' issued by the President on 
        June 16, 2017, during the period in which that 
        memorandum is in effect.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition 
        to any other amounts provided under this subsection, 
        there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
        are necessary to carry out the programs and authorities 
        under paragraph (3)(A)(v) and subsections (b) through 
        (e).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Market access program.--
                    (A) Section 211 of the Agricultural Trade 
                Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5641) is amended by 
                striking subsection (c).
                    (B) Section 402(a)(1) of the Agricultural 
                Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5662(a)(1)) is 
                amended by striking ``203'' and inserting 
                ``203(b)''.
                    (C) Section 282(f)(2)(C) of the 
                Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 
                1638a(f)(2)(C)) is amended by striking 
                ``section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 
                1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623)'' and inserting ``section 
                203(b) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 
                U.S.C. 5623(b))''.
                    (D) Section 718 of the Agriculture, Rural 
                Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
                Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (7 
                U.S.C. 5623 note; Public Law 105-277) is 
                amended by striking ``section 203 of the 
                Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 
                5623)'' and inserting ``section 203(b) of the 
                Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 
                5623(b)''.
                    (E) Section 1302 of the Omnibus Budget 
                Reconciliation Act of 1993 is repealed.
            (2) Foreign market development cooperator 
        program.--Title VII of the Agricultural Trade Act of 
        1978 (7 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.) is repealed.
            (3) E (kika) de la garza emerging markets 
        program.--
                    (A) Section 1542 of the Food, Agriculture, 
                Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C 
                5622 note; Public Law 101-624) is amended--
                            (i) by striking subsection (d);
                            (ii) by redesignating subsections 
                        (e) and (f) as subsections (d) and (e), 
                        respectively; and
                            (iii) in subsection (e) (as so 
                        redesignated)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                paragraph (1), by striking 
                                ``country'' and inserting 
                                ``country, foreign territory, 
                                customs union, or other 
                                economic market''; and
                                    (II) in paragraph (1), by 
                                striking ``the economy of the 
                                country'' and inserting ``its 
                                economy''.
                    (B) Section 1543(b)(5) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 3293(b)(5)) is amended by 
                striking ``section 1542(f)'' and inserting 
                ``section 1542(e)''.
                    (C) Section 1543A(c)(2) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 5679(c)(2)) is amended by 
                inserting ``and section 203(d) of the 
                Agricultural Trade Act of 1978'' after 
                ``section 1542''.
            (4) Technical assistance for specialty crops.--
        Section 3205 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
        Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5680) is repealed.

               Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws

SEC. 3301. GROWING AMERICAN FOOD EXPORTS.

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

SEC. 3302. FOOD FOR PROGRESS ACT OF 1985.

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

SEC. 3303. BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST ACT.

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

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

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

SEC. 3305. COCHRAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

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

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

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

SEC. 3307. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 3308. INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 3310. GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST.

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

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

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

SEC. 3312. FOREIGN TRADE MISSIONS.

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

                          TITLE IV--NUTRITION

         Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SEC. 4001. REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS.

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

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

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

SEC. 4003. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

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

SEC. 4004. SIMPLIFIED HOMELESS HOUSING COSTS.

    Section 5(e)(6)(D) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(D)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii), 
        and
            (2) by striking clause (i) and inserting the 
        following:
                            ``(i) Alternative deduction.--The 
                        State agency shall allow a deduction of 
                        $143 a month for households--
                                    ``(I) in which all members 
                                are homeless individuals;
                                    ``(II) that are not 
                                receiving free shelter 
                                throughout the month; and
                                    ``(III) that do not opt to 
                                claim an excess shelter expense 
                                deduction under subparagraph 
                                (A).
                            ``(ii) Adjustment.--For fiscal year 
                        2019 and each subsequent fiscal year 
                        the amount of the homeless shelter 
                        deduction specified in clause (i) shall 
                        be adjusted to reflect changes for the 
                        12-month period ending the preceding 
                        November 30 in the Consumer Price Index 
                        for All Urban Consumers published by 
                        the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the 
                        Department of Labor.''.

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

    (a) Employment and Training Programs That Meet State and 
Local Workforce Needs.--Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) in clause (i)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, in 
                        consultation with the State workforce 
                        development board, or, if the State 
                        demonstrates that consultation with 
                        private employers or employer 
                        organizations would be more effective 
                        or efficient, in consultation with 
                        private employers or employer 
                        organizations,'' after ``designed by 
                        the State agency'', and
                            (ii) by striking ``that will 
                        increase their ability to obtain 
                        regular employment.'' and inserting the 
                        following: ``that will--
                                    ``(I) increase the ability 
                                of the household members to 
                                obtain regular employment; and
                                    ``(II) meet State or local 
                                workforce needs.'', and
                    (B) in clause (ii) by inserting ``and 
                implemented to meet the purposes of clause 
                (i)'' after ``under this paragraph'',
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                inserting ``case management services such as 
                comprehensive intake assessments, 
                individualized service plans, progress 
                monitoring, or coordination with service 
                providers and'' after ``contains'',
                    (B) in clause (iv) by redesignating 
                subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), 
                respectively, and indenting appropriately,
                    (C) by redesignating clauses (i) through 
                (vii) and clause (viii) as subclauses (I) 
                through (VII) and subclause (IX), respectively, 
                and indenting appropriately,
                    (D) by striking subclause (I), as so 
                redesignated, and inserting the following:
                                    ``(I) Supervised job search 
                                programs that occur at State-
                                approved locations at which the 
                                activities of participants 
                                shall be directly supervised 
                                and the timing and activities 
                                of participants tracked in 
                                accordance with guidelines 
                                issued by the State.'',
                    (E) in subclause (II), as so redesignated, 
                by striking ``jobs skills assessments, job 
                finding clubs, training in techniques for'' and 
                inserting ``employability assessments, training 
                in techniques to increase'',
                    (F) in subclause (IV), as so redesignated, 
                in the first sentence, by inserting ``, 
                including subsidized employment and 
                apprenticeships'' before the period at the end,
                    (G) in subclause (VII), as so redesignated, 
                by inserting ``not less than 30 days but'' 
                after ``period of'',
                    (H) by inserting after subclause (VII), as 
                so redesignated, the following:
                                    ``(VIII) Programs and 
                                activities under clause (iv) of 
                                section 16(h)(1)(F) that the 
                                Secretary determines, based on 
                                results from the independent 
                                evaluations conducted under 
                                clause (vii)(I) of such 
                                section, have the most 
                                demonstrable impact on the 
                                ability of participants to find 
                                and retain employment that 
                                leads to increased household 
                                income and reduced reliance on 
                                public assistance.'',
                    (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), 
                as so redesignated--
                            (i) by striking ``this 
                        subparagraph'' and inserting ``this 
                        clause'', and
                            (ii) by striking ``(B) For purposes 
                        of this Act, an'' and inserting the 
                        following:
                    ``(B) Definitions.--In this Act:
                            ``(i) Employment and training 
                        program.--The term'', and
                    (J) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Workforce partnership.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--The term 
                                `workforce partnership' means a 
                                program that--
                                            ``(aa) is operated 
                                        by--
                                                    ``(AA) a 
                                                private 
                                                employer, an 
                                                organization 
                                                representing 
                                                private 
                                                employers, or a 
                                                nonprofit 
                                                organization 
                                                providing 
                                                services 
                                                relating to 
                                                workforce 
                                                development; or
                                                    ``(BB) an 
                                                entity 
                                                identified as 
                                                an eligible 
                                                provider of 
                                                training 
                                                services under 
                                                section 122(d) 
                                                of the 
                                                Workforce 
                                                Innovation and 
                                                Opportunity Act 
                                                (29 U.S.C. 
                                                3152(d));
                                            ``(bb) the 
                                        Secretary certifies, or 
                                        the State agency 
                                        certifies to the 
                                        Secretary--
                                                    ``(AA) 
                                                subject to 
                                                subparagraph 
                                                (N)(ii), would 
                                                assist 
                                                participants 
                                                who are members 
                                                of households 
                                                participating 
                                                in the 
                                                supplemental 
                                                nutrition 
                                                assistance 
                                                program in 
                                                gaining high-
                                                quality, work-
                                                relevant 
                                                skills, 
                                                training, work, 
                                                or experience 
                                                that will 
                                                increase the 
                                                ability of the 
                                                participants to 
                                                obtain regular 
                                                employment;
                                                    ``(BB) 
                                                subject to 
                                                subparagraph 
                                                (N)(ii), would 
                                                provide 
                                                participants 
                                                with not less 
                                                than 20 hours 
                                                per week of 
                                                training, work, 
                                                or experience 
                                                under subitem 
                                                (AA);
                                                    ``(CC) 
                                                would not use 
                                                any funds 
                                                authorized to 
                                                be appropriated 
                                                by this Act;
                                                    ``(DD) 
                                                would provide 
                                                sufficient 
                                                information, on 
                                                request by the 
                                                State agency, 
                                                for the State 
                                                agency to 
                                                determine that 
                                                participants 
                                                who are members 
                                                of households 
                                                participating 
                                                in the 
                                                supplemental 
                                                nutrition 
                                                assistance 
                                                program are 
                                                fulfilling any 
                                                applicable work 
                                                requirement 
                                                under this 
                                                subsection or 
                                                subsection (o);
                                                    ``(EE) 
                                                would be 
                                                willing to 
                                                serve as a 
                                                reference for 
                                                participants 
                                                who are members 
                                                of households 
                                                participating 
                                                in the 
                                                supplemental 
                                                nutrition 
                                                assistance 
                                                program for 
                                                future 
                                                employment or 
                                                work-related 
                                                programs; and
                                                    ``(FF) 
                                                meets any other 
                                                criteria 
                                                established by 
                                                the Secretary, 
                                                on the 
                                                condition that 
                                                the Secretary 
                                                shall not 
                                                establish any 
                                                additional 
                                                criteria that 
                                                would impose 
                                                significant 
                                                paperwork 
                                                burdens on the 
                                                workforce 
                                                partnership; 
                                                and
                                            ``(cc) is in 
                                        compliance with the 
                                        Fair Labor Standards 
                                        Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 
                                        201 et seq.), if 
                                        applicable.
                                    ``(II) Inclusion.--The term 
                                `workforce partnership' 
                                includes a multistate 
                                program.'',
            (3) in subparagraph (E)--
                    (A) in the second sentence, by striking 
                ``Such requirements'' and inserting the 
                following:
                            ``(ii) Variation.--The requirements 
                        under clause (i)'',
                    (B) by striking ``(E) Each State'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(E) Requirements for participation for 
                certain individuals.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each State'', 
                        and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Application to workforce 
                        partnerships.--To the extent that a 
                        State agency requires an individual to 
                        participate in an employment and 
                        training program, the State agency 
                        shall consider an individual 
                        participating in a workforce 
                        partnership to be in compliance with 
                        the employment and training 
                        requirements.'',
            (4) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``(B)(v)'' and 
        inserting ``(B)(i)(V)'', and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(N) Workforce partnerships.--
                            ``(i) Certification.--In certifying 
                        that a program meets the requirements 
                        of subitems (AA) and (BB) of 
                        subparagraph (B)(ii)(I)(bb) to be 
                        certified as a workforce partnership, 
                        the Secretary or the State agency shall 
                        require that the program submit to the 
                        Secretary or State agency sufficient 
                        information that describes--
                                    ``(I) the services and 
                                activities of the program that 
                                would provide participants with 
                                not less than 20 hours per week 
                                of training, work, or 
                                experience under those 
                                subitems; and
                                    ``(II) how the program 
                                would provide services and 
                                activities described in 
                                subclause (I) that would 
                                directly enhance the 
                                employability or job readiness 
                                of the participant.
                            ``(ii) Supplement, not supplant.--A 
                        State agency may use a workforce 
                        partnership to supplement, not to 
                        supplant, the employment and training 
                        program of the State agency.
                            ``(iii) Participation.--A State 
                        agency--
                                    ``(I) shall--
                                            ``(aa) maintain a 
                                        list of workforce 
                                        partnerships certified 
                                        under subparagraph 
                                        (B)(ii)(I)(bb); and
                                            ``(bb) not less 
                                        frequently than at 
                                        certification and 
                                        recertification, 
                                        provide to a household 
                                        member subject to work 
                                        requirements under 
                                        subsection (d)(1) or 
                                        subsection (o), 
                                        electronically or by 
                                        other means, the list 
                                        described in item (aa); 
                                        but
                                    ``(II) may not require any 
                                member of a household 
                                participating in the 
                                supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program to 
                                participate in a workforce 
                                partnership.
                            ``(iv) Effect.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--A 
                                workforce partnership shall not 
                                replace the employment or 
                                training of an individual not 
                                participating in the workforce 
                                partnership.
                                    ``(II) Selection.--Nothing 
                                in this subsection or 
                                subsection (o) affects the 
                                criteria or screening process 
                                for selecting participants by a 
                                workforce partnership.
                            ``(v) Limitation on reporting 
                        requirements.--In carrying out this 
                        subparagraph, the Secretary and each 
                        applicable State agency shall limit the 
                        reporting requirements of a workforce 
                        partnership to--
                                    ``(I) on notification that 
                                an individual is receiving 
                                supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program benefits, 
                                notifying the applicable State 
                                agency that the individual is 
                                participating in the workforce 
                                partnership;
                                    ``(II) identifying 
                                participants who have completed 
                                or are no longer participating 
                                in the workforce partnership;
                                    ``(III) identifying changes 
                                to the workforce partnership 
                                that result in the workforce 
                                partnership no longer meeting 
                                the certification requirements 
                                of the Secretary or the State 
                                agency under subparagraph 
                                (B)(ii)(I)(bb); and
                                    ``(IV) providing sufficient 
                                information, on request by the 
                                State agency, for the State 
                                agency to verify that a 
                                participant is fulfilling any 
                                applicable work requirements 
                                under this subsection or 
                                subsection (o).
                    ``(O) Referral of certain individuals.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In accordance 
                        with such regulations as may be issued 
                        by the Secretary, with respect to any 
                        individual who is not eligible for an 
                        exemption under paragraph (2) and who 
                        is determined by the operator of an 
                        employment and training program 
                        component to be ill-suited to 
                        participate in that employment and 
                        training program component, the State 
                        agency shall--
                                    ``(I) refer the individual 
                                to an appropriate employment 
                                and training program component;
                                    ``(II) refer the individual 
                                to an appropriate workforce 
                                partnership, if available;
                                    ``(III) reassess the 
                                physical and mental fitness of 
                                the individual under paragraph 
                                (1)(A); or
                                    ``(IV) to the maximum 
                                extent practicable, coordinate 
                                with other Federal, State, or 
                                local workforce or assistance 
                                programs to identify work 
                                opportunities or assistance for 
                                the individual.
                            ``(ii) Process.--In carrying out 
                        clause (i), the State agency shall 
                        ensure that an individual undergoing 
                        and complying with the process 
                        established under that clause shall not 
                        be found to have refused without good 
                        cause to participate in an employment 
                        and training program.''.
    (b) Work Requirements.--Section 6(o) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'' 
                at the end,
                    (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``job 
                search program or a job search training 
                program.'' and inserting ``supervised job 
                search program or job search training 
                program;'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) a program of employment and training 
                for veterans operated by the Department of 
                Labor or the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
                and approved by the Secretary; and
                    ``(E) a workforce partnership under 
                subsection (d)(4)(N).'',
            (2) in paragraph (4)(A) by inserting ``and with the 
        support of the chief executive officer of the State'' 
        after ``agency'', and
            (3) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``15-percent 
                exemption'' and inserting ``Exemptions'',
                    (B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``(G)'' 
                and inserting ``(H)'',
                    (C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ``(E) 
                and (G)'' and inserting ``(F) and (H)'' ,
                    (D) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) in the heading by striking 
                        ``Subsequent fiscal years'' and 
                        inserting ``Fiscal years 1999 through 
                        2019'',
                            (ii) by striking ``(E) through 
                        (G)'' and inserting ``(F) through 
                        (H)'', and
                            (iii) by striking ``year,'' and 
                        inserting ``year through fiscal year 
                        2019,'',
                    (E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ``or 
                (D)'' and inserting ``, (D), or (E)'',
                    (F) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), 
                (F), and (G) as subparagraphs (F), (G), and 
                (H), respectively, and
                    (G) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the 
                following:
                    ``(E) Subsequent fiscal years.--Subject to 
                subparagraphs (F) through (H), for fiscal year 
                2020 and each subsequent fiscal year, a State 
                agency may provide a number of exemptions such 
                that the average monthly number of exemptions 
                in effect during the fiscal year does not 
                exceed 12 percent of the number of covered 
                individuals in the State, as estimated by the 
                Secretary under subparagraph (C), adjusted by 
                the Secretary to reflect changes in the State's 
                caseload and the Secretary's estimate of 
                changes in the proportion of members of 
                households that receive supplemental nutrition 
                assistance program benefits covered by waivers 
                granted under paragraph (4).''.
    (c) State Plans.--Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (e)(19) by inserting ``the extent 
        to which such programs will be carried out in 
        coordination with the activities carried out under 
        title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
        (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.),'' before ``and the basis,'', 
        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(w) For households containing at least one adult, with no 
elderly or disabled members and with no earned income at their 
last certification or required report, a State agency shall, at 
the time of recertification, be required to advise members of 
the household not exempt under section 6(d)(2) regarding 
available employment and training services.''.
    (d) Funding of Employment and Training Programs.--Section 
16(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking 
                ``$90,000,000'' and inserting ``$103,900,000'',
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in clause (i) by inserting ``, 
                        subject to clauses (ii) through (v),'' 
                        after ``(B), the Secretary'', and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iv) Priority.--The Secretary 
                        shall reallocate funds under this 
                        subparagraph as follows:
                                    ``(I)(aa) Subject to items 
                                (bb) and (cc), not less than 50 
                                percent shall be reallocated to 
                                State agencies requesting such 
                                funds to conduct employment and 
                                training programs and 
                                activities for which such State 
                                agencies had previously 
                                received funding under 
                                subparagraph (F)(viii) that the 
                                Secretary determines have the 
                                most demonstrable impact on the 
                                ability of participants to find 
                                and retain employment that 
                                leads to increased household 
                                income and reduced reliance on 
                                public assistance.
                                    ``(bb) The Secretary shall 
                                base the determination under 
                                item (aa) on--
                                            ``(AA) project 
                                        results from the 
                                        independent evaluations 
                                        conducted under 
                                        subparagraph 
                                        (F)(vii)(I); or
                                            ``(BB) if the 
                                        project results from 
                                        the independent 
                                        evaluations conducted 
                                        under subparagraph 
                                        (F)(vii)(I) are not yet 
                                        available, the reports 
                                        under subparagraph 
                                        (F)(vii)(II) or other 
                                        information relating to 
                                        performance of the 
                                        programs and activities 
                                        funded under 
                                        subparagraph (F)(viii).
                                    ``(cc) Employment and 
                                training activities funded 
                                under this subclause are not 
                                subject to subparagraph 
                                (F)(vii), but are subject to 
                                monitoring under paragraph 
                                (h)(5).
                                    ``(II) Not less than 30 
                                percent shall be reallocated to 
                                State agencies requesting such 
                                funds to implement or continue 
                                employment and training 
                                programs and activities under 
                                section 6(d)(4)(B)(i) that the 
                                Secretary determines have the 
                                most demonstrable impact on the 
                                ability of participants to find 
                                and retain employment that 
                                leads to increased household 
                                income and reduced reliance on 
                                public assistance, including 
                                programs and activities that 
                                are targeted to--
                                            ``(aa) individuals 
                                        50 years of age or 
                                        older;
                                            ``(bb) formerly 
                                        incarcerated 
                                        individuals;
                                            ``(cc) individuals 
                                        participating in a 
                                        substance abuse 
                                        treatment program;
                                            ``(dd) homeless 
                                        individuals;
                                            ``(ee) people with 
                                        disabilities seeking to 
                                        enter the workforce;
                                            ``(ff) other 
                                        individuals with 
                                        substantial barriers to 
                                        employment; or
                                            ``(gg) households 
                                        facing multi-
                                        generational poverty, 
                                        to support employment 
                                        and workforce 
                                        participation through 
                                        an integrated and 
                                        family-focused approach 
                                        in providing supportive 
                                        services.
                                    ``(III) The Secretary shall 
                                reallocate any remaining funds 
                                available under this 
                                subparagraph, to State agencies 
                                requesting such funds to use 
                                for employment and training 
                                programs and activities that 
                                the Secretary determines have 
                                the most demonstrable impact on 
                                the ability of participants to 
                                find and retain employment that 
                                leads to increased household 
                                income and reduced reliance on 
                                public assistance under section 
                                6(d)(4)(B)(i).
                            ``(v) Consideration.--In 
                        reallocating funds under this 
                        subparagraph, a State agency that 
                        receives reallocated funds under clause 
                        (iv)(I) may also be considered for 
                        reallocated funding under clause 
                        (iv)(II).'', and
                    (C) in subparagraph (D) by striking 
                ``$50,000'' and inserting ``$100,000'', and
            (2) in paragraph (5)(B) by adding at the end the 
        following:
                            ``(v) State option.--The State 
                        agency may report relevant data from a 
                        workforce partnership carried out under 
                        section 6(d)(4)(N) to demonstrate the 
                        number of program participants served 
                        by the workforce partnership.''.
    (e) Expired Authority.--Section 17(b) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2), and
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
        (2).

SEC. 4006. IMPROVEMENTS TO ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER SYSTEM.

    (a) EBT Portability.--Section 7(f)(5) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(f)(5)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Operation of individual point of sale 
                device by farmers' markets and direct marketing 
                farmers.--A farmers' market or direct marketing 
                farmer that is exempt under paragraph (2)(B)(i) 
                shall be allowed to operate an individual 
                electronic benefit transfer point of sale 
                device at more than 1 location under the same 
                supplemental nutrition assistance program 
                authorization, if--
                            ``(i) the farmers' market or direct 
                        marketing farmer provides to the 
                        Secretary information on location and 
                        hours of operation at each location; 
                        and
                            ``(ii)(I) the point of sale device 
                        used by the farmers' market or direct 
                        marketing farmer is capable of 
                        providing location information of the 
                        device through the electronic benefit 
                        transfer system; or
                            ``(II) if the Secretary determines 
                        that the technology is not available 
                        for a point of sale device to meet the 
                        requirement under subclause (I), the 
                        farmers' market or direct marketing 
                        farmer provides to the Secretary any 
                        other information, as determined by the 
                        Secretary, necessary to ensure the 
                        integrity of transactions processed 
                        using the point of sale device.''.
    (b) Modernization of Electronic Benefit Transfer 
Regulations.--The 1st sentence of section 7(h)(2) of the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(2)) is amended by 
inserting ``and shall periodically review such regulations and 
modify such regulations to take into account evolving 
technology and comparable industry standards'' before the 
period at the end.
    (c) Benefit Recovery.--Section 7(h)(12) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(12)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, or due to 
        the death of all members of the household'' after 
        ``inactivity'', and
            (2) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and 
        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Benefit storage.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A State agency 
                        may store recovered electronic benefits 
                        off-line in accordance with clause 
                        (ii), if the household has not accessed 
                        the account after 3 months.
                            ``(ii) Notice of benefit storage.--
                        A State agency shall--
                                    ``(I) send notice to a 
                                household the benefits of which 
                                are stored under clause (i); 
                                and
                                    ``(II) not later than 48 
                                hours after request by the 
                                household, make the stored 
                                benefits available to the 
                                household.
                    ``(C) Benefit expunging.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to 
                        clause (ii), a State agency shall 
                        expunge benefits that have not been 
                        accessed by a household after a period 
                        of 9 months, or upon verification that 
                        all members of the household are 
                        deceased.
                            ``(ii) Notice of benefit 
                        expunging.--Not later than 30 days 
                        before benefits are to be expunged 
                        under clause (i), a State agency 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) provide sufficient 
                                notice to the household that 
                                benefits will be expunged due 
                                to inactivity, and the date 
                                upon which benefits will be 
                                expunged;
                                    ``(II) for benefits stored 
                                off-line in accordance with 
                                subparagraph (B), provide the 
                                household an opportunity to 
                                request that such benefits be 
                                restored to the household; and
                                    ``(III) not later than 48 
                                hours after request by the 
                                household, make the benefits 
                                available to the household.''.
    (d) Prohibited Fees.--Section 7 of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (h)(13) to read as 
        follows:
            ``(13) Fees.--
                    ``(A) Interchange fees.--No interchange 
                fees shall apply to electronic benefit transfer 
                transactions under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Other fees.--Effective through fiscal 
                year 2023, neither a State, nor any agent, 
                contractor, or subcontractor of a State who 
                facilitates the provision of supplemental 
                nutrition assistance program benefits in such 
                State may impose a fee for switching (as 
                defined in subsection (j)(1)(H)) or routing 
                such benefits.'', and
            (2) by amending subsection (j)(1)(H) to read as 
        follows:
                    ``(H) Switching.--The term `switching' 
                means the routing of an intrastate or 
                interstate transaction that consists of 
                transmitting the details of a transaction 
                electronically recorded through the use of an 
                electronic benefit transfer card in one State 
                to the issuer of the card that may be in the 
                same or different State.''.
    (e) Mobile Technologies.--Section 7(h)(14) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(14)) is amended--
            (1) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), the Secretary shall authorize the use of 
                mobile technologies for the purpose of 
                accessing supplemental nutrition assistance 
                program benefits.'',
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking the heading and inserting 
                ``Demonstration projects on access of benefits 
                through mobile technologies'',
                    (B) by amending clause (i) to read as 
                follows:
                            ``(i) Demonstration projects.--
                        Before authorizing implementation of 
                        subparagraph (A) in all States, the 
                        Secretary shall approve not more than 5 
                        demonstration project proposals 
                        submitted by State agencies that will 
                        pilot the use of mobile technologies 
                        for supplemental nutrition assistance 
                        program benefits access.'',
                    (C) in clause (ii)--
                            (i) in the heading by striking 
                        ``Demonstration projects'' and 
                        inserting ``Project requirements'',
                            (ii) by striking ``retail food 
                        store'' the first place it appears and 
                        inserting ``State agency'',
                            (iii) by striking ``includes'',
                            (iv) by striking subclauses (I), 
                        (II), (III), and (IV), and inserting 
                        the following:
                                    ``(I) provides recipient 
                                protections regarding privacy, 
                                ease of use, household access 
                                to benefits, and support 
                                similar to the protections 
                                provided under existing 
                                methods;
                                    ``(II) ensures that all 
                                recipients, including those 
                                without access to mobile 
                                payment technology and those 
                                who shop across State borders, 
                                have a means of benefit access;
                                    ``(III) requires retail 
                                food stores, unless exempt 
                                under section 7(f)(2)(B), to 
                                bear the costs of acquiring and 
                                arranging for the 
                                implementation of point-of-sale 
                                equipment and supplies for the 
                                redemption of benefits that are 
                                accessed through mobile 
                                technologies;
                                    ``(IV) requires that foods 
                                purchased with benefits issued 
                                under this section through 
                                mobile technologies are 
                                purchased at a price not higher 
                                than the price of the same food 
                                purchased by other methods used 
                                by the retail food store, as 
                                determined by the Secretary;
                                    ``(V) ensures adequate 
                                documentation for each 
                                authorized transaction, 
                                adequate security measures to 
                                deter fraud, and adequate 
                                access to retail food stores 
                                that accept benefits accessed 
                                through mobile technologies, as 
                                determined by the Secretary;
                                    ``(VI) provides for an 
                                evaluation of the demonstration 
                                project, including, but not 
                                limited to, an evaluation of 
                                household access to benefits;
                                    ``(VII) requires that the 
                                State demonstration projects 
                                are voluntary for all retail 
                                food stores and that all 
                                recipients are able to use 
                                benefits in non-participating 
                                retail food stores; and
                                    ``(VIII) meets other 
                                criteria as established by the 
                                Secretary.'',
                    (D) by amending clause (iii) to read as 
                follows:
                            ``(iv) Date of project approval.--
                        The Secretary shall solicit and approve 
                        the qualifying demonstration projects 
                        required under subparagraph (B)(i) not 
                        later than January 1, 2021.'', and
                    (E) by inserting after clause (ii) the 
                following:
                            ``(iii) Priority.--The Secretary 
                        may prioritize demonstration project 
                        proposals that would--
                                    ``(I) reduce fraud;
                                    ``(II) encourage positive 
                                nutritional outcomes; and
                                    ``(III) meet such other 
                                criteria as determined by the 
                                Secretary.'', and
            (3) in subparagraph (C)(i)--
                    (A) by striking ``2017'' and inserting 
                ``2022'', and
                    (B) by inserting ``requires further study 
                by way of an extended pilot period or'' after 
                ``States'' the 2d place it appears.
    (f) Approval of Retail Food Stores.--Section 9 of the Food 
and Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2018) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in the 4th sentence by striking ``No 
                retail food store'' and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(D) Visit required.--No retail food 
                store'',
                    (B) in the 3d sentence by striking 
                ``Approval'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(C) Certificate.--Approval'',
                    (C) in the 2d sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``food; and (D) 
                        the'' and inserting the following: 
                        ``food;
                            ``(iv) any information, if 
                        available, about the ability of the 
                        anticipated or existing electronic 
                        benefit transfer equipment and service 
                        provider of the applicant to provide 
                        sufficient information through the 
                        electronic benefit transfer system to 
                        minimize the risk of fraudulent 
                        transactions; and
                            ``(v) the'',
                            (ii) by striking ``concern; (C) 
                        whether'' and inserting the following: 
                        ``concern;
                            ``(iii) whether'',
                            (iii) by striking ``applicant; (B) 
                        the'' and inserting the following: 
                        ``applicant;
                            ``(ii) the'',
                            (iv) by striking ``following: (A) 
                        the nature'' and inserting the 
                        following: ``following:
                            ``(i) the nature'', and
                            (v) in the matter preceding clause 
                        (i), as so designated, by striking ``In 
                        determining'' and inserting the 
                        following:
                    ``(B) Factors for consideration.--In 
                determining'', and
                    (D) in the 1st sentence by striking 
                ``(a)(1) Regulations'' and inserting the 
                following:
    ``(a) Authorization to Accept and Redeem Benefits.--
            ``(1) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Regulations'',
            (2) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(4) Electronic benefit transfer equipment and 
        service providers.--Before implementing clause (iv) of 
        paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall issue guidance 
        for retail food stores on how to select electronic 
        benefit transfer equipment and service providers that 
        are able to meet the requirements of that clause.'', 
        and
            (3) in the 1st sentence of subsection (c) by 
        inserting ``records relating to electronic benefit 
        transfer equipment and related services, transaction 
        and redemption data provided through the electronic 
        benefit transfer system,'' after ``purchase 
        invoices,''.

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

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

SEC. 4008. RETAIL INCENTIVES.

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

SEC. 4009. REQUIRED ACTION ON DATA MATCH INFORMATION.

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

SEC. 4010. INCENTIVIZING TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION.

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

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

    Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2020), as amended by section 4005(c), is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(x) National Accuracy Clearinghouse.--
            ``(1) Definition of indication of multiple 
        issuance.--In this subsection, the term `indication of 
        multiple issuance' means an indication, based on a 
        computer match, that supplemental nutrition assistance 
        program benefits are being issued to an individual by 
        more than 1 State agency simultaneously.
            ``(2) Establishment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish an interstate data system, to be 
                known as the `National Accuracy Clearinghouse', 
                to prevent multiple issuances of supplemental 
                nutrition assistance program benefits to an 
                individual by more than 1 State agency 
                simultaneously.
                    ``(B) Data matching.--The Secretary shall 
                require that State agencies make available to 
                the National Accuracy Clearinghouse only such 
                information as is necessary for the purpose 
                described in subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) Data protection.--The information 
                made available by State agencies under 
                subparagraph (B)--
                            ``(i) shall be used only for the 
                        purpose described in subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) shall be exempt from the 
                        disclosure requirements of section 
                        552(a) of title 5 of the United States 
                        Code pursuant to section 552(b)(3) of 
                        title 5 of the United States Code, to 
                        the extent such information is obtained 
                        or received by the Secretary;
                            ``(iii) shall not be retained for 
                        longer than is necessary to accomplish 
                        the purpose in subparagraph (A);
                            ``(iv) shall be used in a manner 
                        that protects the identity and location 
                        of a vulnerable individual (including a 
                        victim of domestic violence) that is an 
                        applicant for, or recipient of, 
                        supplemental nutrition assistance 
                        program benefits; and
                            ``(v) shall meet security standards 
                        as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Issuance of interim final regulations.--Not 
        later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the 
        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary 
        shall promulgate regulations (which shall include 
        interim final regulations) to carry out this subsection 
        that--
                    ``(A) incorporate best practices and 
                lessons learned from the pilot program under 
                section 4032(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
                (7 U.S.C. 2036c(c));
                    ``(B) require a State agency to take 
                appropriate action, as determined by the 
                Secretary, with respect to each indication of 
                multiple issuance of supplemental nutrition 
                assistance program benefits, or each indication 
                that an individual receiving such benefits in 1 
                State has applied to receive such benefits in 
                another State, while ensuring timely and fair 
                service to applicants for, and recipients of, 
                such benefits;
                    ``(C) establish standards to limit and 
                protect the information submitted through or 
                retained by the National Accuracy Clearinghouse 
                consistent with paragraph (2)(C);
                    ``(D) establish safeguards to protect--
                            ``(i) the information submitted 
                        through or retained by the National 
                        Accuracy Clearinghouse, including by 
                        limiting the period of time that 
                        information is retained to the period 
                        necessary to accomplish the purpose 
                        described in paragraph (2)(A); and
                            ``(ii) the privacy of information 
                        that is submitted through or retained 
                        by the National Accuracy Clearinghouse 
                        consistent with subsection (e)(8); and
                    ``(E) include such other rules and 
                standards the Secretary determines appropriate 
                to carry out this subsection.
            ``(4) Timing.--The initial match and corresponding 
        actions required by paragraph (3)(B) shall occur within 
        3 years after the date of the enactment of the 
        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.''.

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

    Section 16(g)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2025(g)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (F) by redesignating clauses 
        (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, 
        and indenting appropriately;
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) 
        as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and 
        indenting appropriately;
            (3) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so 
        redesignated--
                    (A) by striking ``paragraphs (2) and (3)'' 
                and inserting ``paragraph (2)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``in the planning'' and 
                inserting the following: ``in the--
                    ``(A) planning'',
            (4) in clause (v), as so redesignated, of 
        subparagraph (A), as so designated, by striking 
        ``implementation, including through pilot projects in 
        limited areas for major systems changes as determined 
        under rules promulgated by the Secretary, data from 
        which'' and inserting the following: ``implementation, 
        including a requirement that--
                                    ``(I) such testing shall be 
                                accomplished through pilot 
                                projects in limited areas for 
                                major systems changes (as 
                                determined under rules 
                                promulgated by the Secretary);
                                    ``(II) each pilot project 
                                described in subclause (I) that 
                                is carried out before the 
                                implementation of a system 
                                shall be conducted in a live-
                                production environment; and
                                    ``(III) the data resulting 
                                from each pilot project carried 
                                out under this clause'';
            (5) in clause (vi), as so redesignated, by striking 
        the period at end and inserting ``; and'', and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) operation of 1 or more automatic data 
                processing and information retrieval systems 
                that the Secretary determines may continue to 
                be operated in accordance with clauses (i) 
                through (vii) of subparagraph (A).''.

SEC. 4013. QUALITY CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Records.--Section 11(a)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(a)(3)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``Records described'' and inserting 
        ``All records, and the entire information systems in 
        which records are contained, that are covered'', and
            (2) by amending clause (i) to read as follows:
                            ``(i) be made available for 
                        inspection and audit by the Secretary, 
                        subject to data and security protocols 
                        agreed to by the State agency and 
                        Secretary;''.
    (b) Quality Control System.--Section 16(c)(1)(B) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(1)(B)) is 
amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Quality control system integrity.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 
                        180 days after the date of enactment of 
                        the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
                        2018, the Secretary shall issue interim 
                        final regulations that--
                                    ``(I) ensure that the 
                                quality control system 
                                established under this 
                                subsection produces valid 
                                statistical results;
                                    ``(II) provide for 
                                oversight of contracts entered 
                                into by a State agency for the 
                                purpose of improving payment 
                                accuracy;
                                    ``(III) ensure the accuracy 
                                of data collected under the 
                                quality control system 
                                established under this 
                                subsection; and
                                    ``(IV) for each fiscal 
                                year, to the maximum extent 
                                practicable, provide for the 
                                evaluation of the integrity of 
                                the quality control process of 
                                not fewer than 2 State 
                                agencies, selected in 
                                accordance with criteria 
                                determined by the Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Debarment.--In accordance 
                        with the nonprocurement debarment 
                        procedures under part 417 of title 2, 
                        Code of Federal Regulations, or 
                        successor regulations, the Secretary 
                        shall debar any person that, in 
                        carrying out the quality control system 
                        established under this subsection, 
                        knowingly submits, or causes to be 
                        submitted, false information to the 
                        Secretary.''.
    (c) Reporting Requirements.--The 1st sentence of section 
16(c)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2025(c)(4)) is amended by inserting ``, including providing 
access to applicable State records and the entire information 
systems in which the records are contained,'' after 
``necessary''.
    (d) State Performance Indicators.--Section 16(d) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(d)) is amended--
            (1) by striking the heading and inserting ``State 
        Performance Indicators'',
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the heading by striking ``and 
                thereafter'' and inserting ``through 2017'',
                    (B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``and 
                each fiscal year thereafter'' and inserting 
                ``through fiscal year 2017'', and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and 
                each fiscal year thereafter'' and inserting 
                ``through fiscal year 2017'', and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Fiscal year 2018 and fiscal years 
        thereafter.--
                    ``(A) With respect to fiscal year 2018 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary 
                shall establish, by regulation, performance 
                criteria relating to--
                            ``(i) actions taken to correct 
                        errors, reduce rates of error, and 
                        improve eligibility determinations; and
                            ``(ii) other indicators of 
                        effective administration determined by 
                        the Secretary.
                    ``(B) The Secretary shall not award 
                performance bonus payments to State agencies in 
                fiscal year 2019 for fiscal year 2018 
                performance.''.
    (e) Cost Sharing for Computerization.--Section 16(g)(1)(A) 
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(g)(1)(A)), 
as amended by section 4012, is amended--
            (1) in clause (v)(III) by striking ``and'', and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) would be accessible by the 
                        Secretary for inspection and audit 
                        under section 11(a)(3)(B); and''.

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

    Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2026) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Evaluation of Child Support Enforcement Cooperation 
Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall 
        conduct an independent evaluation of a representative 
        sample of States--
                    ``(A) to assess the implementation and 
                impact of the eligibility requirements 
                described in subsections (l) through (n) of 
                section 6 in States that have formerly 
                implemented or continue to implement those 
                requirements, and the feasibility of 
                implementing those requirements in other 
                States;
                    ``(B) to assess the factors that 
                contributed to the decision of States that 
                formerly implemented the eligibility 
                requirements described in each of subsections 
                (l) through (n) of section 6 to cease such 
                implementation;
                    ``(C) to review alternatives to the 
                eligibility requirements described in each of 
                subsections (l) through (n) of section 6 that 
                are used by other States to assist participants 
                in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
                program to make or receive child support 
                payments and the effectiveness of those 
                alternatives; and
                    ``(D) to evaluate the costs and benefits to 
                households and to State agencies, of requiring 
                State agencies to implement each of the 
                eligibility requirements described in 
                subsections (l) through (n) of section 6.
            ``(2) Evaluation.--The evaluation under paragraph 
        (1) shall include, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        an assessment of--
                    ``(A) the manner in which applicable State 
                agencies implement and enforce the eligibility 
                requirements described in subparagraph (A) of 
                such paragraph, including--
                            ``(i) the procedures used by each 
                        State to determine cooperation, to 
                        sanction participants for failure to 
                        cooperate, and to determine good cause 
                        for noncooperation under each of 
                        subsections (l) through (n) of section 
                        6; and
                            ``(ii) the manner in which each 
                        State aligns the procedures for 
                        implementing those eligibility 
                        requirements with procedures for 
                        implementing other Federal programs 
                        that require cooperation with child 
                        support enforcement, including the 
                        program of block grants to States for 
                        temporary assistance for needy families 
                        established under part A of title IV of 
                        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 
                        et seq.), the Medicaid program under 
                        title XIX of the Social Security Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), and programs 
                        carried out under the Child Care and 
                        Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
                        U.S.C. 9857 et seq.);
                    ``(B) the Federal, State, and local costs 
                associated with implementing those eligibility 
                requirements, including costs incurred under 
                this Act and by child support enforcement 
                agencies for personnel, technology upgrades, 
                and other costs;
                    ``(C) the effect of those eligibility 
                requirements on the establishment of new child 
                support orders, the establishment of paternity, 
                changes in child support payments to custodial 
                households, and changes in arrears owed on 
                child support orders;
                    ``(D) with respect to the eligibility 
                requirements under each of subsections (l) 
                through (n) of section 6--
                            ``(i) the number of individuals 
                        subject to those requirements;
                            ``(ii) the number of individuals in 
                        each State who meet those requirements; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the number of individuals 
                        in each State who fail to meet those 
                        requirements;
                    ``(E) the number of individuals in each 
                State for whom good cause for noncooperation 
                has been found under section 6(l)(2);
                    ``(F) the impact of those eligibility 
                requirements on the supplemental nutrition 
                assistance program eligibility, benefit levels, 
                food security, income, and economic stability 
                of--
                            ``(i) individuals subject to those 
                        requirements;
                            ``(ii) the household members of 
                        those individuals, including children; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) households with 
                        nontraditional family structures, 
                        including a household in which a 
                        grandparent is the primary caretaker of 
                        a grandchild of the grandparent.
            ``(3) State agency cooperation.--Each State agency 
        selected under paragraph (1) shall provide information 
        to the Secretary necessary to conduct the evaluation 
        under such paragraph.
            ``(4) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the 
        date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
        2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate a report describing the findings from the 
        evaluation conducted under paragraph (1).''.

SEC. 4015. LONGITUDINAL DATA FOR RESEARCH.

    (a) Longitudinal Data.--Section 17 of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026), as amended by section 
4014, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(n) Longitudinal Data for Research.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (3) 
        through (5), a State agency may, on approval by the 
        Secretary, establish a longitudinal database that 
        contains information about households and members of 
        households that receive benefits under the supplemental 
        nutrition assistance program in the State.
            ``(2) Purpose.--Each longitudinal database 
        established under paragraph (1) shall be used solely to 
        conduct research on participation in and the operation 
        of the supplemental nutrition assistance program, 
        including duration of participation in the program.
            ``(3) Requirements for databases.--Prior to the 
        approval of State agencies to establish longitudinal 
        databases under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) identify features that shall be 
                standard across States such as database format 
                to facilitate use of longitudinal databases 
                established under paragraph (1) for research 
                purposes;
                    ``(B) identify features of longitudinal 
                databases established under paragraph (1) that 
                may vary across States;
                    ``(C) identify a procedure for States 
                operating longitudinal databases under 
                paragraph (1) to use a unique identifier to 
                provide relevant information on household 
                members who receive benefits under the 
                supplemental nutrition assistance program for 
                the purpose of comparing participation data in 
                multiple participating States over time while 
                protecting participant privacy;
                    ``(D) establish the manner in which data 
                security and privacy protections, as required 
                by Federal law and consistent with other 
                appropriate practices, shall be implemented and 
                maintained;
                    ``(E) provide direction to State agencies 
                on the responsibilities of and funding 
                arrangements for State agencies and any State 
                contractors (including entities providing 
                technical assistance) relating to the 
                establishment and operation of a longitudinal 
                database;
                    ``(F) provide a description of the 
                documentation that States shall submit to the 
                Secretary prior to allowing researchers access 
                to a longitudinal database;
                    ``(G) consult with other Federal research 
                agencies, including the Bureau of the Census;
                    ``(H) consult with States that have already 
                established databases used for purposes similar 
                to the purposes outlined in this subsection; 
                and
                    ``(I) identify any other requirements 
                determined appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Included data.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), each longitudinal database established 
                under paragraph (1)--
                            ``(i) shall include monthly 
                        information about households and 
                        members of households that receive 
                        benefits under the supplemental 
                        nutrition assistance program in the 
                        participating State taken from existing 
                        information collected by the State 
                        agency including, if available,--
                                    ``(I) demographic 
                                characteristics;
                                    ``(II) income and financial 
                                resources (as described in 
                                section 5(g));
                                    ``(III) employment status;
                                    ``(IV) household 
                                circumstances, such as 
                                deductible expenses; and
                                    ``(V) the amount of the 
                                monthly allotment received 
                                under the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program; 
                                and
                            ``(ii) may include information from 
                        other State data sources such as--
                                    ``(I) earnings and 
                                employment data from the State 
                                department of labor;
                                    ``(II) health insurance 
                                program data; or
                                    ``(III) data from 
                                participation in other programs 
                                administered by the State.
                    ``(B) Data protection.--Any State that 
                establishes a longitudinal database under 
                paragraph (1) shall, in accordance with all 
                applicable Federal and State privacy standards 
                and requirements--
                            ``(i) protect the privacy of 
                        information about each member of each 
                        household that receives benefits under 
                        the supplemental nutrition assistance 
                        program in such State by ensuring that 
                        no personally identifiable information 
                        (including social security number, home 
                        address, or contact information) is 
                        included in the longitudinal database; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) make the data under this 
                        paragraph available to researchers and 
                        the Secretary.
            ``(5) Approval.--The Secretary shall approve the 
        establishment of longitudinal databases under paragraph 
        (1) in States that--
                    ``(A) meet the requirements for databases 
                under paragraph (3) and (4)(B);
                    ``(B) reflect a range of participant 
                numbers, demographics, operational structures, 
                and geographic regions; and
                    ``(C) have the capacity to provide on a 
                periodic and ongoing basis household and 
                participant data derived from the eligibility 
                system and other data sources of the State.
            ``(6) Grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out this 
                subsection, the Secretary may provide grants to 
                States that have been approved by the Secretary 
                in accordance with paragraph (5) out of funds 
                made available under paragraph (9).
                    ``(B) Method of awarding grants.--Grants 
                awarded under this paragraph shall be made in 
                such amounts and under such terms and 
                conditions as the Secretary determines 
                necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
                subsection.
            ``(7) Report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 4 years 
                after the effective date of this subsection, 
                the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
                Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
                Forestry of the Senate a report on the 
                feasibility of expanding implementation of 
                longitudinal databases to every State.
                    ``(B) Contents.--The report required under 
                subparagraph (A) shall describe--
                            ``(i) the cost of expanding 
                        implementation of longitudinal 
                        databases with consistent data to every 
                        State;
                            ``(ii) the challenges and benefits 
                        of using State longitudinal databases 
                        with consistent data; and
                            ``(iii) alternatives to expanding 
                        implementation of longitudinal 
                        databases with consistent data to every 
                        State that may achieve similar research 
                        outcomes and the advantages and 
                        disadvantages of those alternatives.
            ``(8) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to prevent or limit the ability of State 
        agencies to establish or continue operating databases 
        used for purposes similar to the purposes outlined in 
        this subsection.
            ``(9) Funding.--Of the funds made available under 
        section 18, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        subsection--
                    ``(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to 
                remain available through fiscal year 2021; and
                    ``(B) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The 1st sentence of section 
16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and (8)'' and inserting ``(8)''; 
        and
            (2) by inserting ``, and (9) establishing and 
        operating a longitudinal database in accordance with 
        section 17(n)'' before ``: Provided''.

SEC. 4016. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

SEC. 4017. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS.

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

SEC. 4018. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) State Plan.--Section 202A(b) of the Emergency Food 
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7503(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) at the option of the State agency, describe a 
        plan of operation for 1 or more projects in partnership 
        with 1 or more emergency feeding organizations located 
        in the State to harvest, process, package, or transport 
        donated commodities received under section 203D(d); and
            ``(6) describe a plan, which may include the use of 
        a State advisory board established under subsection 
        (c), that provides emergency feeding organizations or 
        eligible recipient agencies within the State an 
        opportunity to provide input on the commodity 
        preferences and needs of the emergency feeding 
        organization or eligible recipient agency.''.
    (b) State and Local Supplementation of Commodities.--
Section 203D of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 
U.S.C. 7507) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Projects to Harvest, Process, Package, or Transport 
Donated Commodities.--
            ``(1) Definition of project.--In this subsection, 
        the term `project' means the harvesting, processing, 
        packaging, or transportation of unharvested, 
        unprocessed, or unpackaged commodities donated by 
        agricultural producers, processors, or distributors for 
        use by emergency feeding organizations under subsection 
        (a).
            ``(2) Federal funding for projects.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs 
                (B) and (C) and paragraph (3), using funds made 
                available under paragraph (5), the Secretary 
                may provide funding to States to pay for the 
                costs of carrying out a project.
                    ``(B) Federal share.--The Federal share of 
                the cost of a project under subparagraph (A) 
                shall not exceed 50 percent of the total cost 
                of the project.
                    ``(C) Allocation.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each fiscal 
                        year, the Secretary shall allocate the 
                        funds made available under subparagraph 
                        (A), based on a formula determined by 
                        the Secretary, to States that have 
                        submitted a State plan describing a 
                        plan of operation for a project under 
                        section 202A(b)(5).
                            ``(ii) Reallocation.--If the 
                        Secretary determines that a State will 
                        not expend all of the funds allocated 
                        to the State for a fiscal year under 
                        clause (i), the Secretary shall 
                        reallocate the unexpended funds to 
                        other States that have submitted under 
                        section 202A(b)(5) a State plan 
                        describing a plan of operation for a 
                        project during that fiscal year or the 
                        subsequent fiscal year, as the 
                        Secretary determines appropriate.
                            ``(iii) Reports.--Each State to 
                        which funds are allocated for a fiscal 
                        year under this subparagraph shall, on 
                        a regular basis, submit to the 
                        Secretary financial reports describing 
                        the use of the funds.
            ``(3) Project purposes.--A State may only use 
        Federal funds received under paragraph (2) for a 
        project the purposes of which are--
                    ``(A) to reduce food waste at the 
                agricultural production, processing, or 
                distribution level through the donation of 
                food;
                    ``(B) to provide food to individuals in 
                need; and
                    ``(C) to build relationships between 
                agricultural producers, processors, and 
                distributors and emergency feeding 
                organizations through the donation of food.
            ``(4) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may 
        encourage a State agency that carries out a project 
        using Federal funds received under paragraph (2) to 
        enter into cooperative agreements with State agencies 
        of other States under section 203B(d) to maximize the 
        use of commodities donated under the project.
            ``(5) Funding.--Out of funds not otherwise 
        appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
        transfer to the Secretary to carry out this subsection 
        $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
        to remain available until the end of the subsequent 
        fiscal year.''.
    (c) Food Waste.--Section 203D of the Emergency Food 
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7507), as amended by 
subsection (b), is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Food Waste.--The Secretary shall issue guidance 
outlining best practices to minimize the food waste of the 
commodities donated under subsection (a).''.
    (d) Emergency Food Program Infrastructure Grants.--Section 
209(d) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 
7511a(d)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.
    (e) Availability of Commodities for the Emergency Food 
Assistance Program.--Section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                ``2018'' and inserting ``2023'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause 
                        (i), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                        ``2023'';
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (iii) in clause (iv), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (iv) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(v) for fiscal year 2019, 
                        $23,000,000;
                            ``(vi) for fiscal year 2020, 
                        $35,000,000;
                            ``(vii) for fiscal year 2021, 
                        $35,000,000;
                            ``(viii) for fiscal year 2022, 
                        $35,000,000; and
                            ``(ix) for fiscal year 2023, 
                        $35,000,000; and''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (E)--
                            (i) by striking ``2019'' and 
                        inserting ``2024'';
                            (ii) by striking ``(D)(iv)'' and 
                        inserting ``(D)(ix)''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``June 30, 2017'' 
                        and inserting ``June 30, 2023''.

SEC. 4019. NUTRITION EDUCATION.

    Section 28(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2036a(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause 
                        (i), by striking ``Except as provided 
                        in subparagraph (C), a'' and inserting 
                        ``A'',
                            (ii) in clause (ii) by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon,
                            (iii) by redesignating clause (iii) 
                        as clause (iv), and
                            (iv) by inserting after clause (ii) 
                        the following:
                            ``(iii) describe how the State 
                        agency shall use an electronic 
                        reporting system to--
                                    ``(I) measure and evaluate 
                                the projects; and
                                    ``(II) account for the 
                                allowable State agency 
                                administrative costs including 
                                for--
                                            ``(aa) salaries and 
                                        benefits of State 
                                        agency personnel;
                                            ``(bb) office 
                                        supplies and equipment;
                                            ``(cc) travel 
                                        costs;
                                            ``(dd) development 
                                        and production of 
                                        nutrition education 
                                        materials;
                                            ``(ee) memberships, 
                                        subscriptions, and 
                                        professional 
                                        activities;
                                            ``(ff) lease or 
                                        rental costs;
                                            ``(gg) maintenance 
                                        and repair expenses;
                                            ``(hh) indirect 
                                        costs; and
                                            ``(ii) cost of 
                                        using publicly-owned 
                                        building space; and'', 
                                        and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (C),
            (2) in paragraph (3)(B) in the matter preceding 
        clause (i), by inserting ``, the Director of the 
        National Institute of Food and Agriculture,'' before 
        ``and outside stakeholders'',
            (3) in paragraph (5) by inserting ``the expanded 
        food and nutrition education program or'' before 
        ``other health promotion'', and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Information clearinghouse.--The Secretary 
        shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes 
        available to State agencies, local agencies, 
        institutions of higher education, and community 
        organizations best practices for planning, 
        implementing, and evaluating nutrition education and 
        obesity prevention services to ensure that projects 
        carried out with funds received under this section are 
        appropriate for the target population.
            ``(7) Technical assistance.--The Secretary shall 
        provide technical assistance to a State agency in 
        developing and implementing a nutrition education State 
        plan, including--
                    ``(A) by identifying common challenges 
                faced by entities described in paragraph (6) 
                that participate in projects carried out with 
                funds received under this section;
                    ``(B) by coordinating efforts to address 
                those common challenges;
                    ``(C) by collecting and disseminating 
                information on evidence-based practices 
                relating to nutrition education and obesity 
                prevention;
                    ``(D) by facilitating communication between 
                and among grantees and subgrantees of funds 
                received under this section;
                    ``(E) by assisting State agencies in 
                creating or maintaining systems to compile 
                program data; and
                    ``(F) by performing or assisting with other 
                activities, as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(8) Annual state report.--Each State agency that 
        delivers nutrition education and obesity prevention 
        services under this subsection shall submit to the 
        Secretary an annual report, which shall be made 
        publicly available by the Secretary, that includes--
                    ``(A) the use of funds on the State 
                agency's program, including for each category 
                of allowable State agency administrative costs 
                identified in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II);
                    ``(B) a description of each project carried 
                out by that agency under this subsection, 
                including, with respect to the project, the 
                target population, interventions, educational 
                materials used, key performance indicators 
                used, and evaluations made;
                    ``(C) a comprehensive analysis of the 
                impacts and outcomes--
                            ``(i) of the project, including 
                        with respect to the elements described 
                        in subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) to the extent practicable, 
                        of completed multiyear projects; and
                    ``(D) the status of any ongoing multiyear 
                project.
            ``(9) Annual federal report.--The Administrator of 
        the Food and Nutrition Service, in consultation with 
        the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
        Agriculture, shall annually submit to the Committee on 
        Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate a report that--
                    ``(A) evaluates the level of coordination 
                between--
                            ``(i) the nutrition education and 
                        obesity prevention grant program under 
                        this section;
                            ``(ii) the expanded food and 
                        nutrition education program under 
                        section 1425 of the National 
                        Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
                        Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
                        3175); and
                            ``(iii) any other nutrition 
                        education program administered by the 
                        Department of Agriculture; and
                    ``(B) includes the use of funds on such 
                programs including State agency administrative 
                costs reported by States under paragraph 
                (8)(A).''.

SEC. 4020. RETAIL FOOD STORE AND RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING.

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

SEC. 4021. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

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

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

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

SEC. 4022. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

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

              Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs

SEC. 4101. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 4102. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.

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

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

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

SEC. 4104. FOOD DONATION STANDARDS.

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

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

SEC. 4201. SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 4204. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.

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

SEC. 4205. THE GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    (a) Amendment to Program.--Section 4405 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking the heading and inserting ``the gus 
        schumacher nutrition incentive program'',
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
                follows:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
        means a governmental agency or nonprofit 
        organization.'',
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``means 
                the'' and all that follows through the period 
                at the end, and inserting the following:
        ``means--
                    ``(A) the supplemental nutrition assistance 
                program established under the Food and 
                Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); 
                and
                    ``(B) the programs for nutrition assistance 
                under section 19 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
                2028).'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Healthcare partner.--The term `healthcare 
        partner' means a healthcare provider, including--
                    ``(A) a hospital;
                    ``(B) a Federally-qualified health center 
                (as defined in section 1905(l) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)));
                    ``(C) a hospital or clinic operated by the 
                Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
                    ``(D) a healthcare provider group.
            ``(5) Member.--The term `member' means, as 
        determined by the applicable eligible entity or 
        healthcare partner carrying out a project under 
        subsection (c) in accordance with procedures 
        established by the Secretary--
                    ``(A) an individual eligible for--
                            ``(i) benefits under the Food and 
                        Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et 
                        seq.); or
                            ``(ii) medical assistance under a 
                        State plan or a waiver of such a plan 
                        under title XIX of the Social Security 
                        Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and 
                        enrolled under such plan or waiver; and
                    ``(B) a member of a low-income household 
                that suffers from, or is at risk of developing, 
                a diet-related health condition.'',
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B) by striking 
                        ``The'' and inserting ``Except as 
                        provided in subparagraph (D)(iii), 
                        the'',
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C) by adding 
                        at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Tribal agencies.--The 
                        Secretary may allow a Tribal agency to 
                        use funds provided to the Indian Tribe 
                        of the Tribal agency through a Federal 
                        agency (including the Indian Health 
                        Service) or other Federal benefit to 
                        satisfy all or part of the non-Federal 
                        share described in clause (i) if such 
                        use is otherwise consistent with the 
                        purpose of such funds.'',
                            (iii) by redesignating 
                        subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
                        subparagraphs (C) and (D), and
                            (iv) by inserting after 
                        subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) Partners and collaborators.--An 
                eligible entity that receives a grant under 
                this subsection may partner with, or make 
                subgrants to, public, private, nonprofit, or 
                for-profit entities, including--
                            ``(i) an emergency feeding 
                        organization;
                            ``(ii) an agricultural cooperative;
                            ``(iii) a producer network or 
                        association;
                            ``(iv) a community health 
                        organization;
                            ``(v) a public benefit corporation;
                            ``(vi) an economic development 
                        corporation;
                            ``(vii) a farmers' market;
                            ``(viii) a community-supported 
                        agriculture program;
                            ``(ix) a buying club;
                            ``(x) a retail food store 
                        participating in the supplemental 
                        nutrition assistance program;
                            ``(xi) a State, local, or tribal 
                        agency;
                            ``(xii) another eligible entity 
                        that receives a grant under this 
                        subsection; and
                            ``(xiii) any other entity the 
                        Secretary designates.'',
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to 
                        read as follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--To receive a grant under 
                this subsection, an eligible entity shall--
                            ``(i) meet the application criteria 
                        set forth by the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) propose a project that, at a 
                        minimum--
                                    ``(I) has the support of 
                                the State agency administering 
                                the supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program;
                                    ``(II) would increase the 
                                purchase of fruits and 
                                vegetables by low-income 
                                households participating in the 
                                supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program by providing 
                                an incentive for the purchase 
                                of fruits and vegetables at the 
                                point of purchase to a 
                                household purchasing food with 
                                supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program benefits;
                                    ``(III) except in the case 
                                of projects receiving $100,000 
                                or less over 1 year, would 
                                measure the purchase of fruits 
                                and vegetables by low-income 
                                households participating in the 
                                supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program;
                                    ``(IV) ensures that the 
                                same terms and conditions apply 
                                to purchases made by 
                                individuals with benefits 
                                issued under the Food and 
                                Nutrition Act of 2008 and 
                                incentives provided for in this 
                                subsection as apply to 
                                purchases made by individuals 
                                who are not members of 
                                households receiving benefits, 
                                such as provided for in section 
                                278.2(b) of title 7, Code of 
                                Federal Regulations (or a 
                                successor regulation);
                                    ``(V) has adequate plans to 
                                collect data for reporting and 
                                agrees to provide that 
                                information for the report 
                                described in subsection 
                                (e)(2)(B)(iii); and
                                    ``(VI) would share 
                                information with the Nutrition 
                                Incentive Program Training, 
                                Technical Assistance, 
                                Evaluation, and Information 
                                Centers established under 
                                subsection (e).'',
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) by striking clause (v),
                                    (II) by redesignating 
                                clause (vi) as clause (x), and
                                    (III) by inserting after 
                                clause (iv) the following:
                            ``(v) include a project design--
                                    ``(I) that provides 
                                incentives when fruits or 
                                vegetables are purchased using 
                                supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program benefits; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) in which the 
                                incentives earned may be used 
                                only to purchase fruits or 
                                vegetables;
                            ``(vi) have demonstrated the 
                        ability to provide services to 
                        underserved communities;
                            ``(vii) include coordination with 
                        multiple stakeholders, such as farm 
                        organizations, nutrition education 
                        programs, cooperative extension 
                        services, public health departments, 
                        health providers, private and public 
                        health insurance agencies, cooperative 
                        grocers, grocery associations, and 
                        community-based and nongovernmental 
                        organizations;
                            ``(viii) offer supplemental 
                        services in high-need communities, 
                        including online ordering, 
                        transportation between home and store, 
                        and delivery services;
                            ``(ix) include food retailers that 
                        are open--
                                    ``(I) for extended hours; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) most or all days of 
                                the year; or'', and
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4),
            (4) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking 
                ``subsection (b) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
                years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``this 
                section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2014 through 2023'', and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``this 
                        section'',
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B) by 
                        striking ``and'' at the end,
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C) by 
                        striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting a semicolon, and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(C) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
                    ``(D) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
                    ``(E) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(F) $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
                    ``(G) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--With respect to funds made 
        available under this section for fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023--
                    ``(A) for each fiscal year the Secretary 
                shall use not more than 10 percent of such 
                funds available for such fiscal year for the 
                produce prescription program described in 
                subsection (c);
                    ``(B) for each fiscal year not more than 8 
                percent of such funds available for such fiscal 
                year shall be used by the National Institute of 
                Food and Agriculture and the Food and Nutrition 
                Service for administration; and
                    ``(C) the Secretary shall use for the 
                Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical 
                Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers 
                established under subsection (e) not more 
                than--
                            ``(i) $17,000,000 in the aggregate 
                        for fiscal years 2019 and 2020; and
                            ``(ii) $7,000,000 for each of the 
                        fiscal years 2021 through 2023.'',
            (5) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
        (f), and
            (6) by inserting after subsection (b) the 
        following:
    ``(c) Produce Prescription Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        grant program under which the Secretary shall award 
        grants to eligible entities to conduct projects that 
        demonstrate and evaluate the impact of the projects 
        on--
                    ``(A) the improvement of dietary health 
                through increased consumption of fruits and 
                vegetables;
                    ``(B) the reduction of individual and 
                household food insecurity; and
                    ``(C) the reduction in healthcare use and 
                associated costs.
            ``(2) Healthcare partners.--In carrying out a 
        project using a grant received under paragraph (1), an 
        eligible entity shall partner with 1 or more healthcare 
        partners.
            ``(3) Grant applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to 
                receive a grant under paragraph (1), an 
                eligible entity--
                            ``(i) shall--
                                    ``(I) prescribe fresh 
                                fruits and vegetables to 
                                members;
                                    ``(II) submit to the 
                                Secretary an application 
                                containing such information as 
                                the Secretary may require, 
                                including the information 
                                described in subparagraph (B); 
                                and
                            ``(ii) may--
                                    ``(I) provide financial or 
                                non-financial incentives for 
                                members to purchase or procure 
                                fresh fruits and vegetables;
                                    ``(II) provide educational 
                                resources on nutrition to 
                                members; and
                                    ``(III) establish 
                                additional accessible locations 
                                for members to procure fresh 
                                fruits and vegetables.
                    ``(B) Application.--An application shall--
                            ``(i) identify the 1 or more 
                        healthcare partners with which the 
                        eligible entity is partnering under 
                        paragraph (2); and
                            ``(ii) include--
                                    ``(I) a description of the 
                                methods by which an eligible 
                                entity shall--
                                            ``(aa) screen and 
                                        verify eligibility for 
                                        members for 
                                        participation in a 
                                        produce prescription 
                                        project, in accordance 
                                        with procedures 
                                        established under 
                                        subsection (a)(5);
                                            ``(bb) implement an 
                                        effective produce 
                                        prescription project, 
                                        including the role of 
                                        each healthcare partner 
                                        in implementing the 
                                        produce prescription 
                                        project;
                                            ``(cc) evaluate 
                                        members participating 
                                        in a produce 
                                        prescription project 
                                        with respect to the 
                                        matters described in 
                                        subparagraphs (A) 
                                        through (C) of 
                                        paragraph (1);
                                            ``(dd) provide 
                                        educational 
                                        opportunities relating 
                                        to nutrition to members 
                                        participating in a 
                                        produce prescription 
                                        project; and
                                            ``(ee) inform 
                                        members of the 
                                        availability of the 
                                        produce prescription 
                                        project, including 
                                        locations at which 
                                        produce prescriptions 
                                        may be redeemed;
                                    ``(II) a description of any 
                                additional nonprofit or 
                                emergency feeding organizations 
                                that shall be involved in the 
                                project and the role of each 
                                additional nonprofit or 
                                emergency feeding organization 
                                in implementing and evaluating 
                                an effective produce 
                                prescription project;
                                    ``(III) documentation of a 
                                partnership agreement with a 
                                relevant State Medicaid agency 
                                or other appropriate entity, as 
                                determined by the Secretary, to 
                                evaluate the effectiveness of 
                                the produce prescription 
                                project in reducing healthcare 
                                use and associated costs;
                                    ``(IV) adequate plans to 
                                collect data for reporting and 
                                agreement to provide that 
                                information for the report 
                                described in subsection 
                                (e)(2)(B)(iii); and
                                    ``(V) agreement to share 
                                information with the Nutrition 
                                Incentive Program Training, 
                                Technical Assistance, 
                                Evaluation, and Information 
                                Centers established under 
                                subsection (e).
            ``(4) Coordination.--In carrying out the grant 
        program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        shall coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services and the heads of other appropriate Federal 
        agencies that carry out activities relating to 
        healthcare partners.
            ``(5) Partnerships.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the 
                grant program under paragraph (1), the 
                Secretary may enter into 1 or more memoranda of 
                understanding with a Federal agency, a State, 
                or a private entity to ensure the effective 
                implementation and evaluation of each project.
                    ``(B) Memorandum of understanding.--A 
                memorandum of understanding entered into under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            ``(i) a description of a plan to 
                        provide educational opportunities 
                        relating to nutrition to members 
                        participating in produce prescription 
                        projects;
                            ``(ii) a description of the role of 
                        the Federal agency, State, or private 
                        entity, as applicable, in implementing 
                        and evaluating an effective produce 
                        prescription project; and
                            ``(iii) documentation of a 
                        partnership agreement with a relevant 
                        State Medicaid agency or other 
                        appropriate entity, as determined by 
                        the Secretary.
    ``(d) Applicability.--
            ``(1) In general.--The value of any benefit 
        provided to a participant in any activity funded under 
        subsections (b) or (c) shall be treated as supplemental 
        nutrition benefits under section 8(b) of the Food and 
        Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2017(b)).
            ``(2) Prohibition on collection of sales taxes.--
        Each State shall ensure that no State or local tax is 
        collected on a purchase of food with assistance 
        provided under subsections (b) and (c).
            ``(3) No limitation on benefits.--Grants made 
        available under subsections (b) and (c) shall not be 
        used to carry out any project that limits the use of 
        benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
        U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) or any other Federal nutrition 
        law.
            ``(4) Household allotment.--Assistance provided 
        under subsections (b) and (c) to households receiving 
        benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance 
        program shall not--
                    ``(A) be considered part of the 
                supplemental nutrition assistance program 
                benefits of the household; or
                    ``(B) be used in the collection or 
                disposition of claims under section 13 of the 
                Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2022).
    ``(e) Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical 
Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) establish 1 or more Nutrition 
                Incentive Program Training, Technical 
                Assistance, Evaluation, and Information 
                Centers, in consultation with the Director of 
                the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; 
                and
                    ``(B) to the extent practicable, consult on 
                the design and scope of such Centers with 
                grocers, farmers, health professionals, 
                researchers, incentive program managers, and 
                employees of the Department of Agriculture with 
                direct experience with implementation of 
                existing incentive programs or projects.
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Centers shall be capable 
        of providing services related to grants under 
        subsections (b) and (c), including--
                    ``(A) offering incentive program training 
                and technical assistance to applicants and 
                grantees to the extent practicable, including--
                            ``(i) collecting and providing 
                        information on best practices that may 
                        include communications, signage, 
                        record-keeping, incentive instruments, 
                        development and integration of point of 
                        sale systems, and reporting;
                            ``(ii) disseminating information 
                        and assisting with collaboration among 
                        grantee projects, applicable State 
                        agencies, and nutrition education 
                        programs;
                            ``(iii) facilitating communication 
                        between grantees and the Department of 
                        Agriculture and applicable State 
                        agencies; and
                            ``(iv) providing support for the 
                        development of best practices for 
                        produce prescription projects and the 
                        sharing of information among eligible 
                        entities and healthcare providers that 
                        participate in a produce prescription 
                        project under subsection (c); and
                            ``(v) other services identified by 
                        the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) creating a system to collect and 
                compile core data sets from eligible entities 
                that--
                            ``(i) uses standard metrics with 
                        consideration of outcome measures for 
                        existing projects;
                            ``(ii) includes to the extent 
                        practicable grocers, farmers, health 
                        professionals, researchers, incentive 
                        program managers, and employees of the 
                        Department of Agriculture with direct 
                        experience with implementation of 
                        existing incentive programs in the 
                        design of the instrument through which 
                        data will be collected and the 
                        mechanism for reporting;
                            ``(iii) compiles project data from 
                        grantees, and beginning in fiscal year 
                        2020 generates an annual report to 
                        Congress on grant outcomes, including--
                                    ``(I) the results of the 
                                project; and
                                    ``(II) the amount of grant 
                                funds used for the project; and
                            ``(iv) creates and maintains a 
                        publicly accessible online site that 
                        makes annual reports and incentive 
                        program information available in an 
                        anonymized format that protects 
                        confidential, personal, or other 
                        sensitive data.
            ``(3) Cooperative agreement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To carry out paragraph 
                (1), the Secretary may, on a competitive basis, 
                enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements 
                with 1 or more organizations with expertise in 
                developing outcome-based reporting, at least 1 
                of which has expertise in the food insecurity 
                nutrition incentive program and at least 1 of 
                which has expertise in produce prescription 
                projects.
                    ``(B) Inclusion.--The organizations 
                referred to in subparagraph (A) may include--
                            ``(i) nongovernmental 
                        organizations;
                            ``(ii) State cooperative extension 
                        services;
                            ``(iii) regional food system 
                        centers;
                            ``(iv) Federal, State, or Tribal 
                        agencies;
                            ``(v) institutions of higher 
                        education (as defined in section 101(a) 
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                        U.S.C. 1001(a))); or
                            ``(vi) other appropriate entities 
                        as determined by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 113-188) 
is amended by striking the item relating to section 4405 and 
inserting the following:

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

SEC. 4206. MICRO-GRANTS FOR FOOD SECURITY.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to increase 
the quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-
scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations in food 
insecure communities in areas of the United States that have 
significant levels of food insecurity and import a significant 
quantity of food.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' 
        means an entity that--
                    (A) is--
                            (i) an individual;
                            (ii) an Indian tribe or tribal 
                        organization, as defined in section 4 
                        of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                        Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
                        5304);
                            (iii) a nonprofit organization 
                        engaged in increasing food security, as 
                        determined by the Secretary, 
                        including--
                                    (I) a religious 
                                organization;
                                    (II) a food bank; or
                                    (III) a food pantry;
                            (iv) a federally funded educational 
                        facility, including--
                                    (I) a Head Start program or 
                                an Early Head Start program 
                                carried out under the Head 
                                Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et 
                                seq.);
                                    (II) a public elementary 
                                school or public secondary 
                                school;
                                    (III) a public institution 
                                of higher education (as defined 
                                in section 101 of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965 (20 
                                U.S.C. 1001));
                                    (IV) a Tribal College or 
                                University (as defined in 
                                section 316(b) of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965 (20 
                                U.S.C. 1059c(b))); or
                                    (V) a job training program; 
                                or
                            (v) a local or Tribal government 
                        that may not levy local taxes under 
                        State or Federal law; and
                    (B) is located in an eligible State.
            (2) Eligible state.--The term ``eligible State'' 
        means--
                    (A) the State of Alaska;
                    (B) the State of Hawaii;
                    (C) American Samoa;
                    (D) the Commonwealth of the Northern 
                Mariana Islands;
                    (E) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
                    (F) the Federated States of Micronesia;
                    (G) Guam;
                    (H) the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
                    (I) the Republic of Palau; and
                    (J) the United States Virgin Islands.
    (c) Establishment.--The Secretary shall distribute funds to 
the agricultural department or agency of each eligible State 
for the competitive distribution of subgrants to eligible 
entities to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown 
food in food insecure communities, including through small-
scale gardening, herding, and livestock operations.
    (d) Distribution of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Of the amount made available under 
        subsection (g), the Secretary shall distribute--
                    (A) 40 percent to the State of Alaska;
                    (B) 40 percent to the State of Hawaii; and
                    (C) 2.5 percent to each eligible State 
                described in any of subparagraphs (C) through 
                (J) of subsection (b)(2).
            (2) Carryover of funds.--Funds distributed under 
        paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.
            (3) Administrative funds.--An eligible State that 
        receives funds under paragraph (1) may use not more 
        than 3 percent of those funds--
                    (A) to administer the competition for 
                providing subgrants to eligible entities in 
                that eligible State;
                    (B) to provide oversight of the subgrant 
                recipients in that eligible State; and
                    (C) to collect data and submit a report to 
                the Secretary under subsection (f)(2).
    (e) Subgrants to Eligible Entities.--
            (1) Amount of subgrants.--
                    (A) In general.--The amount of a subgrant 
                to an eligible entity under this section shall 
                be--
                            (i) in the case of an eligible 
                        entity that is an individual, not 
                        greater than $5,000 per year; and
                            (ii) in the case of an eligible 
                        entity described in any of clauses (ii) 
                        through (v) of subsection (b)(1)(A), 
                        not greater than $10,000 per year.
                    (B) Matching requirement.--As a condition 
                of receiving a subgrant under this section, an 
                eligible entity shall provide funds equal to 10 
                percent of the amount received by the eligible 
                entity under the subgrant, to be derived from 
                non-Federal sources. A State may waive the 
                matching requirement for an individual who 
                otherwise meets the requirements to receive a 
                subgrant by the eligible State.
                    (C) Project period.--Funds received by an 
                eligible entity that is awarded a subgrant 
                under this section shall remain available for 
                expenditure not later than 3 years after the 
                date the funds are received.
            (2) Priority.--In carrying out the competitive 
        distribution of subgrants under subsection (c), an 
        eligible State may give priority to an eligible entity 
        that--
                    (A) has not previously received a subgrant 
                under this section; or
                    (B) is located in a community or region in 
                that eligible State with the highest degree of 
                food insecurity, as determined by the 
                agricultural department or agency of the 
                eligible State.
            (3) Projects.--An eligible State may provide 
        subgrants to 2 or more eligible entities to carry out 
        the same project.
            (4) Use of subgrant funds by eligible entities.--An 
        eligible entity that receives a subgrant under this 
        section shall use the funds to engage in activities 
        that will increase the quantity and quality of locally 
        grown food for food insecure individuals, families, 
        neighborhoods, and communities, including by--
                    (A) purchasing gardening tools or 
                equipment, soil, soil amendments, seeds, 
                plants, animals, canning equipment, 
                refrigeration, or other items necessary to grow 
                and store food;
                    (B) purchasing or building composting 
                units;
                    (C) purchasing or building towers designed 
                to grow leafy green vegetables;
                    (D) expanding an area under cultivation or 
                engaging in other activities necessary to be 
                eligible to receive funding under the 
                environmental quality incentives program 
                established under chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
                title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
                U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) for a high tunnel;
                    (E) engaging in an activity that extends 
                the growing season;
                    (F) starting or expanding hydroponic and 
                aeroponic farming of any scale;
                    (G) building, buying, erecting, or 
                repairing fencing for livestock, poultry, or 
                reindeer;
                    (H) purchasing and equipping a slaughter 
                and processing facility approved by the 
                Secretary;
                    (I) traveling to participate in 
                agricultural education provided by--
                            (i) a State cooperative extension 
                        service;
                            (ii) a land-grant college or 
                        university (as defined in section 1404 
                        of the National Agricultural Research, 
                        Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
                        1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
                            (iii) a Tribal College or 
                        University (as defined in section 
                        316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 
                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)));
                            (iv) an Alaska Native-serving 
                        institution or a Native Hawaiian-
                        serving institution (as such terms are 
                        defined in section 317(b) of the Higher 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1059d(b))); or
                            (v) a Federal or State agency;
                    (J) paying for shipping of purchased items 
                relating to growing or raising food for local 
                consumption or purchase;
                    (K) creating or expanding avenues for--
                            (i) the sale of food commodities, 
                        specialty crops, and meats that are 
                        grown by the eligible entity for sale 
                        in the local community; or
                            (ii) increasing the availability of 
                        fresh, locally grown, and nutritious 
                        food; and
                    (L) engaging in other activities relating 
                to increasing food security (including 
                subsistence), as determined by the Secretary.
            (5) Eligibility for other financial assistance.--An 
        eligible entity shall not be ineligible to receive 
        financial assistance under another program administered 
        by the Secretary as a result of receiving a subgrant 
        under this section.
    (f) Reporting Requirement.--
            (1) Subgrant recipients.--As a condition of 
        receiving a subgrant under this section, an eligible 
        entity shall agree to submit to the eligible State in 
        which the eligible entity is located a report--
                    (A) not later than 60 days after the end of 
                the project funded by the subgrant; and
                    (B) that describes the use of the subgrants 
                by eligible entities, the quantity of food 
                grown through small-scale gardening, herding, 
                and livestock operations, and the number of 
                food insecure individuals fed as a result of 
                the subgrant.
            (2) Report to the secretary.--Not later than 120 
        days after the date on which an eligible State receives 
        a report from each eligible entity in that State under 
        paragraph (1), the eligible State shall submit to the 
        Secretary a report that describes, in the aggregate, 
        the information and data contained in the reports 
        received from those eligible entities.
    (g) Funding.--
            (1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
        out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and 
        each fiscal year thereafter, to remain available until 
        expended.
            (2) Appropriations in advance.--Only funds 
        appropriated under paragraph (1) in advance 
        specifically to carry out this section shall be 
        available to carry out this section.

SEC. 4207. BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS.

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

SEC. 4208. HEALTHY FLUID MILK INCENTIVES PROJECTS.

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

                            TITLE V--CREDIT

                    Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans

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

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

SEC. 5102. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                      Subtitle B--Operating Loans

SEC. 5201. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF OPERATING LOANS.

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

SEC. 5202. MICROLOANS.

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

SEC. 5203. COOPERATIVE LENDING PILOT PROJECTS.

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

                 Subtitle C--Administrative Provisions

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

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

SEC. 5302. LOAN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS.

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

SEC. 5303. LOAN FUND SET-ASIDES.

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

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

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

SEC. 5305. EQUITABLE RELIEF.

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

``SEC. 366. EQUITABLE RELIEF.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 5307. EMERGENCY LOAN ELIGIBILITY.

    Section 373(b)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008h(b)(2)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as 
        subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (2) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so 
        redesignated), by striking ``The Secretary'' and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary''; 
                        and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Restructured loans.--For 
                        purposes of clause (i), a borrower who 
                        was restructured with a write-down or 
                        restructuring under section 353 shall 
                        not be considered to have received debt 
                        forgiveness on a loan made or 
                        guaranteed under this title.''.

                       Subtitle D--Miscellaneous

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

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

SEC. 5402. STATE AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAMS.

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

``SEC. 505. REPORT.

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

SEC. 5403. COMPENSATION OF BANK DIRECTORS.

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

SEC. 5404. SHARING OF PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.

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

SEC. 5405. FACILITY HEADQUARTERS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 5407. JURISDICTION OVER INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTIES.

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

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

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of sections 5.25, 5.26, and 
5.32, the jurisdiction of the Farm Credit Administration over 
parties, and the authority of the Farm Credit Administration to 
initiate actions, shall include enforcement authority over 
institution-affiliated parties.
    ``(b) Effect of Separation on Jurisdiction and Authority.--
Subject to subsection (c), the resignation, termination of 
employment or participation, or separation of an institution-
affiliated party (including a separation caused by the merger, 
consolidation, conservatorship, or receivership of a Farm 
Credit System institution) shall not affect the jurisdiction 
and authority of the Farm Credit Administration to issue any 
notice or order and proceed under this part against that party.
    ``(c) Limitation.--To proceed against a party under 
subsection (b), the notice or order described in that 
subsection shall be served not later than 6 years after the 
date on which the party ceased to be an institution-affiliated 
party with respect to the applicable Farm Credit System 
institution.
    ``(d) Applicability.--The date on which a party ceases to 
be an institution-affiliated party described in subsection (c) 
may occur before, on, or after the date of enactment of this 
section.''.

SEC. 5408. DEFINITION OF INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTY.

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

SEC. 5409. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    ``Each bank''; and
                    (B) by striking subsection (b).
            (19) Section 4.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2160) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (d)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (2) and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(3) Representation of board.--The Farm Credit 
        System Insurance Corporation shall not have 
        representation on the board of directors of the 
        Corporation.'';
                            (ii) in the undesignated matter 
                        following paragraph (1)(D), by striking 
                        ``In selecting'' and inserting the 
                        following:
            ``(2) Considerations.--In selecting''; and
                            (iii) in paragraph (2) (as so 
                        designated), by inserting ``of 
                        paragraph (1)'' after ``(A) and (B)'';
                    (B) by striking subsection (e); and
                    (C) by redesignating subsection (f) as 
                subsection (e).
            (20) Section 4.9A(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2162(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``institution, and--'' in 
                the matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that 
                follows through the period at the end of 
                paragraph (2) and inserting ``institution.'';
                    (B) by striking ``If an institution'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--If an institution'';
                    (C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
                striking ``the receiver of the institution'' 
                and inserting ``the Farm Credit System 
                Insurance Corporation, acting as receiver,''; 
                and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Funding.--The Farm Credit System Insurance 
        Corporation shall use such funds from the Farm Credit 
        Insurance Fund as are sufficient to carry out this 
        section.''.
            (21) Section 4.12A(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 
        1971 (12 U.S.C. 2184(a)) is amended by striking 
        paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--A Farm Credit System bank or 
        association shall provide to a stockholder of the bank 
        or association a current list of stockholders of the 
        bank or association not later than 7 calendar days 
        after the date on which the bank or association 
        receives a written request for the stockholder list 
        from the stockholder.''.
            (22) Section 4.14A of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2202a) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        paragraph (1), by inserting ``and 
                        section 4.36'' before the colon at the 
                        end; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (5)(B)(ii)(I), by 
                        striking ``4.14C,'';
                    (B) by striking subsection (h);
                    (C) by redesignating subsections (i) 
                through (l) as subsections (h) through (k), 
                respectively; and
                    (D) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking ``production credit''.
            (23) Section 4.14C of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2202c) is repealed.
            (24) Section 4.17 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2205) is amended in the third sentence by 
        striking ``Federal intermediate credit banks and''.
            (25) Section 4.19(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2207(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``district''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``Federal land 
                        bank association and production 
                        credit''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence, by striking 
                ``units'' and inserting ``institutions''.
            (26) Section 4.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2219c) is amended by striking ``The 
        Assistance Board established under section 6.0 and 
        all'' and inserting ``All''.
            (27) Section 4.39 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2219d) is amended by striking ``8.0(7))'' 
        and inserting ``8.0)''.
            (28) Section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2251) is amended in the undesignated matter 
        following paragraph (5) of subsection (b) (as 
        designated by section 5405)--
                    (A) in the fifth sentence, by striking ``In 
                actions undertaken by the banks pursuant to the 
                foregoing provisions of this section'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(5) Agent for banks.--In actions undertaken by 
        the banks pursuant to this section'';
                    (B) in the fourth sentence, by striking 
                ``The plans'' and inserting the following:
            ``(4) Approval of board.--The plans'';
                    (C) in the third sentence, by striking 
                ``The powers'' and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Powers of banks.--The powers'';
                    (D) in the second sentence, by striking 
                ``Such advances'' and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Advances.--The advances of funds described in 
        paragraph (1)''; and
                    (E) in the first sentence, by striking 
                ``The Board'' and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Financing.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Board''.
            (29) Section 5.17(a)(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 
        1971 (12 U.S.C. 2252(a)(2)) is amended by striking the 
        second and third sentences.
            (30) Section 5.18 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2253) is repealed.
            (31) Section 5.19 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2254) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in the first sentence, by 
                        striking ``Except for Federal land bank 
                        associations, each'' and inserting 
                        ``Each''; and
                            (ii) by striking the second 
                        sentence; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) by striking ``(b)(1) Each'' and 
                        inserting ``(b) Each'';
                            (ii) in the matter preceding 
                        paragraph (2) (as so designated)--
                                    (I) in the second sentence, 
                                by striking ``, except with 
                                respect to any actions taken by 
                                any banks of the System under 
                                section 4.8(b),''; and
                                    (II) by striking the third 
                                sentence; and
                            (iii) by striking paragraphs (2) 
                        and (3).
            (32) Section 5.31 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2267) is amended in the second sentence by 
        striking ``4.14A(i)'' and inserting ``4.14A(h)''.
            (33) Section 5.32(h) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2268(h)) is amended by striking ``4.14A(i)'' 
        and inserting ``4.14A(h)''.
            (34) Section 5.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2271) is amended in paragraph (5) (as 
        redesignated by section 5408(2))--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (B);
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (B); and
                    (D) in subparagraph (B) (as so 
                redesignated)--
                            (i) by striking ``after December 
                        31, 1992,''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``by the Farm 
                        Credit System Assistance Board under 
                        section 6.6 or''.
            (35) Section 5.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2274) is amended by striking ``a farm'' and 
        all that follows through ``land bank'' and inserting 
        ``a Farm Credit Bank board, officer, or employee shall 
        not remove any director or officer of any''.
            (36) Section 5.44 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2275) is repealed.
            (37) Section 5.58(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2277a-7(2)) is amended by striking the 
        second sentence.
            (38) Section 5.60 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2277a-9) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (b), by striking the 
                subsection designation and heading and all that 
                follows through ``The Corporation'' in 
                paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Amounts in Fund.--The Corporation''; and
                    (B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking 
                ``Insurance Fund to--'' in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A) and all that follows through 
                ``ensure'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
                ``Insurance Fund to ensure''.
            (39) Title VI of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2278a et seq.) is repealed.
            (40) Section 7.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2279c-2) is amended by striking subsection (c).
            (41) Section 7.10(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2279d(a)) is amended by striking paragraph 
        (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) the institution pays to the Farm Credit 
        Insurance Fund the amount by which the total capital of 
        the institution exceeds 6 percent of the assets;''.
            (42) Section 8.0 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2279aa) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``means--
                '' in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and 
                all that follows through the period at the end 
                of the undesignated matter following 
                subparagraph (B) and inserting ``means the 
                board of directors established under section 
                8.2.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (6) and (8);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (9), 
                and (10) as paragraphs (6), (7), and (8), 
                respectively; and
                    (D) in subparagraph (B)(i) of paragraph (7) 
                (as so redesignated), by striking ``(b) through 
                (d)'' and inserting ``(b) and (c)''.
            (43) Section 8.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2279aa-2) is amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (a);
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking the 
                subsection designation and heading and all that 
                follows through the period at the end of 
                paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Corporation shall be 
        under the management of the board of directors.'';
                    (C) in subsection (a) (as so designated)--
                            (i) by striking ``permanent board'' 
                        each place it appears and inserting 
                        ``Board'';
                            (ii) by striking paragraph (3);
                            (iii) by redesignating paragraphs 
                        (4) through (10) as paragraphs (3) 
                        through (9), respectively; and
                            (iv) in paragraph (3)(A) (as so 
                        redesignated), by striking ``(6)'' and 
                        inserting ``(5)''; and
                    (D) by redesignating subsection (c) as 
                subsection (b).
            (44) Section 8.4(a)(1) of the Farm Credit Act of 
        1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279aa-4(a)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) in the sixth sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``Class B'' and 
                        inserting the following:
                            ``(iii) Class b stock.--Class B''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``8.2(b)(2)(B)'' 
                        and inserting ``8.2(a)(2)(B)'';
                    (B) in the fifth sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``Class A'' and 
                        inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) Class a stock.--Class A''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``8.2(b)(2)(A)'' 
                        and inserting ``8.2(a)(2)(A)'';
                    (C) in the fourth sentence, by striking 
                ``The stock'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(D) Classes of stock.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The stock'';
                    (D) by striking the third sentence and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(C) Offers.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Board shall 
                        offer the voting common stock to banks, 
                        other financial institutions, insurance 
                        companies, and System institutions 
                        under such terms and conditions as the 
                        Board may adopt.
                            ``(ii) Requirements.--The voting 
                        common stock shall be fairly and 
                        broadly offered to ensure that--
                                    ``(I) no institution or 
                                institutions acquire a 
                                disproportionate share of the 
                                total quantity of the voting 
                                common stock outstanding of a 
                                class of stock; and
                                    ``(II) capital 
                                contributions and issuances of 
                                voting common stock for the 
                                contributions are fairly 
                                distributed between entities 
                                eligible to hold class A stock 
                                and class B stock.'';
                    (E) in the second sentence, by striking 
                ``Each share'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Number of votes.--Each share''; and
                    (F) in the first sentence, by striking 
                ``The Corporation'' and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation''.
            (45) Section 8.6 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2279aa-6) is amended--
                    (A) by striking subsection (d);
                    (B) by redesignating subsection (e) as 
                subsection (d); and
                    (C) in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) (as 
                so redesignated), by striking ``8.0(9))'' and 
                inserting ``8.0)''.
            (46) Section 8.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
        U.S.C. 2279aa-9) is amended by striking ``4.14C,'' each 
        place it appears.
            (47) Section 8.11(e) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2279aa-11(e)) is amended by striking 
        ``8.0(7))'' and inserting ``8.0)''.
            (48) Section 8.32(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2279bb-1(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in the first sentence of the matter 
                preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``Not 
                sooner than the expiration of the 3-year period 
                beginning on the date of enactment of the Farm 
                Credit System Reform Act of 1996, the'' and 
                inserting ``The''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking 
                ``8.0(9)(C)'' and inserting ``8.0(7)(C)''.
            (49) Section 8.33(b)(2)(A) of the Farm Credit Act 
        of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279bb-2(b)(2)(A)) is amended by 
        striking ``8.6(e)'' and inserting ``8.6(d)''.
            (50) Section 8.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2279bb-4) is amended by striking subsection 
        (e).
            (51) Section 8.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
        (12 U.S.C. 2279bb-7) is repealed.
            (52) Section 4 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
        (12 U.S.C. 1141b) is repealed.
            (53) Section 5 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
        (12 U.S.C. 1141c) is repealed.
            (54) Section 6 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
        (12 U.S.C. 1141d) is repealed.
            (55) Section 7 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
        (12 U.S.C. 1141e) is repealed.
            (56) Section 8 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
        (12 U.S.C. 1141f) is repealed.
            (57) Section 14 of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
        (12 U.S.C. 1141i) is repealed.
            (58) The Act of June 22, 1939 (53 Stat. 853, 
        chapter 239; 12 U.S.C. 1141d-1), is repealed.
            (59) Section 201(e) of the Emergency Relief and 
        Construction Act of 1932 (12 U.S.C. 1148) is repealed.
            (60) Section 2 of the Act of July 14, 1953 (67 
        Stat. 150, chapter 192; 12 U.S.C. 1148a-4), is 
        repealed.
            (61) Section 32 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 
        U.S.C. 1148b) is repealed.
            (62) Section 33 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 
        U.S.C. 1148c) is repealed.
            (63) Section 34 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 
        U.S.C. 1148d) is repealed.
            (64) The Joint Resolution of March 3, 1932 (47 
        Stat. 60, chapter 70; 12 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), is 
        repealed.

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

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

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

    ``(a) Definition of Institution.--In this section, the term 
`institution' includes any System institution for which the 
Corporation has been appointed as conservator or receiver.
    ``(b) Certain Powers and Duties of Corporation as 
Conservator or Receiver.--In addition to the powers inherent in 
the express grant of corporate authority under section 5.58(9), 
and other powers exercised by the Corporation under this part, 
the Corporation shall have the following express powers to act 
as a conservator or receiver:
            ``(1) Rulemaking authority of corporation.--The 
        Corporation may prescribe such regulations as the 
        Corporation determines to be appropriate regarding the 
        conduct of conservatorships or receiverships.
            ``(2) General powers.--
                    ``(A) Successor to system institution.--The 
                Corporation shall, as conservator or receiver, 
                and by operation of law, succeed to--
                            ``(i) all rights, titles, powers, 
                        and privileges of the System 
                        institution, and of any stockholder, 
                        member, officer, or director of such 
                        System institution with respect to the 
                        System institution and the assets of 
                        the System institution; and
                            ``(ii) title to the books, records, 
                        and assets of any previous conservator 
                        or other legal custodian of such System 
                        institution.
                    ``(B) Operate the system institution.--The 
                Corporation may, as conservator or receiver--
                            ``(i) take over the assets of and 
                        operate the System institution with all 
                        the powers of the stockholders or 
                        members, the directors, and the 
                        officers of the System institution and 
                        conduct all business of the System 
                        institution;
                            ``(ii) collect all obligations and 
                        money due the System institution;
                            ``(iii) perform all functions of 
                        the System institution in the name of 
                        the System institution which are 
                        consistent with the appointment as 
                        conservator or receiver;
                            ``(iv) preserve and conserve the 
                        assets and property of such System 
                        institution; and
                            ``(v) provide by contract for 
                        assistance in fulfilling any function, 
                        activity, action, or duty of the 
                        Corporation as conservator or receiver.
                    ``(C) Functions of system institution's 
                officers, directors, members, and 
                stockholders.--The Corporation may, by 
                regulation or order, provide for the exercise 
                of any function by any stockholder, member, 
                director, or officer of any System institution 
                for which the Corporation has been appointed 
                conservator or receiver.
                    ``(D) Powers as conservator.--Subject to 
                any Farm Credit Administration approvals 
                required under this Act, the Corporation may, 
                as conservator, take such action as may be--
                            ``(i) necessary to put the System 
                        institution in a sound and solvent 
                        condition; and
                            ``(ii) appropriate to carry on the 
                        business of the System institution and 
                        preserve and conserve the assets and 
                        property of the System institution.
                    ``(E) Additional powers as receiver.--The 
                Corporation may, as receiver, liquidate the 
                System institution and proceed to realize upon 
                the assets of the System institution, in such 
                manner as the Corporation determines to be 
                appropriate.
                    ``(F) Organization of new system bank.--The 
                Corporation may, as receiver with respect to 
                any System bank, organize a bridge System bank 
                under subsection (h).
                    ``(G) Merger; transfer of assets and 
                liabilities.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to 
                        clause (ii), the Corporation may, as 
                        conservator or receiver--
                                    ``(I) merge the System 
                                institution with another System 
                                institution; and
                                    ``(II) transfer or sell any 
                                asset or liability of the 
                                System institution in default 
                                without any approval, 
                                assignment, or consent with 
                                respect to such transfer.
                            ``(ii) Approval.--No merger or 
                        transfer under clause (i) may be made 
                        to another System institution (other 
                        than a bridge System bank under 
                        subsection (h)) without the approval of 
                        the Farm Credit Administration.
                    ``(H) Payment of valid obligations.--The 
                Corporation, as conservator or receiver, shall, 
                to the extent that proceeds are realized from 
                the performance of contracts or the sale of the 
                assets of a System institution, pay all valid 
                obligations of the System institution in 
                accordance with the prescriptions and 
                limitations of this section.
                    ``(I) Incidental powers.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Corporation 
                        may, as conservator or receiver--
                                    ``(I) exercise all powers 
                                and authorities specifically 
                                granted to conservators or 
                                receivers, respectively, under 
                                this section and such 
                                incidental powers as shall be 
                                necessary to carry out such 
                                powers; and
                                    ``(II) take any action 
                                authorized by this section, 
                                which the Corporation 
                                determines is in the best 
                                interests of--
                                            ``(aa) the System 
                                        institution in 
                                        receivership or 
                                        conservatorship;
                                            ``(bb) System 
                                        institutions;
                                            ``(cc) System 
                                        institution 
                                        stockholders or 
                                        investors; or
                                            ``(dd) the 
                                        Corporation.
                            ``(ii) Termination of rights and 
                        claims.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Except 
                                as provided in subclause (II), 
                                notwithstanding any other 
                                provision of law, the 
                                appointment of the Corporation 
                                as receiver for a System 
                                institution and the succession 
                                of the Corporation, by 
                                operation of law, to the 
                                rights, titles, powers, and 
                                privileges described in 
                                subparagraph (A) shall 
                                terminate all rights and claims 
                                that the stockholders and 
                                creditors of the System 
                                institution may have, arising 
                                as a result of their status as 
                                stockholders or creditors, 
                                against the assets or charter 
                                of the System institution or 
                                the Corporation.
                                    ``(II) Exceptions.--
                                Subclause (I) shall not 
                                terminate the right to payment, 
                                resolution, or other 
                                satisfaction of the claims of 
                                stockholders and creditors 
                                described in that subclause, as 
                                permitted under paragraphs (10) 
                                and (11) and subsection (d).
                            ``(iii) Charter.--Notwithstanding 
                        any other provision of law, for 
                        purposes of this section, the charter 
                        of a System institution shall not be 
                        considered to be an asset of the System 
                        institution.
                    ``(J) Utilization of private sector.--In 
                carrying out its responsibilities in the 
                management and disposition of assets from 
                System institutions, as conservator, receiver, 
                or in its corporate capacity, the Corporation 
                may utilize the services of private persons, 
                including real estate and loan portfolio asset 
                management, property management, auction 
                marketing, legal, and brokerage services, if 
                the Corporation determines utilization of such 
                services is practicable, efficient, and cost 
                effective.
            ``(3) Authority of receiver to determine claims.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation may, as 
                receiver, determine claims in accordance with 
                the requirements of this subsection and 
                regulations prescribed under paragraph (4).
                    ``(B) Notice requirements.--The receiver, 
                in any case involving the liquidation or 
                winding up of the affairs of a closed System 
                institution, shall--
                            ``(i) promptly publish a notice to 
                        the System institution's creditors to 
                        present their claims, together with 
                        proof, to the receiver by a date 
                        specified in the notice which shall be 
                        not less than 90 days after the 
                        publication of such notice; and
                            ``(ii) republish such notice 
                        approximately 1 month and 2 months, 
                        respectively, after the publication 
                        under clause (i).
                    ``(C) Mailing required.--The receiver shall 
                mail a notice similar to the notice published 
                under subparagraph (B)(i) at the time of such 
                publication to any creditor shown on the System 
                institution's books--
                            ``(i) at the creditor's last 
                        address appearing in such books; or
                            ``(ii) upon discovery of the name 
                        and address of a claimant not appearing 
                        on the System institution's books 
                        within 30 days after the discovery of 
                        such name and address.
            ``(4) Rulemaking authority relating to 
        determination of claims.--The Corporation may prescribe 
        regulations regarding the allowance or disallowance of 
        claims by the receiver and providing for administrative 
        determination of claims and review of such 
        determination.
            ``(5) Procedures for determination of claims.--
                    ``(A) Determination period.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Before the end 
                        of the 180-day period beginning on the 
                        date any claim against a System 
                        institution is filed with the 
                        Corporation as receiver, the 
                        Corporation shall determine whether to 
                        allow or disallow the claim and shall 
                        notify the claimant of any 
                        determination with respect to such 
                        claim.
                            ``(ii) Extension of time.--The 
                        period described in clause (i) may be 
                        extended by a written agreement between 
                        the claimant and the Corporation.
                            ``(iii) Mailing of notice 
                        sufficient.--The requirements of clause 
                        (i) shall be deemed to be satisfied if 
                        the notice of any determination with 
                        respect to any claim is mailed to the 
                        last address of the claimant which 
                        appears--
                                    ``(I) on the System 
                                institution's books;
                                    ``(II) in the claim filed 
                                by the claimant; or
                                    ``(III) in documents 
                                submitted in proof of the 
                                claim.
                            ``(iv) Contents of notice of 
                        disallowance.--If any claim filed under 
                        clause (i) is disallowed, the notice to 
                        the claimant shall contain--
                                    ``(I) a statement of each 
                                reason for the disallowance; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) the procedures 
                                available for obtaining agency 
                                review of the determination to 
                                disallow the claim or judicial 
                                determination of the claim.
                    ``(B) Allowance of proven claims.--The 
                receiver shall allow any claim received on or 
                before the date specified in the notice 
                published under paragraph (3)(B)(i) by the 
                receiver from any claimant which is proved to 
                the satisfaction of the receiver.
                    ``(C) Disallowance of claims filed after 
                end of filing period.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), claims filed 
                        after the date specified in the notice 
                        published under paragraph (3)(B)(i) 
                        shall be disallowed and such 
                        disallowance shall be final.
                            ``(ii) Certain exceptions.--Clause 
                        (i) shall not apply with respect to any 
                        claim filed by any claimant after the 
                        date specified in the notice published 
                        under paragraph (3)(B)(i) and such 
                        claim may be considered by the receiver 
                        if--
                                    ``(I) the claimant did not 
                                receive notice of the 
                                appointment of the receiver in 
                                time to file such claim before 
                                such date; and
                                    ``(II) such claim is filed 
                                in time to permit payment of 
                                such claim.
                    ``(D) Authority to disallow claims.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The receiver may 
                        disallow any portion of any claim by a 
                        creditor or claim of security, 
                        preference, or priority which is not 
                        proved to the satisfaction of the 
                        receiver.
                            ``(ii) Payments to less than fully 
                        secured creditors.--In the case of a 
                        claim of a creditor against a System 
                        institution which is secured by any 
                        property or other asset of such System 
                        institution, any receiver appointed for 
                        any System institution--
                                    ``(I) may treat the portion 
                                of such claim which exceeds an 
                                amount equal to the fair market 
                                value of such property or other 
                                asset as an unsecured claim 
                                against the System institution; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) may not make any 
                                payment with respect to such 
                                unsecured portion of the claim 
                                other than in connection with 
                                the disposition of all claims 
                                of unsecured creditors of the 
                                System institution.
                            ``(iii) Exceptions.--No provision 
                        of this paragraph shall apply with 
                        respect to--
                                    ``(I) any extension of 
                                credit from any Federal Reserve 
                                bank or the United States 
                                Treasury to any System 
                                institution; or
                                    ``(II) any security 
                                interest in the assets of the 
                                System institution securing any 
                                such extension of credit.
                    ``(E) No judicial review of determination 
                pursuant to subparagraph (d).--No court may 
                review the Corporation's determination pursuant 
                to subparagraph (D) to disallow a claim.
                    ``(F) Legal effect of filing.--
                            ``(i) Statute of limitation 
                        tolled.--For purposes of any applicable 
                        statute of limitations, the filing of a 
                        claim with the receiver shall 
                        constitute a commencement of an action.
                            ``(ii) No prejudice to other 
                        actions.--Subject to paragraph (12) and 
                        the determination of claims by a 
                        receiver, the filing of a claim with 
                        the receiver shall not prejudice any 
                        right of the claimant to continue any 
                        action which was filed before the 
                        appointment of the receiver.
            ``(6) Provision for judicial determination of 
        claims.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Before the end of the 
                60-day period beginning on the earlier of--
                            ``(i) the end of the period 
                        described in paragraph (5)(A)(i) with 
                        respect to any claim against a System 
                        institution for which the Corporation 
                        is receiver; or
                            ``(ii) the date of any notice of 
                        disallowance of such claim pursuant to 
                        paragraph (5)(A)(i),
                the claimant may request administrative review 
                of the claim in accordance with paragraph (7) 
                or file suit on such claim (or continue an 
                action commenced before the appointment of the 
                receiver) in the district or territorial court 
                of the United States for the district within 
                which the System institution's principal place 
                of business is located or the United States 
                District Court for the District of Columbia 
                (and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear 
                such claim).
                    ``(B) Statute of limitations.--If any 
                claimant fails to file suit on such claim (or 
                continue an action commenced before the 
                appointment of the receiver), before the end of 
                the 60-day period described in subparagraph 
                (A), the claim shall be deemed to be disallowed 
                (other than any portion of such claim which was 
                allowed by the receiver) as of the end of such 
                period, such disallowance shall be final, and 
                the claimant shall have no further rights or 
                remedies with respect to such claim.
            ``(7) Review of claims; administrative hearing.--If 
        any claimant requests review under this paragraph in 
        lieu of filing or continuing any action under paragraph 
        (6) and the Corporation agrees to such request, the 
        Corporation shall consider the claim after opportunity 
        for a hearing on the record. The final determination of 
        the Corporation with respect to such claim shall be 
        subject to judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5, 
        United States Code.
            ``(8) Expedited determination of claims.--
                    ``(A) Establishment required.--The 
                Corporation shall establish a procedure for 
                expedited relief outside of the routine claims 
                process established under paragraph (5) for 
                claimants who--
                            ``(i) allege the existence of 
                        legally valid and enforceable or 
                        perfected security interests in assets 
                        of any System institution for which the 
                        Corporation has been appointed 
                        receiver; and
                            ``(ii) allege that irreparable 
                        injury will occur if the routine claims 
                        procedure is followed.
                    ``(B) Determination period.--Before the end 
                of the 90-day period beginning on the date any 
                claim is filed in accordance with the 
                procedures established pursuant to subparagraph 
                (A), the Corporation shall--
                            ``(i) determine--
                                    ``(I) whether to allow or 
                                disallow such claim; or
                                    ``(II) whether such claim 
                                should be determined pursuant 
                                to the procedures established 
                                pursuant to paragraph (5); and
                            ``(ii) notify the claimant of the 
                        determination, and if the claim is 
                        disallowed, provide a statement of each 
                        reason for the disallowance and the 
                        procedure for obtaining agency review 
                        or judicial determination.
                    ``(C) Period for filing or renewing suit.--
                Any claimant who files a request for expedited 
                relief shall be permitted to file a suit, or to 
                continue a suit filed before the appointment of 
                the receiver, seeking a determination of the 
                claimant's rights with respect to such security 
                interest after the earlier of--
                            ``(i) the end of the 90-day period 
                        beginning on the date of the filing of 
                        a request for expedited relief; or
                            ``(ii) the date the Corporation 
                        denies the claim.
                    ``(D) Statute of limitations.--If an action 
                described in subparagraph (C) is not filed, or 
                the motion to renew a previously filed suit is 
                not made, before the end of the 30-day period 
                beginning on the date on which such action or 
                motion may be filed in accordance with 
                subparagraph (B), the claim shall be deemed to 
                be disallowed as of the end of such period 
                (other than any portion of such claim which was 
                allowed by the receiver), such disallowance 
                shall be final, and the claimant shall have no 
                further rights or remedies with respect to such 
                claim.
                    ``(E) Legal effect of filing.--
                            ``(i) Statute of limitation 
                        tolled.--For purposes of any applicable 
                        statute of limitations, the filing of a 
                        claim with the receiver shall 
                        constitute a commencement of an action.
                            ``(ii) No prejudice to other 
                        actions.--Subject to paragraph (12), 
                        the filing of a claim with the receiver 
                        shall not prejudice any right of the 
                        claimant to continue any action which 
                        was filed before the appointment of the 
                        receiver.
            ``(9) Agreement as basis of claim.--
                    ``(A) Requirements.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), any agreement which does not 
                meet the requirements set forth in section 
                5.61(d) shall not form the basis of, or 
                substantially comprise, a claim against the 
                receiver or the Corporation.
                    ``(B) Exception to contemporaneous 
                execution requirement.--Notwithstanding section 
                5.61(d), any agreement relating to an extension 
                of credit between a Federal Reserve bank or the 
                United States Treasury and any System 
                institution which was executed before such 
                extension of credit to such System institution 
                shall be treated as having been executed 
                contemporaneously with such extension of credit 
                for purposes of subparagraph (A).
            ``(10) Payment of claims.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The receiver may, in the 
                receiver's discretion and to the extent funds 
                are available from the assets of the System 
                institution, pay creditor claims which are 
                allowed by the receiver, approved by the 
                Corporation pursuant to a final determination 
                pursuant to paragraph (7) or (8), or determined 
                by the final judgment of any court of competent 
                jurisdiction in such manner and amounts as are 
                authorized under this Act.
                    ``(B) Liquidation payments.--The receiver 
                may, in the receiver's sole discretion, pay 
                from the assets of the System institution 
                portions of proved claims at any time, and no 
                liability shall attach to the Corporation (in 
                such Corporation's corporate capacity or as 
                receiver), by reason of any such payment, for 
                failure to make payments to a claimant whose 
                claim is not proved at the time of any such 
                payment.
                    ``(C) Rulemaking authority of 
                corporation.--The Corporation may prescribe 
                such rules, including definitions of terms, as 
                it deems appropriate to establish a single 
                uniform interest rate for or to make payments 
                of post insolvency interest to creditors 
                holding proven claims against the receivership 
                estates of System institutions following 
                satisfaction by the receiver of the principal 
                amount of all creditor claims.
            ``(11) Priority of expenses and claims.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Amounts realized from 
                the liquidation or other resolution of any 
                System institution by any receiver appointed 
                for such System institution shall be 
                distributed to pay claims (other than secured 
                claims to the extent of any such security) in 
                the following order of priority:
                            ``(i) Administrative expenses of 
                        the receiver.
                            ``(ii) If authorized by the 
                        Corporation, wages, salaries, or 
                        commissions, including vacation, 
                        severance, and sick leave pay earned by 
                        an individual--
                                    ``(I) in an amount that is 
                                not more than $11,725 for each 
                                individual (as indexed for 
                                inflation, by regulation of the 
                                Corporation); and
                                    ``(II) that is earned 180 
                                days or fewer before the date 
                                of appointment of the 
                                Corporation as receiver.
                            ``(iii) In the case of the 
                        resolution of a System bank, all claims 
                        of holders of consolidated and System-
                        wide bonds and all claims of the other 
                        System banks arising from the payments 
                        of the System banks pursuant to--
                                    ``(I) section 4.4 on 
                                consolidated and System-wide 
                                bonds issued under subsection 
                                (c) or (d) of section 4.2; or
                                    ``(II) an agreement, in 
                                writing and approved by the 
                                Farm Credit Administration, 
                                among the System banks to 
                                reallocate the payments.
                            ``(iv) In the case of the 
                        resolution of a production credit 
                        association or other association making 
                        direct loans under section 7.6, all 
                        claims of a System bank based on the 
                        financing agreement between the 
                        association and the System bank--
                                    ``(I) including interest 
                                accrued before and after the 
                                appointment of the receiver; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) not including any 
                                setoff for stock or other 
                                equity of that System bank 
                                owned by the association, on 
                                that condition that, prior to 
                                making that setoff, that System 
                                bank shall obtain the approval 
                                of the Farm Credit 
                                Administration Board for the 
                                retirement of that stock or 
                                equity.
                            ``(v) Any general or senior 
                        liability of the System institution 
                        (which is not a liability described in 
                        clause (vi) or (vii)).
                            ``(vi) Any obligation subordinated 
                        to general creditors (which is not an 
                        obligation described in clause (vii)).
                            ``(vii) Any obligation to 
                        stockholders or members arising as a 
                        result of their status as stockholders 
                        or members.
                    ``(B) Payment of claims.--
                            ``(i) In general.--
                                    ``(I) Payment.--All claims 
                                of each priority described in 
                                clauses (i) through (vii) of 
                                subparagraph (A) shall be paid 
                                in full, or provisions shall be 
                                made for that payment, prior to 
                                the payment of any claim of a 
                                lesser priority.
                                    ``(II) Insufficient 
                                funds.--If there are 
                                insufficient funds to pay in 
                                full all claims in any priority 
                                described clauses (i) through 
                                (vii) of subparagraph (A), 
                                distribution on that priority 
                                of claims shall be made on a 
                                pro rata basis.
                            ``(ii) Distribution of remaining 
                        assets.--Following the payment of all 
                        claims in accordance with subparagraph 
                        (A), the receiver shall distribute the 
                        remainder of the assets of the System 
                        institution to the owners of stock, 
                        participation certificates, and other 
                        equities in accordance with the 
                        priorities for impairment under the 
                        bylaws of the System institution.
                            ``(iii) Eligible borrower stock.--
                        Notwithstanding subparagraph (C) or any 
                        other provision of this section, 
                        eligible borrower stock shall be 
                        retired in accordance with section 
                        4.9A.
                    ``(C) Effect of state law.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The provisions 
                        of subparagraph (A) shall not supersede 
                        the law of any State except to the 
                        extent such law is inconsistent with 
                        the provisions of such subparagraph, 
                        and then only to the extent of the 
                        inconsistency.
                            ``(ii) Procedure for determination 
                        of inconsistency.--Upon the 
                        Corporation's own motion or upon the 
                        request of any person with a claim 
                        described in subparagraph (A) or any 
                        State which is submitted to the 
                        Corporation in accordance with 
                        procedures which the Corporation shall 
                        prescribe, the Corporation shall 
                        determine whether any provision of the 
                        law of any State is inconsistent with 
                        any provision of subparagraph (A) and 
                        the extent of any such inconsistency.
                            ``(iii) Judicial review.--The final 
                        determination of the Corporation under 
                        clause (ii) shall be subject to 
                        judicial review under chapter 7 of 
                        title 5, United States Code.
                    ``(D) Accounting report.--Any distribution 
                by the Corporation in connection with any claim 
                described in subparagraph (A)(vii) shall be 
                accompanied by the accounting report required 
                under paragraph (15)(B).
            ``(12) Suspension of legal actions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--After the appointment of 
                a conservator or receiver for a System 
                institution, the conservator or receiver may 
                request a stay for a period not to exceed--
                            ``(i) 45 days, in the case of any 
                        conservator; and
                            ``(ii) 90 days, in the case of any 
                        receiver,
                in any judicial action or proceeding to which 
                such System institution is or becomes a party.
                    ``(B) Grant of stay by all courts 
                required.--Upon receipt of a request by any 
                conservator or receiver pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A) for a stay of any judicial 
                action or proceeding in any court with 
                jurisdiction of such action or proceeding, the 
                court shall grant such stay as to all parties.
            ``(13) Additional rights and duties.--
                    ``(A) Prior final adjudication.--The 
                Corporation shall abide by any final 
                unappealable judgment of any court of competent 
                jurisdiction which was rendered before the 
                appointment of the Corporation as conservator 
                or receiver.
                    ``(B) Rights and remedies of conservator or 
                receiver.--In the event of any appealable 
                judgment, the Corporation as conservator or 
                receiver shall--
                            ``(i) have all the rights and 
                        remedies available to the System 
                        institution (before the appointment of 
                        such conservator or receiver) and the 
                        Corporation in its corporate capacity, 
                        including removal to Federal court and 
                        all appellate rights; and
                            ``(ii) not be required to post any 
                        bond in order to pursue such remedies.
                    ``(C) No attachment or execution.--No 
                attachment or execution may issue by any court 
                on--
                            ``(i) assets in the possession of 
                        the receiver; or
                            ``(ii) the charter of a System 
                        institution for which the Corporation 
                        has been appointed receiver.
                    ``(D) Limitation on judicial review.--
                Except as otherwise provided in this 
                subsection, no court shall have jurisdiction 
                over--
                            ``(i) any claim or action for 
                        payment from, or any action seeking a 
                        determination of rights with respect 
                        to, the assets of any System 
                        institution for which the Corporation 
                        has been appointed receiver, including 
                        assets which the Corporation may 
                        acquire from itself as such receiver; 
                        or
                            ``(ii) any claim relating to any 
                        act or omission of such System 
                        institution or the Corporation as 
                        receiver.
                    ``(E) Disposition of assets.--In exercising 
                any right, power, privilege, or authority as 
                receiver in connection with any sale or 
                disposition of assets of any System institution 
                for which the Corporation is acting as 
                receiver, the Corporation shall, to the maximum 
                extent practicable, conduct its operations in a 
                manner which--
                            ``(i) maximizes the net present 
                        value return from the sale or 
                        disposition of such assets;
                            ``(ii) minimizes the amount of any 
                        loss realized in the resolution of 
                        cases;
                            ``(iii) ensures adequate 
                        competition and fair and consistent 
                        treatment of offerors;
                            ``(iv) prohibits discrimination on 
                        the basis of race, sex, or ethnic 
                        groups in the solicitation and 
                        consideration of offers; and
                            ``(v) mitigates the potential for 
                        serious adverse effects to the rest of 
                        the System.
            ``(14) Statute of limitations for actions brought 
        by conservator or receiver.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
                provision of any contract, the applicable 
                statute of limitations with regard to any 
                action brought by the Corporation as 
                conservator or receiver shall be--
                            ``(i) in the case of any contract 
                        claim, the longer of--
                                    ``(I) the 6-year period 
                                beginning on the date the claim 
                                accrues; or
                                    ``(II) the period 
                                applicable under State law; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of any tort 
                        claim, the longer of--
                                    ``(I) the 3-year period 
                                beginning on the date the claim 
                                accrues; or
                                    ``(II) the period 
                                applicable under State law.
                    ``(B) Determination of the date on which a 
                claim accrues.--For purposes of subparagraph 
                (A), the date on which the statute of 
                limitations begins to run on any claim 
                described in such subparagraph shall be the 
                later of--
                            ``(i) the date of the appointment 
                        of the Corporation as conservator or 
                        receiver; or
                            ``(ii) the date on which the cause 
                        of action accrues.
                    ``(C) Revival of expired state causes of 
                action.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In the case of 
                        any tort claim described in clause (ii) 
                        for which the statute of limitation 
                        applicable under State law with respect 
                        to such claim has expired not more than 
                        5 years before the appointment of the 
                        Corporation as conservator or receiver, 
                        the Corporation may bring an action as 
                        conservator or receiver on such claim 
                        without regard to the expiration of the 
                        statute of limitation applicable under 
                        State law.
                            ``(ii) Claims described.--A tort 
                        claim referred to in clause (i) is a 
                        claim arising from fraud, intentional 
                        misconduct resulting in unjust 
                        enrichment, or intentional misconduct 
                        resulting in substantial loss to the 
                        System institution.
            ``(15) Accounting and recordkeeping requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation as 
                conservator or receiver shall, consistent with 
                the accounting and reporting practices and 
                procedures established by the Corporation, 
                maintain a full accounting of each 
                conservatorship and receivership or other 
                disposition of System institutions in default.
                    ``(B) Annual accounting or report.--With 
                respect to each conservatorship or receivership 
                to which the Corporation was appointed, the 
                Corporation shall make an annual accounting or 
                report, as appropriate, available to the Farm 
                Credit Administration Board.
                    ``(C) Availability of reports.--Any report 
                prepared pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be 
                made available by the Corporation upon request 
                to any stockholder of the System institution 
                for which the Corporation was appointed 
                conservator or receiver or any other member of 
                the public.
                    ``(D) Recordkeeping requirement.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), after the end 
                        of the 6-year period beginning on the 
                        date the Corporation is appointed as 
                        receiver of a System institution, the 
                        Corporation may destroy any records of 
                        such System institution which the 
                        Corporation, in the Corporation's 
                        discretion, determines to be 
                        unnecessary unless directed not to do 
                        so by a court of competent jurisdiction 
                        or governmental agency, or prohibited 
                        by law.
                            ``(ii) Old records.--
                        Notwithstanding clause (i), the 
                        Corporation may destroy records of a 
                        System institution which are at least 
                        10 years old as of the date on which 
                        the Corporation is appointed as the 
                        receiver of such System institution in 
                        accordance with clause (i) at any time 
                        after such appointment is final, 
                        without regard to the 6-year period of 
                        limitation contained in clause (i).
            ``(16) Fraudulent transfers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation, as 
                conservator or receiver for any System 
                institution, may avoid a transfer of any 
                interest of a System institution-affiliated 
                party, or any person who the Corporation 
                determines is a debtor of the System 
                institution, in property, or any obligation 
                incurred by such party or person, that was made 
                within 5 years of the date on which the 
                Corporation was appointed conservator or 
                receiver if such party or person voluntarily or 
                involuntarily made such transfer or incurred 
                such liability with the intent to hinder, 
                delay, or defraud the System institution, the 
                Farm Credit Administration, or the Corporation.
                    ``(B) Right of recovery.--To the extent a 
                transfer is avoided under subparagraph (A), the 
                Corporation may recover, for the benefit of the 
                System institution, the property transferred, 
                or, if a court so orders, the value of such 
                property (at the time of such transfer) from--
                            ``(i) the initial transferee of 
                        such transfer or the System 
                        institution-affiliated party or person 
                        for whose benefit such transfer was 
                        made; or
                            ``(ii) any immediate or mediate 
                        transferee of any such initial 
                        transferee.
                    ``(C) Rights of transferee or obligee.--The 
                Corporation may not recover under subparagraph 
                (B) from--
                            ``(i) any transferee that takes for 
                        value, including satisfaction or 
                        securing of a present or antecedent 
                        debt, in good faith; or
                            ``(ii) any immediate or mediate 
                        good faith transferee of such 
                        transferee.
                    ``(D) Rights under this paragraph.--The 
                rights under this paragraph of the Corporation 
                shall be superior to any rights of a trustee or 
                any other party (other than any party which is 
                a Federal agency) under title 11, United States 
                Code.
            ``(17) Attachment of assets and other injunctive 
        relief.--Subject to paragraph (18), any court of 
        competent jurisdiction may, at the request of the 
        Corporation (in the Corporation's capacity as 
        conservator or receiver for any System institution or 
        in the Corporation's corporate capacity with respect to 
        any asset acquired or liability assumed by the 
        Corporation under section 5.61), issue an order in 
        accordance with Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil 
        Procedure, including an order placing the assets of any 
        person designated by the Corporation under the control 
        of the court and appointing a trustee to hold such 
        assets.
            ``(18) Standards.--
                    ``(A) Showing.--Rule 65 of the Federal 
                Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply with 
                respect to any proceeding under paragraph (17) 
                without regard to the requirement of such rule 
                that the applicant show that the injury, loss, 
                or damage is irreparable and immediate.
                    ``(B) State proceeding.--If, in the case of 
                any proceeding in a State court, the court 
                determines that rules of civil procedure 
                available under the laws of such State provide 
                substantially similar protections to such 
                party's right to due process as Rule 65 (as 
                modified with respect to such proceeding by 
                subparagraph (A)), the relief sought by the 
                Corporation pursuant to paragraph (17) may be 
                requested under the laws of such State.
            ``(19) Treatment of claims arising from breach of 
        contracts executed by the receiver or conservator.--
        Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, 
        any final and unappealable judgment for monetary 
        damages entered against a receiver or conservator for a 
        System institution for the breach of an agreement 
        executed or approved by such receiver or conservator 
        after the date of its appointment shall be paid as an 
        administrative expense of the receiver or conservator. 
        Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit 
        the power of a receiver or conservator to exercise any 
        rights under contract or law, including terminating, 
        breaching, canceling, or otherwise discontinuing such 
        agreement.
    ``(c) Provisions Relating to Contracts Entered Into Before 
Appointment of Conservator or Receiver.--
            ``(1) Authority to repudiate contracts.--In 
        addition to any other rights a conservator or receiver 
        may have, the conservator or receiver for a System 
        institution may disaffirm or repudiate any contract or 
        lease--
                    ``(A) to which such System institution is a 
                party;
                    ``(B) the performance of which the 
                conservator or receiver, in the conservator's 
                or receiver's discretion, determines to be 
                burdensome; and
                    ``(C) the disaffirmance or repudiation of 
                which the conservator or receiver determines, 
                in the conservator's or receiver's discretion, 
                will promote the orderly administration of the 
                System institution's affairs.
            ``(2) Timing of repudiation.--The Corporation as 
        conservator or receiver for any System institution 
        shall determine whether or not to exercise the rights 
        of repudiation under this subsection within a 
        reasonable period following such appointment.
            ``(3) Claims for damages for repudiation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise 
                provided in subparagraph (C) and paragraphs 
                (4), (5), and (6), the liability of the 
                conservator or receiver for the disaffirmance 
                or repudiation of any contract pursuant to 
                paragraph (1) shall be--
                            ``(i) limited to actual direct 
                        compensatory damages; and
                            ``(ii) determined as of--
                                    ``(I) the date of the 
                                appointment of the conservator 
                                or receiver; or
                                    ``(II) in the case of any 
                                contract or agreement referred 
                                to in paragraph (8), the date 
                                of the disaffirmance or 
                                repudiation of such contract or 
                                agreement.
                    ``(B) No liability for other damages.--For 
                purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `actual 
                direct compensatory damages' does not include--
                            ``(i) punitive or exemplary 
                        damages;
                            ``(ii) damages for lost profits or 
                        opportunity; or
                            ``(iii) damages for pain and 
                        suffering.
                    ``(C) Measure of damages for repudiation of 
                financial contracts.--In the case of any 
                qualified financial contract or agreement to 
                which paragraph (8) applies, compensatory 
                damages shall be--
                            ``(i) deemed to include normal and 
                        reasonable costs of cover or other 
                        reasonable measures of damages utilized 
                        in the industries for such contract and 
                        agreement claims; and
                            ``(ii) paid in accordance with this 
                        subsection and subsection (j), except 
                        as otherwise specifically provided in 
                        this section.
            ``(4) Leases under which the system institution is 
        the lessee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the conservator or 
                receiver disaffirms or repudiates a lease under 
                which the System institution was the lessee, 
                the conservator or receiver shall not be liable 
                for any damages (other than damages determined 
                pursuant to subparagraph (B)) for the 
                disaffirmance or repudiation of such lease.
                    ``(B) Payments of rent.--Notwithstanding 
                subparagraph (A), the lessor under a lease to 
                which such subparagraph applies shall--
                            ``(i) be entitled to the 
                        contractual rent accruing before the 
                        later of the date--
                                    ``(I) the notice of 
                                disaffirmance or repudiation is 
                                mailed; or
                                    ``(II) the disaffirmance or 
                                repudiation becomes effective, 
                                unless the lessor is in default 
                                or breach of the terms of the 
                                lease; and
                            ``(ii) have no claim for damages 
                        under any acceleration clause or other 
                        penalty provision in the lease; and
                            ``(iii) have a claim for any unpaid 
                        rent, subject to all appropriate 
                        offsets and defenses, due as of the 
                        date of the appointment, which shall be 
                        paid in accordance with this subsection 
                        and subsection (j).
            ``(5) Leases under which the system institution is 
        the lessor.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the conservator or 
                receiver repudiates an unexpired written lease 
                of real property of the System institution 
                under which the System institution is the 
                lessor and the lessee is not, as of the date of 
                such repudiation, in default, the lessee under 
                such lease may either--
                            ``(i) treat the lease as terminated 
                        by such repudiation; or
                            ``(ii) remain in possession of the 
                        leasehold interest for the balance of 
                        the term of the lease, unless the 
                        lessee defaults under the terms of the 
                        lease after the date of such 
                        repudiation.
                    ``(B) Provisions applicable to lessee 
                remaining in possession.--If any lessee under a 
                lease described in subparagraph (A) remains in 
                possession of a leasehold interest pursuant to 
                clause (ii) of such subparagraph--
                            ``(i) the lessee--
                                    ``(I) shall continue to pay 
                                the contractual rent pursuant 
                                to the terms of the lease after 
                                the date of the repudiation of 
                                such lease; and
                                    ``(II) may offset against 
                                any rent payment which accrues 
                                after the date of the 
                                repudiation of the lease, any 
                                damages which accrue after such 
                                date due to the nonperformance 
                                of any obligation of the System 
                                institution under the lease 
                                after such date; and
                            ``(ii) the conservator or receiver 
                        shall not be liable to the lessee for 
                        any damages arising after such date as 
                        a result of the repudiation, other than 
                        the amount of any offset allowed under 
                        clause (i)(II).
            ``(6) Contracts for the sale of real property.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the conservator or 
                receiver repudiates any contract that meets the 
                requirements of paragraphs (1) through (4) of 
                section 5.61(d) for the sale of real property, 
                and the purchaser of such real property under 
                such contract is in possession and is not, as 
                of the date of such repudiation, in default, 
                such purchaser may either--
                            ``(i) treat the contract as 
                        terminated by such repudiation; or
                            ``(ii) remain in possession of such 
                        real property.
                    ``(B) Provisions applicable to purchaser 
                remaining in possession.--If any purchaser of 
                real property under any contract described in 
                subparagraph (A) remains in possession of such 
                property pursuant to clause (ii) of such 
                subparagraph--
                            ``(i) the purchaser--
                                    ``(I) shall continue to 
                                make all payments due under the 
                                contract after the date of the 
                                repudiation of the contract; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) may offset against 
                                any such payments any damages 
                                which accrue after such date 
                                due to the nonperformance 
                                (after such date) of any 
                                obligation of the System 
                                institution under the contract; 
                                and
                            ``(ii) the conservator or receiver 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) not be liable to the 
                                purchaser for any damages 
                                arising after that date as a 
                                result of the repudiation, 
                                other than the amount of any 
                                offset allowed under clause 
                                (i)(II);
                                    ``(II) deliver title to the 
                                purchaser in accordance with 
                                the contract; and
                                    ``(III) have no obligation 
                                under the contract, other than 
                                the performance required under 
                                subclause (II).
                    ``(C) Assignment and sale allowed.--
                            ``(i) In general.--No provision of 
                        this paragraph shall be construed as 
                        limiting the right of the conservator 
                        or receiver to assign the contract 
                        described in subparagraph (A) and sell 
                        the property subject to the contract 
                        and this paragraph.
                            ``(ii) No liability after 
                        assignment and sale.--If an assignment 
                        and sale described in clause (i) is 
                        consummated, the Corporation, acting as 
                        conservator or receiver, shall have no 
                        further liability under the applicable 
                        contract described in subparagraph (A) 
                        or with respect to the real property 
                        which was the subject of such contract.
            ``(7) Provisions applicable to service contracts.--
                    ``(A) Services performed before 
                appointment.--In the case of any contract for 
                services between any person and any System 
                institution for which the Corporation has been 
                appointed conservator or receiver, any claim of 
                such person for services performed before the 
                appointment of the conservator or the receiver 
                shall be--
                            ``(i) a claim to be paid in 
                        accordance with subsections (b) and 
                        (d); and
                            ``(ii) deemed to have arisen as of 
                        the date the conservator or receiver 
                        was appointed.
                    ``(B) Services performed after appointment 
                and prior to repudiation.--If, in the case of 
                any contract for services described in 
                subparagraph (A), the conservator or receiver 
                accepts performance by the other person before 
                the conservator or receiver makes any 
                determination to exercise the right of 
                repudiation of such contract under this 
                section--
                            ``(i) the other party shall be paid 
                        under the terms of the contract for the 
                        services performed; and
                            ``(ii) the amount of such payment 
                        shall be treated as an administrative 
                        expense of the conservatorship or 
                        receivership.
                    ``(C) Acceptance of performance no bar to 
                subsequent repudiation.--The acceptance by any 
                conservator or receiver of services referred to 
                in subparagraph (B) in connection with a 
                contract described in such subparagraph shall 
                not affect the right of the conservator or 
                receiver, to repudiate such contract under this 
                section at any time after such performance.
            ``(8) Certain qualified financial contracts.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Commodity contract.--The term 
                        `commodity contract' means--
                                    ``(I) with respect to a 
                                futures commission merchant, a 
                                contract for the purchase or 
                                sale of a commodity for future 
                                delivery on, or subject to the 
                                rules of, a contract market or 
                                board of trade;
                                    ``(II) with respect to a 
                                foreign futures commission 
                                merchant, a foreign future;
                                    ``(III) with respect to a 
                                leverage transaction merchant, 
                                a leverage transaction;
                                    ``(IV) with respect to a 
                                clearing organization, a 
                                contract for the purchase or 
                                sale of a commodity for future 
                                delivery on, or subject to the 
                                rules of, a contract market or 
                                board of trade that is cleared 
                                by such clearing organization, 
                                or commodity option traded on, 
                                or subject to the rules of, a 
                                contract market or board of 
                                trade that is cleared by such 
                                clearing organization;
                                    ``(V) with respect to a 
                                commodity options dealer, a 
                                commodity option;
                                    ``(VI) any other agreement 
                                or transaction that is similar 
                                to any agreement or transaction 
                                referred to in this clause;
                                    ``(VII) any combination of 
                                the agreements or transactions 
                                referred to in this clause;
                                    ``(VIII) any option to 
                                enter into any agreement or 
                                transaction referred to in this 
                                clause;
                                    ``(IX) a master agreement 
                                that provides for an agreement 
                                or transaction referred to in 
                                any of subclauses (I) through 
                                (VIII), together with all 
                                supplements to any such master 
                                agreement, without regard to 
                                whether the master agreement 
                                provides for an agreement or 
                                transaction that is not a 
                                commodity contract under this 
                                clause, except that the master 
                                agreement shall be considered 
                                to be a commodity contract 
                                under this clause only with 
                                respect to each agreement or 
                                transaction under the master 
                                agreement that is referred to 
                                in subclause (I), (II), (III), 
                                (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), or 
                                (VIII); or
                                    ``(X) any security 
                                agreement or arrangement or 
                                other credit enhancement 
                                related to any agreement or 
                                transaction referred to in this 
                                clause, including any guarantee 
                                or reimbursement obligation in 
                                connection with any agreement 
                                or transaction referred to in 
                                this clause.
                            ``(ii) Forward contract.--The term 
                        `forward contract' means--
                                    ``(I) a contract (other 
                                than a commodity contract) for 
                                the purchase, sale, or transfer 
                                of a commodity or any similar 
                                good, article, service, right, 
                                or interest which is presently 
                                or in the future becomes the 
                                subject of dealing in the 
                                forward contract trade, or 
                                product or byproduct thereof, 
                                with a maturity date more than 
                                2 days after the date the 
                                contract is entered into, 
                                including a repurchase or 
                                reverse repurchase transaction 
                                (whether or not such repurchase 
                                or reverse repurchase 
                                transaction is a repurchase 
                                agreement), consignment, lease, 
                                swap, hedge transaction, 
                                deposit, loan, option, 
                                allocated transaction, 
                                unallocated transaction, or any 
                                other similar agreement;
                                    ``(II) any combination of 
                                agreements or transactions 
                                referred to in subclauses (I) 
                                and (III);
                                    ``(III) any option to enter 
                                into any agreement or 
                                transaction referred to in 
                                subclause (I) or (II);
                                    ``(IV) a master agreement 
                                that provides for an agreement 
                                or transaction referred to in 
                                subclauses (I) through (III), 
                                together with all supplements 
                                to any such master agreement, 
                                without regard to whether the 
                                master agreement provides for 
                                an agreement or transaction 
                                that is not a forward contract 
                                under this clause, except that 
                                the master agreement shall be 
                                considered to be a forward 
                                contract under this clause only 
                                with respect to each agreement 
                                or transaction under the master 
                                agreement that is referred to 
                                in subclause (I), (II), or 
                                (III); or
                                    ``(V) any security 
                                agreement or arrangement or 
                                other credit enhancement 
                                related to any agreement or 
                                transaction referred to in 
                                subclause (I), (II), (III), or 
                                (IV), including any guarantee 
                                or reimbursement obligation in 
                                connection with any agreement 
                                or transaction referred to in 
                                any such subclause.
                            ``(iii) Person.--The term 
                        `person'--
                                    ``(I) has the meaning given 
                                the term in section 1 of title 
                                1, United States Code; and
                                    ``(II) includes any 
                                governmental entity.
                            ``(iv) Qualified financial 
                        contract.--The term `qualified 
                        financial contract' means any 
                        securities contract, commodity 
                        contract, forward contract, repurchase 
                        agreement, swap agreement, and any 
                        similar agreement that the Corporation 
                        determines by regulation, resolution, 
                        or order to be a qualified financial 
                        contract for purposes of this 
                        paragraph.
                            ``(v) Repurchase agreement.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--The term 
                                `repurchase agreement' 
                                (including with respect to a 
                                reverse repurchase agreement)--
                                            ``(aa) means--
                                                    ``(AA) an 
                                                agreement, 
                                                including 
                                                related terms, 
                                                which provides 
                                                for the 
                                                transfer of one 
                                                or more 
                                                certificates of 
                                                deposit, 
                                                mortgage-
                                                related 
                                                securities (as 
                                                such term is 
                                                defined in 
                                                section 3(a) of 
                                                the Securities 
                                                Exchange Act of 
                                                1934 (15 U.S.C. 
                                                78c(a))), 
                                                mortgage loans, 
                                                interests in 
                                                mortgage-
                                                related 
                                                securities or 
                                                mortgage loans, 
                                                eligible 
                                                bankers' 
                                                acceptances, 
                                                qualified 
                                                foreign 
                                                government 
                                                securities or 
                                                securities that 
                                                are direct 
                                                obligations of, 
                                                or that are 
                                                fully 
                                                guaranteed by, 
                                                the United 
                                                States or any 
                                                agency of the 
                                                United States 
                                                against the 
                                                transfer of 
                                                funds by the 
                                                transferee of 
                                                such 
                                                certificates of 
                                                deposit, 
                                                eligible 
                                                bankers' 
                                                acceptances, 
                                                securities, 
                                                mortgage loans, 
                                                or interests 
                                                with a 
                                                simultaneous 
                                                agreement by 
                                                such transferee 
                                                to transfer to 
                                                the transferor 
                                                thereof 
                                                certificates of 
                                                deposit, 
                                                eligible 
                                                bankers' 
                                                acceptances, 
                                                securities, 
                                                mortgage loans, 
                                                or interests as 
                                                described 
                                                above, at a 
                                                date certain 
                                                not later than 
                                                1 year after 
                                                such transfers 
                                                or on demand, 
                                                against the 
                                                transfer of 
                                                funds, or any 
                                                other similar 
                                                agreement;
                                                    ``(BB) any 
                                                combination of 
                                                agreements or 
                                                transactions 
                                                referred to in 
                                                subitems (AA) 
                                                and (CC);
                                                    ``(CC) any 
                                                option to enter 
                                                into any 
                                                agreement or 
                                                transaction 
                                                referred to in 
                                                subitem (AA) or 
                                                (BB);
                                                    ``(DD) a 
                                                master 
                                                agreement that 
                                                provides for an 
                                                agreement or 
                                                transaction 
                                                referred to in 
                                                subitem (AA), 
                                                (BB), or (CC), 
                                                together with 
                                                all supplements 
                                                to any such 
                                                master 
                                                agreement, 
                                                without regard 
                                                to whether the 
                                                master 
                                                agreement 
                                                provides for an 
                                                agreement or 
                                                transaction 
                                                that is not a 
                                                repurchase 
                                                agreement under 
                                                this item, 
                                                except that the 
                                                master 
                                                agreement shall 
                                                be considered 
                                                to be a 
                                                repurchase 
                                                agreement under 
                                                this item only 
                                                with respect to 
                                                each agreement 
                                                or transaction 
                                                under the 
                                                master 
                                                agreement that 
                                                is referred to 
                                                in subitem 
                                                (AA), (BB), or 
                                                (CC); and
                                                    ``(EE) any 
                                                security 
                                                agreement or 
                                                arrangement or 
                                                other credit 
                                                enhancement 
                                                related to any 
                                                agreement or 
                                                transaction 
                                                referred to in 
                                                any of subitems 
                                                (AA) through 
                                                (DD), including 
                                                any guarantee 
                                                or 
                                                reimbursement 
                                                obligation in 
                                                connection with 
                                                any agreement 
                                                or transaction 
                                                referred to in 
                                                any such 
                                                subitem; and
                                            ``(bb) does not 
                                        include any repurchase 
                                        obligation under a 
                                        participation in a 
                                        commercial mortgage, 
                                        loan unless the 
                                        Corporation determines 
                                        by regulation, 
                                        resolution, or order to 
                                        include any such 
                                        participation within 
                                        the meaning of such 
                                        term.
                                    ``(II) Related 
                                definition.--For purposes of 
                                subclause (I)(aa), the term 
                                `qualified foreign government 
                                security' means a security that 
                                is a direct obligation of, or 
                                that is fully guaranteed by, 
                                the central government of a 
                                member of the Organization for 
                                Economic Cooperation and 
                                Development (as determined by 
                                regulation or order adopted by 
                                the appropriate Federal banking 
                                authority).
                            ``(vi) Securities contract.--The 
                        term `securities contract'--
                                    ``(I) means--
                                            ``(aa) a contract 
                                        for the purchase, sale, 
                                        or loan of a security, 
                                        a certificate of 
                                        deposit, a mortgage 
                                        loan, any interest in a 
                                        mortgage loan, a group 
                                        or index of securities, 
                                        certificates of 
                                        deposit, or mortgage 
                                        loans or interests 
                                        therein (including any 
                                        interest therein or 
                                        based on the value 
                                        thereof) or any option 
                                        on any of the 
                                        foregoing, including 
                                        any option to purchase 
                                        or sell any such 
                                        security, certificate 
                                        of deposit, mortgage 
                                        loan, interest, group 
                                        or index, or option, 
                                        and including any 
                                        repurchase or reverse 
                                        repurchase transaction 
                                        on any such security, 
                                        certificate of deposit, 
                                        mortgage loan, 
                                        interest, group or 
                                        index, or option 
                                        (whether or not the 
                                        repurchase or reverse 
                                        repurchase transaction 
                                        is a repurchase 
                                        agreement);
                                            ``(bb) any option 
                                        entered into on a 
                                        national securities 
                                        exchange relating to 
                                        foreign currencies;
                                            ``(cc) the 
                                        guarantee (including by 
                                        novation) by or to any 
                                        securities clearing 
                                        agency of any 
                                        settlement of cash, 
                                        securities, 
                                        certificates of 
                                        deposit, mortgage loans 
                                        or interests therein, 
                                        group or index of 
                                        securities, 
                                        certificates of 
                                        deposit, or mortgage 
                                        loans or interests 
                                        therein (including any 
                                        interest therein or 
                                        based on the value 
                                        thereof) or option on 
                                        any of the foregoing, 
                                        including any option to 
                                        purchase or sell any 
                                        such security, 
                                        certificate of deposit, 
                                        mortgage loan, 
                                        interest, group or 
                                        index, or option 
                                        (whether or not the 
                                        settlement is in 
                                        connection with any 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction referred to 
                                        in any of items (aa), 
                                        (bb), and (dd) through 
                                        (kk));
                                            ``(dd) any margin 
                                        loan;
                                            ``(ee) any 
                                        extension of credit for 
                                        the clearance or 
                                        settlement of 
                                        securities 
                                        transactions;
                                            ``(ff) any loan 
                                        transaction coupled 
                                        with a securities 
                                        collar transaction, any 
                                        prepaid securities 
                                        forward transaction, or 
                                        any total return swap 
                                        transaction coupled 
                                        with a securities sale 
                                        transaction;
                                            ``(gg) any other 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction that is 
                                        similar to any 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction referred to 
                                        in this subclause;
                                            ``(hh) any 
                                        combination of the 
                                        agreements or 
                                        transactions referred 
                                        to in this subclause;
                                            ``(ii) any option 
                                        to enter into any 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction referred to 
                                        in this subclause;
                                            ``(jj) a master 
                                        agreement that provides 
                                        for an agreement or 
                                        transaction referred to 
                                        in any of items (aa) 
                                        through (ii), together 
                                        with all supplements to 
                                        any such master 
                                        agreement, without 
                                        regard to whether the 
                                        master agreement 
                                        provides for an 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction that is not 
                                        a securities contract 
                                        under this subclause, 
                                        except that the master 
                                        agreement shall be 
                                        considered to be a 
                                        securities contract 
                                        under this subclause 
                                        only with respect to 
                                        each agreement or 
                                        transaction under the 
                                        master agreement that 
                                        is referred to in item 
                                        (aa), (bb), (cc), (dd), 
                                        (ee), (ff), (gg), (hh), 
                                        or (ii); and
                                            ``(kk) any security 
                                        agreement or 
                                        arrangement or other 
                                        credit enhancement 
                                        related to any 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction referred to 
                                        in this subclause, 
                                        including any guarantee 
                                        or reimbursement 
                                        obligation in 
                                        connection with any 
                                        agreement or 
                                        transaction referred to 
                                        in this subclause; and
                                    ``(II) does not include any 
                                purchase, sale, or repurchase 
                                obligation under a 
                                participation in a commercial 
                                mortgage loan unless the 
                                Corporation determines by 
                                regulation, resolution, or 
                                order to include any such 
                                agreement within the meaning of 
                                such term.
                            ``(vii) Swap agreement.--The term 
                        `swap agreement' means--
                                    ``(I) any agreement, 
                                including the terms and 
                                conditions incorporated by 
                                reference in any such 
                                agreement, that is--
                                            ``(aa) an interest 
                                        rate swap, option, 
                                        future, or forward 
                                        agreement, including a 
                                        rate floor, rate cap, 
                                        rate collar, cross-
                                        currency rate swap, and 
                                        basis swap;
                                            ``(bb) a spot, same 
                                        day-tomorrow, tomorrow-
                                        next, forward, or other 
                                        foreign exchange 
                                        precious metals or 
                                        other commodity 
                                        agreement;
                                            ``(cc) a currency 
                                        swap, option, future, 
                                        or forward agreement;
                                            ``(dd) an equity 
                                        index or equity swap, 
                                        option, future, or 
                                        forward agreement;
                                            ``(ee) a debt index 
                                        or debt swap, option, 
                                        future, or forward 
                                        agreement;
                                            ``(ff) a total 
                                        return, credit spread 
                                        or credit swap, option, 
                                        future, or forward 
                                        agreement;
                                            ``(gg) a commodity 
                                        index or commodity 
                                        swap, option, future, 
                                        or forward agreement;
                                            ``(hh) a weather 
                                        swap, option, future, 
                                        or forward agreement;
                                            ``(ii) an emissions 
                                        swap, option, future, 
                                        or forward agreement; 
                                        or
                                            ``(jj) an inflation 
                                        swap, option, future, 
                                        or forward agreement;
                                    ``(II) any agreement or 
                                transaction that is similar to 
                                any other agreement or 
                                transaction referred to in this 
                                clause and that is of a type 
                                that has been, is presently, or 
                                in the future becomes, the 
                                subject of recurrent dealings 
                                in the swap or other 
                                derivatives markets (including 
                                terms and conditions 
                                incorporated by reference in 
                                such agreement) and that is a 
                                forward, swap, future, option 
                                or spot transaction on one or 
                                more rates, currencies, 
                                commodities, equity securities 
                                or other equity instruments, 
                                debt securities or other debt 
                                instruments, quantitative 
                                measures associated with an 
                                occurrence, extent of an 
                                occurrence, or contingency 
                                associated with a financial, 
                                commercial, or economic 
                                consequence, or economic or 
                                financial indices or measures 
                                of economic or financial risk 
                                or value;
                                    ``(III) any combination of 
                                agreements or transactions 
                                referred to in this clause;
                                    ``(IV) any option to enter 
                                into any agreement or 
                                transaction referred to in this 
                                clause;
                                    ``(V) a master agreement 
                                that provides for an agreement 
                                or transaction referred to in 
                                any of subclauses (I) through 
                                (IV), together with all 
                                supplements to any such master 
                                agreement, without regard to 
                                whether the master agreement 
                                contains an agreement or 
                                transaction that is not a swap 
                                agreement under this clause, 
                                except that the master 
                                agreement shall be considered 
                                to be a swap agreement under 
                                this clause only with respect 
                                to each agreement or 
                                transaction under the master 
                                agreement that is referred to 
                                in subclause (I), (II), (III), 
                                or (IV); and
                                    ``(VI) any security 
                                agreement or arrangement or 
                                other credit enhancement 
                                related to any agreements or 
                                transactions referred to in any 
                                of subclauses (I) through (V), 
                                including any guarantee or 
                                reimbursement obligation in 
                                connection with any agreement 
                                or transaction referred to in 
                                any such subclause.
                            ``(viii) Transfer.--The term 
                        `transfer' means every mode, direct or 
                        indirect, absolute or conditional, 
                        voluntary or involuntary, of disposing 
                        of or parting with property or with an 
                        interest in property, including 
                        retention of title as a security 
                        interest and foreclosure of the equity 
                        of redemption of a System institution.
                            ``(ix) Treatment of master 
                        agreement as 1 agreement.--For purposes 
                        of this subparagraph--
                                    ``(I) any master agreement 
                                for any contract or agreement 
                                described in this subparagraph 
                                (or any master agreement for 
                                such a master agreement or 
                                agreements), together with all 
                                supplements to the master 
                                agreement, shall be treated as 
                                a single agreement and a single 
                                qualified financial contact; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) if a master 
                                agreement contains provisions 
                                relating to agreements or 
                                transactions that are not 
                                qualified financial contracts, 
                                the master agreement shall be 
                                deemed to be a qualified 
                                financial contract only with 
                                respect to those transactions 
                                that are themselves qualified 
                                financial contracts.
                    ``(B) Rights of parties to contracts.--
                Subject to paragraphs (9) and (10), and 
                notwithstanding any other provision of this Act 
                (other than subsection (b)(9) and section 
                5.61(d)) or any other Federal or State law, no 
                person shall be stayed or prohibited from 
                exercising--
                            ``(i) any right such person has to 
                        cause the termination, liquidation, or 
                        acceleration of any qualified financial 
                        contract with a System institution 
                        which arises upon the appointment of 
                        the Corporation as receiver for such 
                        System institution at any time after 
                        such appointment;
                            ``(ii) any right under any security 
                        agreement or arrangement or other 
                        credit enhancement related to one or 
                        more qualified financial contracts 
                        described in clause (i); or
                            ``(iii) any right to offset or net 
                        out any termination value, payment 
                        amount, or other transfer obligation 
                        arising under, or in connection with, 1 
                        or more contracts and agreements 
                        described in clause (i), including any 
                        master agreement for such contracts or 
                        agreements.
                    ``(C) Applicability of other provisions.--
                Subsection (b)(12) shall apply in the case of 
                any judicial action or proceeding brought 
                against any receiver referred to in 
                subparagraph (A), or the System institution for 
                which such receiver was appointed, by any party 
                to a contract or agreement described in 
                subparagraph (B)(i) with such System 
                institution.
                    ``(D) Certain transfers not avoidable.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding 
                        paragraph (11) or any other Federal or 
                        State law relating to the avoidance of 
                        preferential or fraudulent transfers, 
                        the Corporation, whether acting as such 
                        or as conservator or receiver of a 
                        System institution, may not avoid any 
                        transfer of money or other property in 
                        connection with any qualified financial 
                        contract with a System institution.
                            ``(ii) Exception for certain 
                        transfers.--Clause (i) shall not apply 
                        to any transfer of money or other 
                        property in connection with any 
                        qualified financial contract with a 
                        System institution if the Corporation 
                        determines that the transferee had 
                        actual intent to hinder, delay, or 
                        defraud such System institution, the 
                        creditors of such System institution, 
                        or any conservator or receiver 
                        appointed for such System institution.
                    ``(E) Certain protections in event of 
                appointment of conservator.--Notwithstanding 
                any other provision of this Act (other than 
                subparagraph (G), paragraph (10), subsection 
                (b)(9), and section 5.61(d)) or any other 
                Federal or State law, no person shall be stayed 
                or prohibited from exercising--
                            ``(i) any right such person has to 
                        cause the termination, liquidation, or 
                        acceleration of any qualified financial 
                        contract with a System institution in a 
                        conservatorship based upon a default 
                        under such financial contract which is 
                        enforceable under applicable 
                        noninsolvency law;
                            ``(ii) any right under any security 
                        agreement or arrangement or other 
                        credit enhancement related to one or 
                        more qualified financial contracts 
                        described in clause (i); and
                            ``(iii) any right to offset or net 
                        out any termination values, payment 
                        amounts, or other transfer obligations 
                        arising under or in connection with 
                        such qualified financial contracts.
                    ``(F) Clarification.--No provision of law 
                shall be construed as limiting the right or 
                power of the Corporation, or authorizing any 
                court or agency to limit or delay, in any 
                manner, the right or power of the Corporation 
                to transfer any qualified financial contract in 
                accordance with paragraphs (9) and (10) or to 
                disaffirm or repudiate any such contract in 
                accordance with paragraph (1).
                    ``(G) Walkaway clauses not effective.--
                            ``(i) Definition of walkaway 
                        clause.--In this subparagraph, the term 
                        `walkaway clause' means any provision 
                        in a qualified financial contract that 
                        suspends, conditions, or extinguishes a 
                        payment obligation of a party, in whole 
                        or in part, or does not create a 
                        payment obligation of a party that 
                        would otherwise exist--
                                    ``(I) solely because of--
                                            ``(aa) the status 
                                        of the party as a 
                                        nondefaulting party in 
                                        connection with the 
                                        insolvency of a System 
                                        institution that is a 
                                        party to the contract; 
                                        or
                                            ``(bb) the 
                                        appointment of, or the 
                                        exercise of rights or 
                                        powers by, the 
                                        Corporation as a 
                                        conservator or receiver 
                                        of the System 
                                        institution; and
                                    ``(II) not as a result of 
                                the exercise by a party of any 
                                right to offset, setoff, or net 
                                obligations that exist under--
                                            ``(aa) the 
                                        contract;
                                            ``(bb) any other 
                                        contract between those 
                                        parties; or
                                            ``(cc) applicable 
                                        law.
                            ``(ii) Treatment.--Notwithstanding 
                        the provisions of subparagraphs (B) and 
                        (E), no walkaway clause shall be 
                        enforceable in a qualified financial 
                        contract of a System institution in 
                        default.
                            ``(iii) Limited suspension of 
                        certain obligations.--In the case of a 
                        qualified financial contract referred 
                        to in clause (ii), any payment or 
                        delivery obligations otherwise due from 
                        a party pursuant to the qualified 
                        financial contract shall be suspended 
                        from the time the receiver is appointed 
                        until the earlier of--
                                    ``(I) the time such party 
                                receives notice that such 
                                contract has been transferred 
                                pursuant to subparagraph (B); 
                                or
                                    ``(II) 5:00 p.m. (eastern 
                                time) on the business day 
                                following the date of the 
                                appointment of the receiver.
                    ``(H) Recordkeeping requirements.--The 
                Corporation, in consultation with the Farm 
                Credit Administration, may prescribe 
                regulations requiring more detailed 
                recordkeeping by any System institution with 
                respect to qualified financial contracts 
                (including market valuations), only if such 
                System institution is subject to subclause (I), 
                (III), or (IV) of section 5.61B(a)(1)(A)(ii).
            ``(9) Transfer of qualified financial contracts.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Clearing organization.--The 
                        term `clearing organization' has the 
                        meaning given the term in section 402 
                        of the Federal Deposit Insurance 
                        Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 
                        U.S.C. 4402).
                            ``(ii) Financial institution.--The 
                        term `financial institution' means a 
                        System institution, a broker or dealer, 
                        a depository institution, a futures 
                        commission merchant, or any other 
                        institution, as determined by the 
                        Corporation by regulation to be a 
                        financial institution.
                    ``(B) Requirement.--In making any transfer 
                of assets or liabilities of a System 
                institution in default which includes any 
                qualified financial contract, the conservator 
                or receiver for such System institution shall 
                either--
                            ``(i) transfer to one financial 
                        institution, other than a financial 
                        institution for which a conservator, 
                        receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, or 
                        other legal custodian has been 
                        appointed, or that is otherwise the 
                        subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency 
                        proceeding--
                                    ``(I) all qualified 
                                financial contracts between any 
                                person or any affiliate of such 
                                person and the System 
                                institution in default;
                                    ``(II) all claims of such 
                                person or any affiliate of such 
                                person against such System 
                                institution under any such 
                                contract (other than any claim 
                                which, under the terms of any 
                                such contract, is subordinated 
                                to the claims of general 
                                unsecured creditors of such 
                                System institution);
                                    ``(III) all claims of such 
                                System institution against such 
                                person or any affiliate of such 
                                person under any such contract; 
                                and
                                    ``(IV) all property 
                                securing or any other credit 
                                enhancement for any contract 
                                described in subclause (I) or 
                                any claim described in 
                                subclause (II) or (III) under 
                                any such contract; or
                            ``(ii) transfer none of the 
                        qualified financial contracts, claims, 
                        property or other credit enhancement 
                        referred to in clause (i) (with respect 
                        to such person and any affiliate of 
                        such person).
                    ``(C) Transfer to foreign bank, foreign 
                financial institution, or branch or agency of a 
                foreign bank or financial institution.--In 
                transferring any qualified financial contracts 
                and related claims and property under 
                subparagraph (B)(i), the conservator or 
                receiver for the System institution shall not 
                make such transfer to a foreign bank, financial 
                institution organized under the laws of a 
                foreign country, or a branch or agency of a 
                foreign bank or financial institution unless, 
                under the law applicable to such bank, 
                financial institution, branch or agency, to the 
                qualified financial contracts, and to any 
                netting contract, any security agreement or 
                arrangement or other credit enhancement related 
                to one or more qualified financial contracts, 
                the contractual rights of the parties to such 
                qualified financial contracts, netting 
                contracts, security agreements or arrangements, 
                or other credit enhancements are enforceable 
                substantially to the same extent as permitted 
                under this section.
                    ``(D) Transfer of contracts subject to the 
                rules of a clearing organization.--In the event 
                that a conservator or receiver transfers any 
                qualified financial contract and related 
                claims, property, and credit enhancements 
                pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i) and such 
                contract is cleared by or subject to the rules 
                of a clearing organization, the clearing 
                organization shall not be required to accept 
                the transferee as a member by virtue of the 
                transfer.
            ``(10) Notification of transfer.--
                    ``(A) Definition of business day.--In this 
                paragraph, the term `business day' means any 
                day other than any Saturday, Sunday, or any day 
                on which either the New York Stock Exchange or 
                the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed.
                    ``(B) Notification.--If--
                            ``(i) the conservator or receiver 
                        for a System institution in default 
                        makes any transfer of the assets and 
                        liabilities of such System institution; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) the transfer includes any 
                        qualified financial contract, the 
                        conservator or receiver shall notify 
                        any person who is a party to any such 
                        contract of such transfer by 5:00 p.m. 
                        (eastern time) on the business day 
                        following the date of the appointment 
                        of the receiver in the case of a 
                        receivership, or the business day 
                        following such transfer in the case of 
                        a conservatorship.
                    ``(C) Certain rights not enforceable.--
                            ``(i) Receivership.--A person who 
                        is a party to a qualified financial 
                        contract with a System institution may 
                        not exercise any right that such person 
                        has to terminate, liquidate, or net 
                        such contract under paragraph (8)(B) of 
                        this subsection, solely by reason of or 
                        incidental to the appointment of a 
                        receiver for the System institution (or 
                        the insolvency or financial condition 
                        of the System institution for which the 
                        receiver has been appointed)--
                                    ``(I) until 5:00 p.m. 
                                (eastern time) on the business 
                                day following the date of the 
                                appointment of the receiver; or
                                    ``(II) after the person has 
                                received notice that the 
                                contract has been transferred 
                                pursuant to paragraph (9)(B).
                            ``(ii) Conservatorship.--A person 
                        who is a party to a qualified financial 
                        contract with a System institution may 
                        not exercise any right that such person 
                        has to terminate, liquidate, or net 
                        such contract under paragraph (8)(E) of 
                        this subsection, solely by reason of or 
                        incidental to the appointment of a 
                        conservator for the System institution 
                        (or the insolvency or financial 
                        condition of the System institution for 
                        which the conservator has been 
                        appointed).
                            ``(iii) Notice.--For purposes of 
                        this paragraph, the Corporation as 
                        receiver or conservator of a System 
                        institution shall be deemed to have 
                        notified a person who is a party to a 
                        qualified financial contract with such 
                        System institution if the Corporation 
                        has taken steps reasonably calculated 
                        to provide notice to such person by the 
                        time specified in subparagraph (B).
                    ``(D) Treatment of bridge system 
                institutions.--The following System 
                institutions shall not be considered to be a 
                financial institution for which a conservator, 
                receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal 
                custodian has been appointed or which is 
                otherwise the subject of a bankruptcy or 
                insolvency proceeding for purposes of paragraph 
                (9):
                            ``(i) A bridge System bank.
                            ``(ii) A System institution 
                        organized by the Corporation or the 
                        Farm Credit Administration, for which a 
                        conservator is appointed either--
                                    ``(I) immediately upon the 
                                organization of the System 
                                institution; or
                                    ``(II) at the time of a 
                                purchase and assumption 
                                transaction between the System 
                                institution and the Corporation 
                                as receiver for a System 
                                institution in default.
            ``(11) Disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified 
        financial contracts.--In exercising the rights of 
        disaffirmance or repudiation of a conservator or 
        receiver with respect to any qualified financial 
        contract to which a System institution is a party, the 
        conservator or receiver for such System institution 
        shall either--
                    ``(A) disaffirm or repudiate all qualified 
                financial contracts between--
                            ``(i) any person or any affiliate 
                        of such person; and
                            ``(ii) the System institution in 
                        default; or
                    ``(B) disaffirm or repudiate none of the 
                qualified financial contracts referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) (with respect to such person 
                or any affiliate of such person).
            ``(12) Certain security interests not avoidable.--
        No provision of this subsection shall be construed as 
        permitting the avoidance of any legally enforceable or 
        perfected security interest in any of the assets of any 
        System institution except where such an interest is 
        taken in contemplation of the System institution's 
        insolvency or with the intent to hinder, delay, or 
        defraud the System institution or the creditors of such 
        System institution.
            ``(13) Authority to enforce contracts.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The conservator or 
                receiver may enforce any contract, other than a 
                director's or officer's liability insurance 
                contract or a System institution bond, entered 
                into by the System institution notwithstanding 
                any provision of the contract providing for 
                termination, default, acceleration, or exercise 
                of rights upon, or solely by reason of, 
                insolvency or the appointment of or the 
                exercise of rights or powers by a conservator 
                or receiver.
                    ``(B) Certain rights not affected.--No 
                provision of this paragraph may be construed as 
                impairing or affecting any right of the 
                conservator or receiver to enforce or recover 
                under a director's or officer's liability 
                insurance contract or institution bond under 
                other applicable law.
                    ``(C) Consent requirement.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        otherwise provided by this section, no 
                        person may exercise any right or power 
                        to terminate, accelerate, or declare a 
                        default under any contract to which the 
                        System institution is a party, or to 
                        obtain possession of or exercise 
                        control over any property of the System 
                        institution or affect any contractual 
                        rights of the System institution, 
                        without the consent of the conservator 
                        or receiver, as appropriate, during the 
                        45-day period beginning on the date of 
                        the appointment of the conservator, or 
                        during the 90-day period beginning on 
                        the date of the appointment of the 
                        receiver, as applicable.
                            ``(ii) Certain exceptions.--No 
                        provision of this subparagraph shall 
                        apply to a director or officer 
                        liability insurance contract or an 
                        institution bond, to the rights of 
                        parties to certain qualified financial 
                        contracts pursuant to paragraph (8), or 
                        shall be construed as permitting the 
                        conservator or receiver to fail to 
                        comply with otherwise enforceable 
                        provisions of such contract.
            ``(14) Exception for federal reserve and the united 
        states treasury.--No provision of this subsection shall 
        apply with respect to--
                    ``(A) any extension of credit from any 
                Federal Reserve bank or the United States 
                Treasury to any System institution; or
                    ``(B) any security interest in the assets 
                of the System institution securing any such 
                extension of credit.
            ``(15) Savings clause.--The meanings of terms used 
        in this subsection--
                    ``(A) are applicable for purposes of this 
                subsection only; and
                    ``(B) shall not be construed or applied so 
                as to challenge or affect the characterization, 
                definition, or treatment of any similar terms 
                under any other law, regulation, or rule, 
                including--
                            ``(i) the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act 
                        (12 U.S.C. 1811 note; Public Law 106-
                        102);
                            ``(ii) the Legal Certainty for Bank 
                        Products Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 27 et 
                        seq.);
                            ``(iii) the securities laws (as 
                        that term is defined in section 3(a) of 
                        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 
                        U.S.C. 78c(a))); and
                            ``(iv) the Commodity Exchange Act 
                        (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
    ``(d) Valuation of Claims in Default.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of Federal law or the law of any State and 
        regardless of the method which the Corporation 
        determines to utilize with respect to a System 
        institution in default or in danger of default, 
        including transactions authorized under subsection (h) 
        and section 5.61(a), this subsection shall govern the 
        rights of the creditors of such System institution.
            ``(2) Maximum liability.--The maximum liability of 
        the Corporation, acting as receiver or in any other 
        capacity, to any person having a claim against the 
        receiver or the System institution for which such 
        receiver is appointed shall equal the amount such 
        claimant would have received if the Corporation had 
        liquidated the assets and liabilities of such System 
        institution without exercising the Corporation's 
        authority under subsection (h) or section 5.61(a).
            ``(3) Additional payments authorized.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation may, in 
                its discretion and in the interests of 
                minimizing its losses, use its own resources to 
                make additional payments or credit additional 
                amounts to or with respect to or for the 
                account of any claimant or category of 
                claimants. Notwithstanding any other provision 
                of Federal or State law, or the constitution of 
                any State, the Corporation shall not be 
                obligated, as a result of having made any such 
                payment or credited any such amount to or with 
                respect to or for the account of any claimant 
                or category of claimants, to make payments to 
                any other claimant or category of claimants.
                    ``(B) Manner of payment.--The Corporation 
                may make the payments or credit the amounts 
                specified in subparagraph (A) directly to the 
                claimants or may make such payments or credit 
                such amounts to an open System institution to 
                induce such System institution to accept 
                liability for such claims.
    ``(e) Limitation on Court Action.--Except as provided in 
this section, no court may take any action, except at the 
written request of the Board of Directors, to restrain or 
affect the exercise of powers or functions of the Corporation 
as a conservator or a receiver.
    ``(f) Liability of Directors and Officers.--
            ``(1) In general.--A director or officer of a 
        System institution may be held personally liable for 
        monetary damages in any civil action--
                    ``(A) brought by, on behalf of, or at the 
                request or direction of the Corporation;
                    ``(B) prosecuted wholly or partially for 
                the benefit of the Corporation--
                            ``(i) acting as conservator or 
                        receiver of that System institution;
                            ``(ii) acting based on a suit, 
                        claim, or cause of action purchased 
                        from, assigned by, or otherwise 
                        conveyed by that receiver or 
                        conservator; or
                            ``(iii) acting based on a suit, 
                        claim, or cause of action purchased 
                        from, assigned by, or otherwise 
                        conveyed in whole or in part by a 
                        System institution or an affiliate of a 
                        System institution in connection with 
                        assistance provided under section 
                        5.61(a); and
                    ``(C) for, as determined under the 
                applicable State law--
                            ``(i) gross negligence; or
                            ``(ii) any similar conduct, 
                        including conduct that demonstrates a 
                        greater disregard of a duty of care 
                        than gross negligence, such as 
                        intentional tortious conduct.
            ``(2) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph (1) impairs or 
        affects any right of the Corporation under any other 
        applicable law.
    ``(g) Damages.--In any proceeding related to any claim 
against a System institution's director, officer, employee, 
agent, attorney, accountant, appraiser, or any other party 
employed by or providing services to a System institution, 
recoverable damages determined to result from the improvident 
or otherwise improper use or investment of any System 
institution's assets shall include principal losses and 
appropriate interest.
    ``(h) Bridge Farm Credit System Banks.--
            ``(1) Organization.--
                    ``(A) Purpose.--
                            ``(i) In general.--When 1 or more 
                        System banks are in default, or when 
                        the Corporation anticipates that 1 or 
                        more System banks may become in 
                        default, the Corporation may, in its 
                        discretion, organize, and the Farm 
                        Credit Administration may, in its 
                        discretion, charter, 1 or more System 
                        banks, with the powers and attributes 
                        of System banks, subject to the 
                        provisions of this subsection, to be 
                        referred to as `bridge System banks'.
                            ``(ii) Intent of congress.--It is 
                        the intent of the Congress that, in 
                        order to prevent unnecessary hardship 
                        or losses to the customers of any 
                        System bank in default with respect to 
                        which a bridge System bank is 
                        chartered, the Corporation should--
                                    ``(I) continue to honor 
                                commitments made by the System 
                                bank in default to creditworthy 
                                customers; and
                                    ``(II) not interrupt or 
                                terminate adequately secured 
                                loans which are transferred 
                                under this subsection and are 
                                being repaid by the debtor in 
                                accordance with the terms of 
                                the loan instrument.
                    ``(B) Authorities.--Once chartered by the 
                Farm Credit Administration, the bridge System 
                bank may--
                            ``(i) assume such liabilities of 
                        the System bank or banks in default or 
                        in danger of default as the Corporation 
                        may, in its discretion, determine to be 
                        appropriate;
                            ``(ii) purchase such assets of the 
                        System bank or banks in default or in 
                        danger of default as the Corporation 
                        may, in its discretion, determine to be 
                        appropriate; and
                            ``(iii) perform any other temporary 
                        function which the Corporation may, in 
                        its discretion, prescribe in accordance 
                        with this Act.
                    ``(C) Articles of association.--The 
                articles of association and organization 
                certificate of a bridge System bank as approved 
                by the Corporation shall be executed by 3 
                representatives designated by the Corporation.
                    ``(D) Interim directors.--A bridge System 
                bank shall have an interim board of directors 
                consisting of not fewer than 5 nor more than 10 
                members appointed by the Corporation.
            ``(2) Chartering.--
                    ``(A) Conditions.--The Farm Credit 
                Administration may charter a bridge System bank 
                only if the Board of Directors determines 
                that--
                            ``(i) the amount which is 
                        reasonably necessary to operate such 
                        bridge System bank will not exceed the 
                        amount which is reasonably necessary to 
                        save the cost of liquidating 1 or more 
                        System banks in default or in danger of 
                        default with respect to which the 
                        bridge System bank is chartered;
                            ``(ii) the continued operation of 
                        such System bank or banks in default or 
                        in danger of default with respect to 
                        which the bridge System bank is 
                        chartered is essential to provide 
                        adequate farm credit services in the 1 
                        or more communities where each such 
                        System bank in default or in danger of 
                        default is or was providing those farm 
                        credit services; or
                            ``(iii) the continued operation of 
                        such System bank or banks in default or 
                        in danger of default with respect to 
                        which the bridge System bank is 
                        chartered is in the best interest of 
                        the Farm Credit System or the public.
                    ``(B) Bridge system bank treated as being 
                in default for certain purposes.--A bridge 
                System bank shall be treated as being in 
                default at such times and for such purposes as 
                the Corporation may, in its discretion, 
                determine.
                    ``(C) Management.--A bridge System bank, 
                upon the granting of its charter, shall be 
                under the management of a board of directors 
                consisting of not fewer than 5 nor more than 10 
                members appointed by the Corporation, in 
                consultation with the Farm Credit 
                Administration.
                    ``(D) Bylaws.--The board of directors of a 
                bridge System bank shall adopt such bylaws as 
                may be approved by the Corporation.
            ``(3) Transfer of assets and liabilities.--
                    ``(A) Transfer upon grant of charter.--Upon 
                the granting of a charter to a bridge System 
                bank pursuant to this subsection, the 
                Corporation, as receiver, may transfer any 
                assets and liabilities of the System bank to 
                the bridge System bank in accordance with 
                paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Subsequent transfers.--At any time 
                after a charter is granted to a bridge System 
                bank, the Corporation, as receiver, may 
                transfer any assets and liabilities of such 
                System bank in default as the Corporation may, 
                in its discretion, determine to be appropriate 
                in accordance with paragraph (1).
                    ``(C) Effective without approval.--The 
                transfer of any assets or liabilities of a 
                System bank in default or danger of default 
                transferred to a bridge System bank shall be 
                effective without any further approval under 
                Federal or State law, assignment, or consent 
                with respect thereto.
            ``(4) Powers of bridge system banks.--Each bridge 
        System bank chartered under this subsection shall, to 
        the extent described in the charter of the System bank 
        in default with respect to which the bridge System bank 
        is chartered, have all corporate powers of, and be 
        subject to the same provisions of law as, any System 
        bank, except that--
                    ``(A) the Corporation may--
                            ``(i) remove the interim directors 
                        and directors of a bridge System bank;
                            ``(ii) fix the compensation of 
                        members of the interim board of 
                        directors and the board of directors 
                        and senior management, as determined by 
                        the Corporation in its discretion, of a 
                        bridge System bank; and
                            ``(iii) waive any requirement 
                        established under Federal or State law 
                        which would otherwise be applicable 
                        with respect to directors of a bridge 
                        System bank, on the condition that the 
                        waiver of any requirement established 
                        by the Farm Credit Administration shall 
                        require the concurrence of the Farm 
                        Credit Administration;
                    ``(B) the Corporation may indemnify the 
                representatives for purposes of paragraph 
                (1)(B) and the interim directors, directors, 
                officers, employees, and agents of a bridge 
                System bank on such terms as the Corporation 
                determines to be appropriate;
                    ``(C) no requirement under any provision of 
                law relating to the capital of a System 
                institution shall apply with respect to a 
                bridge System bank;
                    ``(D) the Farm Credit Administration Board 
                may establish a limitation on the extent to 
                which any person may become indebted to a 
                bridge System bank without regard to the amount 
                of the bridge System bank's capital or surplus;
                    ``(E)(i) the board of directors of a bridge 
                System bank shall elect a chairperson who may 
                also serve in the position of chief executive 
                officer, except that such person shall not 
                serve either as chairperson or as chief 
                executive officer without the prior approval of 
                the Corporation; and
                    ``(ii) the board of directors of a bridge 
                System bank may appoint a chief executive 
                officer who is not also the chairperson, except 
                that such person shall not serve as chief 
                executive officer without the prior approval of 
                the Corporation;
                    ``(F) the Farm Credit Administration may 
                waive any requirement for a fidelity bond with 
                respect to a bridge System bank at the request 
                of the Corporation;
                    ``(G) any judicial action to which a bridge 
                System bank becomes a party by virtue of its 
                acquisition of any assets or assumption of any 
                liabilities of a System bank in default shall 
                be stayed from further proceedings for a period 
                of up to 45 days at the request of the bridge 
                System bank;
                    ``(H) no agreement which tends to diminish 
                or defeat the right, title or interest of a 
                bridge System bank in any asset of a System 
                bank in default acquired by it shall be valid 
                against the bridge System bank unless such 
                agreement--
                            ``(i) is in writing;
                            ``(ii) was executed by such System 
                        bank in default and the person or 
                        persons claiming an adverse interest 
                        thereunder, including the obligor, 
                        contemporaneously with the acquisition 
                        of the asset by such System bank in 
                        default;
                            ``(iii) was approved by the board 
                        of directors of such System bank in 
                        default or its loan committee, which 
                        approval shall be reflected in the 
                        minutes of said board or committee; and
                            ``(iv) has been, continuously from 
                        the time of its execution, an official 
                        record of such System bank in default;
                    ``(I) notwithstanding subsection 
                5.61(d)(2), any agreement relating to an 
                extension of credit between a System bank, 
                Federal Reserve bank, or the United States 
                Treasury and any System institution which was 
                executed before the extension of credit by such 
                lender to such System institution shall be 
                treated as having been executed 
                contemporaneously with such extension of credit 
                for purposes of subparagraph (H); and
                    ``(J) except with the prior approval of the 
                Corporation and the concurrence of the Farm 
                Credit Administration, a bridge System bank may 
                not, in any transaction or series of 
                transactions, issue capital stock or be a party 
                to any merger, consolidation, disposition of 
                substantially all of the assets or liabilities 
                of the bridge System bank, sale or exchange of 
                capital stock, or similar transaction, or 
                change its charter.
            ``(5) Capital.--
                    ``(A) No capital required.--The Corporation 
                shall not be required to--
                            ``(i) issue any capital stock on 
                        behalf of a bridge System bank 
                        chartered under this subsection; or
                            ``(ii) purchase any capital stock 
                        of a bridge System bank, except that 
                        notwithstanding any other provision of 
                        Federal or State law, the Corporation 
                        may purchase and retain capital stock 
                        of a bridge System bank in such amounts 
                        and on such terms as the Corporation, 
                        in its discretion, determines to be 
                        appropriate.
                    ``(B) Operating funds in lieu of capital.--
                Upon the organization of a bridge System bank, 
                and thereafter, as the Corporation may, in its 
                discretion, determine to be necessary or 
                advisable, the Corporation may make available 
                to the bridge System bank, upon such terms and 
                conditions and in such form and amounts as the 
                Corporation may in its discretion determine, 
                funds for the operation of the bridge System 
                bank in lieu of capital.
                    ``(C) Authority to issue capital stock.--
                Whenever the Farm Credit Administration Board 
                determines it is advisable to do so, the 
                Corporation shall cause capital stock of a 
                bridge System bank to be issued and offered for 
                sale in such amounts and on such terms and 
                conditions as the Corporation may, in its 
                discretion, determine.
            ``(6) Employee status.--Representatives for 
        purposes of paragraph (1)(C), interim directors, 
        directors, officers, employees, or agents of a bridge 
        System bank are not, solely by virtue of service in any 
        such capacity, officers or employees of the United 
        States. Any employee of the Corporation, the Farm 
        Credit Administration, or any Federal instrumentality 
        who serves at the request of the Corporation as a 
        representative for purposes of paragraph (1)(C), 
        interim director, director, officer, employee, or agent 
        of a bridge System bank shall not--
                    ``(A) solely by virtue of service in any 
                such capacity lose any existing status as an 
                officer or employee of the United States for 
                purposes of any provision of law; or
                    ``(B) receive any salary or benefits for 
                service in any such capacity with respect to a 
                bridge System bank in addition to such salary 
                or benefits as are obtained through employment 
                with the Corporation or such Federal 
                instrumentality.
            ``(7) Assistance authorized.--The Corporation may, 
        in its discretion, provide assistance under section 
        5.61(a) to facilitate any merger or consolidation of a 
        bridge System bank in the same manner and to the same 
        extent as such assistance may be provided to a 
        qualifying insured System bank (as defined in section 
        5.61(a)(2)(B)) or to facilitate a bridge System bank's 
        acquisition of any assets or the assumption of any 
        liabilities of a System bank in default or in danger of 
        default.
            ``(8) Duration of bridge system banks.--Subject to 
        paragraphs (10) and (11), the status of a bridge System 
        bank as such shall terminate at the end of the 2-year 
        period following the date it was granted a charter. The 
        Farm Credit Administration Board may, in its 
        discretion, extend the status of the bridge System bank 
        as such for 3 additional 1-year periods.
            ``(9) Termination of bridge system banks status.--
        The status of any bridge System bank as such shall 
        terminate upon the earliest of--
                    ``(A) the merger or consolidation of the 
                bridge System bank with a System institution 
                that is not a bridge System bank, on the 
                condition that the merger or consolidation 
                shall be subject to the approval of the Farm 
                Credit Administration;
                    ``(B) at the election of the Corporation 
                and with the approval of the Farm Credit 
                Administration, the sale of a majority or all 
                of the capital stock of the bridge System bank 
                to a System institution or another bridge 
                System bank;
                    ``(C) at the election of the Corporation, 
                and with the approval of the Farm Credit 
                Administration, either the assumption of all or 
                substantially all of the liabilities of the 
                bridge System bank, or the acquisition of all 
                or substantially all of the assets of the 
                bridge System bank, by a System institution 
                that is not a bridge System bank or other 
                entity as permitted under applicable law; and
                    ``(D) the expiration of the period provided 
                in paragraph (8), or the earlier dissolution of 
                the bridge System bank as provided in paragraph 
                (11).
            ``(10) Effect of termination events.--
                    ``(A) Merger or consolidation.--A bridge 
                System bank that participates in a merger or 
                consolidation as provided in paragraph (9)(A) 
                shall be for all purposes a System institution, 
                with all the rights, powers, and privileges 
                thereof, and such merger or consolidation shall 
                be conducted in accordance with, and shall have 
                the effect provided in, the provisions of 
                applicable law.
                    ``(B) Charter conversion.--Following the 
                sale of a majority or all of the capital stock 
                of the bridge System bank as provided in 
                paragraph (9)(B), the Farm Credit 
                Administration Board may amend the charter of 
                the bridge System bank to reflect the 
                termination of the status of the bridge System 
                bank as such, whereupon the System bank shall 
                remain a System bank, with all of the rights, 
                powers, and privileges thereof, subject to all 
                laws and regulations applicable thereto.
                    ``(C) Assumption of liabilities and sale of 
                assets.--Following the assumption of all or 
                substantially all of the liabilities of the 
                bridge System bank, or the sale of all or 
                substantially all of the assets of the bridge 
                System bank, as provided in paragraph (9)(C), 
                at the election of the Corporation, the bridge 
                System bank may retain its status as such for 
                the period provided in paragraph (8).
                    ``(D) Amendments to charter.--Following the 
                consummation of a transaction described in 
                subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (9), 
                the charter of the resulting System institution 
                shall be amended by the Farm Credit 
                Administration to reflect the termination of 
                bridge System bank status, if appropriate.
            ``(11) Dissolution of bridge system bank.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
                other provision of State or Federal law, if the 
                bridge System bank's status as such has not 
                previously been terminated by the occurrence of 
                an event specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or 
                (C) of paragraph (9)--
                            ``(i) the Corporation, after 
                        consultation with the Farm Credit 
                        Administration, may, in its discretion, 
                        dissolve a bridge System bank in 
                        accordance with this paragraph at any 
                        time; and
                            ``(ii) the Corporation, after 
                        consultation with the Farm Credit 
                        Administration, shall promptly commence 
                        dissolution proceedings in accordance 
                        with this paragraph upon the expiration 
                        of the 2-year period following the date 
                        the bridge System bank was chartered, 
                        or any extension thereof, as provided 
                        in paragraph (8).
                    ``(B) Procedures.--The Farm Credit 
                Administration Board shall appoint the 
                Corporation as receiver for a bridge System 
                bank upon determining to dissolve the bridge 
                System bank. The Corporation as such receiver 
                shall wind up the affairs of the bridge System 
                bank in conformity with the provisions of law 
                relating to the liquidation of closed System 
                banks. With respect to any such bridge System 
                bank, the Corporation as such receiver shall 
                have all the rights, powers, and privileges and 
                shall perform the duties related to the 
                exercise of such rights, powers, or privileges 
                granted by law to a receiver of any insured 
                System bank and, notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law in the exercise of such 
                rights, powers, and privileges, the Corporation 
                shall not be subject to the direction or 
                supervision of any State agency or other 
                Federal agency.
            ``(12) Multiple bridge system banks.--The 
        Corporation may, in the Corporation's discretion, 
        organize, and the Farm Credit Administration may, in 
        its discretion, charter, 2 or more bridge System banks 
        under this subsection to assume any liabilities and 
        purchase any assets of a single System institution in 
        default.
    ``(i) Certain Sales of Assets Prohibited.--
            ``(1) Persons who engaged in improper conduct with, 
        or caused losses to, system institutions.--The 
        Corporation shall prescribe regulations which, at a 
        minimum, shall prohibit the sale of assets of a failed 
        System institution by the Corporation to--
                    ``(A) any person who--
                            ``(i) has defaulted, or was a 
                        member of a partnership or an officer 
                        or director of a corporation that has 
                        defaulted, on 1 or more obligations the 
                        aggregate amount of which exceed 
                        $1,000,000, to such failed System 
                        institution;
                            ``(ii) has been found to have 
                        engaged in fraudulent activity in 
                        connection with any obligation referred 
                        to in clause (i); and
                            ``(iii) proposes to purchase any 
                        such asset in whole or in part through 
                        the use of the proceeds of a loan or 
                        advance of credit from the Corporation 
                        or from any System institution for 
                        which the Corporation has been 
                        appointed as conservator or receiver;
                    ``(B) any person who participated, as an 
                officer or director of such failed System 
                institution or of any affiliate of such System 
                institution, in a material way in transactions 
                that resulted in a substantial loss to such 
                failed System institution;
                    ``(C) any person who has been removed from, 
                or prohibited from participating in the affairs 
                of, such failed System institution pursuant to 
                any final enforcement action by the Farm Credit 
                Administration;
                    ``(D) any person who has demonstrated a 
                pattern or practice of defalcation regarding 
                obligations to such failed System institution; 
                or
                    ``(E) any person who is in default on any 
                loan or other extension of credit from such 
                failed System institution which, if not paid, 
                will cause substantial loss to the System 
                institution or the Corporation.
            ``(2) Defaulted debtors.--Except as provided in 
        paragraph (3), any person who is in default on any loan 
        or other extension of credit from the System 
        institution, which, if not paid, will cause substantial 
        loss to the System institution or the Corporation, may 
        not purchase any asset from the conservator or 
        receiver.
            ``(3) Settlement of claims.--Paragraph (1) shall 
        not apply to the sale or transfer by the Corporation of 
        any asset of any System institution to any person if 
        the sale or transfer of the asset resolves or settles, 
        or is part of the resolution or settlement, of--
                    ``(A) 1 or more claims that have been, or 
                could have been, asserted by the Corporation 
                against the person; or
                    ``(B) obligations owed by the person to any 
                System institution, or the Corporation.
            ``(4) Definition of default.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term `default' means a failure to 
        comply with the terms of a loan or other obligation to 
        such an extent that the property securing the 
        obligation is foreclosed upon.
    ``(j) Expedited Procedures for Certain Claims.--
            ``(1) Time for filing notice of appeal.--The notice 
        of appeal of any order, whether interlocutory or final, 
        entered in any case brought by the Corporation against 
        a System institution's director, officer, employee, 
        agent, attorney, accountant, or appraiser or any other 
        person employed by or providing services to a System 
        institution shall be filed not later than 30 days after 
        the date of entry of the order. The hearing of the 
        appeal shall be held not later than 120 days after the 
        date of the notice of appeal. The appeal shall be 
        decided not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        notice of appeal.
            ``(2) Scheduling.--A court of the United States 
        shall expedite the consideration of any case brought by 
        the Corporation against a System institution's 
        director, officer, employee, agent, attorney, 
        accountant, or appraiser or any other person employed 
        by or providing services to a System institution. As 
        far as practicable the court shall give such case 
        priority on its docket.
            ``(3) Judicial discretion.--The court may modify 
        the schedule and limitations stated in paragraphs (1) 
        and (2) in a particular case, based on a specific 
        finding that the ends of justice that would be served 
        by making such a modification would outweigh the best 
        interest of the public in having the case resolved 
        expeditiously.
    ``(k) Bond Not Required; Agents; Fee.--The Corporation as 
conservator or receiver of a System institution shall not be 
required to furnish bond and may appoint an agent or agents to 
assist in its duties as such conservator or receiver. All fees, 
compensation, and expenses of liquidation and administration 
shall be fixed by the Corporation and may be paid by it out of 
funds coming into its possession as such conservator or 
receiver.
    ``(l) Consultation Regarding Conservatorships and 
Receiverships.--To the extent practicable--
            ``(1) the Farm Credit Administration shall consult 
        with the Corporation prior to taking a preresolution 
        action concerning a System institution that may result 
        in a conservatorship or receivership; and
            ``(2) the Corporation, acting in the capacity of 
        the Corporation as a conservator or receiver, shall 
        consult with the Farm Credit Administration prior to 
        taking any significant action impacting System 
        institutions or service to System borrowers.
    ``(m) Applicability.--This section shall become applicable 
with respect to the power of the Corporation to act as a 
conservator or receiver on the date on which the Farm Credit 
Administration appoints the Corporation as a conservator or 
receiver under section 4.12 or 8.41.''.

SEC. 5413. REPORTING.

    (a) Definition of Farm Loan.--In this section, the term 
``farm loan'' means--
            (1) a farm ownership loan under subtitle A of the 
        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
        1922 et seq.); and
            (2) an operating loan under subtitle B of that Act 
        (7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.).
    (b) Reports.--
            (1) Preparation.--For each fiscal year, the 
        Secretary shall prepare a report that includes--
                    (A) aggregate data based on a review of 
                each outstanding farm loan made or guaranteed 
                by the Secretary describing, for the United 
                States and for each State and county in the 
                United States--
                            (i) the age of the recipient 
                        producer;
                            (ii) the duration that the 
                        recipient producer has engaged in 
                        agricultural production;
                            (iii) the size of the farm or ranch 
                        of the recipient producer;
                            (iv) the race, ethnicity, and 
                        gender of the recipient producer;
                            (v) the agricultural commodity or 
                        commodities, or type of enterprise, for 
                        which the loan was secured;
                            (vi) the amount of the farm loan 
                        made or guaranteed;
                            (vii) the type of the farm loan 
                        made or guaranteed; and
                            (viii) the default rate of the farm 
                        loan made or guaranteed;
                    (B) for each State and county in the United 
                States, data demonstrating the number of 
                outstanding farm loans made or guaranteed, 
                according to loan size cohort; and
                    (C) an assessment of actual loans made or 
                guaranteed as measured against target 
                participation rates for beginning and socially 
                disadvantaged farmers, broken down by State, as 
                described in sections 346(b)(2) and 355 of the 
                Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
                U.S.C. 1994(b)(2), 2003).
            (2) Submission of report.--The report described in 
        paragraph (1) shall be--
                    (A) submitted--
                            (i) to--
                                    (I) the Committee on 
                                Agriculture of the House of 
                                Representatives;
                                    (II) the Committee on 
                                Appropriations of the House of 
                                Representatives;
                                    (III) the Committee on 
                                Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
                                Forestry of the Senate; and
                                    (IV) the Committee on 
                                Appropriations of the Senate; 
                                and
                            (ii) not later than December 30, 
                        2019, and annually thereafter; and
                    (B) made publicly available not later than 
                90 days after the date described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii).
    (c) Comprehensive Review.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the 
        date of enactment of this Act (and every 5 years 
        thereafter), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) prepare a comprehensive review of all 
                reports submitted under subsection (b)(2);
                    (B) identify trends within data outlined in 
                subsection (b)(1), including the extent to 
                which target annual participation rates for 
                beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers 
                (as defined by the Secretary) are being met for 
                each loan type; and
                    (C) provide specific actions the Department 
                will take to improve the performance of direct 
                and guaranteed loans with respect to 
                underserved producers and any recommendations 
                the Secretary may make for further 
                congressional action.
            (2) Submission of comprehensive review.--The 
        comprehensive review described in paragraph (1) shall 
        be--
                    (A) submitted to--
                            (i) the Committee on Agriculture of 
                        the House of Representatives;
                            (ii) the Committee on 
                        Appropriations of the House of 
                        Representatives;
                            (iii) the Committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; 
                        and
                            (iv) the Committee on 
                        Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) made publicly available not later than 
                90 days after the date of submission under 
                subparagraph (A).
    (d) Privacy.--In preparing any report or review under this 
section, the Secretary shall aggregate or de-identify the data 
in a manner sufficient to ensure that the identity of a 
recipient producer associated with the data cannot be 
ascertained.

SEC. 5414. STUDY ON LOAN RISK.

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

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

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

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

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

                      TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT

         Subtitle A--Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America

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

    (a) Combating Substance Use Disorder in Rural America.--
            (1) Prioritizations.--The Secretary shall make the 
        following prioritizations and set asides for fiscal 
        years 2019 through 2025:
                    (A) Distance learning and telemedicine.--
                            (i) Substance use disorder set-
                        aside.--Subject to clause (ii), the 
                        Secretary shall make available not less 
                        than 20 percent of amounts made 
                        available under section 2335A of the 
                        Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
                        Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-2) 
                        for financial assistance under chapter 
                        1 of subtitle D of title XXIII of such 
                        Act for telemedicine projects that 
                        provide substance use disorder 
                        treatment services.
                            (ii) Exception.--In the case of a 
                        fiscal year for which the Secretary 
                        determines that there are not 
                        sufficient qualified applicants to 
                        receive financial assistance for 
                        projects providing substance use 
                        disorder treatment services to reach 
                        the 20-percent requirement under clause 
                        (i), the Secretary may make available 
                        less than 20 percent of amounts made 
                        available under such section 2335A for 
                        those services.
                    (B) Community facilities direct loans and 
                grants.--
                            (i) Substance use disorder 
                        selection priority.--In selecting 
                        recipients of direct loans or grants 
                        for the development of essential 
                        community facilities under section 
                        306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
                        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
                        1926(a)), the Secretary shall give 
                        priority to entities eligible for those 
                        direct loans or grants--
                                    (I) to develop facilities 
                                to provide substance use 
                                disorder (including opioid 
                                substance use disorder)--
                                            (aa) prevention 
                                        services;
                                            (bb) treatment 
                                        services;
                                            (cc) recovery 
                                        services; or
                                            (dd) any 
                                        combination of those 
                                        services; and
                                    (II) that employ staff that 
                                have appropriate expertise and 
                                training in how to identify and 
                                treat individuals with 
                                substance use disorders.
                            (ii) Use of funds.--An eligible 
                        entity described in clause (i) that 
                        receives a direct loan or grant 
                        described in that clause may use the 
                        direct loan or grant funds for the 
                        development of telehealth facilities 
                        and systems to provide telehealth 
                        services for substance use disorder 
                        treatment.
                    (C) Rural health and safety education 
                programs; substance use disorder selection 
                priority.--In making grants under section 
                502(i) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 
                U.S.C. 2662(i)), the Secretary shall give 
                priority to an applicant that will use the 
                grant for substance use disorder education and 
                treatment and the prevention of substance use 
                disorder.
            (2) Limitation on other reprioritizations.--For 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2025, the Secretary shall not 
        make any national reprioritizations within the Rural 
        Health and Safety Education Programs, the Community 
        Facilities direct loan and grant programs, or the 
        Distance Learning and Telemedicine programs under 
        section 608 of the Rural Development Act of 1972.
            (3) Technical amendments.--Title V of the Rural 
        Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2661 et seq.) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in section 502, in the matter preceding 
                subsection (a), by inserting ``(referred to in 
                this title as the `Secretary')'' after 
                ``Agriculture''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Secretary of 
                Agriculture'' each place it appears (other than 
                in section 502 in the matter preceding 
                subsection (a)) and inserting ``Secretary''.
    (b) Temporary Prioritization of Rural Health Assistance.--
Title VI of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2204a-
2204b) is amended by adding at the end the following:

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

    ``(a) Authority to Temporarily Prioritize Certain Rural 
Development Applications.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary, after consultation with such public 
health officials as may be necessary, may announce through a 
Federal Register notice pursuant to section 553(b)(3)(B) of 
title 5, United States Code, a temporary reprioritization, on a 
national or multistate basis, for certain rural development 
loan and grant applications to assist rural communities in 
responding to a significant public health disruption.
    ``(b) Public Health Disruption.--For the purposes of this 
section, the term `public health disruption' means an 
unanticipated increase in mortality or morbidity in rural 
communities, when compared to non-rural communities, caused by 
identifiable events, actions, or behavioral trends, which can 
be remediated by the programs of the Rural Development mission 
area. When measuring a public health disruption, the Secretary 
may analyze data on a national or multi-state basis.
    ``(c) Content of Announcement.--In the announcement, the 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) describe the nature of the public health 
        disruption, including the causes, effects, affected 
        populations, and affected States;
            ``(2) explain how the programs of the Department of 
        Agriculture will work in remedying the public health 
        disruption;
            ``(3) identify the services, treatments, or 
        infrastructure best suited to address the public health 
        disruption;
            ``(4) establish--
                    ``(A) the start and end dates of the 
                reprioritization;
                    ``(B) the programs subject to 
                reprioritization and the modifications to the 
                application process;
                    ``(C) the process for making 
                reprioritizations for applicable programs;
                    ``(D) the amount of funds set-aside for 
                applicable programs, except that a set-aside 
                for such a program shall not be greater than 20 
                percent of the amounts appropriated for the 
                program for the fiscal year involved; and
                    ``(E) the region in which the 
                reprioritization is in effect; and
            ``(5) instruct program administrators to implement 
        the reprioritization during the application window or 
        announcement after the announcement takes effect.
    ``(d) Limitations on Reprioritizations.--When announcing 
the reprioritization, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) establish an initial total time period of 
        less than 4 years, except as provided for in subsection 
        (e);
            ``(2) implement only 1 nationally applicable 
        reprioritization at a time;
            ``(3) implement only 1 regionally applicable 
        reprioritization per State at a time; and
            ``(4) not use reprioritizations to allocate 
        additional funds to an affected State.
    ``(e) Extension.--The Secretary may extend an announcement 
under subsection (a) for no more than 6 years in total, except 
that nothing shall prevent the Secretary from renewing 
reprioritizations by making a new announcement under subsection 
(a).
    ``(f) Rescinding the Announcement.--The Secretary may 
rescind a reprioritization announcement made under subsection 
(a) at any time the Secretary determines that the temporary 
reprioritizations are no longer needed or effective.
    ``(g) Notice.--Not later than 48 hours after making, 
extending, or rescinding an announcement under this section, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and transmit to the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, a written notice of the 
declaration, extension, or rescission.''.

SEC. 6102. DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE.

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

SEC. 6103. REFINANCING OF CERTAIN RURAL HOSPITAL DEBT.

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

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

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

     Subtitle B--Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband

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

    Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 950bb) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``provide loans 
        and loan guarantees'' and inserting ``provide grants, 
        provide loans, and provide loan guarantees'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii), by inserting ``in 
        the case of a grant or direct loan,'' before ``a 
        city'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Loans and'' and inserting ``Grants, Loans, 
                and'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``shall 
                make or guarantee loans'' and inserting ``shall 
                make grants, shall make loans, and shall 
                guarantee loans'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(2) Priority.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In making grants, making 
                loans, and guaranteeing loans under paragraph 
                (1), the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) give the highest priority to 
                        applications for projects to provide 
                        broadband service to unserved rural 
                        communities that do not have any 
                        residential broadband service of at 
                        least--
                                    ``(I) a 10-Mbps downstream 
                                transmission capacity; and
                                    ``(II) a 1-Mbps upstream 
                                transmission capacity;
                            ``(ii) give priority to 
                        applications for projects to provide 
                        the maximum level of broadband service 
                        to the greatest proportion of rural 
                        households in the proposed service area 
                        identified in the application;
                            ``(iii) provide equal consideration 
                        to all eligible entities, including 
                        those that have not previously received 
                        grants, loans, or loan guarantees under 
                        paragraph (1); and
                            ``(iv) with respect to 2 or more 
                        applications that are given the same 
                        priority under clause (i), give 
                        priority to an application that 
                        requests less grant funding than loan 
                        funding.
                    ``(B) Other.--After giving priority to the 
                applications described in clauses (i) and (ii) 
                of subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall then 
                give priority to applications--
                            ``(i) for projects to provide 
                        broadband service to rural 
                        communities--
                                    ``(I) with a population of 
                                less than 10,000 permanent 
                                residents;
                                    ``(II) that are 
                                experiencing outmigration and 
                                have adopted a strategic 
                                community investment plan under 
                                section 379H(d) that includes 
                                considerations for improving 
                                and expanding broadband 
                                service;
                                    ``(III) with a high 
                                percentage of low income 
                                families or persons (as defined 
                                in section 501(b) of the 
                                Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 
                                1471(b));
                                    ``(IV) that are isolated 
                                from other significant 
                                population centers; or
                                    ``(V) that provide rapid 
                                and expanded deployment of 
                                fixed and mobile broadband on 
                                cropland and ranchland within a 
                                service territory for use in 
                                various applications of 
                                precision agriculture; and
                            ``(ii) that were developed with the 
                        participation of, and will receive a 
                        substantial portion of the funding for 
                        the project from, 2 or more 
                        stakeholders, including--
                                    ``(I) State, local, and 
                                tribal governments;
                                    ``(II) nonprofit 
                                institutions;
                                    ``(III) community anchor 
                                institutions, such as--
                                            ``(aa) public 
                                        libraries;
                                            ``(bb) elementary 
                                        schools and secondary 
                                        schools (as defined in 
                                        section 8101 of the 
                                        Elementary and 
                                        Secondary Education Act 
                                        of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                                        7801));
                                            ``(cc) institutions 
                                        of higher education; 
                                        and
                                            ``(dd) health care 
                                        facilities;
                                    ``(IV) private entities;
                                    ``(V) philanthropic 
                                organizations; and
                                    ``(VI) cooperatives.
            ``(3) Grant amounts.--
                    ``(A) Definition of development costs.--In 
                this paragraph, the term `development costs' 
                means costs of--
                            ``(i) construction, including labor 
                        and materials;
                            ``(ii) project applications; and
                            ``(iii) other development 
                        activities, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a 
                grant under this section, in addition to the 
                requirements of subsection (d), the project 
                that is the subject of the grant shall--
                            ``(i) be carried out in a proposed 
                        service territory in which not less 
                        than 90 percent of the households are 
                        unserved; and
                            ``(ii) not concurrently receive any 
                        other broadband grant administered by 
                        the Rural Utilities Service.
                    ``(C) Maximum.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (D), the amount of any grant made 
                under this section shall not exceed--
                            ``(i) 75 percent of the total 
                        project cost with respect to an area 
                        with a density of fewer than 7 people 
                        per square mile;
                            ``(ii) 50 percent of the total 
                        project cost with respect to an area 
                        with a density of 7 or more and fewer 
                        than 12 people per square mile; and
                            ``(iii) 25 percent of the total 
                        project cost with respect to an area 
                        with a density of 12 or more and 20 or 
                        fewer people per square mile.
                    ``(D) Secretarial authority to adjust.--The 
                Secretary may--
                            ``(i) make grants of up to 75 
                        percent of the development costs of the 
                        project for which the grant is provided 
                        to an eligible entity if the Secretary 
                        determines that the project serves--
                                    ``(I) an area of rural 
                                households described in 
                                paragraph (2)(A)(i); or
                                    ``(II) a rural community 
                                described in any of subclauses 
                                (I) through (IV) of paragraph 
                                (2)(B)(i); and
                            ``(ii) make modifications of the 
                        density thresholds described in 
                        subparagraph (C), in order to ensure 
                        that funds provided under this section 
                        are best utilized to provide broadband 
                        service in communities that are the 
                        most rural in character.
                    ``(E) Applications.--The Secretary shall 
                establish an application process for grants 
                under this section that--
                            ``(i) permits a single application 
                        for a grant and a loan under title I, 
                        II, or this title that is associated 
                        with such grant; and
                            ``(ii) provides a single decision 
                        to award such grant and such loan.
                    ``(F) Density determinations.--When 
                determining population density under this 
                section, the Secretary shall prescribe a 
                calculation method which--
                            ``(i) utilizes publicly available 
                        data; and
                            ``(ii) includes only those areas in 
                        which the applicant is able to meet the 
                        service requirements under this 
                        section, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
            ``(4) Fees.--In the case of loan guarantees issued 
        or modified under this section, the Secretary shall 
        charge and collect from the lender fees in such amounts 
        as to bring down the costs of subsidies for guaranteed 
        loans, except that such fees shall not act as a bar to 
        participation in the programs nor be inconsistent with 
        current practices in the marketplace.'';
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                clause (i), by striking ``loan 
                                or'' and inserting ``grant, 
                                loan, or'';
                                    (II) by striking clause (i) 
                                and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) demonstrate the ability to 
                        furnish or improve service in order to 
                        meet the broadband buildout 
                        requirements established under 
                        subsection (e)(4) in all or part of an 
                        unserved or underserved rural area;''.
                                    (III) in clause (ii), by 
                                striking ``a loan application'' 
                                and inserting ``an 
                                application''; and
                                    (IV) in clause (iii)--
                                            (aa) by striking 
                                        ``service'' and 
                                        inserting 
                                        ``infrastructure'';
                                            (bb) by striking 
                                        ``loan'' the first 
                                        place it appears;
                                            (cc) by striking 
                                        ``3'' and inserting 
                                        ``5''; and
                                            (dd) by striking 
                                        ``proceeds from the 
                                        loan made or guaranteed 
                                        under this section 
                                        are'' and inserting 
                                        ``assistance under this 
                                        section is''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``(k)'' and inserting ``(j)''; 
                        and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause 
                        (i)--
                                    (I) by striking ``the 
                                proceeds of a loan made or 
                                guaranteed'' and inserting 
                                ``assistance''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``for the 
                                loan or loan guarantee'' and 
                                inserting ``of the eligible 
                                entity''; and
                            (ii) in clause (i)--
                                    (I) by striking ``15 
                                percent'' and inserting ``50 
                                percent (in the case of loans 
                                or loan guarantees provided in 
                                accordance with subsection 
                                (g)(1)(A))''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``level of 
                                broadband service'' and 
                                inserting ``level of fixed 
                                broadband service, whether 
                                terrestrial or wireless,'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``loan 
                or'' and inserting ``grant, loan, or'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``a loan 
                or loan guarantee'' and inserting 
                ``assistance''; and
                    (E) by striking paragraphs (5) through (10) 
                and inserting the following:
            ``(5) Technical assistance and training.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may 
                provide to eligible entities described in 
                paragraph (1) that are applying for assistance 
                under this section for a project described in 
                subsection (c)(2)(A)(i) technical assistance 
                and training--
                            ``(i) to prepare reports and 
                        surveys necessary to request grants, 
                        loans, and loan guarantees under this 
                        section for broadband deployment;
                            ``(ii) to improve management, 
                        including financial management, 
                        relating to the proposed broadband 
                        deployment;
                            ``(iii) to prepare applications for 
                        grants, loans, and loan guarantees 
                        under this section; or
                            ``(iv) to assist with other areas 
                        of need identified by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Funding.--Not less than 3 percent and 
                not more than 5 percent of amounts appropriated 
                to carry out this section for a fiscal year 
                shall be used for technical assistance and 
                training under this paragraph.'';
            (5) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``4-Mbps'' and inserting ``25-
                        Mbps''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``1-Mbps'' and inserting ``3-
                        Mbps'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by--
                                    (I) striking the following:
            ``(2) Adjustments.--
                    ``(A) In general.--At''; and
                                    (II) inserting the 
                                following:
            ``(2) Adjustments.--At'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``and broadband 
                        buildout requirements under paragraph 
                        (4)'' after ``(1)''; and
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (B); 
                        and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Broadband buildout requirements.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `broadband 
                buildout requirement' means the level of 
                internet service an applicant receiving 
                assistance under this section must agree, at 
                the time the application is finalized, to 
                provide for the duration of any project-related 
                agreement between the applicant and the 
                Department.
                    ``(B) Broadband buildout requirements 
                further defined.--Subject to subparagraph (C), 
                the Secretary shall establish broadband 
                buildout requirements for projects with 
                agreement lengths of--
                            ``(i) 5 to 10 years;
                            ``(ii) 11 to 15 years;
                            ``(iii) 16 to 20 years; and
                            ``(iv) more than 20 years.
                    ``(C) Requirements.--In establishing the 
                broadband buildout requirements under 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) utilize the same metrics used 
                        to define the minimum acceptable level 
                        of broadband service under paragraph 
                        (1);
                            ``(ii) establish such requirements 
                        to reasonably ensure--
                                    ``(I) the repayment of all 
                                loans and loan guarantees; and
                                    ``(II) the financed network 
                                is technically capable of 
                                providing broadband service for 
                                the lifetime of any project-
                                related agreement.
                    ``(D) Substitute service standards for 
                unique service territories.--If an applicant 
                shows that it would be cost prohibitive to meet 
                the broadband buildout requirements established 
                under this paragraph for the entirety of a 
                proposed service territory due to the unique 
                characteristics of the proposed service 
                territory, the Secretary and the applicant may 
                agree to utilize substitute standards for any 
                unserved portion of the project. Any substitute 
                service standards should continue to consider 
                the best technology available to meet the needs 
                of the residents in the unserved area.'';
            (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``make a loan or 
        loan guarantee'' and inserting ``provide assistance'';
            (7) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2) 
        and redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);
            (8) by striking subsections (i) and (j) and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(i) Payment Assistance for Certain Loan and Grant 
Recipients.--
            ``(1) Use of grant funds.--The Secretary may use 
        the funds appropriated for a grant under this title for 
        the cost (as defined by section 502 of the 
        Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of providing 
        assistance under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Payment assistance.--When providing a grant 
        under this title, the Secretary, at the sole discretion 
        of the Secretary, may make--
                    ``(A) a subsidized loan, which shall bear a 
                reduced interest rate at such a rate as the 
                Secretary determines appropriate to meet the 
                objectives of the program; or
                    ``(B) a payment assistance loan, which 
                shall--
                            ``(i) require no interest and 
                        principal payments while the borrower 
                        is--
                                    ``(I) in material 
                                compliance with the loan 
                                agreement; and
                                    ``(II) meeting the 
                                milestones and objectives of 
                                the project agreed to under 
                                paragraph (3); and
                            ``(ii) require such nominal 
                        periodic payments as the Secretary 
                        determines to be appropriate.
            ``(3) Agreement on milestones and objectives.--With 
        respect to payment assistance provided under paragraph 
        (2), before entering into the agreement under which the 
        payment assistance will be provided, the applicant and 
        the Secretary shall agree to milestones and objectives 
        of the project.
            ``(4) Amendment of milestones and objectives.--The 
        Secretary and the applicant may jointly agree to amend 
        the milestones and objectives agreed to under paragraph 
        (3).
            ``(5) Considerations.--When deciding to utilize the 
        payment assistance authority under paragraph (2) the 
        Secretary shall consider whether or not the payment 
        assistance will--
                    ``(A) improve the compliance of the grantee 
                with any commitments made through the grant 
                agreement;
                    ``(B) promote the completion of the 
                broadband project;
                    ``(C) protect taxpayer resources; and
                    ``(D) support the integrity of the 
                broadband programs administered by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(6) Limitations on payment assistance.--The 
        Secretary may not make a payment assistance loan under 
        paragraph (2)(B) to an entity receiving a grant under 
        this section that is also the recipient of a loan under 
        title I or II that is associated with such grant.'';
            (9) in subsection (k)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``$25,000,000'' and 
                inserting ``$350,000,000''; and
                    (B) by striking ``2008 through 2018'' and 
                inserting ``2019 through 2023'';
            (10) in subsection (l)--
                    (A) by striking ``loan or'' and inserting 
                ``grant, or loan, or''; and
                    (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                ``2023''; and
            (11) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as 
        subsections (j) and (k), respectively.

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

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

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

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage 
the expansion and extension of middle mile broadband 
infrastructure to connect underserved rural areas to the 
backbone of the Internet.
    ``(b) Middle Mile Infrastructure.--For the purposes of this 
section, the term `middle mile infrastructure' means any 
broadband infrastructure that does not connect directly to end-
user locations (including anchor institutions) and may include 
interoffice transport, backhaul, Internet connectivity, data 
centers, or special access transport to rural areas.
    ``(c) Grants, Loans, and Loan Guarantees.--The Secretary 
shall make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to eligible 
applicants described in subsection (d) to provide funds for the 
construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile 
infrastructure to serve rural areas.
    ``(d) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) Eligible applicants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to obtain 
                assistance under this section, an eligible 
                entity shall--
                            ``(i) submit to the Secretary an 
                        application at such time, in such 
                        manner, and containing such information 
                        as the Secretary may require;
                            ``(ii) agree to complete build-out 
                        of the middle mile infrastructure 
                        described in the application by not 
                        later than 5 years after the initial 
                        date on which proceeds from the 
                        assistance provided under this section 
                        are made available; and
                            ``(iii) submit to the Secretary a 
                        plan to ensure the viability of the 
                        project by--
                                    ``(I) connecting, assisting 
                                with connecting, or enabling 
                                the connection of retail 
                                broadband systems that serve 
                                rural areas within the proposed 
                                service territory to the middle 
                                mile infrastructure project in 
                                an affordable and economically 
                                competitive manner;
                                    ``(II) leasing or selling 
                                sufficient capacity prior to 
                                project approval; and
                                    ``(III) complying with any 
                                other requirements imposed by 
                                the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Additional end user broadband 
                programs.--Entities that receive assistance to 
                construct, improve, or acquire middle mile 
                infrastructure under this section shall be 
                eligible to apply for additional funds under 
                this title to provide for retail broadband 
                service to end users.
            ``(2) Eligible service territories.--The proceeds 
        of assistance provided under this section may be used 
        to carry out a project in a proposed service territory 
        only if, as of the date the application for assistance 
        under this section is submitted, there is not adequate 
        middle mile infrastructure available to support 
        broadband service for eligible rural communities that 
        would be provided access to the middle mile 
        infrastructure.
            ``(3) Eligible projects.--A project shall be 
        eligible for assistance under this section if at the 
        time of the application--
                    ``(A) at least 75 percent of the 
                interconnection points serve such eligible 
                rural areas; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary determines that the 
                proposed middle mile network will be capable of 
                supporting retail broadband service meeting the 
                maximum broadband buildout requirement 
                established under section 601(e)(4) for the 
                residents within the proposed service 
                territory.
    ``(e) Limitation on Grants.--In making grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) not provide any grant in excess of 20 percent 
        of the total project cost; and
            ``(2) provide grants only to those projects which 
        serve rural areas where population density or 
        geographic characteristics make it infeasible to 
        construct middle mile broadband systems without grant 
        assistance.
    ``(f) Terms, Conditions, and Adequacy of Security.--All 
loans and loan guarantees provided under this section shall be 
made subject to such terms, conditions, and adequacy of 
security requirements as may be imposed by the Secretary. If 
the middle mile infrastructure would not provide adequate 
security due to long-term leasing arrangements, the Secretary 
shall require substitute security in such form and substance as 
are acceptable to the Secretary.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023.''.

SEC. 6203. MODIFICATIONS TO THE RURAL GIGABIT PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 6204. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM.

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

``SEC. 604. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible broadband service.--The term 
        `eligible broadband service' means broadband service 
        that has the capability to transmit data at a speed 
        specified by the Secretary, which may not be less than 
        the applicable minimum download and upload speeds 
        established by the Federal Communications Commission in 
        defining the term `advanced telecommunications 
        capability' for purposes of section 706 of the 
        Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302).
            ``(2) Eligible service area.--The term `eligible 
        service area' means an area in which broadband service 
        capacity is less than--
                    ``(A) a 10-Mbps downstream transmission 
                capacity; and
                    ``(B) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission 
                capacity.
            ``(3) Eligible entity.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible 
                entity' means a legally organized entity that--
                            ``(i) is--
                                    ``(I) an incorporated 
                                organization;
                                    ``(II) an Indian Tribe or 
                                Tribal organization;
                                    ``(III) a State;
                                    ``(IV) a unit of local 
                                government; or
                                    ``(V) any other legal 
                                entity, including a 
                                cooperative, a private 
                                corporation, or a limited 
                                liability company, that is 
                                organized on a for-profit or a 
                                not-for-profit basis; and
                            ``(ii) has the legal capacity and 
                        authority to enter into a contract, to 
                        comply with applicable Federal laws, 
                        and to own and operate broadband 
                        facilities, as proposed in the 
                        application submitted by the entity for 
                        a grant under the Program.
                    ``(B) Exclusions.--The term `eligible 
                entity' does not include--
                            ``(i) an individual; or
                            ``(ii) a partnership.
            ``(4) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 601(b)(3)(A).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
program, to be known as the `Community Connect Grant Program', 
to provide grants to eligible entities to finance broadband 
transmission in rural areas.
    ``(c) Eligible Projects.--An eligible entity that receives 
a grant under the Program shall use the grant to carry out a 
project that--
            ``(1) provides eligible broadband service to, 
        within the proposed eligible service area described in 
        the application submitted by the eligible entity--
                    ``(A) each essential community facility as 
                defined pursuant to section 306(a) of the 
                Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
                U.S.C. 1926(a)); and
                    ``(B) any required facilities necessary to 
                offer that eligible broadband service to each 
                residential and business customer within such 
                proposed eligible service area; and
            ``(2) for not less than 2 years--
                    ``(A) furnishes free eligible broadband 
                service to a community center described in 
                subsection (d)(1)(B);
                    ``(B) provides not fewer than 2 computer 
                access points for that free eligible broadband 
                service; and
                    ``(C) covers the cost of bandwidth to 
                provide free eligible broadband service to each 
                essential community facility that requests 
                broadband services within the proposed eligible 
                service area described in the application 
                submitted by the eligible entity.
    ``(d) Uses of Grant Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives 
        a grant under the Program may use the grant for--
                    ``(A) the construction, acquisition, or 
                leasing of facilities (including spectrum), 
                land, or buildings to deploy eligible broadband 
                service; and
                    ``(B) the improvement, expansion, 
                construction, or acquisition of a community 
                center within the proposed eligible service 
                area described in the application submitted by 
                the eligible entity.
            ``(2) Ineligible uses.--An eligible entity that 
        receives a grant under the Program shall not use the 
        grant for--
                    ``(A) the duplication of any existing 
                eligible broadband service provided by another 
                entity in the eligible service area; or
                    ``(B) operating expenses, except as 
                provided in--
                            ``(i) subsection (c)(2)(C) with 
                        respect to free eligible broadband 
                        service; and
                            ``(ii) paragraph (1)(A) with 
                        respect to spectrum.
            ``(3) Free access for community centers.--Of the 
        amounts provided to an eligible entity under a grant 
        under the Program, the eligible entity shall use to 
        carry out paragraph (1)(B) not greater than the lesser 
        of--
                    ``(A) 10 percent; and
                    ``(B) $150,000.
    ``(e) Matching Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives 
        a grant under the Program shall provide a cash 
        contribution in an amount that is not less than 15 
        percent of the amount of the grant.
            ``(2) Requirements.--A cash contribution described 
        in paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) shall be used solely for the project 
                for which the eligible entity receives a grant 
                under the Program; and
                    ``(B) shall not include any Federal funds, 
                unless a Federal statute specifically provides 
                that those Federal funds may be considered to 
                be from a non-Federal source.
    ``(f) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a 
        grant under the Program, an eligible entity shall 
        submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in 
        such manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Requirement.--An application submitted by an 
        eligible entity under paragraph (1) shall include 
        documentation sufficient to demonstrate the 
        availability of funds to satisfy the requirement of 
        subsection (e).
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 6205. OUTDATED BROADBAND SYSTEMS.

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

``SEC. 605. OUTDATED BROADBAND SYSTEMS.

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

SEC. 6206. DEFAULT AND DEOBLIGATION; DEFERRAL.

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

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

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

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

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

           ``TITLE VII--GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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

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

SEC. 6208. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

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

``SEC. 702. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

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

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

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

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

    ``Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the 
proceeds of any loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary under 
this Act may be used by the recipient of the loan for the 
purpose of refinancing an outstanding obligation of the 
recipient on another telecommunications loan made under this 
Act, or on any other loan if that loan would have been for an 
eligible telecommunications purpose under this Act.''.

SEC. 6210. SMART UTILITY AUTHORITY FOR BROADBAND.

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

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

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

SEC. 6211. REFINANCING OF TELEPHONE LOANS.

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

SEC. 6212. FEDERAL BROADBAND PROGRAM COORDINATION.

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

SEC. 6213. TRANSITION RULE.

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

SEC. 6214. RURAL BROADBAND INTEGRATION WORKING GROUP.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established the Rural 
        Broadband Integration Working Group (referred to in 
        this subsection as the ``Working Group'').
            (2) Membership.--The membership of the Working 
        Group shall be composed of the heads, or their 
        designees, of--
                    (A) the Department of Agriculture, acting 
                through the Administrator of the Rural 
                Utilities Service;
                    (B) the Department of Commerce, acting 
                through the Assistant Secretary for 
                Communications and Information;
                    (C) the Department of Defense;
                    (D) the Department of State;
                    (E) the Department of the Interior;
                    (F) the Department of Labor;
                    (G) the Department of Health and Human 
                Services;
                    (H) the Department of Homeland Security;
                    (I) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (J) the Department of Justice;
                    (K) the Department of Transportation;
                    (L) the Department of the Treasury;
                    (M) the Department of Energy;
                    (N) the Department of Education;
                    (O) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
                    (P) the Environmental Protection Agency;
                    (Q) the General Services Administration;
                    (R) the Small Business Administration;
                    (S) the Institute of Museum and Library 
                Services;
                    (T) the National Science Foundation;
                    (U) the Council on Environmental Quality;
                    (V) the Office of Science and Technology 
                Policy;
                    (W) the Office of Management and Budget;
                    (X) the Council of Economic Advisers;
                    (Y) the Domestic Policy Council;
                    (Z) the National Economic Council; and
                    (AA) such other Federal agencies or 
                entities as are determined appropriate by the 
                co-chairs.
            (3) Co-chairs.--The following individuals, or their 
        designees, shall serve as co-chairs of the Working 
        Group:
                    (A) The Administrator of the Rural 
                Utilities Service.
                    (B) The Assistant Secretary for 
                Communications and Information.
                    (C) The Director of the National Economic 
                Council.
                    (D) The Director of the Office of Science 
                and Technology Policy.
            (4) Consultation; coordination.--The Working Group 
        shall consult, as appropriate, with other relevant 
        agencies, including the Federal Communications 
        Commission. The Working Group shall coordinate with 
        existing Federal working groups and committees involved 
        with broadband.
            (5) Membership changes.--The Director of the 
        National Economic Council and the Director of the 
        Office of Science and Technology Policy shall review, 
        on a periodic basis, the membership of the Working 
        Group to ensure that the Working Group--
                    (A) includes necessary Federal Government 
                entities; and
                    (B) is an effective mechanism for 
                coordinating among agencies on the policy 
                described in subsection (b).
    (b) Functions of Working Group.--
            (1) Consultation.--The Working Group shall consult 
        with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, 
        telecommunications companies, utilities, trade 
        associations, philanthropic entities, policy experts, 
        and other interested parties to identify, assess, and 
        determine possible actions relating to barriers and 
        opportunities for broadband deployment in rural areas.
            (2) Point of contact.--Not later than 15 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, each member of the 
        Working Group shall--
                    (A) designate a representative to serve as 
                the main point of contact for matters relating 
                to the Working Group; and
                    (B) notify the co-chairs of the Working 
                Group of that designee.
            (3) Survey.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, based on information provided 
        by the members of the Working Group, the Working Group 
        shall publish a comprehensive survey of--
                    (A) Federal programs, including the 
                allocated funding amounts, that currently 
                support or could reasonably be modified to 
                support broadband deployment and adoption; and
                    (B) all Federal agency-specific policies 
                and rules with the direct or indirect effect of 
                facilitating or regulating investment in, or 
                deployment of, wired and wireless broadband 
                networks.
            (4) List of actions.--Not later than 120 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the members of the 
        Working Group shall submit to the Working Group an 
        initial list of actions that each of the agencies could 
        take to identify and address regulatory barriers to, 
        incentivize investment in, promote best practices 
        within, align funding decisions with respect to, and 
        otherwise support, wired broadband deployment and 
        adoption.
            (5) Report.--Not later than 150 days after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall 
        submit to the President an agreed-to and prioritized 
        list of recommendations of the Working Group on actions 
        that Federal agencies can take to support broadband 
        deployment and adoption, including--
                    (A) a list of priority actions and 
                rulemakings; and
                    (B) timelines to complete the priority 
                actions and rulemakings.

                       Subtitle C--Miscellaneous

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

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

SEC. 6302. ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 6303. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM.

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

SEC. 6304. NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION REAUTHORIZATION.

    (a) Administrative Expenses of Regional Commissions.--
Section 15304(c)(3)(A) of title 40, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ``unanimous'' and inserting ``majority''.
    (b) Economic and Infrastructure Development Grants.--
Section 15501 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (8) as 
                paragraph (9); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the 
                following:
            ``(8) to grow the capacity for successful community 
        economic development in its region; and'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``paragraphs (1) 
        through (3)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1), (2), (3), 
        or (7)''; and
            (3) in subsection (f), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting ``, except that financial 
        assistance may be used as otherwise authorized by this 
        subtitle to attract businesses to the region from 
        outside the United States.''.
    (c) State Capacity Building Grant Program.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' 
                means the Northern Border Regional Commission 
                established by section 15301(a)(3) of title 40, 
                United States Code.
                    (B) Commission state.--The term 
                ``Commission State'' means each of the States 
                of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.
                    (C) Eligible county.--The term ``eligible 
                county'' means a county described in section 
                15733 of title 40, United States Code.
                    (D) Program.--The term ``program'' means 
                the State capacity building grant program 
                established under paragraph (2).
            (2) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall 
        establish a State capacity building grant program to 
        provide grants to Commission States to carry out the 
        purpose under paragraph (3).
            (3) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to 
        support the efforts of the Commission--
                    (A) to better support business retention 
                and expansion in eligible counties;
                    (B) to create programs to encourage job 
                creation and workforce development in eligible 
                counties;
                    (C) to prepare economic and infrastructure 
                plans for eligible counties;
                    (D) to expand access to high-speed 
                broadband in eligible counties;
                    (E) to provide technical assistance that 
                results in Commission investments in 
                transportation, water, wastewater, and other 
                critical infrastructure;
                    (F) to create initiatives to increase the 
                effectiveness of local development districts in 
                eligible counties; and
                    (G) to implement new or innovative economic 
                development practices that will better position 
                the eligible counties of Commission States to 
                compete in the global economy.
            (4) Use of funds.--
                    (A) In general.--Funds from a grant under 
                the program may be used to support a project, 
                program, or related expense of the Commission 
                State in an eligible county.
                    (B) Limitation.--Funds from a grant under 
                the program shall not be used for--
                            (i) the purchase of furniture, 
                        fixtures, or equipment;
                            (ii) the compensation of--
                                    (I) any State member of the 
                                Commission (as described in 
                                section 15301(b)(1)(B) of title 
                                40, United States Code); or
                                    (II) any State alternate 
                                member of the Commission (as 
                                described in section 
                                15301(b)(2)(B) of title 40, 
                                United States Code); or
                            (iii) the cost of supplanting 
                        existing State programs.
            (5) Annual work plan.--
                    (A) In general.--For each fiscal year, 
                before providing a grant under the program, 
                each Commission State shall provide to the 
                Commission an annual work plan that includes 
                the proposed use of the grant.
                    (B) Approval.--No grant under the program 
                shall be provided to a Commission State unless 
                the Commission has approved the annual work 
                plan of the State.
            (6) Amount of grant.--
                    (A) In general.--The amount of a grant 
                provided to a Commission State under the 
                program for a fiscal year shall be based on the 
                proportion that--
                            (i) the amount paid by the 
                        Commission State (including any amounts 
                        paid on behalf of the Commission State 
                        by a nonprofit organization) for 
                        administrative expenses for the 
                        applicable fiscal year (as determined 
                        under section 15304(c) of title 40, 
                        United States Code); bears to
                            (ii) the amount paid by all 
                        Commission States (including any 
                        amounts paid on behalf of a Commission 
                        State by a nonprofit organization) for 
                        administrative expenses for that fiscal 
                        year (as determined under that 
                        section).
                    (B) Requirement.--To be eligible to receive 
                a grant under the program for a fiscal year, a 
                Commission State (or a nonprofit organization 
                on behalf of the Commission State) shall pay 
                the amount of administrative expenses of the 
                Commission State for the applicable fiscal year 
                (as determined under section 15304(c) of title 
                40, United States Code).
                    (C) Approval.--For each fiscal year, a 
                grant provided under the program shall be 
                approved and made available as part of the 
                approval of the annual budget of the 
                Commission.
            (7) Grant availability.--Funds from a grant under 
        the program shall be available only during the fiscal 
        year for which the grant is provided.
            (8) Report.--Each fiscal year, each Commission 
        State shall submit to the Commission and make publicly 
        available a report that describes the use of the grant 
        funds and the impact of the program in the State.
            (9) Funding.--
                    (A) In general.--There is authorized to be 
                appropriated to carry out this subsection 
                $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
                through 2023.
                    (B) Supplement, not supplant.--Funds made 
                available to carry out this subsection shall 
                supplement and not supplant funds made 
                available for the Commission and other 
                activities of the Commission.
    (d) Northern Border Regional Commission.--Section 15733 of 
title 40, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``Belknap,'' before 
                ``Carroll,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``Cheshire,'' before 
                ``Coos,'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
        following new paragraph:
            ``(3) New york.--The counties of Cayuga, Clinton, 
        Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, 
        Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, 
        Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, 
        Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, St. 
        Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, and 
        Yates in the State of New York.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by inserting ``Addison, Bennington,'' 
                before ``Caledonia,'';
                    (B) by inserting ``Chittenden,'' before 
                ``Essex,'';
                    (C) by striking ``and'' and inserting 
                ``Orange,'' and
                    (D) by inserting ``, Rutland, Washington, 
                Windham, and Windsor'' after ``Orleans''.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 15751(a) of 
title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018'' and 
inserting ``$33,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023''.
    (f) Vacancies.--Section 15301 of title 40, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Succession.--Subject to the time limitations under 
section 3346 of title 5, the Federal Cochairperson may 
designate a Federal employee of the Commission to perform the 
functions and duties of the office of the Federal Cochairperson 
temporarily in an acting capacity if both the Federal 
Cochairperson and the alternate Federal Cochairperson die, 
resign, or otherwise are unable to perform the functions and 
duties of their offices.''.
    (g) Technical Amendments.--Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of 
subtitle V of title 40, United States Code, are redesignated as 
chapters 151, 153, 155, and 157, respectively.

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

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

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

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enhance the 
efforts of the Federal Government to address the needs of rural 
areas in the United States by--
            (1) establishing a council to better coordinate 
        Federal programs directed to rural communities;
            (2) maximizing the impact of Federal investment to 
        promote economic prosperity and quality of life in 
        rural communities in the United States; and
            (3) using innovation to resolve local and regional 
        challenges faced by rural communities.
    (b) Establishment.--
            (1) There is established a Council on Rural 
        Community Innovation and Economic Development (referred 
        to in this section as the ``Council'').
            (2) The Council shall be the successor to the 
        Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural 
        Prosperity established by Executive Order 13790.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The membership of the Council 
        shall be composed of the heads of the following 
        executive branch departments, agencies, and offices:
                    (A) The Department of Agriculture.
                    (B) The Department of the Treasury.
                    (C) The Department of Defense.
                    (D) The Department of Justice.
                    (E) The Department of the Interior.
                    (F) The Department of Commerce.
                    (G) The Department of Labor.
                    (H) The Department of Health and Human 
                Services.
                    (I) The Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development.
                    (J) The Department of Transportation.
                    (K) The Department of Energy.
                    (L) The Department of Education.
                    (M) The Department of Veterans Affairs.
                    (N) The Department of Homeland Security.
                    (O) The Environmental Protection Agency.
                    (P) The Federal Communications Commission.
                    (Q) The Office of Management and Budget.
                    (R) The Office of Science and Technology 
                Policy.
                    (S) The Office of National Drug Control 
                Policy.
                    (T) The Council of Economic Advisers.
                    (U) The Domestic Policy Council.
                    (V) The National Economic Council.
                    (W) The Small Business Administration.
                    (X) The Council on Environmental Quality.
                    (Y) The White House Office of Public 
                Engagement.
                    (Z) The White House Office of Cabinet 
                Affairs.
                    (AA) Such other executive branch 
                departments, agencies, and offices as the 
                President or the Secretary may, from time to 
                time, designate.
            (2) Chair.--The Secretary shall serve as the Chair 
        of the Council.
            (3) Designees.--A member of the Council may 
        designate, to perform the Council functions of the 
        member, a senior-level official who is--
                    (A) part of the department, agency, or 
                office of the member; and
                    (B) a full-time officer or employee of the 
                Federal Government.
            (4) Administration.--The Council shall coordinate 
        policy development through the rural development 
        mission area.
    (d) Funding.--The Secretary shall provide funding and 
administrative support for the Council to the extent permitted 
by law and within existing appropriations.
    (e) Mission and Function of the Council.--The Council shall 
work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to 
coordinate development of policy recommendations--
            (1) to maximize the impact of Federal investment on 
        rural communities;
            (2) to promote economic prosperity and quality of 
        life in rural communities; and
            (3) to use innovation to resolve local and regional 
        challenges faced by rural communities.
    (f) Duties.--The Council shall--
            (1) make recommendations to the President, acting 
        through the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and 
        the Director of the National Economic Council, on 
        streamlining and leveraging Federal investments in 
        rural areas, where appropriate, to increase the impact 
        of Federal dollars and create economic opportunities to 
        improve the quality of life in rural areas in the 
        United States;
            (2) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of 
        Federal engagement with rural stakeholders, including 
        agricultural organizations, small businesses, education 
        and training institutions, health-care providers, 
        telecommunications services providers, electric service 
        providers, transportation providers, research and land 
        grant institutions, law enforcement, State, local, and 
        tribal governments, and nongovernmental organizations 
        regarding the needs of rural areas in the United 
        States;
            (3) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the 
        growth and development of rural geographic regions that 
        encompass both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas;
            (4) identify and facilitate rural economic 
        opportunities associated with energy development, 
        outdoor recreation, and other conservation related 
        activities; and
            (5) identify common economic and social challenges 
        faced by rural communities that could be served 
        through--
                    (A) better coordination of existing Federal 
                and non-Federal resources; and
                    (B) innovative solutions utilizing 
                governmental and nongovernmental resources.
    (g) Executive Departments and Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--The heads of executive departments 
        and agencies shall assist and provide information to 
        the Council, consistent with applicable law, as may be 
        necessary to carry out the functions of the Council.
            (2) Expenses.--Each executive department or agency 
        shall be responsible for paying any expenses of the 
        executive department or agency for participating in the 
        Council.
    (h) Council Working Groups.--
            (1) In general.--The Council may establish, in 
        addition to the working groups established under 
        paragraph (3), such other working groups as necessary.
            (2) Membership.--The Secretary shall include as 
        members of each working group such Council members, 
        other heads of Federal agencies (or their designees as 
        defined in (d)(3)), and non-Federal partners as 
        determined appropriate to the subject matter.
            (3) Required working groups.--The working groups 
        specified in this paragraph are each of the following:
                    (A) The rural smart communities working 
                group.--
                            (i) Establishment.--The Council 
                        shall establish a Rural Smart 
                        Communities Working Group.
                            (ii) Duties.--The Rural Smart 
                        Communities Working Group shall--
                                    (I) not later than 1 year 
                                after the establishment of such 
                                Working Group, submit to 
                                Congress a report describing 
                                efforts of rural areas to 
                                integrate smart technology into 
                                their communities to solve 
                                challenges relating to 
                                governance, economic 
                                development, quality of life, 
                                or other relevant rural issues, 
                                as determined by the Secretary; 
                                and
                                    (II) create, publish, and 
                                maintain a resource guide 
                                designed to assist States and 
                                other rural communities in 
                                developing and implementing 
                                rural smart community programs.
                            (iii) Smart community defined.--For 
                        the purposes of this subparagraph, the 
                        term ``smart community'' means a 
                        community that has the ability to 
                        integrate multiple technological 
                        solutions, in a secure fashion, to 
                        manage a community's assets, including 
                        local government information systems, 
                        schools, libraries, transportation 
                        systems, hospitals, power plants, law 
                        enforcement, and other community 
                        services with the goal of promoting 
                        quality of life through the use of 
                        technology in ways that improve the 
                        efficiency of services and meet 
                        residents' needs.
                    (B) Jobs accelerator working group.--
                            (i) Establishment.--The Council 
                        shall establish a Jobs Accelerator 
                        Working Group.
                            (ii) Goals.--The Jobs Accelerator 
                        Working Group shall support rural jobs 
                        accelerators (as defined in section 
                        379I(a)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and 
                        Rural Development Act)--
                                    (I) to improve the ability 
                                of rural communities to create 
                                high-wage jobs, accelerate the 
                                formation of new businesses 
                                with high-growth potential, and 
                                strengthen regional economies, 
                                including by helping to build 
                                capacity in the applicable 
                                region to achieve those goals; 
                                and
                                    (II) to help rural 
                                communities identify and 
                                maximize local assets and 
                                connect to regional 
                                opportunities, networks, and 
                                industry clusters that 
                                demonstrate high growth 
                                potential.
                            (iii) Duties.--The Jobs Accelerator 
                        Working Group shall--
                                    (I) provide the public with 
                                available information and 
                                technical assistance on Federal 
                                resources relevant to a project 
                                and region;
                                    (II) establish a Federal 
                                support team comprised of staff 
                                from participating agencies in 
                                the working group that shall 
                                provide coordinated and 
                                dedicated support services to 
                                rural jobs accelerators; and
                                    (III) provide opportunities 
                                for rural jobs accelerators to 
                                share best practices and 
                                further collaborate with one 
                                another.

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

SEC. 6401. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

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

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

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

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

    (a) Certain Programs Under the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act.--Section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``and 
                guaranteed''; and
                    (B) in the text--
                            (i) by striking ``and guaranteed''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``(1), (2), and 
                        (24)'' and inserting ``(1) and (2)''; 
                        and
            (2) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) by striking ``and guaranteed''; and
                    (B) by striking ``(21), and (24)'' and 
                inserting ``and (21)''.
    (b) Population Caps for Guaranteed Lending.--Section 
306(a)(24) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(24)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Priority.--
                            ``(i) Water or waste facility.--The 
                        Secretary shall prioritize water and 
                        waste facility projects under this 
                        paragraph in rural areas with a 
                        population of not more than 10,000 
                        people.
                            ``(ii) Community facility.--Of the 
                        funds made available to carry out this 
                        paragraph for community facility loan 
                        guarantees for a fiscal year the 
                        following amounts shall be reserved for 
                        projects in rural areas with a 
                        population of not more than 20,000 
                        inhabitants:
                                    ``(I) 100 percent of the 
                                first $200,000,000 so made 
                                available;
                                    ``(II) 50 percent of the 
                                next $200,000,000 so made 
                                available; and
                                    ``(III) 25 percent of all 
                                amounts exceeding $400,000,000 
                                so made available,
                        except that, to the extent that the 
                        Secretary demonstrates that the funds 
                        so reserved are not needed to finance a 
                        community facility project in such a 
                        rural area, the Secretary may use the 
                        funds for other community facility 
                        projects in accordance with this 
                        paragraph.''.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    (a) In General.--Section 306A of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``; and'' and 
        inserting the following: ``, particularly to projects 
        to address contamination that--
                    ``(A) poses a threat to human health or the 
                environment; and
                    ``(B) was caused by circumstances beyond 
                the control of the applicant for a grant, 
                including circumstances that occurred over a 
                period of time; and'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(1)(D), by inserting ``, other 
        than those covered above for not to exceed 120 days 
        when a more permanent solution is not feasible in a 
        shorter time frame. Where drinking water supplies are 
        inadequate due to an event, as determined by the 
        Secretary, including drought, severe weather, or 
        contamination, the Secretary may provide potable water 
        for an additional period of time not to exceed an 
        additional 120 days in order to protect public health'' 
        before the period;
            (3) in subsection (e)(1)(B), by striking 
        ``according to the most recent decennial census of the 
        United States'';
            (4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``$500,000'' 
        and inserting ``$1,000,000''; and
            (5) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``3 nor more than 5'' and 
                        inserting ``5 percent and not more than 
                        7''; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) 
                        and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Release.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Funds reserved 
                        under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal 
                        year shall be reserved only until July 
                        1 of the fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--Notwithstanding 
                        clause (i), in response to an eligible 
                        community where the drinking water 
                        supplies are inadequate, as determined 
                        by the Secretary, due to an event, 
                        including drought, severe weather, or 
                        contamination, the Secretary may use 
                        funds described in subparagraph (A) 
                        from July 1 through September 30 each 
                        fiscal year to provide potable water 
                        under this section in order to protect 
                        public health.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                ``$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
                through 2018'' and inserting ``$50,000,000 for 
                each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.
    (b) Interagency Task Force on Rural Water Quality.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
        coordinate an interagency task force to examine 
        drinking water and surface water contamination in rural 
        communities, particularly rural communities that are in 
        close proximity to active or decommissioned military 
        installations in the United States.
            (2) Membership.--The interagency task force shall 
        consist of--
                    (A) the Secretary;
                    (B) the Secretary of the Army, acting 
                through the Chief of Engineers;
                    (C) the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services, acting through--
                            (i) the Director of the Agency for 
                        Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; 
                        and
                            (ii) the Director of the Centers 
                        for Disease Control and Prevention;
                    (D) the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (E) the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
                through--
                            (i) the Director of the United 
                        States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
                            (ii) the Director of the United 
                        States Geological Survey;
                    (F) the Administrator of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency; and
                    (G) representatives from rural drinking and 
                wastewater entities, State and community 
                regulators, and appropriate scientific experts 
                that reflect a diverse cross-section of the 
                rural communities described in paragraph (1).
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 360 days 
                after the date of enactment of this section, 
                the task force shall submit to the committees 
                described in subparagraph (B) a report that--
                            (i) examines, and identifies issues 
                        relating to, water contamination in 
                        rural communities, particularly rural 
                        communities that are in close proximity 
                        to active or decommissioned military 
                        installations in the United States;
                            (ii) reviews the extent to which 
                        Federal, State, and local government 
                        agencies coordinate with one another to 
                        address the issues identified under 
                        clause (i);
                            (iii) recommends how Federal, 
                        State, and local government agencies 
                        can work together in the most 
                        effective, efficient, and cost-
                        effective manner practicable, to 
                        address the issues identified under 
                        clause (i); and
                            (iv) recommends changes to existing 
                        statutory requirements, regulatory 
                        requirements, or both, to improve 
                        interagency coordination and 
                        responsiveness to address the issues 
                        identified under clause (i).
                    (B) Committees described.--The committees 
                referred to in subparagraph (A) are--
                            (i) the Committee on Agriculture of 
                        the House of Representatives;
                            (ii) the Committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
                            (iii) the Committee on Energy and 
                        Commerce of the House of 
                        Representatives;
                            (iv) the Committee on Environment 
                        and Public Works of the Senate;
                            (v) the Committee on Armed Services 
                        of the House of Representatives; and
                            (vi) the Committee on Armed 
                        Services of the Senate.

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

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

SEC. 6409. RURAL DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS.

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

SEC. 6410. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS.

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

SEC. 6411. RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

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

SEC. 6412. RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 6415. RURAL ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP ZONES.

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

SEC. 6416. INTEMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM.

    Section 310H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1936b) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
        (i);
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the 
        following:
    ``(e) Limitation on Loan Amounts.--The maximum amount of a 
loan by an eligible entity described in subsection (b) to 
individuals and entities for a project under subsection (c), 
including the unpaid balance of any existing loans, shall be 
the lesser of--
            ``(1) $400,000; and
            ``(2) 50 percent of the loan to the eligible entity 
        under subsection (a).
    ``(f) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a loan 
        or loan guarantee under subsection (a), an eligible 
        entity described in subsection (b) shall submit to the 
        Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
        and containing such information as the Secretary may 
        require.
            ``(2) Evaluation.--In evaluating applications 
        submitted under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A)(i) take into consideration the 
                previous performance of an eligible entity in 
                carrying out projects under subsection (c); and
                    ``(ii) in the case of satisfactory 
                performance under clause (i), require the 
                eligible entity to contribute less equity for 
                subsequent loans without modifying the priority 
                given to subsequent applications; and
                    ``(B) in assigning priorities to 
                applications, require an eligible entity to 
                demonstrate that it has a governing or advisory 
                board made up of business, civic, and community 
                leaders who are representative of the 
                communities of the service area, without 
                limitation to the size of the service area.
    ``(g) Return of Equity.--The Secretary shall establish a 
schedule that is consistent with the amortization schedules of 
the portfolio of loans made or guaranteed under subsection (a) 
for the return of any equity contribution made under this 
section by an eligible entity described in subsection (b), if 
the eligible entity is--
            ``(1) current on all principal and interest 
        payments; and
            ``(2) in compliance with loan covenants.
    ``(h) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate 
regulations and establish procedures reducing the 
administrative requirements on eligible entities described in 
subsection (b), including regulations to carry out the 
amendments made to this section by the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018.''; and
            (3) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEC. 6420. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.

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

SEC. 6421. GRANTS FOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTERS.

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

SEC. 6422. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(4)(B)(ii)--
                    (A) in the clause heading, by striking 
                ``Maximum amount'' and inserting ``Amount'';
                    (B) by inserting ``not less than 20 percent 
                and'' before ``not more than 25 percent''; and
                    (C) by striking the period at the end and 
                inserting the following: ``, subject to--
                                    ``(I) satisfactory 
                                performance by the 
                                microenterprise development 
                                organization under this 
                                section, and
                                    ``(II) the availability of 
                                funding.''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 6423. HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

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

SEC. 6424. RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY GRANT PROGRAM.

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

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

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
        means a rural jobs accelerator partnership established 
        after the date of enactment of this section that--
                    ``(A) organizes key community and regional 
                stakeholders into a working group that--
                            ``(i) focuses on the shared goals 
                        and needs of the industry clusters that 
                        are objectively identified as existing, 
                        emerging, or declining;
                            ``(ii) represents a region defined 
                        by the partnership in accordance with 
                        subparagraph (B);
                            ``(iii) includes 1 or more 
                        representatives of--
                                    ``(I) an institution of 
                                higher education (as defined in 
                                section 101 of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965 (20 
                                U.S.C. 1001));
                                    ``(II) a private entity; or
                                    ``(III) a government 
                                entity; and
                            ``(iv) has, as a lead applicant--
                                    ``(I) a District 
                                Organization (as defined in 
                                section 300.3 of title 13, Code 
                                of Federal Regulations (or a 
                                successor regulation));
                                    ``(II) an Indian tribe (as 
                                defined in section 4 of the 
                                Indian Self-Determination and 
                                Education Assistance Act (25 
                                U.S.C. 5304)), or a consortium 
                                of Indian tribes;
                                    ``(III) a State or a 
                                political subdivision of a 
                                State, including a special 
                                purpose unit of a State or 
                                local government engaged in 
                                economic development 
                                activities, or a consortium of 
                                political subdivisions;
                                    ``(IV) an institution of 
                                higher education (as defined in 
                                section 101 of the Higher 
                                Education Act of 1965 (20 
                                U.S.C. 1001)) or a consortium 
                                of institutions of higher 
                                education; or
                                    ``(V) a public or private 
                                nonprofit organization; and
                    ``(B) subject to approval by the Secretary, 
                may--
                            ``(i) serve a region that is--
                                    ``(I) a single 
                                jurisdiction; or
                                    ``(II) if the region is a 
                                rural area, 
                                multijurisdictional; and
                            ``(ii) define the region that the 
                        partnership represents, if the region--
                                    ``(I) is large enough to 
                                contain critical elements of 
                                the industry cluster 
                                prioritized by the partnership;
                                    ``(II) is small enough to 
                                enable close collaboration 
                                among members of the 
                                partnership;
                                    ``(III) includes a majority 
                                of communities that are located 
                                in--
                                            ``(aa) a 
                                        nonmetropolitan area 
                                        that qualifies as a 
                                        low-income community 
                                        (as defined in section 
                                        45D(e) of the Internal 
                                        Revenue Code of 1986); 
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) an area that 
                                        has access to or has a 
                                        plan to achieve 
                                        broadband service 
                                        (within the meaning of 
                                        title VI of the Rural 
                                        Electrification Act of 
                                        1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et 
                                        seq.)); and
                                    ``(IV)(aa) has a population 
                                of 50,000 or fewer inhabitants; 
                                or
                                    ``(bb) for a region with a 
                                population of more than 50,000 
                                inhabitants, is the subject of 
                                a positive determination by the 
                                Secretary with respect to a 
                                rural-in-character petition, 
                                including such a petition 
                                submitted concurrently with the 
                                application of the partnership 
                                for a grant under this section.
            ``(2) Industry cluster.--The term `industry 
        cluster' means a broadly defined network of 
        interconnected firms and supporting institutions in 
        related industries that accelerate innovation, business 
        formation, and job creation by taking advantage of 
        assets and strengths of a region in the business 
        environment.
            ``(3) High-wage job.--The term `high-wage job' 
        means a job that provides a wage that is greater than 
        the median wage for the applicable region, as 
        determined by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Jobs accelerator.--The term `jobs 
        accelerator' means a jobs accelerator center or program 
        located in or serving a low-income rural community that 
        may provide co-working space, in-demand skills 
        training, entrepreneurship support, and any other 
        services described in subsection (d)(1)(B).
            ``(5) Small and disadvantaged business.--The term 
        `small and disadvantaged business' has the meaning 
        given the term `small business concern owned and 
        controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
        individuals' in section 8(d)(3)(C) of the Small 
        Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)(C)).
    ``(b) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        grant program under which the Secretary shall award 
        grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to 
        establish jobs accelerators, including related 
        programming, that--
                    ``(A) improve the ability of distressed 
                rural communities to create high-wage jobs, 
                accelerate the formation of new businesses with 
                high-growth potential, and strengthen regional 
                economies, including by helping to build 
                capacity in the applicable region to achieve 
                those goals; and
                    ``(B) help rural communities identify and 
                maximize local assets and connect to regional 
                opportunities, networks, and industry clusters 
                that demonstrate high growth potential.
            ``(2) Cost-sharing.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Federal share of the 
                cost of any activity carried out using a grant 
                made under paragraph (1) shall be not greater 
                than 80 percent.
                    ``(B) In-kind contributions.--The non-
                Federal share of the total cost of any activity 
                carried out using a grant made under paragraph 
                (1) may be in the form of donations or in-kind 
                contributions of goods or services fairly 
                valued.
            ``(3) Selection criteria.--In selecting eligible 
        entities to receive grants under paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall consider--
                    ``(A) the commitment of participating core 
                stakeholders in the jobs accelerator 
                partnership, including a demonstration that--
                            ``(i) investment organizations, 
                        including venture development 
                        organizations, venture capital firms, 
                        revolving loan funders, angel 
                        investment groups, community lenders, 
                        community development financial 
                        institutions, rural business investment 
                        companies, small business investment 
                        companies (as defined in section 103 of 
                        the Small Business Investment Act of 
                        1958 (15 U.S.C. 662)), philanthropic 
                        organizations, and other institutions 
                        focused on expanding access to capital, 
                        are committed partners in the jobs 
                        accelerator partnership and willing to 
                        potentially invest in projects emerging 
                        from the jobs accelerator; and
                            ``(ii) institutions of higher 
                        education, applied research 
                        institutions, workforce development 
                        entities, and community-based 
                        organizations are willing to partner 
                        with the jobs accelerator to provide 
                        workers with skills relevant to the 
                        industry cluster needs of the region, 
                        with an emphasis on the use of on-the-
                        job training, registered 
                        apprenticeships, customized training, 
                        classroom occupational training, or 
                        incumbent worker training;
                    ``(B) the ability of the eligible entity to 
                provide the non-Federal share as required under 
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) the identification of a targeted 
                industry cluster;
                    ``(D) the ability of the partnership to 
                link rural communities to markets, networks, 
                industry clusters, and other regional 
                opportunities and assets;
                    ``(E) other grants or loans of the 
                Secretary and other Federal agencies that the 
                jobs accelerator would be able to leverage; and
                    ``(F) prospects for the proposed center and 
                related programming to have sustainability 
                beyond the full maximum length of assistance 
                under this subsection, including the maximum 
                number of renewals.
            ``(4) Grant term and renewals.--
                    ``(A) Term.--The initial term of a grant 
                under paragraph (1) shall be 4 years.
                    ``(B) Renewal.--The Secretary may extend 
                the term of a grant under paragraph (1) for an 
                additional period of not longer than 2 years if 
                the Secretary is satisfied, using the 
                evaluation under subsection (e)(2), that the 
                grant recipient has successfully established a 
                jobs accelerator and related programming.
            ``(5) Geographic distribution.--To the maximum 
        extent practicable, the Secretary shall provide grants 
        under paragraph (1) for jobs accelerators and related 
        programming in not fewer than 25 States at any time.
    ``(c) Grant Amount.--A grant awarded under subsection (b) 
may be in an amount equal to--
            ``(1) not less than $500,000; and
            ``(2) not more than $2,000,000.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), funds 
        from a grant awarded under subsection (b) may be used--
                    ``(A) to construct, purchase, or equip a 
                building to serve as an innovation center;
                    ``(B) to support programs to be carried out 
                at, or in direct partnership with, the jobs 
                accelerator that support the objectives of the 
                jobs accelerator, including--
                            ``(i) linking rural communities and 
                        entrepreneurs to markets, networks, 
                        industry clusters, and other regional 
                        opportunities to support high-wage job 
                        creation, new business formation, 
                        business expansion, and economic 
                        growth;
                            ``(ii) integrating small businesses 
                        into a supply chain;
                            ``(iii) creating or expanding 
                        commercialization activities for new 
                        business formation;
                            ``(iv) identifying and building 
                        assets in rural communities that are 
                        crucial to supporting regional 
                        economies;
                            ``(v) facilitating the repatriation 
                        of high-wage jobs to the United States;
                            ``(vi) supporting the deployment of 
                        innovative processes, technologies, and 
                        products;
                            ``(vii) enhancing the capacity of 
                        small businesses in regional industry 
                        clusters, including small and 
                        disadvantaged businesses;
                            ``(viii) increasing United States 
                        exports and business interaction with 
                        international buyers and suppliers;
                            ``(ix) developing the skills and 
                        expertise of local workforces, 
                        entrepreneurs, and institutional 
                        partners to meet the needs of employers 
                        and prepare workers for high-wage jobs 
                        in the identified industry clusters, 
                        including the upskilling of incumbent 
                        workers;
                            ``(x) ensuring rural communities 
                        have the capacity and ability to carry 
                        out projects relating to housing, 
                        community facilities, infrastructure, 
                        or community and economic development 
                        to support regional industry cluster 
                        growth; or
                            ``(xi) any other activities that 
                        the Secretary may determine to be 
                        appropriate.
            ``(2) Requirement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), not more than 10 percent of a grant 
                awarded under subsection (b) shall be used for 
                indirect costs associated with administering 
                the grant.
                    ``(B) Increase.--The Secretary may increase 
                the percentage described in subparagraph (A) on 
                a case-by-case basis.
    ``(e) Annual Activity Report and Evaluation.--Not later 
than 1 year after receiving a grant under this section, and 
annually thereafter for the duration of the grant, an eligible 
entity shall--
            ``(1) report to the Secretary on the activities 
        funded with the grant; and
            ``(2)(A) evaluate the progress that the eligible 
        entity has made toward the strategic objectives 
        identified in the application for the grant; and
            ``(B) measure that progress using performance 
        measures during the project period, which may include--
                    ``(i) high-wage jobs created;
                    ``(ii) high-wage jobs retained;
                    ``(iii) private investment leveraged;
                    ``(iv) businesses improved;
                    ``(v) new business formations;
                    ``(vi) new products or services 
                commercialized;
                    ``(vii) improvement of the value of 
                existing products or services under 
                development;
                    ``(viii) regional collaboration, as 
                measured by such metrics as--
                            ``(I) the number of organizations 
                        actively engaged in the industry 
                        cluster;
                            ``(II) the number of symposia held 
                        by the industry cluster, including 
                        organizations that are not located in 
                        the immediate region defined by the 
                        partnership; and
                            ``(III) the number of further 
                        cooperative agreements;
                    ``(ix) the number of education and training 
                activities relating to innovation;
                    ``(x) the number of jobs relocated from 
                outside of the United States to the region;
                    ``(xi) the amount and number of new equity 
                investments in industry cluster firms;
                    ``(xii) the amount and number of new loans 
                to industry cluster firms;
                    ``(xiii) the dollar increase in exports 
                resulting from the project activities;
                    ``(xiv) the percentage of employees for 
                which training was provided;
                    ``(xv) improvement in sales of 
                participating businesses;
                    ``(xvi) improvement in wages paid at 
                participating businesses;
                    ``(xvii) improvement in income of 
                participating workers; or
                    ``(xviii) any other measure the Secretary 
                determines to be appropriate.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 6425. DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 382M(a) of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2009aa-12(a)) is amended by striking ``2008 through 2018'' and 
inserting ``2019 through 2023''.
    (b) Termination of Authority.--Section 382N of such Act (7 
U.S.C. 2009aa-13) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 6426. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                ``venture''; and
                    (B) by striking ``venture''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(4) Equity capital.--The term `equity capital' 
        means--
                    ``(A) common or preferred stock or a 
                similar instrument, including subordinated debt 
                with equity features; and
                    ``(B) any other type of equity-like 
                financing that might be necessary to facilitate 
                the purposes of this Act, excluding financing 
                such as senior debt or other types of financing 
                that competes with routine loanmaking of 
                commercial lenders.''.
    (b) Purposes.--Section 384B of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-1) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``venture''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``venture''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``venture''.
    (c) Selection of Rural Business Investment Companies.--
Section 384D(b)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-3(b)(1)) is 
amended by striking ``developmental venture'' and inserting 
``developmental''.
    (d) Fees.--Section 384G of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-6) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ``a fee 
        that does not exceed $500'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``such fees as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate, so long as those fees are proportionally 
        equal for each rural business investment company,''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``solely to cover the costs of licensing 
                examinations'' and inserting ``as the Secretary 
                considers appropriate''; and
                    (B) by striking subparagraph (C) and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(C) shall be in such amounts as the 
                Secretary considers appropriate.''.
    (e) Limitation on Rural Business Investment Companies 
Controlled by Farm Credit System Institutions.--Section 384J(c) 
of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-9(c)) is amended by striking 
``25'' and inserting ``50''.
    (f) Flexibility on Sources of Investment or Capital.--
Section 384J(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-9(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
        subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (2) by striking the subsection designation and 
        heading and all that follows through ``Except as'' in 
        the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
        redesignated) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Investment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Limitation on requirements.--The Secretary 
        may not require that an entity described in paragraph 
        (1) provide investment or capital that is not required 
        of other companies eligible to apply to operate as a 
        rural business investment company under section 
        384D(a).''.

SEC. 6427. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 384S of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-18) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

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

SEC. 6501. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 2 OF THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ACT OF 
                    1936.

    (a) Electric Loan Refinancing.--Section 2(a) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 902(a)) is amended by 
striking ``loans in'' and inserting ``loans, or refinance loans 
made by the Secretary under this Act, in''.
    (b) Technical Assistance for Rural Electrification Loans.--
Section 2 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 902) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:
    ``(c) Technical Assistance.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of 
Energy under which the Secretary of Energy shall provide 
technical assistance to the Rural Utilities Service on loans to 
be made under subsection (a) of this section and section 
4(a).''.

SEC. 6502. LOANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE.

    Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 922) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section designation and all 
        that follows through ``From such sums'' and inserting 
        the following:

``SEC. 201. LOANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE.

    ``From such sums'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking 
        ``associations:'' and all that follows through ``same 
        subscribers.'' and inserting ``associations.''; and
            (3) in the sixth sentence, by striking ``, nor 
        shall such loan be made in any State'' and all that 
        follows through ``writing)'' in the seventh sentence 
        and inserting the following: ``and''.

SEC. 6503. CUSHION OF CREDIT PAYMENTS PROGRAM.

    Section 313(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 940c(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``(1) In general.--The'' 
                and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Development and promotion of 
                program.--The''; and
                    (B) by adding after and below the end the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Termination.--Effective on the date 
                of enactment of this subparagraph, no deposits 
                may be made under subparagraph (A).'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``(2) Interest.--Amounts'' 
                and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Interest.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Amounts''; and
                    (B) by adding after and below the end the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Reduction.--Notwithstanding 
                subparagraph (A), amounts in each cushion of 
                credit account shall accrue interest to the 
                borrower at a rate equal to--
                            ``(i) 4 percent per annum in fiscal 
                        year 2021; and
                            ``(ii) the then applicable 1-year 
                        Treasury rate thereafter.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``(3) Balance.--A'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(3) Balance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A''; and
                    (B) by after and below the end the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Prepayment.--Notwithstanding 
                subparagraph (A) and subject to subparagraph 
                (C), beginning on the date of the enactment of 
                this subparagraph and ending with September 30, 
                2020, a borrower may, at the sole discretion of 
                the borrower, reduce the balance of its cushion 
                of credit account if the amount obtained from 
                the reduction is used to prepay loans made or 
                guaranteed under this Act.
                    ``(C) No prepayment premium.--
                Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
                Act, no prepayment premium shall be imposed or 
                collected with respect to that portion of a 
                loan that is prepaid by a borrower in 
                accordance with subparagraph (B).
                    ``(D) Mandatory funding.--Notwithstanding 
                section 504 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 
                1990, out of any funds in the Treasury not 
                otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the 
                Treasury shall make available such sums as 
                necessary to cover any loan modification costs 
                as defined in section 502 of such Act.''.

SEC. 6504. EXTENSION OF THE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN AND GRANT 
                    PROGRAM.

    (a) Section 12(b)(3)(D) of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (7 U.S.C. 912(b)(3)(D)) is amended by striking 
``313(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``313(b)(2)''.
    (b) Section 313(b)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 940c(b)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking all that precedes ``shall 
        maintain'' and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Rural economic development subaccount.--The 
        Secretary''; and
            (2) by striking ``the 5 percent'' and all that 
        follows through subparagraph (E) and inserting ``5 
        percent.''.
    (c) Title III of such Act (7 U.S.C. 931-940h) is amended by 
inserting after section 313A the following:

``SEC. 313B. RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOANS AND GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide grants or 
zero interest loans to borrowers under this Act for the purpose 
of promoting rural economic development and job creation 
projects, including funding for project feasibility studies, 
start-up costs, incubator projects, and other reasonable 
expenses for the purpose of fostering rural development.
    ``(b) Repayments.--In the case of zero interest loans, the 
Secretary shall establish such reasonable repayment terms as 
will encourage borrower participation.
    ``(c) Proceeds.--All proceeds from the repayment of such 
loans made under this section shall be returned to the 
subaccount that the Secretary shall maintain in accordance with 
sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f).
    ``(d) Number of Grants.--Loans and grants required under 
this section shall be made to the full extent of the amounts 
made available under subsection (e).
    ``(e) Funding.--
            ``(1) Discretionary funding.--In addition to other 
        funds that are available to carry out this section, 
        there is authorized to be appropriated not more than 
        $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 
        to carry out this section, to remain available until 
        expended.
            ``(2) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall 
        credit to the subaccount to use for the cost of grants 
        and loans under this section $5,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2022 and 2023, to remain available until 
        expended.
            ``(3) Other funds.--In addition to the funds 
        described in paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary 
        shall use, without fiscal year limitation, to provide 
        grants and loans under this section--
                    ``(A) the interest differential sums 
                credited to the subaccount described in 
                subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) subject to section 313A(e)(2), the 
                fees described in subsection (c)(4) of such 
                section.
    ``(f) Maintenance of Account.--The Secretary shall maintain 
the subaccount described in section 313(b)(2), as in effect in 
fiscal year 2017, for purposes of carrying out this section.''.
    (d) Section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 940c-1) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``maintained under section 313(b)(2)(A)'' and 
                inserting ``that shall be maintained as 
                required by sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f)''; 
                and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``313(b)(2)(B)'' and inserting ``313(b)(2)''; 
                and
            (2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``maintained 
        under section 313(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting ``required 
        to be maintained by sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f)''.
    (e)(1) Subject to section 313B(e) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (as added by this section), the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out the loan and grant 
program required under such section in the same manner as the 
loan and grant program under section 313(b)(2) of such Act is 
carried out on the day before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, until such time as any regulations necessary to carry out 
the amendments made by this section are fully implemented.
    (2) Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6505. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED FOR ELECTRIFICATION OR 
                    TELEPHONE PURPOSES.

    (a) In General.--Section 313A of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c-1) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Subject to'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) Guarantees.--Subject to'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
                striking ``basis'' and all that follows through 
                the period at the end and inserting ``basis, if 
                the proceeds of the bonds or notes are used to 
                make utility infrastructure loans, or refinance 
                bonds or notes issued for those purposes, to a 
                borrower that has at any time received, or is 
                eligible to receive, a loan under this Act.''; 
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Terms.--A bond or note guaranteed under this 
        section shall, by agreement between the Secretary and 
        the borrower--
                    ``(A) be for a term of 30 years (or another 
                term of years that the Secretary determines is 
                appropriate); and
                    ``(B) be repaid by the borrower--
                            ``(i) in periodic installments of 
                        principal and interest;
                            ``(ii) in periodic installments of 
                        interest and, at the end of the term of 
                        the bond or note, as applicable, by the 
                        repayment of the outstanding principal; 
                        or
                            ``(iii) through a combination of 
                        the methods described in clauses (i) 
                        and (ii).'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking 
                ``electrification'' and all that follows 
                through the period at the end and inserting 
                ``purposes described in subsection (a)(1).'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) 
                as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
                    (D) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking ``for electrification or 
                        telephone purposes'' and inserting 
                        ``for eligible purposes described in 
                        subsection (a)(1)''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking ``subsection (a)'' and 
                        inserting ``subsection (a)(1)''; and
            (3) in subsection (f), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Administration.--Beginning on the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall 
continue to carry out section 313A of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c-1) (as amended by subsection (a)) 
under a Notice of Solicitation of Applications until the date 
on which any regulations necessary to carry out the amendments 
made by subsection (a) are fully implemented.

SEC. 6506. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.

    Section 315 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 940e) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``commercial 
        or transportation'' and inserting ``critical 
        transportation-related''; and
            (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 6507. CYBERSECURITY AND GRID SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

    Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 931 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 319. CYBERSECURITY AND GRID SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS.

    ``(a) Definition of Cybersecurity and Grid Security 
Improvements.--In this section, the term `cybersecurity and 
grid security improvements' means investment in the 
development, expansion, and modernization of rural utility 
infrastructure that addresses known cybersecurity and grid 
security risks.
    ``(b) Loans and Loan Guarantees.--The Secretary may make or 
guarantee loans under this title and title I for cybersecurity 
and grid security improvements.''.

                      Subtitle F--Program Repeals

SEC. 6601. ELIMINATION OF UNFUNDED PROGRAMS.

    (a) Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.--
            (1) Repealers.--The following provisions of the 
        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act are hereby 
        repealed:
                    (A) Section 306(a)(23) (7 U.S.C. 
                1926(a)(23)).
                    (B) Section 310B(f) (7 U.S.C. 1932(f)).
                    (C) Section 379 (7 U.S.C. 2008n).
                    (D) Section 379A (7 U.S.C. 2008o).
                    (E) Section 379C (7 U.S.C. 2008q).
                    (F) Section 379D (7 U.S.C. 2008r).
                    (G) Section 379F (7 U.S.C. 2008t).
                    (H) Subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 2009dd-2009dd-7).
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 333A(h) of such 
        Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a(h)) is amended by striking 
        ``310B(f),''.
    (b) Rural Electrification Act of 1936.--Section 314 of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940d) is hereby 
repealed.

SEC. 6602. REPEAL OF RURAL TELEPHONE BANK.

    (a) Repeal.--Title IV of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (7 U.S.C. 941-950b) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 18 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 918) is 
        amended in each of subsections (a) and (b) by striking 
        ``and the Governor of the telephone bank''.
            (2) Section 204 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 925) is 
        amended by striking ``and the Governor of the telephone 
        bank''.
            (3) Section 205(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 926) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``and the Governor of the telephone 
                bank''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or the 
                Governor of the telephone bank''.
            (4) Section 206(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 927(a)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``and the Governor of the telephone 
                bank'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (1);
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or 
                408''; and
                    (D) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through 
                (4) as paragraphs (1) through (3), 
                respectively.
            (5) Section 206(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 927(b)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``and the Governor of the telephone 
                bank'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, or a 
                Rural Telephone Bank loan,''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, the 
                Rural Telephone Bank,''.
            (6) Section 207(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 928(1)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking ``305,'' and inserting 
                ``305 or''; and
                    (B) by striking ``, or a loan under section 
                408,''.
            (7) Section 301 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 931) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``except 
                for net collection proceeds previously 
                appropriated for the purchase of class A stock 
                in the Rural Telephone Bank,'';
                    (B) by adding ``or'' at the end of 
                paragraph (4);
                    (C) by striking ``; and'' at the end of 
                paragraph (5) and inserting a period; and
                    (D) by striking paragraph (6).
            (8) Section 305(d)(2)(B) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
        935(d)(2)(B)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and a loan 
                under section 408''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``and under 
                section 408'' each place it appears.
            (9) Section 305(d)(3)(C) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
        935(d)(3)(C)) is amended by striking ``and section 
        408(b)(4)(C), the Secretary and the Governor of the 
        telephone bank'' and inserting ``the Secretary''.
            (10) Section 306 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 936) is 
        amended by striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank, 
        National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance 
        Corporation,'' and inserting ``the National Rural 
        Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation''.
            (11) Section 309 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 739) is 
        amended by striking the last sentence.
            (12) Section 2352(b) of the Food, Agriculture, 
        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 901 note) 
        is amended by striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank 
        and''.
            (13) The first section of Public Law 92-12 (7 
        U.S.C. 921a) is repealed.
            (14) The first section of Public Law 92-324 (7 
        U.S.C. 921b) is repealed.
            (15) Section 1414 of the Omnibus Budget 
        Reconciliation Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 944a) is repealed.
            (16) Section 1411 of the Omnibus Budget 
        Reconciliation Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 948 notes) is 
        amended by striking subsections (a) and (b).
            (17) Section 3.8(b)(1)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 
        1971 (12 U.S.C. 2129(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking 
        ``or a loan or loan commitment from the Rural Telephone 
        Bank,''.
            (18) Section 105(d) of the National Consumer 
        Cooperative Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 3015(d)) is amended by 
        striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank,''.
            (19) Section 9101 of title 31, United States Code, 
        is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                subparagraph (H) and redesignating 
                subparagraphs (I), (J), and (K) as 
                subparagraphs (H), (I), and (J), respectively; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking 
                subparagraphs (K) and (O) and redesignating 
                subparagraphs (L) through (N) and (P) through 
                (R) as subparagraphs (K) through (P), 
                respectively.
            (20) Section 9108(d)(2) of title 31, United States 
        Code, is amended by striking ``the Rural Telephone Bank 
        (when the ownership, control, and operation of the Bank 
        are converted under section 410(a) of the Rural 
        Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950(a))),''.

SEC. 6603. AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL TV ACT.

    The Launching Our Communities' Access to Local Television 
Act of 2000 (title X of H.R. 5548 of the 106th Congress, as 
enacted by section 1(a)(2) of Public Law 106-553; 114 Stat. 
2762A-128) is amended--
            (1) by striking the title heading and inserting the 
        following:

       ``TITLE X--SATELLITE CARRIER RETRANSMISSION ELIGIBILITY'';

            (2) by striking sections 1001 through 1007 and 1009 
        through 1012; and
            (3) by redesignating section 1008 as section 1001.

                   Subtitle G--Technical Corrections

SEC. 6701. CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATED FARM AND RURAL 
                    DEVELOPMENT ACT.

    (a)(1) Section 306(a)(19)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)(A)) is amended by 
inserting after ``nonprofit corporations'' the following: ``, 
Indian Tribes (as defined in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act)''.
    (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in section 773 of the Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2001 (H.R. 5426 of the 106th Congress, as 
enacted by Public Law 106-387 (114 Stat. 1549A-45)) in lieu of 
the amendment made by such section.
    (b)(1) Section 309A(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1929a(b)) is amended by striking 
``and section 308''.
    (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 661(c)(2) of the 
Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public 
Law 104-127).
    (c) Section 310B(c)(3)(A)(v) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(3)(A)(v)) is amended by 
striking ``and'' after the semicolon and inserting ``or''.
    (d)(1) Section 310B(e)(5)(F) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)(5)(F)) is amended by 
inserting ``, except that the Secretary shall not require non-
Federal financial support in an amount that is greater than 5 
percent in the case of a 1994 institution (as defined in 
section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382))'' before the 
period at the end.
    (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 6015 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171).
    (e)(1) Section 381E(d)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009d(d)(3)) is amended by 
striking subparagraph (A) and redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively.
    (2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 6012(b) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79).
    (f)(1) Section 382A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
            ``(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
        the State of Alabama shall be a full member of the 
        Delta Regional Authority and shall be entitled to all 
        rights and privileges that said membership affords to 
        all other participating States in the Delta Regional 
        Authority.''.
    (2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 153(b) of division B 
of H.R. 5666, as introduced in the 106th Congress, and as 
enacted by section 1(4) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 
2001 (Appendix D of Public Law 106-554; 114 Stat. 2763A-252).
    (g) Section 382E(a)(1)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.2009aa-4(a)(1)(B)) is amended by 
moving clause (iv) 2 ems to the right.
    (h) Section 383G(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-5(c)) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading by striking 
        ``Telecommunication Renewable Energy,,'' and inserting 
        ``Telecommunication, Renewable Energy,''; and
            (2) in the text, by striking ``,,'' and inserting a 
        comma.

SEC. 6702. CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ACT OF 
                    1936.

    Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 922) is amended--
            (1) in the 3rd sentence by striking ``wildest'' and 
        inserting ``widest''; and
            (2) in the 6th sentence, by striking ``centifies'' 
        and inserting ``certifies''.

          TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS

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

SEC. 7101. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

    Section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;
            (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) support international collaboration that 
        leverages resources and advances priority food and 
        agricultural interests of the United States, such as--
                    ``(A) addressing emerging plant and animal 
                diseases;
                    ``(B) improving crop varieties and animal 
                breeds; and
                    ``(C) developing safe, efficient, and 
                nutritious food systems.''.

SEC. 7102. MATTERS RELATED TO CERTAIN SCHOOL DESIGNATIONS AND 
                    DECLARATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1404(14) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(14)) is amended--
            (1) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
        follows:
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Definition.--The terms `NLGCA 
                        Institution' and `non-land-grant 
                        college of agriculture' mean a public 
                        college or university offering a 
                        baccalaureate or higher degree in the 
                        study of agricultural sciences, 
                        forestry, or both in any area of study 
                        specified in clause (ii).
                            ``(ii) Clarification.--For purposes 
                        of clause (i), an area of study 
                        specified in this clause is any of the 
                        following:
                                    ``(I) Agriculture.
                                    ``(II) Agricultural 
                                business and management.
                                    ``(III) Agricultural 
                                economics.
                                    ``(IV) Agricultural 
                                mechanization.
                                    ``(V) Agricultural 
                                production operations.
                                    ``(VI) Aquaculture.
                                    ``(VII) Agricultural and 
                                food products processing.
                                    ``(VIII) Agricultural and 
                                domestic animal services.
                                    ``(IX) Equestrian or equine 
                                studies.
                                    ``(X) Applied horticulture 
                                or horticulture operations.
                                    ``(XI) Ornamental 
                                horticulture.
                                    ``(XII) Greenhouse 
                                operations and management.
                                    ``(XIII) Turf and turfgrass 
                                management.
                                    ``(XIV) Plant nursery 
                                operations and management.
                                    ``(XV) Floriculture or 
                                floristry operations and 
                                management.
                                    ``(XVI) International 
                                agriculture.
                                    ``(XVII) Agricultural 
                                public services.
                                    ``(XVIII) Agricultural and 
                                extension education services.
                                    ``(XIX) Agricultural 
                                communication or agricultural 
                                journalism.
                                    ``(XX) Animal sciences.
                                    ``(XXI) Food science.
                                    ``(XXII) Plant sciences.
                                    ``(XXIII) Soil sciences.
                                    ``(XXIV) Forestry.
                                    ``(XXV) Forest sciences and 
                                biology.
                                    ``(XXVI) Natural resources 
                                or conservation.
                                    ``(XXVII) Natural resources 
                                management and policy.
                                    ``(XXVIII) Natural resource 
                                economics.
                                    ``(XXIX) Urban forestry.
                                    ``(XXX) Wood science and 
                                wood products or pulp or paper 
                                technology.
                                    ``(XXXI) Range science and 
                                management.
                                    ``(XXXII) Agricultural 
                                engineering.
                                    ``(XXXIII) Any other area, 
                                as determined appropriate by 
                                the Secretary.''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (C)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                inserting ``any institution designated under'' 
                after ``include'';
                    (B) by striking clause (i); and
                    (C) in clause (ii)--
                            (i) by striking ``(ii) any 
                        institution designated under--'';
                            (ii) by striking subclause (IV);
                            (iii) in subclause (II), by adding 
                        ``or'' at the end;
                            (iv) in subclause (III), by 
                        striking ``; or'' at the end and 
                        inserting a period; and
                            (v) by redesignating subclauses 
                        (I), (II), and (III) (as so amended) as 
                        clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), 
                        respectively, and by moving the margins 
                        of such clauses (as so redesignated) 
                        two ems to the left.
    (b) Designation Review.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
        establish a process to review each designated NLGCA 
        Institution (as defined in section 1404(14)(A) of the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
        Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(14)(A))) to ensure 
        compliance with such section, as amended by this 
        subsection.
            (2) Revocation.--An NLGCA Institution that the 
        Secretary determines under subparagraph (A) to be not 
        in compliance shall have the designation of such 
        institution revoked.

SEC. 7103. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND 
                    ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

    Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``25'' 
                and inserting ``15''; and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as 
                follows:
            ``(3) Membership categories.--The Advisory Board 
        shall consist of members from each of the following 
        categories:
                    ``(A) 3 members representing national farm 
                or producer organizations, which may include 
                members--
                            ``(i) representing farm 
                        cooperatives;
                            ``(ii) who are producers actively 
                        engaged in the production of a food 
                        animal commodity and who are 
                        recommended by a coalition of national 
                        livestock organizations;
                            ``(iii) who are producers actively 
                        engaged in the production of a plant 
                        commodity and who are recommended by a 
                        coalition of national crop 
                        organizations; or
                            ``(iv) who are producers actively 
                        engaged in aquaculture and who are 
                        recommended by a coalition of national 
                        aquacultural organizations.
                    ``(B) 2 members representing academic or 
                research societies, which may include members 
                representing--
                            ``(i) a national food animal 
                        science society;
                            ``(ii) a national crop, soil, 
                        agronomy, horticulture, plant 
                        pathology, or weed science society;
                            ``(iii) a national food science 
                        organization;
                            ``(iv) a national human health 
                        association; or
                            ``(v) a national nutritional 
                        science society.
                    ``(C) 5 members representing agricultural 
                research, extension, and education, which shall 
                include each of the following:
                            ``(i) 1 member representing the 
                        land-grant colleges and universities 
                        eligible to receive funds under the Act 
                        of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).
                            ``(ii) 1 member representing the 
                        land-grant colleges and universities 
                        eligible to receive funds under the Act 
                        of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et 
                        seq.), including Tuskegee University.
                            ``(iii) 1 member representing the 
                        1994 Institutions (as defined in 
                        section 532 of the Equity in 
                        Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 
                        1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 
                        103-382)).
                            ``(iv) 1 member representing NLGCA 
                        Institutions or Hispanic-serving 
                        institutions.
                            ``(v) 1 member representing 
                        American colleges of veterinary 
                        medicine.
                    ``(D) 5 members representing industry, 
                consumer, or rural interests, including members 
                representing--
                            ``(i) entities engaged in 
                        transportation of food and agricultural 
                        products to domestic and foreign 
                        markets;
                            ``(ii) food retailing and marketing 
                        interests;
                            ``(iii) food and fiber processors;
                            ``(iv) rural economic development 
                        interests;
                            ``(v) a national consumer interest 
                        group;
                            ``(vi) a national forestry group;
                            ``(vii) a national conservation or 
                        natural resource group;
                            ``(viii) a national social science 
                        association;
                            ``(ix) private sector organizations 
                        involved in international development; 
                        or
                            ``(x) a national association of 
                        agricultural economists.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking ``review 
                        and'' and inserting ``make 
                        recommendations, review, and'';
                            (ii) by striking subparagraph (A) 
                        and inserting the following new 
                        subparagraph:
                    ``(A) long-term and short-term national 
                policies and priorities consistent with the--
                            ``(i) purposes specified in section 
                        1402 for agricultural research, 
                        extension, education, and economics; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) priority areas of the 
                        Agriculture and Food Research 
                        Initiative specified in subsection 
                        (b)(2) of the Competitive, Special, and 
                        Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
                        3157(b)(2));''; and
                            (iii) by amending subparagraph (B) 
                        to read as follows:
                    ``(B) the annual establishment of national 
                priorities that are in accordance with the 
                priority areas of the Agriculture and Food 
                Research Initiative specified in subsection 
                (b)(2) of the Competitive, Special, and 
                Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
                3157(b)(2)).'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and 
                make recommendations to the Secretary based on 
                such evaluation'' after ``priorities''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and 
                make recommendations on'' after ``review''; and
            (3) in subsection (h), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7104. SPECIALTY CROP COMMITTEE.

    Section 1408A(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3123a(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``speciality'' 
        and inserting ``specialty'';
            (2) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                striking ``9'' and inserting ``11''; and
                    (B) in clause (i), by striking ``Three'' 
                and inserting ``Five''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7105. RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE DISCONTINUED.

    Subtitle B of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121 et 
seq.) is amended by striking section 1408B. 

SEC. 7106. VETERINARY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 1415B of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151b) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(1), by adding at the end the 
        following:
                    ``(F) To expose students in grades 11 and 
                12 to education and career opportunities in 
                food animal medicine.''; and
            (2) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) by striking the subsection designation 
                and heading and inserting the following:
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Priority.--From amounts made available for 
        grants under this section, the Secretary shall 
        prioritize grant awards for programs or activities with 
        a focus on the practice of food animal medicine. ''.

SEC. 7107. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SCIENCES 
                    EDUCATION.

    Section 1417(m)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3152(m)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 7108. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

    Section 1419A(e) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(e)) 
is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7109. EDUCATION GRANTS TO ALASKA NATIVE SERVING INSTITUTIONS AND 
                    NATIVE HAWAIIAN SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 1419B of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3156) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7110. NEXT GENERATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE.

    Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1419C. NEXT GENERATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a next 
generation agriculture technology challenge competition to 
provide an incentive for the development of innovative mobile 
technology that removes barriers to entry in the marketplace 
for beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in subsection 
(a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)).
    ``(b) Amount.--The Secretary may award not more than 
$1,000,000 in the aggregate to 1 or more winners of the 
competition under subsection (a).''.

SEC. 7111. LAND-GRANT DESIGNATION.

    Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151 et 
seq.), as amended by section 7110, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 1419D. LAND-GRANT DESIGNATION.

    ``(a) Prohibition on Designation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law and except as provided in paragraphs 
        (2) and (3), beginning on the date of the enactment of 
        this section, no additional entity may be designated as 
        eligible to receive funds under a covered program.
            ``(2) 1994 institutions.--The prohibition under 
        paragraph (1) with respect to the designation of an 
        entity eligible to receive funds under a covered 
        program shall not apply in the case of the 
        certification of a 1994 Institution under section 2 of 
        Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the ``McIntire-
        Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act'') (16 U.S.C. 582a-1).
            ``(3) Extraordinary circumstances.--In the case of 
        extraordinary circumstances or a situation that would 
        lead to an inequitable result, as determined by the 
        Secretary, the Secretary may determine that an entity 
        designated after the date of enactment of this section 
        is eligible to receive funds under a covered program.
    ``(b) State Funding.--No State shall receive an increase in 
funding under a covered program as a result of the State's 
designation of additional entities as eligible to receive such 
funding.
    ``(c) Covered Program Defined.--For purposes of this 
section, the term `covered program' means agricultural 
research, extension, education, and related programs or grants 
established or available under any of the following:
            ``(1) Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 3 of 
        the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343).
            ``(2) The Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et 
        seq.).
            ``(3) Sections 1444, 1445, and 1447.
            ``(4) Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the 
        McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C. 
        582a et seq.).
    ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
be construed as limiting eligibility for a capacity and 
infrastructure program specified in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6971(f)(1)(C)) that is not a covered program.''.

SEC. 7112. NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    Section 1425 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
        (g);
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the 
        following:
    ``(f) Coordination.--Projects carried out with funds made 
available under section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914 (7 
U.S.C. 343(d)), to carry out the program established under 
subsection (b) may be coordinated with the nutrition education 
and obesity prevention grant program under section 28 of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036a) or another 
health promotion or nutrition improvement strategy, whether 
publicly or privately funded, as determined by the 
Secretary.''; and
            (3) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7113. CONTINUING ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

    Section 1433(c)(1) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3195(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 7114. CARRYOVER OF FUNDS FOR EXTENSION AT 1890 LAND-GRANT 
                    COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

    Section 1444(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)) 
is amended by striking paragraph (4).

SEC. 7115. EXTENSION AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND-GRANT 
                    COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

    (a) Extension.--Section 1444(b) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(b)) is amended--
            (1) in the undesignated matter following paragraph 
        (2)(B)--
                    (A) by striking ``paragraph (2) of this 
                subsection'' and inserting ``this paragraph''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``In computing'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(C) In computing'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``Of 
                the remainder'' and inserting ``Except as 
                provided in paragraph (4), of the remainder''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``(2) any funds'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(3) Additional amount.--Any funds'';
            (3) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``are allocated'' and 
                inserting ``were allocated''; and
                    (B) by striking ``; and'' and inserting ``, 
                as so designated as of that date.'';
            (4) by striking ``(b) Beginning'' in the matter 
        preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through 
        ``any funds'' in paragraph (1) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(b) Distribution of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Funds made available under this 
        section shall be distributed among eligible 
        institutions in accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Base amount.--Any funds''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Special amounts.--
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Covered fiscal year.--The 
                        term `covered fiscal year' means the 
                        fiscal year for which the qualified 
                        eligible institution first received an 
                        allocation of $3,000,000 under 
                        subparagraph (B)(i).
                            ``(ii) Other eligible 
                        institution.--The term `other eligible 
                        institution' means an eligible 
                        institution, other than the qualified 
                        eligible institution, receiving an 
                        allocation of funds under this section.
                            ``(iii) Qualified eligible 
                        institution.--The term `qualified 
                        eligible institution' means the 
                        eligible institution described in 
                        subparagraph (B)(i).
                    ``(B) Fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 
                2022.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to 
                        clause (ii), for 1 of fiscal year 2019, 
                        2020, 2021, or 2022, if the calculation 
                        under paragraph (3)(B) would result in 
                        a distribution for a fiscal year of 
                        less than $3,000,000 to an eligible 
                        institution that first received funds 
                        under this section on a date occurring 
                        after the date of enactment of the 
                        Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 
                        113-79; 128 Stat. 649) and before 
                        September 30, 2018, that institution 
                        shall receive an allocation of 
                        $3,000,000 for that fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) Limitation.--Clause (i) 
                        shall apply only if amounts are 
                        appropriated under this section in an 
                        amount sufficient to provide that each 
                        other eligible institution receiving an 
                        allocation of funds under this section 
                        for fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 
                        2022, as applicable, receives not less 
                        than the amount of funds received by 
                        that other eligible institution under 
                        this section for the preceding fiscal 
                        year.
                    ``(C) Subsequent fiscal years.--
                            ``(i) Minimum additional funding 
                        amounts.--Subject to clauses (ii) and 
                        (iii), for each fiscal year following 
                        the covered fiscal year--
                                    ``(I) the qualified 
                                eligible institution shall 
                                receive an allocation under 
                                this subsection of at least 
                                $3,000,000; and
                                    ``(II) each other eligible 
                                institution shall receive an 
                                allocation under this 
                                subsection of at least the 
                                amount received by such other 
                                eligible institution under this 
                                subsection for the covered 
                                fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) Shortfall of special 
                        amounts.--
                                    ``(I) Applicability.--This 
                                clause shall apply to any 
                                fiscal year following the 
                                covered fiscal year and for 
                                which the total amount 
                                appropriated under this section 
                                is insufficient to provide for 
                                the minimum additional funding 
                                amounts described in clause 
                                (i).
                                    ``(II) Reductions in 
                                allocations.--In the case of a 
                                fiscal year to which this 
                                clause applies, reductions in 
                                allocations shall be made 
                                proportionally from the 
                                qualified eligible institution 
                                and from each other eligible 
                                institution based on the 
                                increased amounts (if any) that 
                                the qualified eligible 
                                institution and each other 
                                eligible institution were 
                                allocated for the covered 
                                fiscal year as compared to the 
                                fiscal year immediately 
                                preceding the covered fiscal 
                                year.
                            ``(iii) Effect of census.--Clauses 
                        (i) and (ii) shall not apply in any 
                        fiscal year for which a shortfall in 
                        the minimum additional funding amounts 
                        described in clause (i) is attributable 
                        to the incorporation of new census data 
                        into the calculation under paragraph 
                        (3), as determined by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Research.--Section 1445(b) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3222(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Special amounts.--
                            ``(i) Definitions.--In this 
                        subparagraph:
                                    ``(I) Covered fiscal 
                                year.--The term `covered fiscal 
                                year' means the fiscal year for 
                                which the qualified eligible 
                                institution first received an 
                                allocation of $3,000,000 under 
                                clause (ii)(I).
                                    ``(II) Other eligible 
                                institution.--The term `other 
                                eligible institution' means an 
                                eligible institution, other 
                                than the qualified eligible 
                                institution, receiving an 
                                allocation of funds under this 
                                section.
                                    ``(III) Qualified eligible 
                                institution.--The term 
                                `qualified eligible 
                                institution' means the eligible 
                                institution described in clause 
                                (ii)(I).
                            ``(ii) Fiscal year 2019, 2020, 
                        2021, or 2022.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Subject 
                                to subclause (II), for 1 of 
                                fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, 
                                or 2022, if the calculation 
                                under subparagraph (C) would 
                                result in a distribution for a 
                                fiscal year of less than 
                                $3,000,000 to an eligible 
                                institution that first received 
                                funds under this section on a 
                                date occurring after the date 
                                of enactment of the 
                                Agricultural Act of 2014 
                                (Public Law 113-79; 128 Stat. 
                                649) and before September 30, 
                                2018, that institution shall 
                                receive an allocation of 
                                $3,000,000 for that fiscal 
                                year.
                                    ``(II) Limitation.--
                                Subclause (I) shall apply only 
                                if amounts are appropriated 
                                under this section in an amount 
                                sufficient to provide that each 
                                other eligible institution 
                                receiving an allocation of 
                                funds under this section for 
                                fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, 
                                or 2022, as applicable, 
                                receives not less than the 
                                amount of funds received by 
                                that other eligible institution 
                                under this section for the 
                                preceding fiscal year.
                            ``(iii) Subsequent fiscal years.--
                                    ``(I) Minimum additional 
                                funding amounts.--Subject to 
                                subclauses (II) and (III), for 
                                each fiscal year following the 
                                covered fiscal year--
                                            ``(aa) the 
                                        qualified eligible 
                                        institution shall 
                                        receive an allocation 
                                        under this paragraph of 
                                        at least $3,000,000; 
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) each other 
                                        eligible institution 
                                        shall receive an 
                                        allocation under this 
                                        paragraph of at least 
                                        the amount received by 
                                        such other eligible 
                                        institution under this 
                                        subsection for the 
                                        covered fiscal year.
                                    ``(II) Shortfall of special 
                                amounts.--
                                            ``(aa) 
                                        Applicability.--This 
                                        subclause shall apply 
                                        to any fiscal year 
                                        following the covered 
                                        fiscal year and for 
                                        which the total amount 
                                        appropriated under this 
                                        subsection is 
                                        insufficient to provide 
                                        for the minimum 
                                        additional funding 
                                        amounts described in 
                                        subclause (I).
                                            ``(bb) Reductions 
                                        in allocations.--In the 
                                        case of a fiscal year 
                                        to which this subclause 
                                        applies, reductions in 
                                        allocations shall be 
                                        made proportionally 
                                        from the qualified 
                                        eligible institution 
                                        and from each other 
                                        eligible institution 
                                        based on the increased 
                                        amounts (if any) that 
                                        the qualified eligible 
                                        institution and each 
                                        other eligible 
                                        institution were 
                                        allocated for the 
                                        covered fiscal year as 
                                        compared to the fiscal 
                                        year immediately 
                                        preceding the covered 
                                        fiscal year.
                                    ``(III) Effect of census.--
                                Subclauses (I) and (II) shall 
                                not apply in any fiscal year 
                                for which a shortfall in the 
                                minimum additional funding 
                                amounts described in subclause 
                                (I) is attributable to the 
                                incorporation of new census 
                                data into the calculation under 
                                paragraph (3)(C), as determined 
                                by the Secretary.'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(B) 
                Of funds'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(C) Additional amount.--Except as 
                provided in subparagraph (D), of funds'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``are allocated'' 
                        and inserting ``were allocated'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``, as so 
                        designated as of that date'' before the 
                        period at the end; and
                            (iii) by striking ``(A) Funds'' and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) Base amount.--Funds''; and
                    (D) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (B) (as so designated), by striking ``(2) The'' 
                and all that follows through ``follows:'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(3) Distributions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--After allocating amounts 
                under paragraph (2), the remainder shall be 
                allotted among the eligible institutions in 
                accordance with this paragraph.'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(1) Three per 
        centum'' and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Administration.--3 percent''; and
            (3) in the matter preceding paragraph (2) (as so 
        designated), by striking ``(b) Beginning'' and all that 
        follows through ``follows:'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(b) Distribution of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Funds made available under this 
        section shall be distributed among eligible 
        institutions in accordance with this subsection.''.

SEC. 7116. REPORTS ON DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
                    AND EXTENSION AT 1862 AND 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, 
                    INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

    Not later than September 30, 2019, and each year 
thereafter, the Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a 
report describing the allocations made to, and matching funds 
received by, 1890 Institutions and 1862 Institutions (as those 
terms are defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601) for 
each of the agricultural research, extension, education, and 
related programs established under--
            (1) section 1444 of the National Agricultural 
        Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
        U.S.C. 3221);
            (2) section 1445 of the National Agricultural 
        Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
        U.S.C. 3222);
            (3) subsections (b) and (c) of section 3 of the 
        Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343); and
            (4) the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.).

SEC. 7117. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.

    Subtitle G of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by 
inserting after section 1445 (7 U.S.C. 3222) the following new 
section:

``SEC. 1446. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Scholarship grant program established.--The 
        Secretary shall make grants to each college or 
        university eligible to receive funds under the Act of 
        August 30, 1890 (commonly known as the Second Morrill 
        Act; 7 U.S.C. 322 et seq.), including Tuskegee 
        University, for purposes of awarding scholarships to 
        individuals who--
                    ``(A) have been accepted for admission at 
                such college or university;
                    ``(B) will be enrolled at such college or 
                university not later than one year after the 
                date of such acceptance; and
                    ``(C) intend to pursue a career in the food 
                and agricultural sciences, including a career 
                in--
                            ``(i) agribusiness;
                            ``(ii) energy and renewable fuels; 
                        or
                            ``(iii) financial management.
            ``(2) Condition.--The Secretary may only award a 
        grant under this subsection to a college or university 
        described in paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines 
        that such college or university has established a 
        competitive scholarship awards process for the award of 
        scholarships to individuals described in such 
        paragraph.
            ``(3) Annual limitation.--Of the funds made 
        available under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may 
        use not more than $10,000,000 to award grants under 
        this subsection for the academic year beginning on July 
        1, 2020, and each of the three succeeding academic 
        years.
            ``(4) Amount of grant.--Each grant made under this 
        section shall be in an amount of not less than 
        $500,000.
    ``(b) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
        available to carry out this section $40,000,000 not 
        later than October 1, 2019, to remain available until 
        expended.
            ``(2) Discretionary funding.--In addition to 
        amounts made available under paragraph (1), there is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
        $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023.
            ``(3) Administrative expenses.--Of the funds made 
        available under paragraphs (1) and (2) to carry out 
        this section for a fiscal year, not more than 4 percent 
        may be used for expenses related to administering the 
        program under this section.
    ``(c) Report.--Beginning on the date that is two years 
after the date on which the first grant is awarded under 
subsection (a), and every two years thereafter, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report detailing--
            ``(1) the amount of funds provided to each eligible 
        college or university under this section;
            ``(2) the number of scholarships awarded under each 
        grant each fiscal year; and
            ``(3) the amount of each such scholarship.''.

SEC. 7118. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES 
                    AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE 
                    UNIVERSITY.

    Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)) 
is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7119. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES 
                    AND EQUIPMENT AT INSULAR AREA LAND-GRANT 
                    INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 1447B(d) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-
2(d)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7120. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS.

    Subtitle G of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1450. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has 
        the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
        U.S.C. 5304)).
            ``(2) Land-grant college or university.--The term 
        `land-grant college or university' includes a 1994 
        Institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in 
        Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 
        103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)).
            ``(3) Tribal student.--The term `Tribal student' 
        means a student at a land-grant college or university 
        that is a member of an Indian tribe.
    ``(b) New Beginning Initiative.--
            ``(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may make 
        competitive grants to land-grant colleges and 
        universities to provide identifiable support 
        specifically targeted for Tribal students.
            ``(2) Application.--A land-grant college or 
        university that desires to receive a grant under this 
        section shall submit an application to the Secretary at 
        such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
        information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(3) Use of funds.--A land-grant college or 
        university that receives a grant under this section 
        shall use the grant funds to support Tribal students 
        through--
                    ``(A) recruiting;
                    ``(B) tuition and related fees;
                    ``(C) experiential learning; and
                    ``(D) student services, including--
                            ``(i) tutoring;
                            ``(ii) counseling;
                            ``(iii) academic advising; and
                            ``(iv) other student services that 
                        would increase the retention and 
                        graduation rate of Tribal students 
                        enrolled at the land-grant college or 
                        university, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
            ``(4) Matching funds.--A land-grant college or 
        university that receives a grant under this section 
        shall provide matching funds toward the cost of 
        carrying out the activities described in this section 
        in an amount equal to not less than 100 percent of the 
        grant award.
            ``(5) Maximum amount per state.--No State shall 
        receive, through grants made under this section to 
        land-grant colleges and universities located in the 
        State, more than $500,000 per year.
    ``(c) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the 
Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate a report that 
includes an itemized list of grant funds distributed under this 
section, including the specific form of assistance provided 
under subsection (b)(3), and the number of Tribal students 
assisted and the graduation rate of Tribal students at land-
grant colleges and universities receiving grants under this 
section.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriation.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 7121. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)) 
is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7122. BINATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 1458(e) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)) 
is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Full 
        Payment of Funds Made Available for Certain'' and 
        inserting ``Certain'' ;
            (2) by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting 
        the following:
            ``(1) Full payment of funds.--Notwithstanding'';
            (3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--
                    (A) by striking ``Israel-United States'' 
                and inserting ``United States-Israel''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``(referred to in this 
                subsection as the `BARD Fund')'' after 
                ``Development Fund''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Activities.--Activities under the BARD Fund 
        to promote and support agricultural research and 
        development that are of mutual benefit to the United 
        States and Israel shall--
                    ``(A) accelerate the demonstration, 
                development, and application of agricultural 
                solutions resulting from or relating to BARD 
                Fund programs, including BARD Fund-sponsored 
                research and innovations in drip irrigation, 
                pesticides, aquaculture, livestock, poultry, 
                disease control, and farm equipment; and
                    ``(B) encourage research carried out by 
                governmental, nongovernmental, and private 
                entities, including through collaboration with 
                colleges and universities, research 
                institutions, and the private sector.''.

SEC. 7123. PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL 
                    RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

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

``SEC. 1458A. PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN INTERNATIONAL 
                    AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) 1862 institution; 1890 institution; 1994 
        institution.--The terms `1862 Institution', `1890 
        Institution', and `1994 Institution' have the meanings 
        given the terms in section 2 of the Agricultural 
        Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
        (7 U.S.C. 7601).
            ``(2) Covered institution.--The term `covered 
        Institution' means--
                    ``(A) an 1862 Institution;
                    ``(B) an 1890 Institution;
                    ``(C) a 1994 Institution;
                    ``(D) an NLGCA Institution;
                    ``(E) a Hispanic-serving agricultural 
                college or university; and
                    ``(F) a cooperating forestry school.
            ``(3) Developing country.--The term `developing 
        country' means a country, as determined by the 
        Secretary using a gross national income per capita test 
        selected by the Secretary.
            ``(4) International partner institution.--The term 
        `international partner institution' means an 
        agricultural higher education institution in a 
        developing country that is performing, or desiring to 
        perform, activities similar to agricultural research, 
        extension, and teaching activities carried out through 
        covered Institutions in the United States.
    ``(b) Authority of the Secretary.--The Secretary may 
promote cooperation and coordination between covered 
Institutions and international partner institutions through--
            ``(1) improving extension by--
                    ``(A) encouraging the exchange of research 
                materials and results between covered 
                Institutions and international partner 
                institutions;
                    ``(B) facilitating the broad dissemination 
                of agricultural research through extension; and
                    ``(C) assisting with efforts to plan and 
                initiate extension services in developing 
                countries;
            ``(2) improving agricultural research by--
                    ``(A) in partnership with international 
                partner institutions, encouraging research that 
                addresses problems affecting food production 
                and security, human nutrition, agriculture, 
                forestry, livestock, and fisheries, including 
                local challenges; and
                    ``(B) supporting and strengthening national 
                agricultural research systems in developing 
                countries;
            ``(3) supporting the participation of covered 
        Institutions in programs of international 
        organizations, such as the United Nations, the World 
        Bank, regional development banks, and international 
        agricultural research centers;
            ``(4) improving agricultural teaching and education 
        by--
                    ``(A) in partnership with international 
                partner institutions, supporting education and 
                teaching relating to food and agricultural 
                sciences, including technical assistance, 
                degree training, research collaborations, 
                classroom instruction, workforce training, and 
                education programs; and
                    ``(B) assisting with efforts to increase 
                student capacity, including to encourage 
                equitable access for women and other 
                underserved populations, at international 
                partner institutions by promoting partnerships 
                with, and improving the capacity of, covered 
                Institutions;
            ``(5) assisting covered Institutions in 
        strengthening their capacity for food, agricultural, 
        and related research, extension, and teaching programs 
        relevant to agricultural development activities in 
        developing countries to promote the application of new 
        technology to improve education delivery;
            ``(6) providing support for the 
        internationalization of resident instruction programs 
        of covered Institutions;
            ``(7) establishing a program, to be coordinated by 
        the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
        Agriculture and the Administrator of the Foreign 
        Agricultural Service, to place interns from covered 
        Institutions in, or in service to benefit, developing 
        countries; and
            ``(8) establishing a program to provide fellowships 
        to students at covered Institutions to study at foreign 
        agricultural colleges and universities.
    ``(c) Enhancing Linkages.--The Secretary shall enhance the 
linkages among covered Institutions, the Federal Government, 
international research centers, counterpart research, 
extension, and teaching agencies and institutions in developed 
countries and developing countries--
            ``(1) to carry out the activities described in 
        subsection (b); and
            ``(2) to make a substantial contribution to the 
        cause of improved food and agricultural progress 
        throughout the world.
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 7124. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 
                    AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 1459A(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3292b(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 7125. LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, 
                    EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS.

    Section 1462 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``22 percent'' 
        and inserting ``30 percent''; 
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``Subsection 
        (a)'' and inserting ``Subsections (a) and (c)''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Treatment of Subgrants.--In the case of a grant 
described in subsection (a), the limitation on indirect costs 
specified in such subsection shall be applied to both the 
initial grant award and any subgrant of the Federal funds 
provided under the initial grant award so that the total of all 
indirect costs charged against the total of the Federal funds 
provided under the initial grant award does not exceed such 
limitation.''.

SEC. 7126. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS.

    The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1462 
(7 U.S.C. 3310) the following new section:

``SEC. 1462A. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make competitive 
grants for the acquisition of special purpose scientific 
research equipment for use in the food and agricultural 
sciences programs of eligible institutions.
    ``(b) Maximum Amount.--The amount of a grant made to an 
eligible institution under this section may not exceed 
$500,000.
    ``(c) Prohibition on Charge or Equipment as Indirect 
Costs.--The cost of acquisition or depreciation of equipment 
purchased with a grant under this section shall not be--
            ``(1) charged as an indirect cost against another 
        Federal grant; or
            ``(2) included as part of the indirect cost pool 
        for purposes of calculating the indirect cost rate of 
        an eligible institution.
    ``(d) Eligible Institutions Defined.--In this section, the 
term `eligible institution' means--
            ``(1) a college or university; or
            ``(2) a State cooperative institution.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 7127. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH.

    Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' each place it appears in 
subsections (a) and (b) and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7128. EXTENSION SERVICE.

    Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7129. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS; HEMP.

    Section 1473D of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                ``2023''; and
                    (B) by striking ``crops,'' and inserting 
                ``crops (including canola),'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``for agronomic rotational 
                purposes and as a habitat for honey bees and 
                other pollinators'' after ``alternative 
                crops''; and
                    (B) by striking ``commodities whose'' and 
                all that follows through the period at the end 
                and inserting ``commodities.'';
            (3) in subsection (c)(3)(E), by inserting 
        ``(including hemp (as defined in section 297A of the 
        Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946))'' after 
        ``material''; and
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023.''.

SEC. 7130. NEW ERA RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.

    Section 1473E of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at 
                the end;
                    (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period 
                at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) precision agriculture.''; 
                        and
            (2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2008 through 
        2012'' and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

SEC. 7131. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 1473F(b) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319i(b)) 
is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7132. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 
                    PILOT.

    Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 1473H. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 
                    PILOT.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Advanced research and development.--The term 
        `advanced research and development' means research and 
        development activities used to address research 
        challenges in agriculture and food through--
                    ``(A) targeted acceleration of novel, early 
                stage innovative agricultural research with 
                promising technology applications and products; 
                or
                    ``(B) development of qualified products and 
                projects, agricultural technologies, or 
                innovative research tools, which may include--
                            ``(i) prototype testing, 
                        preclinical development, or field 
                        experimental use;
                            ``(ii) assessing and assisting with 
                        product approval, clearance, or need 
                        for a license under an applicable law, 
                        as determined by the Director; or
                            ``(iii) manufacturing and 
                        commercialization of a product.
            ``(2) Agricultural technology.--The term 
        `agricultural technology' means machinery and other 
        equipment engineered for an applicable and novel use in 
        agriculture, natural resources, and food relating to 
        the research and development of qualified products and 
        projects.
            ``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the 
        Director of the Agriculture Advanced Research and 
        Development Authority established under subsection 
        (b)(1).
            ``(4) Other transaction.--The term `other 
        transaction' means a transaction other than a 
        procurement contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, 
        including a transaction described in subsection 
        (b)(6)(A).
            ``(5) Person.--The term `person' means--
                    ``(A) an individual;
                    ``(B) a partnership;
                    ``(C) a corporation;
                    ``(D) an association;
                    ``(E) an entity;
                    ``(F) a public or private corporation;
                    ``(G) a Federal, State, or local government 
                agency or department; and
                    ``(H) an institution of higher education, 
                including a land-grant college or university 
                and a non-land-grant college of agriculture.
            ``(6) Qualified product or project.--The term 
        `qualified product or project' means--
                    ``(A) engineering, mechanization, or 
                technology improvements that will address 
                challenges relating to growing, harvesting, 
                handling, processing, storing, packing, and 
                distribution of agricultural products;
                    ``(B) plant disease or plant pest recovery 
                countermeasures to intentional or unintentional 
                biological threats (including naturally 
                occurring threats), including--
                            ``(i) replacement or resistant 
                        plant cultivars or varieties;
                            ``(ii) other enhanced management 
                        strategies, including novel chemical, 
                        biological, or cultural approaches; or
                            ``(iii) diagnostic or surveillance 
                        technology; and
                    ``(C) veterinary countermeasures to 
                intentional or unintentional biological threats 
                (including naturally occurring threats), 
                including--
                            ``(i) animal vaccine or therapeutic 
                        products (including anti-infective 
                        products); or
                            ``(ii) diagnostic or surveillance 
                        technology.
            ``(7) Research tool.--The term `research tool' 
        means a device, technology, procedure, biological 
        material, reagent, computer system, computer software, 
        or analytical technique that is developed to assist in 
        the discovery, development, or manufacture of a 
        qualified product or project.
    ``(b) Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
Authority.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within 
        the Department of Agriculture a pilot program that 
        shall be known as the Agriculture Advanced Research and 
        Development Authority (referred to in this section as 
        the `AGARDA') to carry out advanced research and 
        development.
            ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the AGARDA are--
                    ``(A) to develop and deploy advanced 
                solutions to prevent, prepare, and protect 
                against unintentional and intentional threats 
                to agriculture and food in the United States;
                    ``(B) to overcome barriers in the 
                development of agricultural technologies, 
                research tools, and qualified products and 
                projects that enhance export competitiveness, 
                environmental sustainability, and resilience to 
                extreme weather;
                    ``(C) to ensure that the United States 
                maintains and enhances its position as a leader 
                in developing and deploying agricultural 
                technologies, research tools, and qualified 
                projects and products that increase economic 
                opportunities and security for farmers, 
                ranchers, and rural communities; and
                    ``(D) to undertake advanced research and 
                development in areas in which industry by 
                itself is not likely to do so because of the 
                technological or financial uncertainty.
            ``(3) Leadership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The AGARDA shall be a 
                component of the Office of the Chief Scientist.
                    ``(B) Director.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The AGARDA shall 
                        be headed by a Director, who shall be 
                        appointed by the Chief Scientist.
                            ``(ii) Qualifications.--The 
                        Director shall be an individual who, by 
                        reason of professional background and 
                        experience, is exceptionally qualified 
                        to advise the Chief Scientist on, and 
                        manage advanced research and 
                        development programs and other matters 
                        pertaining to--
                                    ``(I) qualified products 
                                and projects;
                                    ``(II) agricultural 
                                technologies;
                                    ``(III) research tools; and
                                    ``(IV) challenges relating 
                                to the matters described in 
                                subclauses (I) through (III).
                            ``(iii) Relationship within the 
                        department of agriculture.--The 
                        Director shall report to the Chief 
                        Scientist.
            ``(4) Duties.--To achieve the goals described in 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary, acting through the 
        Director, shall accelerate advanced research and 
        development by--
                    ``(A) identifying and promoting advances in 
                basic sciences;
                    ``(B) translating scientific discoveries 
                and inventions into technological innovations;
                    ``(C) collaborating with other agencies, 
                relevant industries, academia, international 
                agencies, the Foundation for Food and 
                Agriculture Research, and other relevant 
                persons to carry out the goals described in 
                paragraph (2), including convening, at a 
                minimum, annual meetings or working groups to 
                demonstrate the operation and effectiveness of 
                advanced research and development of qualified 
                products and projects, agricultural 
                technologies, and research tools;
                    ``(D) conducting ongoing searches for, and 
                support calls for, potential advanced research 
                and development of agricultural technologies, 
                qualified products and projects, and research 
                tools;
                    ``(E) awarding grants and entering into 
                contracts, cooperative agreements, or other 
                transactions under paragraph (6) for advanced 
                research and development of agricultural 
                technology, qualified products and projects, 
                and research tools;
                    ``(F) establishing issue-based 
                multidisciplinary teams to reduce the time and 
                cost of solving specific problems that--
                            ``(i) are composed of 
                        representatives from Federal and State 
                        agencies, professional groups, 
                        academia, and industry;
                            ``(ii) seek novel and effective 
                        solutions; and
                            ``(iii) encourage data sharing and 
                        translation of research to field use; 
                        and
                    ``(G) serving as a resource for interested 
                persons regarding requirements under relevant 
                laws that impact the development, 
                commercialization, and technology transfer of 
                qualified products and projects, agricultural 
                technologies, and research tools.
            ``(5) Priority.--In awarding grants and entering 
        into contracts, cooperative agreements, or other 
        transactions under paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary 
        shall give priority to projects that accelerate the 
        advanced research and development of qualified products 
        and projects that--
                    ``(A) address critical research and 
                development needs for technology for specialty 
                crops; or
                    ``(B) prevent, protect, and prepare against 
                intentional and unintentional threats to 
                agriculture and food.
            ``(6) Other transaction authorities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the 
                pilot program under this section, the Secretary 
                shall have the authority to enter into other 
                transactions in the same manner and subject to 
                the same terms and conditions as transactions 
                that the Secretary of Defense may enter into 
                under section 2371 of title 10, United States 
                Code.
                    ``(B) Scope.--The authority of the 
                Secretary to enter into contracts, cooperative 
                agreements, and other transactions under this 
                subsection shall be in addition to the 
                authorities under this Act and title I of the 
                Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies 
                Appropriation Act, 1964 (7 U.S.C. 3318a), to 
                use contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
                grants in carrying out the pilot program under 
                this section.
                    ``(C) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall 
                establish guidelines regarding the use of the 
                authority under subparagraph (A).
                    ``(D) Technology transfer.--In entering 
                into other transactions, the Secretary may 
                negotiate terms for technology transfer in the 
                same manner as a Federal laboratory under 
                paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 12(b) of 
                the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act 
                of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3710a(b)).
            ``(7) Availability of data.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                require that, as a condition of being awarded a 
                contract or grant or entering into a 
                cooperative agreement or other transaction 
                under paragraph (4)(E), a person shall make 
                available to the Secretary on an ongoing basis, 
                and submit to the Secretary on request of the 
                Secretary, all data relating to or resulting 
                from the activities carried out by the person 
                pursuant to this section.
                    ``(B) Exemption from disclosure.--
                            ``(i) In general.--This 
                        subparagraph shall be considered a 
                        statute described in section 
                        552(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United States 
                        Code.
                            ``(ii) Exemption.--The following 
                        information shall be exempt from 
                        disclosure under section 552 of title 
                        5, United States Code, and withheld 
                        from the public:
                                    ``(I) Specific technical 
                                data or scientific information 
                                that is created or obtained 
                                under this section that reveals 
                                significant and not otherwise 
                                publicly known vulnerabilities 
                                of existing agriculture and 
                                food defenses against 
                                biological, chemical, nuclear, 
                                or radiological threats.
                                    ``(II) Trade secrets or 
                                commercial or financial 
                                information that is privileged 
                                or confidential (within the 
                                meaning of section 552(b)(4) of 
                                title 5, United States Code) 
                                and obtained in the conduct of 
                                research or as a result of 
                                activities under this section 
                                from a non-Federal party 
                                participating in a contract, 
                                grant, cooperative agreement, 
                                or other transaction under this 
                                section.
                            ``(iii) Limitation.--Information 
                        that results from research and 
                        development activities conducted under 
                        this section and that would be a trade 
                        secret or commercial or financial 
                        information that is privileged or 
                        confidential if the information had 
                        been obtained from a non-Federal party 
                        participating in a cooperative 
                        agreement or other transaction shall be 
                        withheld from disclosure under 
                        subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, 
                        United States Code, for 5 years.
            ``(8) Milestone-based payments allowed.--In 
        awarding contracts and grants and entering into 
        cooperative agreements or other transactions under 
        paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary may--
                    ``(A) use milestone-based awards and 
                payments; and
                    ``(B) terminate a project for not meeting 
                technical milestones.
            ``(9) Use of existing personnel authorities.--In 
        carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may appoint 
        highly qualified individuals to scientific or 
        professional positions on the same terms and conditions 
        as provided in subsections (b)(3), (b)(4), (c), (d), 
        (e), and (f) of section 620 of the Agricultural 
        Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
        (7 U.S.C. 7657).
            ``(10) Report and evaluation.--
                    ``(A) Report.--The Secretary shall submit 
                to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate an annual report examining the actions 
                undertaken and results generated by the AGARDA.
                    ``(B) Evaluation.--After the date on which 
                the AGARDA has been in operation for 3 years, 
                the Comptroller General of the United States 
                shall conduct an evaluation--
                            ``(i) to be completed and submitted 
                        to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                        House of Representatives and the 
                        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
                        and Forestry of the Senate not later 
                        than 1 year after the date on which the 
                        Comptroller General began conducting 
                        the evaluation;
                            ``(ii) describing the extent to 
                        which the AGARDA is achieving the goals 
                        described in paragraph (2); and
                            ``(iii) including a recommendation 
                        on whether the AGARDA should be 
                        continued, terminated, or expanded.
    ``(c) Strategic Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 360 days after 
        the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
        shall develop and make publicly available a strategic 
        plan describing the strategic vision that the AGARDA 
        shall use--
                    ``(A) to make determinations for future 
                investments during the period of effectiveness 
                of this section; and
                    ``(B) to achieve the goals described in 
                subsection (b)(2).
            ``(2) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall 
        disseminate the information contained in the strategic 
        plan under paragraph (1) to persons who may have the 
        capacity to substantially contribute to the activities 
        described in that strategic plan.
            ``(3) Coordination; consultation.--The Secretary 
        shall--
                    ``(A) update and coordinate the strategic 
                coordination plan under section 221(d)(7) of 
                the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
                Act of 1994 with the strategic plan developed 
                under paragraph (1) for activities relating to 
                agriculture and food defense countermeasure 
                development and procurement; and
                    ``(B) in developing the strategic plan 
                under paragraph (1), consult with--
                            ``(i) the National Agricultural 
                        Research, Extension, Education, and 
                        Economics Advisory Board established 
                        under section 1408(a);
                            ``(ii) the specialty crops 
                        committee established under section 
                        1408A(a)(1);
                            ``(iii) relevant agriculture 
                        research agencies of the Federal 
                        Government;
                            ``(iv) the National Academies of 
                        Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine;
                            ``(v) the National Veterinary 
                        Stockpile Intra-Government Advisory 
                        Committee for Strategic Steering; and
                            ``(vi) other appropriate parties, 
                        as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Funds.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the 
        Treasury the Agriculture Advanced Research and 
        Development Fund, which shall be administered by the 
        Secretary, acting through the Director--
                    ``(A) for the purpose of carrying out this 
                section; and
                    ``(B) in the same manner and subject to the 
                same terms and conditions as are applicable to 
                the Secretary of Defense under section 2371 of 
                title 10, United States Code.
            ``(2) Deposits into fund.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting 
                through the Director, may accept and deposit 
                into the Fund monies received pursuant to cost 
                recovery, contribution, or royalty payments 
                under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, 
                or other transaction under this section.
                    ``(B) Availability of amounts in fund.--
                Amounts deposited into the fund shall remain 
                available until expended, without further 
                appropriation, and may be used to carry out the 
                purposes of this section.
                    ``(C) Clarification.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph authorizes the use of the funds of 
                the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out 
                this section.
            ``(3) Funding.--In addition to funds otherwise 
        deposited in the Fund under paragraph (1) or (2), there 
        is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund 
        $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
        to remain available until expended.
    ``(e) Termination of Effectiveness.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided under 
        paragraph (2), the authority provided by this section 
        terminates on the date that is 5 years after the date 
        of the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
        2018.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
        with respect to--
                    ``(A) subsection (b)(7)(B); and
                    ``(B) grants awarded or contracts, 
                cooperative agreements, or other transactions 
                entered into before the end of the 5-year 
                period referred to in such clause.''.

SEC. 7133. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

    Section 1477(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3324(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 7134. RANGELAND RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

    Section 1483(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3336(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 7135. SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR BIOSECURITY PLANNING AND RESPONSE.

    Section 1484 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by inserting ``and cooperative agreements'' 
                after ``competitive grants'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``make 
                competitive grants'' and inserting ``award 
                competitive grants and cooperative 
                agreements''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(5) To coordinate the tactical science activities 
        of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area 
        of the Department that protect the integrity, 
        reliability, sustainability, and profitability of the 
        food and agricultural system of the United States 
        against biosecurity threats from pests, diseases, 
        contaminants, and disasters.''.

SEC. 7136. DISTANCE EDUCATION AND RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS PROGRAM 
                    FOR INSULAR AREA INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

    (a) Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas.--Section 
1490(f)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362(f)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas.--Section 
1491(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363(c)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

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

SEC. 7201. BEST UTILIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS.

    Section 1624 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5814) is amended in the first 
sentence by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7202. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

    Section 1627(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821(d)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7203. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER 
                    PROGRAM.

    Section 1628(f)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831(f)(2)) is amended by 
striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7204. NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM.

    Section 1629(i) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832(i)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7205. NATIONAL STRATEGIC GERMPLASM AND CULTIVAR COLLECTION 
                    ASSESSMENT AND UTILIZATION PLAN.

    (a) In General.--Section 1632(d) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5841(d)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph 
        (7); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) develop and implement a national strategic 
        germplasm and cultivar collection assessment and 
        utilization plan that takes into consideration the 
        resources and research necessary to address the 
        significant backlog of characterization and maintenance 
        of existing accessions considered to be critical to 
        preserve the viability of, and public access to, 
        germplasm and cultivars; and''.
    (b) Plan Publication.--Section 1633 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5842) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Plan Publication.--On completion of the development 
of the plan described in section 1632(d)(6), the Secretary 
shall make the plan available to the public.''.

SEC. 7206. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

    (a) Advisory Council.--Section 1634 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5843) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking 
                ``The Secretary'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary'';
                    (B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1) 
                (as so designated), by striking ``The 
                advisory'' and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Membership.--The advisory'';
                    (C) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by 
                striking ``nine'' and inserting ``13''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Recommendations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In making 
                recommendations under paragraph (1), the 
                advisory council shall include recommendations 
                on--
                            ``(i) the state of public cultivar 
                        development, including--
                                    ``(I) an analysis of 
                                existing cultivar research 
                                investments;
                                    ``(II) the research gaps 
                                relating to the development of 
                                cultivars across a diverse 
                                range of crops; and
                                    ``(III) an assessment of 
                                the state of commercialization 
                                of federally funded cultivars;
                            ``(ii) the training and resources 
                        needed to meet future breeding 
                        challenges;
                            ``(iii) the appropriate levels of 
                        Federal funding for cultivar 
                        development for underserved crops and 
                        geographic areas; and
                            ``(iv) the development of the plan 
                        described in section 1632(d)(6).''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``Two-thirds'' and 
                        inserting ``6''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``economics and 
                        policy,'' after ``agricultural 
                        sciences,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``One-third'' and 
                        inserting ``3''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``community 
                        development,'' after ``public 
                        policy,''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) 4 of the members shall be appointed from 
        among individuals with expertise in public cultivar and 
        animal breed development.
            ``(4) 4 of the members shall be appointed from 
        among individuals representing--
                    ``(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in 
                section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
                U.S.C. 7601));
                    ``(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in 
                section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
                U.S.C. 7601));
                    ``(C) Hispanic-serving institutions (as 
                defined in section 1404 of the National 
                Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
                Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); or
                    ``(D) 1994 Institutions (as defined in 
                section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-
                Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
                Public Law 103-382)).''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1635(b)(2) of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 5844(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7207. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.

    Section 1641(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5855(c)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7208. AGRICULTURAL GENOME TO PHENOME INITIATIVE.

    Section 1671 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by inserting ``to 
        phenome'' after ``genome'';
            (2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) Goals.--The goals of this section are--
            ``(1) to expand knowledge concerning genomes and 
        phenomes of crops and animals of importance to the 
        agriculture sector of the United States;
            ``(2) to understand how variable weather, 
        environments, and production systems impact the growth 
        and productivity of specific varieties of crops and 
        species of animals in order to provide greater accuracy 
        in predicting crop and animal performance under 
        variable conditions;
            ``(3) to support research that leverages plant and 
        animal genomic information with phenotypic and 
        environmental data through an interdisciplinary 
        framework, leading to a novel understanding of plant 
        and animal processes that affect growth, productivity, 
        and the ability to predict performance, which will 
        result in the deployment of superior varieties and 
        species to producers and improved crop and animal 
        management recommendations for farmers and ranchers;
            ``(4) to catalyze and coordinate research that 
        links genomics and predictive phenomics at different 
        sites across the United States to achieve advances in 
        crops and animals that generate societal benefits;
            ``(5) to combine fields such as genetics, genomics, 
        plant physiology, agronomy, climatology, and crop 
        modeling with computation and informatics, statistics, 
        and engineering;
            ``(6) to combine fields such as genetics, genomics, 
        animal physiology, meat science, animal nutrition, and 
        veterinary science with computation and informatics, 
        statistics, and engineering;
            ``(7) to focus on crops and animals that will yield 
        scientifically important results that will enhance the 
        usefulness of many other crops and animals;
            ``(8) to build on genomic research, such as the 
        Plant Genome Research Project and the National Animal 
        Genome Research Program, to understand gene function in 
        production environments that is expected to have 
        considerable returns for crops and animals of 
        importance to the agriculture of the United States;
            ``(9) to develop improved data analytics to enhance 
        understanding of the biological function of genes;
            ``(10) to allow resources developed under this 
        section, including data, software, germplasm, and other 
        biological materials, to be openly accessible to all 
        persons, subject to any confidentiality requirements 
        imposed by law; and
            ``(11) to encourage international partnerships with 
        each partner country responsible for financing its own 
        research.'';
            (3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(b) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
(referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall conduct 
a research initiative, to be known as the `Agricultural Genome 
to Phenome Initiative', for the purpose of--
            ``(1) studying agriculturally significant crops and 
        animals in production environments to achieve 
        sustainable and secure agricultural production;
            ``(2) ensuring that current gaps in existing 
        knowledge of agricultural crop and animal genetics and 
        phenomics are filled;
            ``(3) identifying and developing a functional 
        understanding of relevant genes from animals and 
        agronomically relevant genes from crops that are of 
        importance to the agriculture sector of the United 
        States;
            ``(4) ensuring future genetic improvement of crops 
        and animals of importance to the agriculture sector of 
        the United States;
            ``(5) studying the relevance of diverse germplasm 
        as a source of unique genes that may be of importance 
        in the future;
            ``(6) enhancing genetics to reduce the economic 
        impact of pathogens on crops and animals of importance 
        to the agriculture sector of the United States;
            ``(7) disseminating findings to relevant audiences; 
        and
            ``(8) otherwise carrying out this section.'';
            (4) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``, acting 
        through the National Institute of Food and 
        Agriculture,'' after ``The Secretary'';
            (5) in subsection (e), by inserting ``to Phenome'' 
        after ``Genome''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 7209. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES.

    Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (8)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking 
                        ``Alfalfa and forage'' and inserting 
                        ``Alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage 
                        systems'';
                            (ii) by striking ``alfalfa and 
                        forage'' and inserting ``alfalfa seed 
                        and alfalfa forage systems''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``alfalfa and 
                        other forages, and'' and inserting 
                        ``alfalfa seed and other alfalfa 
                        forage''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraphs:
            ``(11) Macadamia tree health initiative.--Research 
        and extension grants may be made under this section for 
        the purposes of--
                    ``(A) developing and disseminating science-
                based tools and treatments to combat the 
                macadamia felted coccid (Eriococcus ironsidei); 
                and
                    ``(B) establishing an areawide integrated 
                pest management program in areas affected by, 
                or areas at risk of being affected by, the 
                macadamia felted coccid.
            ``(12) National turfgrass research initiative.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purposes of--
                    ``(A) carrying out or enhancing research 
                related to turfgrass and sod issues;
                    ``(B) enhancing production and uses of 
                turfgrass for the general public;
                    ``(C) identifying new turfgrass varieties 
                with superior drought, heat, cold, and pest 
                tolerance to reduce water, fertilizer, and 
                pesticide use;
                    ``(D) selecting genetically superior 
                turfgrasses and developing improved 
                technologies for managing commercial, 
                residential, and recreational turfgrass areas;
                    ``(E) producing turfgrasses that--
                            ``(i) aid in mitigating soil 
                        erosion;
                            ``(ii) protect against pollutant 
                        runoff into waterways; or
                            ``(iii) provide other environmental 
                        benefits;
                    ``(F) investigating, preserving, and 
                protecting native plant species, including 
                grasses not currently utilized in turfgrass 
                systems;
                    ``(G) creating systems for more economical 
                and viable turfgrass seed and sod production 
                throughout the United States; and
                    ``(H) investigating the turfgrass 
                phytobiome and developing biologic products to 
                enhance soil, enrich plants, and mitigate 
                pests.
            ``(13) Fertilizer management initiative.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Research and extension 
                grants may be made under this section for the 
                purpose of carrying out research to improve 
                fertilizer use efficiency in crops--
                            ``(i) to maximize crop yield; and
                            ``(ii) to minimize nutrient losses 
                        to surface and groundwater and the 
                        atmosphere.
                    ``(B) Priority.--In awarding grants under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give 
                priority to research examining the impact of 
                the source, rate, timing, and placement of 
                plant nutrients.
            ``(14) Cattle fever tick program.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section to 
        study cattle fever ticks--
                    ``(A) to facilitate the understanding of 
                the role of wildlife in the persistence and 
                spread of cattle fever ticks;
                    ``(B) to develop advanced methods for 
                eradication of cattle fever ticks, including--
                            ``(i) alternative treatment methods 
                        for cattle and other susceptible 
                        species;
                            ``(ii) field treatment for 
                        premises, including corral pens and 
                        pasture loafing areas;
                            ``(iii) methods for treatment and 
                        control on infested wildlife;
                            ``(iv) biological control agents; 
                        and
                            ``(v) new and improved vaccines;
                    ``(C) to evaluate rangeland vegetation that 
                impacts the survival of cattle fever ticks;
                    ``(D) to improve management of diseases 
                relating to cattle fever ticks that are 
                associated with wildlife, livestock, and human 
                health;
                    ``(E) to improve diagnostic detection of 
                tick-infested or infected animals and pastures; 
                and
                    ``(F) to conduct outreach to impacted 
                ranchers, hunters, and landowners to integrate 
                tactics and document sustainability of best 
                practices.
            ``(15) Laying hen and turkey research program.--
        Research grants may be made under this section for the 
        purpose of improving the efficiency and sustainability 
        of laying hen and turkey production through integrated, 
        collaborative research and technology transfer. 
        Emphasis may be placed on laying hen and turkey disease 
        prevention, antimicrobial resistance, nutrition, gut 
        health, and alternative housing systems under extreme 
        seasonal weather conditions.
            ``(16) Chronic wasting disease.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purposes of supporting research projects at land-grant 
        colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 
        of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
        Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) with 
        established deer research programs for the purposes of 
        treating, mitigating, or eliminating chronic wasting 
        disease.
            ``(17) Algae agriculture research program.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the development and testing of algae and 
        algae systems (including micro- and macro-algae 
        systems).
            ``(18) Nutrient management.--Research and extension 
        grants may be made under this section for the purposes 
        of examining nutrient management based on the source, 
        rate, timing, and placement of crop nutrients.
            ``(19) Dryland farming agricultural systems.--
        Research and extension grants may be made under this 
        section for the purposes of carrying out or enhancing 
        research on the utilization of big data for more 
        precise management of dryland farming agricultural 
        systems.
            ``(20) Hop plant health initiative.--Research and 
        extension grants may be made under this section for the 
        purposes of developing and disseminating science-based 
        tools and treatments to combat diseases of hops caused 
        by the plant pathogens Podosphaera macularis and 
        Pseudoperonospora humuli.'';
            (2) in subsection (e)(5), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023'';
            (3) in subsection (f)(5), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023'';
            (4) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3), 
                by striking ``2018'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``2023'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) 
                as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(4) Enhanced coordination of honeybee and 
        pollinator research.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Chief Scientist of 
                the Department of Agriculture shall coordinate 
                research, extension, education, and economic 
                activities in the Department of Agriculture 
                relating to native and managed pollinator 
                health and habitat.
                    ``(B) Duties.--In carrying out subparagraph 
                (A), the Chief Scientist shall--
                            ``(i) assign an individual to serve 
                        in the Office of the Chief Scientist as 
                        a Honeybee and Pollinator Research 
                        Coordinator who shall be responsible 
                        for leading the efforts of the Chief 
                        Scientist in carrying out such 
                        subparagraph;
                            ``(ii) implement and coordinate 
                        pollinator health research efforts of 
                        the Department, as recommended by the 
                        Pollinator Health Task Force;
                            ``(iii) establish annual strategic 
                        priorities and goals for the Department 
                        for native and managed pollinator 
                        research;
                            ``(iv) communicate such priorities 
                        and goals to each agency or office of 
                        the Department of Agriculture, the 
                        managed pollinator industry, and 
                        relevant grant recipients under 
                        programs administered by the Secretary; 
                        and
                            ``(v) coordinate and identify all 
                        research on native and managed 
                        pollinator health needed and conducted 
                        by the Department of Agriculture and 
                        relevant grant recipients under 
                        programs administered by the Secretary 
                        to ensure consistency and reduce 
                        unintended duplication of effort.
                    ``(C) Research.--In coordinating research 
                activities under subparagraph (A), the Chief 
                Scientist shall ensure that such research--
                            ``(i) identifies and addresses the 
                        multiple stressors on pollinator 
                        health, including pests and pathogens, 
                        reduced habitat, lack of nutritional 
                        resources, and exposure to pesticides;
                            ``(ii) evaluates stewardship and 
                        management practices of managed 
                        pollinators that would impact managed 
                        pollinator health;
                            ``(iii) documents the prevalence of 
                        major pests, such as varroa destructor 
                        (commonly referred to as the varroa 
                        mite), and diseases that are 
                        transported between States through 
                        practices involving managed 
                        pollinators;
                            ``(iv) evaluates the impact of 
                        overcrowding of colonies for 
                        pollination services and the impact of 
                        such overcrowding on pollinator health 
                        status and pollinator health recovery;
                            ``(v) evaluates and reports on the 
                        health differences of managed 
                        pollinators in--
                                    ``(I) crops not requiring 
                                contract pollination;
                                    ``(II) crops requiring 
                                contract pollination; and
                                    ``(III) native habitat;
                            ``(vi) evaluates the impact of 
                        horticultural and agricultural pest 
                        management practices on native and 
                        managed pollinator colonies in diverse 
                        agroecosystems;
                            ``(vii) documents pesticide 
                        residues that are--
                                    ``(I) found in native and 
                                managed pollinator colonies; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) associated with 
                                typical localized commercial 
                                crop pest management practices;
                            ``(viii) with respect to native and 
                        managed pollinator colonies visiting 
                        crops for crop pollination or honey 
                        production purposes, documents--
                                    ``(I) the strength and 
                                health of such colonies;
                                    ``(II) the survival, 
                                growth, reproduction, and 
                                production of such colonies;
                                    ``(III) pests, pathogens, 
                                and viruses that affect such 
                                colonies;
                                    ``(IV) environmental 
                                conditions of such colonies;
                                    ``(V) beekeeper practices; 
                                and
                                    ``(VI) any other relevant 
                                information, as determined by 
                                the Chief Scientist;
                            ``(ix) documents, with respect to 
                        healthy populations of managed 
                        pollinators, best management practices 
                        and other practices for managed 
                        pollinators and crop managers;
                            ``(x) evaluates the effectiveness 
                        of--
                                    ``(I) conservation 
                                practices that target the 
                                specific needs of native and 
                                managed pollinator habitats;
                                    ``(II) incentives that 
                                allow for the expansion of 
                                native and managed pollinator 
                                forage acreage; and
                                    ``(III) managed pollinator 
                                breeding practices and efforts 
                                to, with respect to managed 
                                pollinators, avoid creating a 
                                genetic bottleneck and improve 
                                genetic diversity;
                            ``(xi) in the case of commercially 
                        managed pollinator colonies, continues 
                        to gather data--
                                    ``(I) on an annual basis 
                                with respect to losses of such 
                                colonies, splits of such 
                                colonies, and the total number 
                                of pollinator colonies;
                                    ``(II) on rising input 
                                costs; and
                                    ``(III) overall economic 
                                value to the food economy; and
                            ``(xii) addresses any other issue 
                        relating to native and managed 
                        pollinators, as determined by the Chief 
                        Scientist, in consultation with 
                        scientific experts.
                    ``(D) Publication.--The Chief Scientist, to 
                the maximum extent practicable, shall--
                            ``(i) make publicly available the 
                        results of the research described in 
                        subparagraph (C); and
                            ``(ii) in the case of the research 
                        described in subparagraph (C)(vi), 
                        publish any data or reports that were 
                        produced by the Department of 
                        Agriculture but not made publicly 
                        available during the period beginning 
                        on January 1, 2008, and ending on the 
                        date of the enactment of the 
                        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.''; 
                        and
            (5) in subsection (h), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7210. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

    Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``using funds made 
                        available under subsection (e),'' after 
                        ``Board,''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``in each of 
                        fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' after 
                        ``grants''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``, soil 
                health,'' after ``conservation''; and
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(D) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2019 through 2020;
                    ``(E) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(F) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
                    ``(G) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by 
                        striking ``for fiscal years 2014 
                        through 2018''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``2018'' and 
                        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7211. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.

    Section 1672D of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925f) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make competitive 
research and extension grants for the purpose of improving the 
farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers 
by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available 
farm financial management database to support improved farm 
management.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and 
                producer'' and inserting ``educational programs 
                and''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``use and 
                support'' and inserting ``contribute data to''; 
                and
            (3) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7212. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION 
                    RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

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

``SEC. 1672E. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION 
                    RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) Competitive Research and Extension Grants 
Authorized.--In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and 
Innovative Production Advisory Committee established under 
section 222(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994, the Secretary may make competitive grants to 
support research, education, and extension activities for the 
purposes of facilitating the development of urban, indoor, and 
other emerging agricultural production, harvesting, 
transportation, aggregation, packaging, distribution, and 
markets, including by--
            ``(1) assessing and developing strategies to 
        remediate contaminated sites;
            ``(2) determining and developing the best 
        production management and integrated pest management 
        practices;
            ``(3) identifying and promoting the horticultural, 
        social, and economic factors that contribute to 
        successful urban, indoor, and other emerging 
        agricultural production;
            ``(4) analyzing the means by which new agricultural 
        sites are determined, including an evaluation of soil 
        quality, condition of a building, or local community 
        needs;
            ``(5) exploring new technologies that minimize 
        energy, lighting systems, water, and other inputs for 
        increased food production;
            ``(6) examining building material efficiencies and 
        structural upgrades for the purpose of optimizing 
        growth of agricultural products;
            ``(7) developing new crop varieties and 
        agricultural products to connect to new markets; or
            ``(8) examining the impacts of crop exposure to 
        urban elements on environmental quality and food 
        safety.
    ``(b) Grant Types and Process.--Subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) of paragraph (4), paragraph (7), and paragraph (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) shall apply with respect to 
the making of grants under this section.
    ``(c) Priority.--The Secretary may give priority to grant 
proposals that involve--
            ``(1) the cooperation of multiple entities; or
            ``(2) States or regions with a high concentration 
        of or significant interest in urban farms, rooftop 
        farms, and indoor production facilities.
    ``(d) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use 
        to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2019, to remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition 
        to amounts made available under paragraph (1), there is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
        $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
        2023.''.
    (b) Data Collection on Urban, Indoor, and Emerging 
Agricultural Production.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
        conduct as a follow-on study to the census of 
        agriculture conducted in the calendar year 2017 under 
        section 2 of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (7 
        U.S.C. 2204g) a census of urban, indoor, and other 
        emerging agricultural production, including information 
        about--
                    (A) community gardens and farms located in 
                urban areas, suburbs, and urban clusters;
                    (B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical 
                production, and green walls;
                    (C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-
                tech vertical technology farms;
                    (D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic 
                farm facilities; and
                    (E) other innovations in agricultural 
                production, as determined by the Secretary.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection $14,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 
        2019 through 2021.

SEC. 7213. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.

    Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
    ``(d) Centers of Excellence at 1890s Institutions.--
            ``(1) Recognition.--The Secretary shall recognize 
        not less than 3 centers of excellence, each led by an 
        1890 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the 
        Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
        Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), to focus on 1 or more of 
        the areas described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Areas of focus.--
                    ``(A) Student success and workforce 
                development.--A center of excellence 
                established under paragraph (1) may engage in 
                activities to ensure that students have the 
                skills and education needed to work in 
                agriculture and food industries, agriculture 
                science, technology, engineering, mathematics, 
                and related fields of study.
                    ``(B) Nutrition, health, wellness, and 
                quality of life.--A center of excellence 
                established under paragraph (1) may carry out 
                research, education, and extension programs 
                that increase access to healthy food, improve 
                nutrition, mitigate preventive disease, and 
                develop strategies to assist limited resource 
                individuals in accessing health and nutrition 
                resources.
                    ``(C) Farming systems, rural prosperity, 
                and economic sustainability.--A center of 
                excellence established under paragraph (1) may 
                share best practices with farmers to improve 
                agricultural production, processing, and 
                marketing, reduce urban food deserts, examine 
                new uses for traditional and nontraditional 
                crops, animals, and natural resources, and 
                continue activities carried out by the Center 
                for Innovative and Sustainable Small Farms, 
                Ranches, and Forest Lands.
                    ``(D) Global food security and defense.--A 
                center of excellence established under 
                paragraph (1) may engage in international 
                partnerships that strengthen agricultural 
                development in developing countries, partner 
                with international researchers regarding new 
                and emerging animal and plant pests and 
                diseases, engage in agricultural disaster 
                recovery, and continue activities carried out 
                by the Center for International Engagement.
                    ``(E) Natural resources, energy, and 
                environment.--A center of excellence 
                established under paragraph (1) may focus on 
                protecting and managing domestic natural 
                resources for current and future production of 
                food and agricultural products.
                    ``(F) Emerging technologies.--A center of 
                excellence established under paragraph (1) may 
                focus on the development of emerging 
                technologies to increase agricultural 
                productivity, enhance small farm economic 
                viability, and improve rural communities by 
                developing genetic and sensor technologies for 
                food and agriculture and providing technology 
                training to farmers.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023.
            ``(4) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
        2018, and every year thereafter, the Secretary shall 
        submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
        describing--
                    ``(A) the resources invested in the centers 
                of excellence established under paragraph (1); 
                and
                    ``(B) the work being done by those centers 
                of excellence.''.

SEC. 7214. CLARIFICATION OF VETERAN ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTIVE 
                    TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

    Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the 
        following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Clarification of application of provisions to 
        veterans with disabilities.--This subsection shall 
        apply with respect to veterans with disabilities, and 
        their families, who--
                    ``(A) are engaged in farming or farm-
                related occupations; or
                    ``(B) are pursuing new farming 
                opportunities.'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(including veterans)'' 
                after ``individuals''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or, in the case of 
                veterans with disabilities, who are pursuing 
                new farming opportunities'' before the period 
                at the end; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``2018'' 
        and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7215. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

    Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

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

SEC. 7301. NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTENSION, 
                    OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) Ending Limitation on Funding.--Section 405(e)(3) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, And Education Reform Act of 
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(e)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(3) Term of grant.--A grant under this section 
        shall have a term that is not more than 3 years.''.
    (b) National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, 
Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program.--Section 405(j) of 
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(j)) is amended by striking ``there are 
authorized'' and all that follows through the period at the end 
and inserting ``there is authorized to be appropriated 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 7302. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION COMPETITIVE 
                    GRANTS PROGRAM.

    Section 406(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626(e)) is amended by 
striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7303. SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH REGARDING DISEASES OF WHEAT, TRITICALE, 
                    AND BARLEY CAUSED BY FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM OR BY 
                    TILLETIA INDICA.

    Section 408 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(f) Limitation on Indirect Costs.--A recipient of a grant 
under this section may not use more than 10 percent of the 
funds provided by the grant for the indirect costs of carrying 
out the initiatives described in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 7304. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS.

    Section 410(d)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630(d)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7305. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

    (a) Industry Needs.--Section 412(b) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7632(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) 
                through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F); 
                and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) size-controlling rootstock systems 
                for perennial crops;'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``including 
        threats to specialty crop pollinators;'' and inserting 
        the following: ``including--
                    ``(A) threats to specialty crop 
                pollinators;
                    ``(B) emerging and invasive species; and
                    ``(C) a more effective understanding and 
                utilization of existing natural enemy 
                complexes;'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``efforts to improve'' and 
                inserting the following: ``efforts--
                    ``(A) to improve'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), 
                by adding ``and'' at the end; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) to achieve a better understanding 
                of--
                            ``(i) the soil rhizosphere 
                        microbiome;
                            ``(ii) pesticide application 
                        systems and certified drift-reduction 
                        technologies; and
                            ``(iii) systems to improve and 
                        extend the storage life of specialty 
                        crops;''; and
            (4) in paragraph (4), by striking ``including 
        improved mechanization and technologies that delay or 
        inhibit ripening; and'' and inserting the following: 
        ``including--
                    ``(A) mechanization and automation of 
                labor-intensive tasks in production and 
                processing;
                    ``(B) technologies that delay or inhibit 
                ripening;
                    ``(C) decision support systems driven by 
                phenology and environmental factors;
                    ``(D) improved monitoring systems for 
                agricultural pests; and
                    ``(E) effective systems for preharvest and 
                postharvest management of quarantine pests; 
                and''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 412(k)(2) of 
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(k)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``2018'' 
        and inserting ``2023''; and
            (2) by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7306. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.

    Section 604(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642(e)) is amended by 
striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7307. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.

    Section 614(f)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7653(f)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7308. FORESTRY PRODUCTS ADVANCED UTILIZATION RESEARCH.

    Section 617(f)(1) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7655b(f)(1)) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

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

                     PART I--AGRICULTURAL SECURITY

SEC. 7401. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY COMMUNICATION CENTER.

    Section 14112(c)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8912(c)(2)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7402. ASSISTANCE TO BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY IN AGRICULTURAL 
                    BIOSECURITY PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND RESPONSE.

    Section 14113 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8913) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking ``2018'' 
        and inserting ``2023''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by striking ``2018'' 
        and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7403. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COUNTERMEASURES.

    Section 14121(b)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8921(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7404. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 14122(e)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8922(e)(2)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

                         PART II--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 7411. GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY.

    Section 7502 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 2019) is amended by 
striking ``10-year period'' and inserting ``15-year period''.

SEC. 7412. FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK.

    Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 5936) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``to support 
        cooperative programs between State cooperative 
        extension services and nonprofit organizations'' and 
        inserting ``to eligible entities described in 
        subsection (c)'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (5);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
                (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), 
                respectively, and indenting the subparagraphs 
                appropriately;
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (B) (as so 
                redesignated) and inserting the following:
                    ``(B) training, including training programs 
                and workshops, for--
                            ``(i) advocates for individuals who 
                        are engaged in farming, ranching, and 
                        other occupations relating to 
                        agriculture; and
                            ``(ii) other individuals and 
                        entities that may assist individuals 
                        who--
                                    ``(I) are engaged in 
                                farming, ranching, and other 
                                occupations relating to 
                                agriculture; and
                                    ``(II) are in crisis;'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so 
                redesignated), by adding ``and'' after the 
                semicolon at the end;
                    (E) in subparagraph (D) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``activities; and'' 
                and inserting ``activities, including the 
                dissemination of information and materials; 
                or'';
                    (F) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A) (as so redesignated), by striking ``be used 
                to initiate'' and inserting the following: ``be 
                used--
            ``(1) to initiate''; and
                    (G) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) to enter into contracts, on a multiyear 
        basis, with community-based, direct-service 
        organizations to initiate, expand, or sustain programs 
        described in paragraph (1) and subsection (a).''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(c) Eligible Recipients.--The Secretary may award a grant 
under this section to--
            ``(1) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of 
        the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
        Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
            ``(2) a State department of agriculture;
            ``(3) a State cooperative extension service;
            ``(4) a qualified nonprofit organization, as 
        determined by the Secretary;
            ``(5) an entity providing appropriate services, as 
        determined by the Secretary, in 1 or more States; or
            ``(6) a partnership carried out by 2 or more 
        entities described in paragraphs (1) through (5).
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
    ``(e) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in 
        coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services, shall submit to Congress and any other 
        relevant Federal department or agency, and make 
        publicly available, a report describing the state of 
        behavioral and mental health of individuals who are 
        engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations 
        relating to agriculture.
            ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) 
        shall include--
                    ``(A) an inventory and assessment of 
                efforts to support the behavioral and mental 
                health of individuals who are engaged in 
                farming, ranching, and other occupations 
                relating to agriculture by--
                            ``(i) the Federal Government, 
                        States, and units of local government;
                            ``(ii) communities comprised of 
                        those individuals;
                            ``(iii) health care providers;
                            ``(iv) State cooperative extension 
                        services; and
                            ``(v) other appropriate entities, 
                        as determined by the Secretary;
                    ``(B) a description of the challenges faced 
                by individuals who are engaged in farming, 
                ranching, and other occupations relating to 
                agriculture that may impact the behavioral and 
                mental health of farmers and ranchers;
                    ``(C) a description of how the Department 
                of Agriculture can improve coordination and 
                cooperation with Federal health departments and 
                agencies, including the Department of Health 
                and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and 
                Mental Health Services Administration, the 
                Health Resources and Services Administration, 
                the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
                and the National Institutes of Health, to best 
                address the behavioral and mental health of 
                individuals who are engaged in farming, 
                ranching, and other occupations relating to 
                agriculture;
                    ``(D) a long-term strategy for responding 
                to the challenges described under subparagraph 
                (B) and recommendations based on best practices 
                for further action to be carried out by 
                appropriate Federal departments or agencies to 
                improve Federal Government response and seek to 
                prevent suicide among individuals who are 
                engaged in farming, ranching, and other 
                occupations relating to agriculture; and
                    ``(E) an evaluation of the impact that 
                behavioral and mental health challenges and 
                outcomes (including suicide) among individuals 
                who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other 
                agriculture related occupations have on--
                            ``(i) the agricultural workforce;
                            ``(ii) agricultural production;
                            ``(iii) rural families and 
                        communities; and
                            ``(iv) succession planning.
    ``(f) State Defined.--For purposes of this section, the 
term `State' has the meaning given such term in section 1404 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).''.

SEC. 7413. NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    Section 7525(e) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 5937(e)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7414. SUN GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 7526(g) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8114(g)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

                  Subtitle E--Amendments to Other Laws

SEC. 7501. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT.

    (a) Hemp Research.--Section 5(b)(9) of the Critical 
Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178c(b)(9)) is amended by 
inserting ``, and including hemp (as defined in section 297A of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)'' after ``hydrocarbon-
containing plants''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 16(a)(2) of 
the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178n(a)(2)) 
is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7502. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 1994.

    (a) 1994 Institution Defined.--
            (1) In general.--Section 532 of the Equity in 
        Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 
        note; Public Law 103-382) is amended to read as 
        follows:

``SEC. 532. DEFINITION OF 1994 INSTITUTION.

    ``In this part, the term `1994 Institution' means any of 
the following colleges:
            ``(1) Aaniiih Nakoda College.
            ``(2) Bay Mills Community College.
            ``(3) Blackfeet Community College.
            ``(4) Cankdeska Cikana Community College.
            ``(5) Chief Dull Knife College.
            ``(6) College of Menominee Nation.
            ``(7) College of the Muscogee Nation.
            ``(8) D-Q University.
            ``(9) Dine College.
            ``(10) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
            ``(11) Fort Peck Community College.
            ``(12) Haskell Indian Nations University.
            ``(13) Ilisagvik College.
            ``(14) Institute of American Indian and Alaska 
        Native Culture and Arts Development.
            ``(15) Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College.
            ``(16) Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community 
        College.
            ``(17) Leech Lake Tribal College.
            ``(18) Little Big Horn College.
            ``(19) Little Priest Tribal College.
            ``(20) Navajo Technical University.
            ``(21) Nebraska Indian Community College.
            ``(22) Northwest Indian College.
            ``(23) Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College.
            ``(24) Oglala Lakota College.
            ``(25) Red Lake Nation College.
            ``(26) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College.
            ``(27) Salish Kootenai College.
            ``(28) Sinte Gleska University.
            ``(29) Sisseton Wahpeton College.
            ``(30) Sitting Bull College.
            ``(31) Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.
            ``(32) Stone Child College.
            ``(33) Tohono O'odham Community College.
            ``(34) Turtle Mountain Community College.
            ``(35) United Tribes Technical College.
            ``(36) White Earth Tribal and Community College.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by 
        paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.
    (b) Endowment for 1994 Institutions.--Section 533(b) of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended in the first sentence 
by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
    (c) Institutional Capacity Building Grants.--Section 535 of 
the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended by striking 
``2018'' each place it appears in subsections (b)(1) and (c) 
and inserting ``2023''.
    (d) Research Grants.--Section 536(c) of the Equity in 
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
Public Law 103-382) is amended in the first sentence by 
striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7503. RESEARCH FACILITIES ACT.

    (a) Agricultural Research Facility Defined.--The Research 
Facilities Act is amended--
            (1) in section 2(1) (7 U.S.C. 390(1)) by striking 
        ``a college, university, or nonprofit institution'' and 
        inserting ``an entity eligible to receive funds under a 
        capacity and infrastructure program (as defined in 
        section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture 
        Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)))''; 
        and
            (2) in section 3(c)(2)(D) (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(D)), 
        by striking ``recipient college, university, or 
        nonprofit institution'' and inserting ``recipient 
        entity''.
    (b) Long-term Support.--Section 3(c)(2)(D) of the Research 
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(D)), as amended by 
subsection (a), is further amended by striking ``operating 
costs'' and inserting ``operating and maintenance costs''.
    (c) Competitive Grant Program.--The Research Facilities Act 
is amended by inserting after section 3 (7 U.S.C. 390a) the 
following new section:

``SEC. 4. COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``The Secretary shall establish a program to make 
competitive grants to assist in the construction, alteration, 
acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of 
agricultural research facilities.''.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations and Funding 
Limitations.--Section 6 of the Research Facilities Act (7 
U.S.C. 390d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``subsection (b),'' and 
                inserting ``subsections (b), (c), and (d),'';
                    (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                ``2023''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                sentence: ``Funds appropriated pursuant to the 
                preceding sentence shall be available until 
                expended.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new 
        subsections:
    ``(c) Maximum Amount.--Not more than 25 percent of the 
funds made available pursuant to subsection (a) for any fiscal 
year shall be used for any single agricultural research 
facility project.
    ``(d) Project Limitation.--An entity eligible to receive 
funds under this Act may receive funds for only one project at 
a time.''.

SEC. 7504. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

    Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) by redesignating clauses (iii) 
                        through (vii) as clauses (iv) through 
                        (viii), respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting after clause (ii) 
                        the following new clause:
                            ``(iii) soil health;'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (E)--
                            (i) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iv), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following new clause:
                            ``(v) tools that accelerate the use 
                        of automation or mechanization for 
                        labor-intensive tasks in the production 
                        and distribution of crops.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (F)--
                            (i) in clause (vi), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (vii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following new clause:
                            ``(viii) barriers and bridges to 
                        entry and farm viability for young, 
                        beginning, socially disadvantaged, 
                        veteran, and immigrant farmers and 
                        ranchers, including farm succession, 
                        transition, transfer, entry, and 
                        profitability issues.'';
            (2) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) to an institution to carry out 
                collaboration in biomedical and agricultural 
                research using existing research models.''; and
            (3) in paragraph (11)(A)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``4'' and 
                inserting ``5''.

SEC. 7505. EXTENSION DESIGN AND DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE.

    (a) In General.--The Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is amended by inserting 
after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Extension Design and Demonstration Initiative.--
            ``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is 
        to encourage the design of adaptive prototype systems 
        for improving extension and education that seek to 
        advance the application, translation, and demonstration 
        of scientific discoveries and other agricultural 
        research for the adoption and understanding of food, 
        agricultural, and natural resources practices, 
        techniques, methods, and technologies using digital or 
        other novel platforms.
            ``(2) Grants.--The Secretary shall award grants 
        each fiscal year on a competitive basis--
                    ``(A) for the design of 1 or more extension 
                and education prototype systems--
                            ``(i) that leverage digital 
                        platforms or other novel means of 
                        translating, delivering, or 
                        demonstrating agricultural research; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) to adapt, apply, translate, 
                        or demonstrate scientific findings, 
                        data, technology, and other research 
                        outcomes to producers, the agricultural 
                        industry, and other interested persons 
                        or organizations; and
                    ``(B) to demonstrate, by incorporating 
                analytics and specific metrics, the value, 
                impact, and return on the Federal investment of 
                a prototype system designed under subparagraph 
                (A) as a model for use by other eligible 
                entities described in paragraph (3) for 
                improving, modernizing, and adapting applied 
                research, demonstration, and extension 
                services.
            ``(3) Eligible entities.--An entity that is 
        eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (2) is--
                    ``(A) a State agricultural experiment 
                station (as defined in section 1404 of the 
                National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
                Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
                    ``(B) a cooperative extension service (as 
                defined in such section); and
                    ``(C) a land-grant college or university 
                (as defined in such section) .
            ``(4) Requirement.--The Secretary shall award 
        grants under paragraph (2) to not fewer than 2 and not 
        more than 5 eligible entities described in paragraph 
        (3) that represent a diversity of regions, commodities, 
        and agricultural or food production issues.
            ``(5) Term.--The term of a grant awarded under 
        paragraph (2) shall be not longer than 5 years.
            ``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023, to remain available until expended.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Competitive, 
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(2), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection--'' and all 
        that follows through ``for the planning'' in 
        subparagraph (B) and inserting ``subsection for the 
        planning''; and
            (2) in subsection (h), by inserting ``, (d),'' 
        after ``subsections (b)''.

SEC. 7506. REPEAL OF REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE.

    Section 7404 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3101 note; Public Law 107-171) is repealed.

SEC. 7507. BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) carbon dioxide that--
                            ``(i) is intended for permanent 
                        sequestration or utilization; and
                            ``(ii) is a byproduct of the 
                        production of the products described in 
                        subparagraphs (A) and (B).'';
            (2) in subsection (d)(2)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (xii), by striking ``and'' at 
                the end;
                    (B) by redesignating clause (xiii) as 
                clause (xiv); and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (xii) the 
                following:
                            ``(xiii) an individual with 
                        expertise in carbon dioxide capture, 
                        utilization, and sequestration; and'';
            (3) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iv) to permanently sequester or 
                        utilize carbon dioxide described in 
                        subsection (a)(1)(C); and''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iii) the development of 
                        technologies to permanently sequester 
                        or utilize carbon dioxide described in 
                        subsection (a)(1)(C).''; and
            (4) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7508. REINSTATEMENT OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR FEDERAL FUNDS USED 
                    IN EXTENSION WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT 
                    OF COLUMBIA.

    (a) In General.--Section 209(c) of the District of Columbia 
Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act (Public Law 
93-471; sec. 38-1202.09(c), D.C. Official Code) is amended by 
inserting after the first sentence the following: ``Such sums 
may be used to pay not more than \1/2\ of the total cost of 
providing such extension work.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7509. RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 6 of the 
Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1675) is 
amended in the first sentence by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Termination Date.--Section 8 of the Renewable Resources 
Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 note; Public Law 95-306) 
is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7510. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE ACT OF 1980.

    Section 10 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 
U.S.C. 2809) is amended by striking ``2018'' each place it 
appears and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 7511. FEDERAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES.

    Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (title 
XIV of Public Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 1556) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

                       Subtitle F--Other Matters

SEC. 7601. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PROGRAM.

    (a) Transition to Permanent Program.--Section 308 of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``pilot''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``pilot''.
    (b) Termination of Authority Extended.--Section 
308(b)(6)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
3125a note) is amended by striking ``on the date that is 10 
years after the date of enactment of this section'' and 
inserting ``on September 30, 2023''.
    (c) Reports.--Section 308(d)(2) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended by striking ``Not 
later than 6, 8, and 10 years after the date of enactment of 
this section'' and inserting ``Not later than September 30, 
2021''.

SEC. 7602. TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER PORTION OF 
                    HENRY A. WALLACE BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
                    CENTER, BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND.

    (a) Transfer Authorized.--Subject to subsection (e), the 
Secretary may transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury 
administrative jurisdiction over a parcel of real property at 
the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center 
consisting of approximately 100 acres, which was originally 
acquired by the United States through land acquisitions in 1910 
and 1925, and is generally located off of Poultry Road lying 
between Powder Mill Road and Odell Road in Beltsville, 
Maryland, for the purpose of facilitating the establishment of 
Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities on the parcel.
    (b) Legal Description and Map.--
            (1) Preparation.--The Secretary shall prepare a 
        legal description and map of the parcel of real 
        property to be transferred under subsection (a).
            (2) Force of law.--The legal description and map 
        prepared under paragraph (1) shall have the same force 
        and effect as if included in this Act, except that the 
        Secretary may correct errors in the legal description 
        and map.
    (c) Terms and Conditions.--The transfer of administrative 
jurisdiction under subsection (a) shall be subject to 
easements, valid existing rights, and such other reservations, 
terms, and conditions as the Secretary considers to be 
necessary.
    (d) Waiver.--The parcel of real property under subsection 
(a) is exempt from Federal screening for other possible use due 
to an identified Federal need for the parcel as the site of 
Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities.
    (e) Conditions for Transfer.--As a condition of the 
transfer of administrative jurisdiction under subsection (a) 
with respect to the parcel described in such subsection--
            (1) the Secretary of the Treasury shall agree to 
        pay the Secretary the costs incurred to carry out such 
        transfer, including the costs for--
                    (A) any environmental or administrative 
                analysis required by law with respect to the 
                parcel to be so transferred;
                    (B) a survey of such parcel, if necessary; 
                and
                    (C) any hazardous substances assessment of 
                the parcel to be so transferred; and
            (2) except as provided in subsection (d), the 
        Secretary shall enter into a binding memorandum of 
        agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury regarding 
        the responsibilities, including financial 
        responsibilities, of each party for evaluating and, if 
        necessary, remediating or otherwise addressing 
        hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants found 
        at the parcel described in subsection (a).
    (f) Hazardous Materials.--Nothing in this section, or the 
amendments made by this section, amends, alters, or affects the 
relevant Federal and State environmental laws, including the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), or the 
application of such laws to the parcel of real property 
transferred under subsection (a).

SEC. 7603. FOUNDATION FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH.

    Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
5939) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        ``conflicts;'' and inserting 
                        ``conflicts, specifically at the 
                        Department of Agriculture; and''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following new clause:
                            ``(iii) document the consultation 
                        process and include a summary of the 
                        results in the annual report required 
                        in subsection (f)(3)(B)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``and 
                agriculture stakeholders'' after ``community'';
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(C)(ii)(I), by 
                inserting ``agriculture or'' before 
                ``agricultural research''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) by redesignating clause (iv) 
                        as clause (v); and
                            (iii) by inserting after clause 
                        (iii) the following:
                            ``(iv) actively solicit and accept 
                        funds, gifts, grants, devises, or 
                        bequests of real or personal property 
                        made to the Foundation, including from 
                        private entities; and'';
            (3) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking 
                ``any''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i)(I)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                item (aa), by inserting ``and 
                                post online'' before ``a 
                                report'';
                                    (II) in item (aa), by 
                                striking ``accomplishments; 
                                and'' and inserting 
                                ``accomplishments and how those 
                                activities align to the 
                                challenges identified in the 
                                strategic plan under clause 
                                (iv);'';
                                    (III) in item (bb), by 
                                striking the period at the end 
                                and inserting ``; and''; and
                                    (IV) by adding at the end 
                                the following:
                                            ``(cc) a 
                                        description of 
                                        available agricultural 
                                        research programs and 
                                        priorities for the 
                                        upcoming fiscal 
                                        year.''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iii) Stakeholder notice.--The 
                        Foundation shall publish an annual 
                        notice with a description of 
                        agricultural research priorities under 
                        this section for the upcoming fiscal 
                        year, including--
                                    ``(I) a schedule for 
                                funding competitions;
                                    ``(II) a discussion of how 
                                applications for funding will 
                                be evaluated; and
                                    ``(III) how the Foundation 
                                will communicate information 
                                about funded awards to the 
                                public to ensure that grantees 
                                and partners understand the 
                                objectives of the Foundation.
                            ``(iv) Strategic plan.--Not later 
                        than 1 year after the date of enactment 
                        of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
                        2018, the Foundation shall submit to 
                        the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                        House of Representatives and the 
                        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
                        and Forestry of the Senate a strategic 
                        plan describing a path for the 
                        Foundation to become self-sustaining, 
                        including--
                                    ``(I) a forecast of major 
                                agricultural challenge 
                                opportunities identified by the 
                                scientific advisory councils of 
                                the Foundation and approved by 
                                the Board, including short- and 
                                long-term objectives;
                                    ``(II) an overview of the 
                                efforts that the Foundation 
                                will take to be transparent in 
                                each of the processes of the 
                                Foundation, including--
                                            ``(aa) processes 
                                        relating to grant 
                                        awards, including the 
                                        selection, review, and 
                                        notification processes;
                                            ``(bb) 
                                        communication of past, 
                                        current, and future 
                                        research priorities; 
                                        and
                                            ``(cc) plans to 
                                        solicit and respond to 
                                        public input on the 
                                        opportunities 
                                        identified in the 
                                        strategic plan;
                                    ``(III) a description of 
                                financial goals and benchmarks 
                                for the next 10 years, 
                                including a detailed plan for--
                                            ``(aa) raising 
                                        funds in amounts 
                                        greater than the 
                                        amounts required under 
                                        subsection (g)(1)(B);
                                            ``(bb) soliciting 
                                        additional resources 
                                        pursuant to subsections 
                                        (e)(4)(A)(iv) and 
                                        (f)(2)(A)(iii); and
                                            ``(cc) managing and 
                                        leveraging such 
                                        resources pursuant to 
                                        subsection 
                                        (f)(2)(A)(vii); and
                                    ``(IV) other related 
                                issues, as determined by the 
                                Board.''; and
            (4) in subsection (g)(1)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                ``Mandatory funding'' and inserting 
                ``Funding'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``On the date'' and 
                        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) Establishment funding.--On 
                        the date''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(ii) Enhanced funding.--On the 
                        date on which the strategic plan 
                        described in subsection (f)(3)(B)(iv) 
                        is submitted, of the funds of the 
                        Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
                        Secretary shall transfer to the 
                        Foundation to carry out this section 
                        $185,000,000, to remain available until 
                        expended.''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``The Foundation'' 
                        and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The 
                        Foundation'';
                            (ii) in clause (i) (as so 
                        designated)--
                                    (I) by striking 
                                ``purposes'' and inserting 
                                ``purposes, duties, and 
                                powers''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``non-
                                Federal matching funds for each 
                                expenditure'' and inserting 
                                ``matching funds from a non-
                                Federal source, including an 
                                agricultural commodity 
                                promotion, research, and 
                                information program''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(ii) Effect.--Nothing in this 
                        section requires the Foundation to 
                        require a matching contribution from an 
                        individual grantee as a condition of 
                        receiving a grant under this 
                        section.''.

SEC. 7604. ASSISTANCE FOR FORESTRY RESEARCH UNDER THE MCINTIRE-STENNIS 
                    COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ACT.

    Section 2 of Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the 
``McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act'') (16 U.S.C. 582a-
1) is amended in the second sentence--
            (1) by striking ``and'' before ``1890 
        Institutions''; and
            (2) by inserting ``and 1994 Institutions (as 
        defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational 
        Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
        Public Law 103-382)) that offer an associate's degree 
        or a baccalaureate degree in forestry,'' before ``and 
        (b)''.

SEC. 7605. LEGITIMACY OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (a) and (b) as 
        subsections (b) and (a), respectively, and moving the 
        subsections so as to appear in alphabetical order;
            (2) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
                paragraph (4); and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
                following:
            ``(3) State.--The term `State' has the meaning 
        given such term in section 297A of the Agricultural 
        Marketing Act of 1946.'';
            (3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), in the 
        subsection heading, by striking ``In General'' and 
        inserting ``Industrial Hemp Research''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Study and Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
        study of agricultural pilot programs--
                    ``(A) to determine the economic viability 
                of the domestic production and sale of 
                industrial hemp; and
                    ``(B) that shall include a review of--
                            ``(i) each agricultural pilot 
                        program; and
                            ``(ii) any other agricultural or 
                        academic research relating to 
                        industrial hemp.
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the 
        date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall submit to Congress a report describing the 
        results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).''.
    (b) Repeal.--Effective on the date that is 1 year after the 
date on which the Secretary establishes a plan under section 
297C of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, section 7606 of 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is repealed.

SEC. 7606. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO BARLEY AREA PLANTED AND 
                    HARVESTED.

    For all acreage reports published after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the 
Administrator of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 
shall include the State of New York in the States surveyed to 
produce the table entitled ``Barley Area Planted and 
Harvested'' in those reports.

SEC. 7607. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF 
                    DAIRY FARMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the 2017 Census of Agriculture is released, the 
Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Economic 
Research Service, shall update the report entitled ``Changes in 
the Size and Location of US Dairy Farms'' contained in the 
report of the Economic Research Service entitled ``Profits, 
Costs, and the Changing Structure of Dairy Farming'' and 
published in September 2007.
    (b) Requirement.--In updating the report described in 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, use the same unit of measurement for reporting the 
full range of herd sizes in Table 1 and Table 2 of the report 
while maintaining confidentiality of individual producers.

SEC. 7608. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

    Section 6402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``representatives of each of 
                the following groups'' and inserting ``a 
                diverse group of representatives of public and 
                private entities, including the following:'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``The 
                2'' and inserting ``Two'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or 
                a State legislator,'' after ``agency,''; and
                    (D) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as 
                follows:
                    ``(C) Four entities representing 
                commodities produced in the State.'';
            (2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``subsection 
        (i)'' and inserting ``subsection (g)''; and
            (3) by striking subsections (g), (h), and (i) and 
        inserting the following new subsection:
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 7609. SMITH-LEVER COMMUNITY EXTENSION PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
U.S.C. 343(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new sentence: ``A 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382)) may compete for and 
receive funds directly from the Secretary of Agriculture for 
the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk funding program and 
the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 533(a)(2)(A) of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended by striking clause 
(ii) and inserting the following:
                            ``(ii) the Smith-Lever Act (7 
                        U.S.C. 341 et seq.), except as provided 
                        under--
                                    ``(I) section 3(b)(3) of 
                                that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)); 
                                or
                                    ``(II) the third sentence 
                                of section 3(d) of that Act (7 
                                U.S.C. 343(d)); or''.

SEC. 7610. MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of 
the programs of the Department of Agriculture that affect the 
production or processing of specialty crops.
    (b) Requirements.--The review under subsection (a) shall 
identify--
            (1) programs that currently are, or previously have 
        been, effectively used to accelerate the development 
        and use of automation or mechanization in the 
        production or processing of specialty crops; and
            (2) programs that may be more effectively used to 
        accelerate the development and use of automation or 
        mechanization in the production or processing of 
        specialty crops.
    (c) Strategy.--With respect to programs identified under 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall develop and implement a 
strategy to accelerate the development and use of automation 
and mechanization in the production or processing of specialty 
crops.

SEC. 7611. EXPERIENCED SERVICES PROGRAM.

    Section 1252 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3851) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking 
        ``agriculture conservation'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the first sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``a conservation'' 
                        and inserting ``an'';
                            (ii) by striking ``(in this section 
                        referred to as the `ACES Program')'' 
                        and inserting ``(referred to in this 
                        section as the `program')''; and
                            (iii) by striking ``provide 
                        technical'' and inserting the 
                        following: ``provide--
            ``(1) technical''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)--
                            (i) by striking ``Secretary. Such 
                        technical services may include'' and 
                        inserting ``Secretary, including'';
                            (ii) by striking the period at the 
                        end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
            ``(2) technical, professional, and administrative 
        services to support the research, education, and 
        economics mission area of the Department of Agriculture 
        (including the Agricultural Research Service, the 
        Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural 
        Library, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 
        the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the National 
        Institute of Food and Agriculture), including--
                    ``(A) supporting agricultural research and 
                information;
                    ``(B) advancing scientific knowledge 
                relating to agriculture;
                    ``(C) enhancing access to agricultural 
                information;
                    ``(D) providing statistical information and 
                research results to farmers, ranchers, 
                agribusiness, and public officials; and
                    ``(E) assisting research, education, and 
                extension programs in land-grant colleges and 
                universities (as defined in section 1404 of the 
                National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
                Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
                3103)).'';
            (3) by striking ``ACES'' each place it appears;
            (4) by striking ``technical services'' each place 
        it appears (other than in subsection (a)) and inserting 
        ``technical, professional, or administrative services, 
        as applicable,''; and
            (5) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking the paragraph 
                        heading and inserting ``Conservation 
                        technical services.--''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``with respect to 
                        subsection (a)(1),'' before ``the 
                        Secretary''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) Research, education, and economics 
        services.--With respect to services referred to in 
        subsection (a)(2), the Secretary may carry out the 
        program under the mission area referred to in such 
        subsection to the extent that funds are specifically 
        appropriated to provide such services under such 
        mission area.''.

SEC. 7612. SIMPLIFIED PLAN OF WORK.

    (a) Smith-Lever Act.--The Smith-Lever Act is amended--
            (1) in section 3(h)(2) (7 U.S.C. 343(h)(2)), by 
        striking subparagraph (D); and
            (2) in section 4(c) (7 U.S.C. 344(c)), by striking 
        paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting the following 
        new paragraphs:
            ``(1) A summary of planned projects or programs in 
        the State using formula funds.
            ``(2) A description of the manner in which the 
        State will meet the requirements of section 3(h).
            ``(3) A description of the manner in which the 
        State will meet the requirements of section 3(i)(2) of 
        the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(i)(2)).
            ``(4) A description of matching funds provided by 
        the State with respect to the previous fiscal year.''.
    (b) Hatch Act.--The Hatch Act of 1887 is amended--
            (1) in section 3 (7 U.S.C. 361c)--
                    (A) by amending subsection (h) to read as 
                follows:
    ``(h) Peer Review.--Research carried out under subsection 
(c)(3) shall be subject to scientific peer review. The review 
of a project conducted under this subsection shall be 
considered to satisfy the merit review requirements of section 
103(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(e)).''; and
                    (B) in subsection (i)(2), by striking 
                subparagraph (D); and
            (2) in section 7(e) (7 U.S.C. 361g(e)), by striking 
        paragraphs (1) through (4) and inserting the following 
        new paragraphs:
            ``(1) A summary of planned projects or programs in 
        the State using formula funds.
            ``(2) A description of the manner in which the 
        State will meet the requirements of subsections (c)(3) 
        and (i)(2) of section 3.
            ``(3) A description of matching funds provided by 
        the State with respect to the previous fiscal year.''.
    (c) Extension and Research at 1890 Institutions.--
            (1) Extension.--Section 1444(d)(3) of the National 
        Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
        Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(d)(3)) is amended by 
        striking subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting 
        the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(A) A summary of planned projects or 
                programs in the State using formula funds.
                    ``(B) A description of matching funds 
                provided by the State with respect to the 
                previous fiscal year.''.
            (2) Research.--Section 1445(c)(3) of the National 
        Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
        Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222(c)(3)) is amended by 
        striking subparagraphs (A) through (E) and inserting 
        the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(A) A summary of planned projects or 
                programs in the State using formula funds.
                    ``(B) A description of matching funds 
                provided by the State with respect to the 
                previous fiscal year.''.

SEC. 7613. REVIEW OF LAND-GRANT TIME AND EFFORT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Office of Management and Budget, shall review and revise 
current reporting requirements related to compensation charges, 
documentation of personnel expenses, and other requirements 
that are commonly referred to as time and effort reporting for 
entities that receive funds under a program referred to in 
clause (iii), (iv), (vii), (viii), or (xii) of section 
251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)).
    (b) Revisions.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
revision made pursuant to subsection (a)--
            (1) is developed in collaboration with entities 
        described in subsection (a); and
            (2) reduces the amount of paperwork and time 
        required by the requirements referred to in such 
        subsection, as such requirements are in effect on the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 7614. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.

    (a) Repeal.--Subtitle P of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3371) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) National agricultural research, extension, and 
        teaching policy act of 1977.--
                    (A) Grants to enhance research capacity in 
                schools of veterinary medicine.--Section 
                1415(a) of the National Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
                U.S.C. 3151(a)) is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' 
                        and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
            ``(2) Matching requirement.--A State receiving a 
        grant under paragraph (1) shall provide State matching 
        funds equal to not less than the amount of the 
        grant.''.
                    (B) Aquaculture assistance grant program.--
                Section 1475(b) of the National Agricultural 
                Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
                1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322(b)) is amended by striking 
                ``The Secretary'' and all that follows through 
                the period at the end and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), the 
        Secretary may make competitive grants to entities 
        eligible for grants under paragraph (2) for research 
        and extension to facilitate or expand promising 
        advances in the production and marketing of 
        aquacultural food species and products and to enhance 
        the safety and wholesomeness of those species and 
        products, including the development of reliable 
        supplies of seed stock and therapeutic compounds.
            ``(2) Eligible entities.--The Secretary may make a 
        competitive grant under paragraph (1) to--
                    ``(A) a land-grant or seagrant college or 
                university;
                    ``(B) a State agricultural experiment 
                station;
                    ``(C) a college, university, or Federal 
                laboratory having a demonstrable capacity to 
                conduct aquacultural research, as determined by 
                the Secretary; or
                    ``(D) a nonprofit private research 
                institution.
            ``(3) Matching state grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall not make 
                a grant under paragraph (1) unless the State in 
                which the grant recipient is located makes a 
                grant to that recipient in an amount equal to 
                not less than the amount of the grant under 
                paragraph (1) (of which State amount an in-kind 
                contribution shall not exceed 50 percent).
                    ``(B) Federal laboratories.--Subparagraph 
                (A) shall not apply to a grant to a Federal 
                laboratory.''.
                    (C) Rangeland research.--Section 1480 of 
                the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
                and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3333) 
                is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' 
                        and inserting ``(a) In General.--The 
                        Secretary''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following new subsection:
    ``(b) Matching Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (2), this grant program shall be based on a matching 
        formula of 50 percent Federal and 50 percent non-
        Federal funding (including funding from an agricultural 
        commodity promotion, research, and information 
        program).
            ``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to 
        a grant to a Federal laboratory or a grant under 
        subsection (a)(2).''.
            (2) Food, agriculture, conservation, and trade act 
        of 1990.--
                    (A) Federal-state matching grant program.--
                Section 1623(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, 
                Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
                5813(d)(2)) is amended by striking the second 
                sentence.
                    (B) Agricultural genome initiative.--
                Section 1671 of the Food, Agriculture, 
                Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
                5924) (as amended by section 7208) is amended--
                            (i) by redesignating subsection (f) 
                        as subsection (g); and
                            (ii) by inserting after subsection 
                        (e) the following:
    ``(f) Matching Funds Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), with 
        respect to a grant or cooperative agreement under this 
        section that provides a particular benefit to a 
        specific agricultural commodity, the recipient of funds 
        under the grant or cooperative agreement shall provide 
        non-Federal matching funds (including funds from an 
        agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
        information program) equal to not less than the amount 
        provided under the grant or cooperative agreement.
            ``(2) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
        described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support.
            ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        funds requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a 
        research project if the Secretary determines that--
                    ``(A) the results of the project are of a 
                particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
                commodity, but those results are likely to be 
                applicable to agricultural commodities 
                generally; or
                    ``(B)(i) the project--
                            ``(I) involves a minor commodity; 
                        and
                            ``(II) deals with scientifically 
                        important research; and
                    ``(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy 
                the matching funds requirement.''.
                    (C) High-priority research and extension 
                initiatives.--Section 1672(a) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(a)) is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``The Secretary of 
                        Agriculture'' and inserting the 
                        following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (1) (as so 
                        designated), in the second sentence, by 
                        striking ``The Secretary shall'' and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall''; and
                            (iii) by inserting after paragraph 
                        (1) the following:
            ``(2) Matching funds requirement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (C), an entity receiving a grant under 
                paragraph (1) shall provide non-Federal 
                matching funds (including funds from an 
                agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
                information program) equal to not less than the 
                amount of the grant.
                    ``(B) In-kind support.--Non-Federal 
                matching funds described in subparagraph (A) 
                may include in-kind support.
                    ``(C) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the 
                matching funds requirement under subparagraph 
                (A) with respect to a research project if the 
                Secretary determines that--
                            ``(i) the results of the project 
                        are of a particular benefit to a 
                        specific agricultural commodity, but 
                        those results are likely to be 
                        applicable to agricultural commodities 
                        generally; or
                            ``(ii)(I) the project--
                                    ``(aa) involves a minor 
                                commodity; and
                                    ``(bb) deals with 
                                scientifically important 
                                research; and
                            ``(II) the recipient is unable to 
                        satisfy the matching funds 
                        requirement.''.
                    (D) Organic agriculture research and 
                extension initiative.--Section 1672B of the 
                Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
                of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) (as amended by section 
                7210) is amended--
                            (i) by redesignating subsections 
                        (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (d), 
                        (e), and (f), respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting after subsection 
                        (b) the following:
    ``(c) Matching Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), an 
        entity receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall 
        provide non-Federal matching funds (including funds 
        from an agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
        information program) equal to not less than the amount 
        of the grant.
            ``(2) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
        described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support.
            ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        funds requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a 
        research project if the Secretary determines that--
                    ``(A) the results of the project are of a 
                particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
                commodity, but those results are likely to be 
                applicable to agricultural commodities 
                generally; or
                    ``(B)(i) the project--
                            ``(I) involves a minor commodity; 
                        and
                            ``(II) deals with scientifically 
                        important research; and
                    ``(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy 
                the matching funds requirement.''.
            (3) Agricultural research, extension, and education 
        reform act of 1998.--
                    (A) Integrated research, education, and 
                extension competitive grants program.--Section 
                406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
                and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
                7626) is amended--
                            (i) by redesignating subsections 
                        (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), 
                        respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting after subsection 
                        (c) the following:
    ``(d) Matching Funds Requirement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), with 
        respect to a grant under this section that provides a 
        particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
        commodity, the recipient of the grant shall provide 
        non-Federal matching funds (including funds from an 
        agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
        information program) equal to not less than the amount 
        of the grant.
            ``(2) In-kind support.--Non-Federal matching funds 
        described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support.
            ``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching 
        funds requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a 
        grant if the Secretary determines that--
                    ``(A) the results of the grant are of a 
                particular benefit to a specific agricultural 
                commodity, but those results are likely to be 
                applicable to agricultural commodities 
                generally; or
                    ``(B)(i) the grant--
                            ``(I) involves a minor commodity; 
                        and
                            ``(II) deals with scientifically 
                        important research; and
                    ``(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy 
                the matching funds requirement.''.
                    (B) Specialty crop research initiative.--
                Section 412(g) of the Agricultural Research, 
                Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
                U.S.C. 7632(g)) is amended--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraph (3) 
                        as paragraph (4); and
                            (ii) by inserting after paragraph 
                        (2) the following:
            ``(3) Matching requirement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An entity receiving a 
                grant under this section shall provide non-
                Federal matching funds (including funds from an 
                agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
                information program) equal to not less than the 
                amount of the grant.
                    ``(B) In-kind support.--Non-Federal 
                matching funds described in subparagraph (A) 
                may include in-kind support.''.
            (4) Other laws.--
                    (A) Sun grant program.--Section 
                7526(c)(1)(C)(iv) of the Food, Conservation, 
                and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                8114(c)(1)(C)(iv)) is amended by striking 
                subclause (IV).
                    (B) Agriculture and food research 
                initiative.--Subsection (b)(9) of the 
                Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
                Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(9)) is amended--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by 
                        striking clause (iii);
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in clause (i), by 
                                striking ``clauses (ii) and 
                                (iii),'' and inserting ``clause 
                                (ii),''; and
                                    (II) by striking clause 
                                (iii); and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(C) Applied research.--An entity 
                receiving a grant under paragraph (5)(B) for 
                applied research that is commodity-specific and 
                not of national scope shall provide non-Federal 
                matching funds equal to not less than the 
                amount of the grant.''.
    (c) Application of Amendments.--
            (1) Awards made after date of enactment.--The 
        amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply 
        with respect to grants, cooperative agreements, or 
        other awards described in subsection (b) that are made 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (2) Awards made on or before date of enactment.--
        Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsections (a) 
        and (b), a matching funds requirement in effect on the 
        day before the date of enactment of this Act under a 
        provision of law amended by subsection (a) or (b) shall 
        continue to apply to a grant, cooperative agreement, or 
        other award described in subsection (b) that is made on 
        or before the date of the enactment of this Act.

                          TITLE VIII--FORESTRY

        Subtitle A--Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978

SEC. 8101. SUPPORT FOR STATE ASSESSMENTS AND STRATEGIES FOR FOREST 
                    RESOURCES.

    Section 2A(f)(1) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act 
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a(f)(1)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 8102. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORATION 
                    PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 13A of the Cooperative Forestry 
Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 13A. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORATION 
                    PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage 
collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest 
landscapes.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
        U.S.C. 5304).
            ``(2) Nonindustrial private forest land.--The term 
        `nonindustrial private forest land' means land that--
                    ``(A) is rural, as determined by the 
                Secretary;
                    ``(B) has existing tree cover or is 
                suitable for growing trees; and
                    ``(C) is owned by any private individual, 
                group, association, corporation, Indian tribe, 
                or other private legal entity.
            ``(3) State forest land.--The term `State forest 
        land' means land that--
                    ``(A) is rural, as determined by the 
                Secretary; and
                    ``(B) is under State or local governmental 
                ownership and considered to be non-Federal 
                forest land.
    ``(c) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
State foresters or appropriate State agencies, shall establish 
a competitive grant program to provide financial and technical 
assistance to encourage collaborative, science-based 
restoration of priority forest landscapes.
    ``(d) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary, 
through the State forester or appropriate State agency, a State 
and private forest landscape-scale restoration proposal based 
on a restoration strategy that--
            ``(1) is complete or substantially complete;
            ``(2) is for a multiyear period;
            ``(3) covers nonindustrial private forest land or 
        State forest land;
            ``(4) is accessible by wood-processing 
        infrastructure; and
            ``(5) is based on the best available science.
    ``(e) Plan Criteria.--A State and private forest landscape-
scale restoration proposal submitted under this section shall 
include plans--
            ``(1) to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic 
        wildfires;
            ``(2) to improve fish and wildlife habitats, 
        including the habitats of threatened and endangered 
        species;
            ``(3) to maintain or improve water quality and 
        watershed function;
            ``(4) to mitigate invasive species, insect 
        infestation, and disease;
            ``(5) to improve important forest ecosystems;
            ``(6) to measure ecological and economic benefits, 
        including air quality and soil quality and 
        productivity; and
            ``(7) to take other relevant actions, as determined 
        by the Secretary.
    ``(f) Priorities.--In making grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall give priority to plans that--
            ``(1) further a statewide forest assessment and 
        resource strategy;
            ``(2) promote cross boundary landscape 
        collaboration; and
            ``(3) leverage public and private resources.
    ``(g) Collaboration and Consultation.--The Chief of the 
Forest Service, the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, and relevant stakeholders shall collaborate and 
consult on an ongoing basis regarding--
            ``(1) administration of the program established 
        under this section; and
            ``(2) identification of other applicable resources 
        for landscape-scale restoration.
    ``(h) Matching Funds Required.--As a condition of receiving 
a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require the 
recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support from 
non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the 
amount of Federal funds.
    ``(i) Coordination and Proximity Encouraged.--In making 
grants under this section, the Secretary may consider 
coordination with and proximity to other landscape-scale 
projects on other land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, 
the Secretary of the Interior, or a Governor of a State, 
including under--
            ``(1) the Collaborative Forest Landscape 
        Restoration Program established under section 4003 of 
        the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 
        U.S.C. 7303);
            ``(2) landscape areas designated for insect and 
        disease treatments under section 602 of the Healthy 
        Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591a);
            ``(3) good neighbor authority under section 19;
            ``(4) stewardship end result contracting projects 
        authorized under section 604 of the Healthy Forests 
        Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591c);
            ``(5) appropriate State-level programs; and
            ``(6) other relevant programs, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
    ``(j) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate such 
regulations as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out 
this section.
    ``(k) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report on--
            ``(1) the status of development, execution, and 
        administration of selected projects;
            ``(2) the accounting of program funding 
        expenditures; and
            ``(3) specific accomplishments that have resulted 
        from landscape-scale projects.
    ``(l) Fund.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is established in the 
        Treasury a fund, to be known as the `State and Private 
        Forest Landscape-Scale Restoration Fund' (referred to 
        in this subsection as the `Fund'), to be used by the 
        Secretary to make grants under this section.
            ``(2) Contents.--The Fund shall consist of such 
        amounts as are appropriated to the Fund under paragraph 
        (3).
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Fund $20,000,000 
        for each fiscal year beginning with the first full 
        fiscal year after the date of enactment of this 
        subsection through fiscal year 2023, to remain 
        available until expended.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 13B of the Cooperative Forestry 
        Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109b) is repealed.
            (2) Section 19(a)(4)(C) of the Cooperative Forestry 
        Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2113(a)(4)(C)) is 
        amended by striking ``sections 13A and 13B'' and 
        inserting ``section 13A''.

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

SEC. 8201. REPEAL OF RECYCLING RESEARCH.

    Section 9 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1648) is repealed.

SEC. 8202. REPEAL OF FORESTRY STUDENT GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 10 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1649) is repealed.

        Subtitle C--Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990

SEC. 8301. REPEALS RELATING TO BIOMASS.

    (a) Biomass Energy Demonstration Projects.--Section 2410 of 
the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
6708) is repealed.
    (b) Interagency Cooperation to Maximize Biomass Growth.--
Section 2411 of the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 6709) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ``to--'' and all that follows through 
``such forests and lands'' in paragraph (2) and inserting ``to 
develop a program to manage forests and land on Department of 
Defense military installations''.

          Subtitle D--Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003

SEC. 8401. PROMOTING CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE MITIGATION.

    Section 103 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6513) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Cross-boundary Hazardous Fuel Reduction Projects.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Hazardous fuel reduction project.--
                The term `hazardous fuel reduction project' 
                means a hazardous fuel reduction project 
                described in paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Non-federal land.--The term `non-
                Federal land' includes--
                            ``(i) State land;
                            ``(ii) county land;
                            ``(iii) Tribal land;
                            ``(iv) private land; and
                            ``(v) other non-Federal land.
            ``(2) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants to 
        State foresters to support hazardous fuel reduction 
        projects that incorporate treatments in landscapes 
        across ownership boundaries on Federal and non-Federal 
        land, particularly in areas identified as priorities in 
        applicable State-wide forest resource assessments or 
        strategies under section 2A(a) of the Cooperative 
        Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a(a)), 
        as mutually agreed to by the State forester and the 
        Regional Forester.
            ``(3) Land treatments.--To conduct and fund 
        treatments for hazardous fuel reduction projects 
        carried out by State foresters using grants under 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary may use the authorities of 
        the Secretary relating to cooperation and technical and 
        financial assistance, including the good neighbor 
        authority under--
                    ``(A) section 8206 of the Agricultural Act 
                of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a); and
                    ``(B) section 331 of the Department of the 
                Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations 
                Act, 2001 (16 U.S.C. 1011 note; Public Law 106-
                291).
            ``(4) Cooperation.--In carrying out a hazardous 
        fuel reduction project using a grant under paragraph 
        (2) on non-Federal land, the State forester, in 
        consultation with the Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall consult with any applicable 
                owners of the non-Federal land; and
                    ``(B) shall not implement the hazardous 
                fuel reduction project on non-Federal land 
                without the consent of the owner of the non-
                Federal land.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023.''.

SEC. 8402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION 
                    ON FEDERAL LAND.

    Section 108 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6518) is amended by striking ``$760,000,000 for each 
fiscal year'' and inserting ``$660,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023''.

SEC. 8403. REPEAL OF BIOMASS COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 203 of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6531) is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108-148) is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 203.

SEC. 8404. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6541 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 303. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) End water user.--The term `end water user' 
        means a non-Federal entity, including--
                    ``(A) a State;
                    ``(B) a political subdivision of a State;
                    ``(C) an Indian tribe;
                    ``(D) a utility;
                    ``(E) a municipal water system;
                    ``(F) an irrigation district;
                    ``(G) a nonprofit organization; and
                    ``(H) a corporation.
            ``(2) Forest management activity.--The term `forest 
        management activity' means a project carried out by the 
        Secretary on National Forest System land.
            ``(3) Forest plan.--The term `forest plan' means a 
        land management plan prepared by the Forest Service for 
        a unit of the National Forest System pursuant to 
        section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
        Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
            ``(4) Non-federal partner.--The term `non-Federal 
        partner' means an end water user with whom the 
        Secretary has entered into a partnership agreement 
        under subsection (c)(1).
            ``(5) Program.--The term `Program' means the Water 
        Source Protection Program established under subsection 
        (b).
            ``(6) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of 
        the Forest Service.
            ``(7) Water source management plan.--The term 
        `water source management plan' means the water source 
        management plan developed under subsection (d)(1).
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish and 
maintain a program, to be known as the `Water Source Protection 
Program', to carry out watershed protection and restoration 
projects on National Forest System land.
    ``(c) Water Source Investment Partnerships.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary may enter into water source investment 
        partnership agreements with end water users to protect 
        and restore the condition of National Forest watersheds 
        that provide water to the end water users.
            ``(2) Form.--A partnership agreement described in 
        paragraph (1) may take the form of--
                    ``(A) a memorandum of understanding;
                    ``(B) a cost-share or collection agreement;
                    ``(C) a long-term funding matching 
                commitment; or
                    ``(D) another appropriate instrument, as 
                determined by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Water Source Management Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary, in cooperation with the non-Federal partners 
        and applicable State, local, and Tribal governments, 
        may develop a water source management plan that 
        describes the proposed implementation of watershed 
        protection and restoration projects under the Program.
            ``(2) Requirement.--A water source management plan 
        shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the 
        forest plan applicable to the National Forest System 
        land on which the watershed protection and restoration 
        project is carried out.
            ``(3) Environmental analysis.--The Secretary may 
        conduct a single environmental impact statement or 
        similar analysis required under the National 
        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
        seq.)--
                    ``(A) for each watershed protection and 
                restoration project included in the water 
                source management plan; or
                    ``(B) as part of the development of, or 
                after the finalization of, the water source 
                management plan.
    ``(e) Forest Management Activities.--
            ``(1) In general.--To the extent that forest 
        management activities are necessary to protect, 
        maintain, or enhance water quality, and in accordance 
        with paragraph (2), the Secretary shall carry out 
        forest management activities as part of watershed 
        protection and restoration projects carried out on 
        National Forest System land, with the primary purpose 
        of--
                    ``(A) protecting a municipal water supply 
                system;
                    ``(B) restoring forest health from insect 
                infestations and disease; or
                    ``(C) any combination of the purposes 
                described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
            ``(2) Compliance.--The Secretary shall carry out 
        forest management activities under paragraph (1) in 
        accordance with--
                    ``(A) this Act;
                    ``(B) the applicable water source 
                management plan;
                    ``(C) the applicable forest plan; and
                    ``(D) other applicable laws.
    ``(f) Endangered Species Act of 1973.--In carrying out the 
Program, the Secretary may use the Manual on Adaptive 
Management of the Department of the Interior, including any 
associated guidance, to comply with the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
    ``(g) Funds and Services.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the 
        Secretary may accept and use funding, services, and 
        other forms of investment and assistance from non-
        Federal partners to implement the water source 
        management plan.
            ``(2) Matching funds required.--The Secretary shall 
        require the contribution of funds or in-kind support 
        from non-Federal partners to be in an amount that is at 
        least equal to the amount of Federal funds.
            ``(3) Manner of use.--The Secretary may accept and 
        use investments described in paragraph (1) directly or 
        indirectly through the National Forest Foundation.
            ``(4) Water source protection fund.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to the 
                availability of appropriations, the Secretary 
                may establish a Water Source Protection Fund to 
                match funds or in-kind support contributed by 
                non-Federal partners under paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Use of appropriated funds.--There is 
                authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
                section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2019 through 2023.
                    ``(C) Partnership agreements.--The 
                Secretary may make multiyear commitments, if 
                necessary, to implement 1 or more partnership 
                agreements under subsection (c).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108-148) is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 303 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 303. Water Source Protection Program.''.

SEC. 8405. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK.

    (a) In General.--Title III of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6541 et seq.) (as amended by 
section 8404(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 304. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this 
section as the `Secretary'), may establish and maintain a 
Watershed Condition Framework for National Forest System land--
            ``(1) to evaluate and classify the condition of 
        watersheds, taking into consideration--
                    ``(A) water quality and quantity;
                    ``(B) aquatic habitat and biota;
                    ``(C) riparian and wetland vegetation;
                    ``(D) the presence of roads and trails;
                    ``(E) soil type and condition;
                    ``(F) groundwater-dependent ecosystems;
                    ``(G) relevant terrestrial indicators, such 
                as fire regime, risk of catastrophic fire, 
                forest and rangeland vegetation, invasive 
                species, and insects and disease; and
                    ``(H) other significant factors, as 
                determined by the Secretary;
            ``(2) to identify for protection and restoration up 
        to 5 priority watersheds in each National Forest, and 
        up to 2 priority watersheds in each national grassland, 
        taking into consideration the impact of the condition 
        of the watershed condition on--
                    ``(A) wildfire behavior;
                    ``(B) flood risk;
                    ``(C) fish and wildlife;
                    ``(D) drinking water supplies;
                    ``(E) irrigation water supplies;
                    ``(F) forest-dependent communities; and
                    ``(G) other significant impacts, as 
                determined by the Secretary;
            ``(3) to develop a watershed protection and 
        restoration action plan for each priority watershed 
        that--
                    ``(A) takes into account existing 
                restoration activities being implemented in the 
                watershed; and
                    ``(B) includes, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) the major stressors 
                        responsible for the impaired condition 
                        of the watershed;
                            ``(ii) a set of essential projects 
                        that, once completed, will address the 
                        identified stressors and improve 
                        watershed conditions;
                            ``(iii) a proposed implementation 
                        schedule;
                            ``(iv) potential partners and 
                        funding sources; and
                            ``(v) a monitoring and evaluation 
                        program;
            ``(4) to prioritize protection and restoration 
        activities for each watershed restoration action plan;
            ``(5) to implement each watershed protection and 
        restoration action plan; and
            ``(6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection 
        and restoration actions and indicators of watershed 
        health.
    ``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) coordinate with interested non-Federal 
        landowners and State, Tribal, and local governments 
        within the relevant watershed; and
            ``(2) provide for an active and ongoing public 
        engagement process.
    ``(c) Emergency Designation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2) 
of subsection (a), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a 
priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition 
Framework without using the process described in that 
subsection if a Forest Supervisor determines that--
            ``(1) a wildfire has significantly diminished the 
        condition of the watershed; and
            ``(2) the emergency stabilization activities of the 
        Burned Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to 
        return the watershed to proper function.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108-148) (as amended by section 8404(b)) is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the 
following:

``Sec. 304. Watershed Condition Framework.''.

SEC. 8406. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO COMBAT INSECT 
                    INFESTATIONS AND RELATED DISEASES.

    (a) In General.--Section 406 of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6556) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 406. TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.

    ``The authority provided by this title terminates effective 
October 1, 2023.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108-148) is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 406 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 406. Termination of effectiveness.''.

SEC. 8407. HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Healthy Forests Reserve Program.--
            (1) Additional purpose of program.--Section 501(a) 
        of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 
        U.S.C. 6571(a)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of 
                paragraph (2);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
                paragraph (4); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(3) to conserve forest land that provides habitat 
        for species described in section 502(b); and''.
            (2) Eligibility for enrollment.--Subsection (b) of 
        section 502 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 
        2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible for enrollment in the 
healthy forests reserve program, land shall be private forest 
land, or private land being restored to forest land, the 
enrollment of which will maintain, restore, enhance, or 
otherwise measurably--
            ``(1) increase the likelihood of recovery of a 
        species that is listed as endangered or threatened 
        under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
        (16 U.S.C. 1533); or
            ``(2) improve the well-being of a species that--
                    ``(A) is--
                            ``(i) not listed as endangered or 
                        threatened under such section; and
                            ``(ii) a candidate for such 
                        listing, a State-listed species, or a 
                        special concern species; or
                    ``(B) is deemed a species of greatest 
                conservation need by a State wildlife action 
                plan.''.
            (3) Other enrollment considerations.--Section 
        502(c) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
        (16 U.S.C. 6572(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' at the end of 
                paragraph (1);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
                paragraph (3); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(2) conserve forest land that provides habitat 
        for species described in subsection (b); and''.
            (4) Elimination of limitation on use of 
        easements.--Section 502(e) of the Healthy Forests 
        Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(e)) is amended 
        by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating paragraph 
        (3) as paragraph (2).
            (5) Enrollment of acreage owned by an indian 
        tribe.--Paragraph (2) of section 502(e) of the Healthy 
        Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(e)) (as 
        redesignated by paragraph (4)) is amended, in 
        subparagraph (B), by striking clauses (ii) and (iii) 
        and inserting the following new clauses:
                            ``(ii) a 10-year cost-share 
                        agreement;
                            ``(iii) a permanent easement; or
                            ``(iv) any combination of the 
                        options described in clauses (i) 
                        through (iii).''.
            (6) Enrollment priority.--Section 502(f)(1)(B) of 
        the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
        6572(f)(1)(B)) is amended by striking clause (ii) and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(ii)(I) are candidates for such 
                        listing, State-listed species, or 
                        special concern species; or
                            ``(II) are deemed a species of 
                        greatest conservation need under a 
                        State wildlife action plan.''.
            (7) Restoration plans.--Subsection (b) of section 
        503 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 
        U.S.C. 6573) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Practices.--The restoration plan shall require such 
restoration practices and measures as are necessary to restore 
and enhance habitat for species described in section 502(b), 
including the following:
            ``(1) Land management practices.
            ``(2) Vegetative treatments.
            ``(3) Structural practices and measures.
            ``(4) Practices to increase carbon sequestration.
            ``(5) Practices to improve biological diversity.
            ``(6) Other practices and measures.''.
            (8) Funding.--Section 508(b) of the Healthy Forests 
        Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6578(b)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                ``Fiscal Years 2014 Through 2018'' and 
                inserting ``Authorization of Appropriations''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                ``2023''.
            (9) Technical correction.--Section 503(a) of the 
        Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
        6573(a)) is amended by striking ``Secretary of 
        Interior'' and inserting ``Secretary of the Interior''.
    (b) Insect and Disease Infestation.--
            (1) Treatment of areas.--Section 602(d)(1) of the 
        Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
        6591a(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``subsection (b) to 
        reduce the risk or extent of, or increase the 
        resilience to, insect or disease infestation in the 
        areas.'' and inserting the following: ``subsection 
        (b)--
                    ``(A) to reduce the risk or extent of, or 
                increase the resilience to, insect or disease 
                infestation; or
                    ``(B) to reduce hazardous fuels.''.
            (2) Extension of authority.--Section 602(d)(2) of 
        the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
        6591a(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 8408. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DESIGNATION OF TREATMENT 
                    AREAS.

    Section 602 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6591a) is amended by striking subsection (f).

    Subtitle E--Repeal or Reauthorization of Miscellaneous Forestry 
                                Programs

SEC. 8501. REPEAL OF REVISION OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FOREST INVENTORY 
                    AND ANALYSIS.

    Section 8301 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
1642 note; Public Law 113-79) is repealed.

SEC. 8502. SEMIARID AGROFORESTRY RESEARCH CENTER.

    Section 1243(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law 101-624) is 
amended by striking ``annually'' and inserting ``for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023''.

SEC. 8503. NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT.

    (a) Matching Funds.--Section 405(b) of the National Forest 
Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-3(b)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 410(b) of the 
National Forest Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-8(b)) is amended 
by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 8504. CONVEYANCE OF FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE SITES.

    Section 503(f) of the Forest Service Facility Realignment 
and Enhancement Act of 2005 (16 U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 
109-54) is amended by striking ``2016'' and inserting ``2023''.

                     Subtitle F--Forest Management

SEC. 8601. DEFINITION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM.

    In this subtitle, the term ``National Forest System'' has 
the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and 
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 
1609(a)).

     PART I--EXPEDITED ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND AVAILABILITY OF 
    CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS TO EXPEDITE FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

SEC. 8611. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE AND MULE DEER 
                    HABITAT.

    (a) In General.--Title VI of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 606. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE AND MULE DEER 
                    HABITAT.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Covered vegetation management activity.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `covered 
                vegetation management activity' means any 
                activity described in subparagraph (B) that--
                            ``(i)(I) is carried out on National 
                        Forest System land administered by the 
                        Forest Service; or
                            ``(II) is carried out on public 
                        land administered by the Bureau of Land 
                        Management;
                            ``(ii) with respect to public land, 
                        meets the objectives of the order of 
                        the Secretary of the Interior numbered 
                        3336 and dated January 5, 2015;
                            ``(iii) conforms to an applicable 
                        forest plan or land use plan;
                            ``(iv) protects, restores, or 
                        improves greater sage-grouse or mule 
                        deer habitat in a sagebrush steppe 
                        ecosystem as described in--
                                    ``(I) Circular 1416 of the 
                                United States Geological Survey 
                                entitled `Restoration Handbook 
                                for Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems 
                                with Emphasis on Greater Sage-
                                Grouse Habitat--Part 1. 
                                Concepts for Understanding and 
                                Applying Restoration' (2015); 
                                or
                                    ``(II) the habitat 
                                guidelines for mule deer 
                                published by the Mule Deer 
                                Working Group of the Western 
                                Association of Fish and 
                                Wildlife Agencies;
                            ``(v) will not permanently impair--
                                    ``(I) the natural state of 
                                the treated area;
                                    ``(II) outstanding 
                                opportunities for solitude;
                                    ``(III) outstanding 
                                opportunities for primitive, 
                                unconfined recreation;
                                    ``(IV) economic 
                                opportunities consistent with 
                                multiple-use management; or
                                    ``(V) the identified values 
                                of a unit of the National 
                                Landscape Conservation System;
                            ``(vi)(I) restores native 
                        vegetation following a natural 
                        disturbance;
                            ``(II) prevents the expansion into 
                        greater sage-grouse or mule deer 
                        habitat of--
                                    ``(aa) juniper, pinyon 
                                pine, or other associated 
                                conifers; or
                                    ``(bb) nonnative or 
                                invasive vegetation;
                            ``(III) reduces the risk of loss of 
                        greater sage-grouse or mule deer 
                        habitat from wildfire or any other 
                        natural disturbance; or
                            ``(IV) provides emergency 
                        stabilization of soil resources after a 
                        natural disturbance; and
                            ``(vii) provides for the conduct of 
                        restoration treatments that--
                                    ``(I) maximize the 
                                retention of old-growth and 
                                large trees, as appropriate for 
                                the forest type;
                                    ``(II) consider the best 
                                available scientific 
                                information to maintain or 
                                restore the ecological 
                                integrity, including 
                                maintaining or restoring 
                                structure, function, 
                                composition, and connectivity;
                                    ``(III) are developed and 
                                implemented through a 
                                collaborative process that--
                                            ``(aa) includes 
                                        multiple interested 
                                        persons representing 
                                        diverse interests; and
                                            ``(bb)(AA) is 
                                        transparent and 
                                        nonexclusive; or
                                            ``(BB) meets the 
                                        requirements for a 
                                        resource advisory 
                                        committee under 
                                        subsections (c) through 
                                        (f) of section 205 of 
                                        the Secure Rural 
                                        Schools and Community 
                                        Self-Determination Act 
                                        of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
                                        7125); and
                                    ``(IV) may include the 
                                implementation of a proposal 
                                that complies with the 
                                eligibility requirements of the 
                                Collaborative Forest Landscape 
                                Restoration Program under 
                                section 4003(b) of the Omnibus 
                                Public Land Management Act of 
                                2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(b)).
                    ``(B) Description of activities.--An 
                activity referred to in subparagraph (A) is--
                            ``(i) manual cutting and removal of 
                        juniper trees, pinyon pine trees, other 
                        associated conifers, or other nonnative 
                        or invasive vegetation;
                            ``(ii) mechanical mastication, 
                        cutting, or mowing, mechanical piling 
                        and burning, chaining, broadcast 
                        burning, or yarding;
                            ``(iii) removal of cheat grass, 
                        medusa head rye, or other nonnative, 
                        invasive vegetation;
                            ``(iv) collection and seeding or 
                        planting of native vegetation using a 
                        manual, mechanical, or aerial method;
                            ``(v) seeding of nonnative, 
                        noninvasive, ruderal vegetation only 
                        for the purpose of emergency 
                        stabilization;
                            ``(vi) targeted use of an 
                        herbicide, subject to the condition 
                        that the use shall be in accordance 
                        with applicable legal requirements, 
                        Federal agency procedures, and land use 
                        plans;
                            ``(vii) targeted livestock grazing 
                        to mitigate hazardous fuels and control 
                        noxious and invasive weeds;
                            ``(viii) temporary removal of wild 
                        horses or burros in the area in which 
                        the activity is being carried out to 
                        ensure treatment objectives are met;
                            ``(ix) in coordination with the 
                        affected permit holder, modification or 
                        adjustment of permissible usage under 
                        an annual plan of use of a grazing 
                        permit issued by the Secretary 
                        concerned to achieve restoration 
                        treatment objectives;
                            ``(x) installation of new, or 
                        modification of existing, fencing or 
                        water sources intended to control use 
                        or improve wildlife habitat; or
                            ``(xi) necessary maintenance of, 
                        repairs to, rehabilitation of, or 
                        reconstruction of an existing permanent 
                        road or construction of temporary roads 
                        to accomplish the activities described 
                        in this subparagraph.
                    ``(C) Exclusions.--The term `covered 
                vegetation management activity' does not 
                include--
                            ``(i) any activity conducted in a 
                        wilderness area or wilderness study 
                        area;
                            ``(ii) any activity for the 
                        construction of a permanent road or 
                        permanent trail;
                            ``(iii) any activity conducted on 
                        Federal land on which, by Act of 
                        Congress or Presidential proclamation, 
                        the removal of vegetation is restricted 
                        or prohibited;
                            ``(iv) any activity conducted in an 
                        area in which activities under 
                        subparagraph (B) would be inconsistent 
                        with the applicable land and resource 
                        management plan; or
                            ``(v) any activity conducted in an 
                        inventoried roadless area.
            ``(2) Secretary concerned.--The term `Secretary 
        concerned' means--
                    ``(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with 
                respect to National Forest System land; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with 
                respect to public land.
            ``(3) Temporary road.--The term `temporary road' 
        means a road that is--
                    ``(A) authorized--
                            ``(i) by a contract, permit, lease, 
                        other written authorization; or
                            ``(ii) pursuant to an emergency 
                        operation;
                    ``(B) not intended to be part of the 
                permanent transportation system of a Federal 
                department or agency;
                    ``(C) not necessary for long-term resource 
                management;
                    ``(D) designed in accordance with standards 
                appropriate for the intended use of the road, 
                taking into consideration--
                            ``(i) safety;
                            ``(ii) the cost of transportation; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) impacts to land and 
                        resources; and
                    ``(E) managed to minimize--
                            ``(i) erosion; and
                            ``(ii) the introduction or spread 
                        of invasive species.
    ``(b) Categorical Exclusion.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
        concerned shall develop a categorical exclusion (as 
        defined in section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (or a successor regulation)) for covered 
        vegetation management activities carried out to 
        protect, restore, or improve habitat for greater sage-
        grouse or mule deer.
            ``(2) Administration.--In developing and 
        administering the categorical exclusion under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary concerned shall--
                    ``(A) comply with the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4321 et seq.);
                    ``(B) with respect to National Forest 
                System land, apply the extraordinary 
                circumstances procedures under section 220.6 of 
                title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
                successor regulations), in determining whether 
                to use the categorical exclusion;
                    ``(C) with respect to public land, apply 
                the extraordinary circumstances procedures 
                under section 46.215 of title 43, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), 
                in determining whether to use the categorical 
                exclusion; and
                    ``(D) consider--
                            ``(i) the relative efficacy of 
                        landscape-scale habitat projects;
                            ``(ii) the likelihood of continued 
                        declines in the populations of greater 
                        sage-grouse and mule deer in the 
                        absence of landscape-scale vegetation 
                        management; and
                            ``(iii) the need for habitat 
                        restoration activities after wildfire 
                        or other natural disturbances.
    ``(c) Implementation of Covered Vegetative Management 
Activities Within the Range of Greater Sage-grouse and Mule 
Deer.--If the categorical exclusion developed under subsection 
(b) is used to implement a covered vegetative management 
activity in an area within the range of both greater sage-
grouse and mule deer, the covered vegetative management 
activity shall protect, restore, or improve habitat 
concurrently for both greater sage-grouse and mule deer.
    ``(d) Long-term Monitoring and Maintenance.--Before 
commencing any covered vegetation management activity that is 
covered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b), the 
Secretary concerned shall develop a long-term monitoring and 
maintenance plan, covering at least the 20-year period 
beginning on the date of commencement, to ensure that 
management of the treated area does not degrade the habitat 
gains secured by the covered vegetation management activity.
    ``(e) Disposal of Vegetative Material.--Subject to 
applicable local restrictions, any vegetative material 
resulting from a covered vegetation management activity that is 
covered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b) may 
be--
            ``(1) used for--
                    ``(A) fuel wood; or
                    ``(B) other products; or
            ``(2) piled or burned, or both.
    ``(f) Treatment for Temporary Roads.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection 
        (a)(1)(B)(xi), any temporary road constructed in 
        carrying out a covered vegetation management activity 
        that is covered by the categorical exclusion under 
        subsection (b)--
                    ``(A) shall be used by the Secretary 
                concerned for the covered vegetation management 
                activity for not more than 2 years; and
                    ``(B) shall be decommissioned by the 
                Secretary concerned not later than 3 years 
                after the earlier of the date on which--
                            ``(i) the temporary road is no 
                        longer needed; and
                            ``(ii) the project is completed.
            ``(2) Requirement.--A treatment under paragraph (1) 
        shall include reestablishing native vegetative cover--
                    ``(A) as soon as practicable; but
                    ``(B) not later than 10 years after the 
                date of completion of the applicable covered 
                vegetation management activity.
    ``(g) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Project size.--A covered vegetation 
        management activity that is covered by the categorical 
        exclusion under subsection (b) may not exceed 4,500 
        acres.
            ``(2) Location.--A covered vegetation management 
        activity carried out on National Forest System land 
        that is covered by the categorical exclusion under 
        subsection (b) shall be limited to areas designated 
        under section 602(b), as of the date of enactment of 
        this section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108-148) is amended by adding at the end of the 
items relating to title VI the following:

``Sec. 602. Designation of treatment areas.
``Sec. 603. Administrative review.
``Sec. 604. Stewardship end result contracting projects.
``Sec. 605. Wildfire resilience projects.
``Sec. 606. Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer 
          habitat.''.

          PART II--MISCELLANEOUS FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

SEC. 8621. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE OF SMALL PARCELS 
                    OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.

    (a) Increase in Maximum Value of Small Parcels.--Section 3 
of Public Law 97-465 (commonly known as the ``Small Tract Act 
of 1983'') (16 U.S.C. 521e) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ``$150,000'' and inserting 
``$500,000''.
    (b) Additional Conveyance Purposes.--Section 3 of Public 
Law 97-465 (16 U.S.C. 521e) (as amended by subsection (a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; or'' and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) parcels of 40 acres or less that are 
        determined by the Secretary--
                    ``(A) to be physically isolated from other 
                Federal land;
                    ``(B) to be inaccessible; or
                    ``(C) to have lost National Forest 
                character;
            ``(5) parcels of 10 acres or less that are not 
        eligible for conveyance under paragraph (2) but are 
        encroached on by a permanent habitable improvement for 
        which there is no evidence that the encroachment was 
        intentional or negligent; or
            ``(6) parcels used as a cemetery (including a 
        parcel of not more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel 
        used as a cemetery), a landfill, or a sewage treatment 
        plant under a special use authorization issued or 
        otherwise authorized by the Secretary.''.
    (c) Disposition of Proceeds.--Section 2 of Public Law 97-
465 (16 U.S.C. 521d) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
        striking ``The Secretary is authorized'' and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(a) Conveyance Authority; Consideration.--The Secretary 
is authorized'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by 
        striking ``The Secretary shall insert'' and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(b) Inclusion of Terms, Covenants, Conditions, and 
Reservations.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall insert'';
            (3) in subsection (b) (as so designated)--
                    (A) by striking ``convenants'' and 
                inserting ``covenants''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence by striking 
                ``The preceding sentence shall not'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) shall not''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Disposition of Proceeds.--
            ``(1) Deposit in sisk fund.--The net proceeds 
        derived from any sale or exchange conducted under 
        paragraph (4), (5), or (6) of section 3 shall be 
        deposited in the fund established under Public Law 90-
        171 (commonly known as the `Sisk Act') (16 U.S.C. 
        484a).
            ``(2) Use.--Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) 
        shall be available to the Secretary until expended 
        for--
                    ``(A) the acquisition of land or interests 
                in land for administrative sites for the 
                National Forest System in the State from which 
                the amounts were derived;
                    ``(B) the acquisition of land or interests 
                in land for inclusion in the National Forest 
                System in that State, including land or 
                interests in land that enhance opportunities 
                for recreational access; or
                    ``(C) the reimbursement of the Secretary 
                for costs incurred in preparing a sale 
                conducted under the authority of section 3 if 
                the sale is a competitive sale.''.

SEC. 8622. FOREST SERVICE PARTICIPATION IN ACES PROGRAM.

    Section 8302 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
3851a) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Termination of Effectiveness.--The authority provided 
to the Secretary to carry out this section terminates effective 
October 1, 2023.''.

SEC. 8623. AUTHORIZATION FOR LEASE OF FOREST SERVICE SITES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrative site.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``administrative 
                site'' means--
                            (i) any facility or improvement, 
                        including curtilage, that was acquired 
                        or is used specifically for purposes of 
                        administration of the National Forest 
                        System;
                            (ii) any Federal land that--
                                    (I) is associated with a 
                                facility or improvement 
                                described in clause (i) that 
                                was acquired or is used 
                                specifically for purposes of 
                                administration of Forest 
                                Service activities; and
                                    (II) underlies or abuts the 
                                facility or improvement; and
                            (iii) for each fiscal year, not 
                        more than 10 isolated, undeveloped 
                        parcels of not more than 40 acres each.
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``administrative 
                site'' does not include--
                            (i) any land within a unit of the 
                        National Forest System that is 
                        exclusively designated for natural area 
                        or recreational purposes;
                            (ii) any land within--
                                    (I) a component of the 
                                National Wilderness 
                                Preservation System;
                                    (II) a component of the 
                                National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
                                System; or
                                    (III) a National Monument; 
                                or
                            (iii) any Federal land that the 
                        Secretary determines--
                                    (I) is needed for resource 
                                management purposes or to 
                                provide access to other land or 
                                water; or
                                    (II) would be in the public 
                                interest not to lease.
            (2) Facility or improvement.--The term ``facility 
        or improvement'' includes--
                    (A) a forest headquarters;
                    (B) a ranger station;
                    (C) a research station or laboratory;
                    (D) a dwelling;
                    (E) a warehouse;
                    (F) a scaling station;
                    (G) a fire-retardant mixing station;
                    (H) a fire-lookout station;
                    (I) a guard station;
                    (J) a storage facility;
                    (K) a telecommunication facility; and
                    (L) any other administrative installation 
                for conducting Forest Service activities.
            (3) Market analysis.--The term ``market analysis'' 
        means the identification and study of the market for a 
        particular economic good or service.
    (b) Authorization.--The Secretary may lease an 
administrative site that is under the jurisdiction of the 
Secretary in accordance with this section.
    (c) Identification of Eligible Sites.--A regional forester, 
in consultation with forest supervisors in the region, may 
submit to the Secretary a recommendation for administrative 
sites in the region that the regional forester considers 
eligible for leasing under this section.
    (d) Consultation With Local Government and Public Notice.--
Before making an administrative site available for lease under 
this section, the Secretary shall--
            (1) consult with government officials of the 
        community and of the State in which the administrative 
        site is located; and
            (2) provide public notice of the proposed lease.
    (e) Lease Requirements.--
            (1) Size.--An administrative site or compound of 
        administrative sites under a single lease under this 
        section may not exceed 40 acres.
            (2) Configuration of administrative sites.--
                    (A) In general.--To facilitate the lease of 
                an administrative site under this section, the 
                Secretary may configure the administrative 
                site--
                            (i) to maximize the marketability 
                        of the administrative site; and
                            (ii) to achieve management 
                        objectives.
                    (B) Separate treatment of facility or 
                improvement.--A facility or improvement on an 
                administrative site to be leased under this 
                section may be severed from the land and leased 
                under a separate lease under this section.
            (3) Consideration.--
                    (A) In general.--A person to which a lease 
                of an administrative site is made under this 
                section shall provide to the Secretary 
                consideration described in subparagraph (B) in 
                an amount that is not less than the market 
                value of the administrative site, as determined 
                in accordance with subparagraph (C).
                    (B) Form of consideration.--The 
                consideration referred to in subparagraph (A) 
                may be--
                            (i) cash;
                            (ii) in-kind, including--
                                    (I) the construction of new 
                                facilities or improvements, the 
                                title to which shall be 
                                transferred by the lessee to 
                                the Secretary;
                                    (II) the maintenance, 
                                repair, improvement, or 
                                restoration of existing 
                                facilities or improvements; and
                                    (III) other services 
                                relating to activities that 
                                occur on the administrative 
                                site, as determined by the 
                                Secretary; or
                            (iii) any combination of the 
                        consideration described in clauses (i) 
                        and (ii).
                    (C) Determination of market value.--
                            (i) In general.--The Secretary 
                        shall determine the market value of an 
                        administrative site to be leased under 
                        this section--
                                    (I) by conducting an 
                                appraisal in accordance with--
                                            (aa) the Uniform 
                                        Appraisal Standards for 
                                        Federal Land 
                                        Acquisitions 
                                        established in 
                                        accordance with the 
                                        Uniform Relocation 
                                        Assistance and Real 
                                        Property Acquisition 
                                        Policies Act of 1970 
                                        (42 U.S.C. 4601 et 
                                        seq.); and
                                            (bb) the Uniform 
                                        Standards of 
                                        Professional Appraisal 
                                        Practice; or
                                    (II) by competitive lease.
                            (ii) In-kind consideration.--The 
                        Secretary shall determine the market 
                        value of any in-kind consideration 
                        under subparagraph (B)(ii).
            (4) Conditions.--The lease of an administrative 
        site under this section shall be subject to such 
        conditions, including bonding, as the Secretary 
        determines to be appropriate.
            (5) Right of first refusal.--Subject to terms and 
        conditions that the Secretary determines to be 
        necessary, the Secretary shall offer to lease an 
        administrative site to the municipality or county in 
        which the administrative site is located before seeking 
        to lease the administrative site to any other person.
    (f) Relation to Other Laws.--
            (1) Federal property disposal.--Chapter 5 of title 
        40, United States Code, shall not apply to the lease of 
        an administrative site under this section.
            (2) Lead-based paint and asbestos abatement.--
                    (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
                provision of law relating to the mitigation or 
                abatement of lead-based paint or asbestos-
                containing building materials, the Secretary 
                shall not be required to mitigate or abate 
                lead-based paint or asbestos-containing 
                building materials with respect to an 
                administrative site to be leased under this 
                section.
                    (B) Procedures.--With respect to an 
                administrative site to be leased under this 
                section that has lead-based paint or asbestos-
                containing building materials, the Secretary 
                shall--
                            (i) provide notice to the person to 
                        which the administrative site will be 
                        leased of the presence of the lead-
                        based paint or asbestos-containing 
                        building material; and
                            (ii) obtain written assurance from 
                        that person that the person will comply 
                        with applicable Federal, State, and 
                        local laws relating to the management 
                        of lead-based paint and asbestos-
                        containing building materials.
            (3) Environmental review.--The National 
        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
        seq.) shall apply to the lease of an administrative 
        site under this section, except that, in any 
        environmental review or analysis required under that 
        Act for the lease of an administrative site under this 
        section, the Secretary shall be required only--
                    (A) to analyze the most reasonably 
                foreseeable use of the administrative site, as 
                determined through a market analysis;
                    (B) to determine whether to include any 
                conditions under subsection (e)(4); and
                    (C) to evaluate the alternative of not 
                leasing the administrative site in accordance 
                with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
                1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
            (4) Compliance with local laws.--A person that 
        leases an administrative site under this section shall 
        comply with all applicable State and local zoning laws, 
        building codes, and permit requirements for any 
        construction activities that occur on the 
        administrative site.
    (g) Prohibition.--No agency of the Federal Government shall 
make any cash payments to a leaseholder relating to the use or 
occupancy of any administrative site or facility that has been 
improved under this section.
    (h) Congressional Notifications.--
            (1) Anticipated use of authority.--As part of the 
        annual budget justification documents provided to the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations of 
        the Senate, the Secretary shall include--
                    (A) a list of the anticipated leases to be 
                made, including the anticipated revenue that 
                may be obtained, under this section;
                    (B) a description of the intended use of 
                any revenue obtained under a lease under this 
                section, including a list of any projects that 
                cost more than $500,000; and
                    (C) a description of accomplishments during 
                previous years using the authority of the 
                Secretary under this section.
            (2) Changes to lease list.--If the Secretary 
        desires to lease an administrative site under this 
        section that is not included on a list provided under 
        paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall submit to the 
        congressional committees described in paragraph (3) a 
        notice of the proposed lease, including the anticipated 
        revenue that may be obtained from the lease.
            (3) Use of authority.--Not less frequently than 
        once each year, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on 
        Appropriations, and the Committee on Natural Resources 
        of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the Committee on 
        Appropriations, and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
        Resources of the Senate a report describing each lease 
        made by the Secretary under this section during the 
        period covered by the report.
    (i) Expiration of Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The authority of the Secretary to 
        make a lease of an administrative site under this 
        section expires on October 1, 2023.
            (2) Effect on lease agreement.--Paragraph (1) shall 
        not affect the authority of the Secretary to carry out 
        this section in the case of any lease agreement that 
        was entered into by the Secretary before October 1, 
        2023.

SEC. 8624. GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY.

    (a) Inclusion of Indian Tribes.--Section 8206(a) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``land and 
        non-Federal land'' and inserting ``land, non-Federal 
        land, and land owned by an Indian tribe'';
            (2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or Indian 
        tribe'' after ``affected State'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as 
        paragraphs (7) through (9), respectively; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(6) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
        U.S.C. 5304).''.
    (b) Inclusion of Counties.--Section 8206 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``or 
                county, as applicable,'' after ``Governor'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through 
                (9) (as amended by subsection (a)) as 
                paragraphs (3) through (10), respectively;
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                following:
            ``(2) County.--The term `county' means--
                    ``(A) the appropriate executive official of 
                an affected county; or
                    ``(B) in any case in which multiple 
                counties are affected, the appropriate 
                executive official of a compact of the affected 
                counties.''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), 
                by inserting ``or county, as applicable,'' 
                after ``Governor''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``or 
                county'' after ``Governor'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking 
                ``cooperative agreement or contract entered 
                into under subsection (a)'' and inserting 
                ``good neighbor agreement'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or 
                county'' after ``Governor''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Receipts.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, any payment made by a county to the 
        Secretary under a project conducted under a good 
        neighbor agreement shall not be considered to be monies 
        received from National Forest System land or Bureau of 
        Land Management land, as applicable.''.
    (c) Treatment of Revenue From Timber Sale Contracts.--
Section 8206(b)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
2113a(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Treatment of revenue.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Funds received 
                        from the sale of timber by a Governor 
                        of a State under a good neighbor 
                        agreement shall be retained and used by 
                        the Governor--
                                    ``(I) to carry out 
                                authorized restoration services 
                                on Federal land under the good 
                                neighbor agreement; and
                                    ``(II) if there are funds 
                                remaining after carrying out 
                                subclause (I), to carry out 
                                authorized restoration services 
                                on Federal land within the 
                                State under other good neighbor 
                                agreements.
                            ``(ii) Termination of 
                        effectiveness.--The authority provided 
                        by this subparagraph terminates 
                        effective October 1, 2023.''.

SEC. 8625. CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST LAND ADJUSTMENT.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) certain National Forest System land in the 
        State of Georgia consists of isolated tracts that are 
        inefficient to manage or have lost their principal 
        value for National Forest purposes;
            (2) the disposal of that National Forest System 
        land would be in the public interest; and
            (3) proceeds from the sale of National Forest 
        System land under subsection (b)(1) would be used best 
        by the Forest Service to purchase land for National 
        Forest purposes in the State of Georgia.
    (b) Land Conveyance Authority.--
            (1) In general.--Under such terms and conditions as 
        the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may sell or 
        exchange any or all rights, title, and interest of the 
        United States in and to the National Forest System land 
        described in paragraph (2)(A).
            (2) Land authorized for disposal.--
                    (A) In general.--The National Forest System 
                land referred to in paragraph (1) is the 30 
                tracts of land totaling approximately 3,841 
                acres that are generally depicted on the 2 maps 
                entitled ``Priority Land Adjustments, State of 
                Georgia, U.S. Forest Service-Southern Region, 
                Oconee and Chattahoochee National Forests, U.S. 
                Congressional Districts-8, 9, 10 & 14'' and 
                dated September 24, 2013.
                    (B) Maps.--The maps described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available 
                for public inspection in the Office of the 
                Forest Supervisor, Chattahoochee-Oconee 
                National Forest, until such time as the land is 
                sold or exchanged.
                    (C) Modification of boundaries.--The 
                Secretary may modify the boundaries of the 
                National Forest System land described in 
                subparagraph (A) based on land management 
                considerations.
            (3) Form of conveyance.--
                    (A) Quitclaim deed.--The Secretary shall 
                convey National Forest System land sold or 
                exchanged under paragraph (1) by quitclaim 
                deed.
                    (B) Reservations.--The Secretary may 
                reserve any rights-of-way or other rights or 
                interests in National Forest System land sold 
                or exchanged under paragraph (1) that the 
                Secretary considers necessary for management 
                purposes or to protect the public interest.
            (4) Valuation.--
                    (A) Market value.--The Secretary may not 
                sell or exchange National Forest System land 
                under paragraph (1) for less than market value, 
                as determined by appraisal or through 
                competitive bid.
                    (B) Appraisal requirements.--Any appraisal 
                under subparagraph (A) shall be--
                            (i) consistent with the Uniform 
                        Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
                        Acquisitions or the Uniform Standards 
                        of Professional Appraisal Practice; and
                            (ii) subject to the approval of the 
                        Secretary.
            (5) Consideration.--
                    (A) Cash.--Consideration for a sale of 
                National Forest System land or equalization of 
                an exchange under paragraph (1) shall be paid 
                in cash.
                    (B) Exchange.--Notwithstanding section 
                206(b) of the Federal Land Policy and 
                Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716(b)), the 
                Secretary may accept a cash equalization 
                payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of 
                any National Forest System land exchanged under 
                paragraph (1).
            (6) Method of sale.--
                    (A) Options.--The Secretary may sell 
                National Forest System land under paragraph (1) 
                at public or private sale, including 
                competitive sale by auction, bid, or otherwise, 
                in accordance with such terms, conditions, and 
                procedures as the Secretary determines are in 
                the best interest of the United States.
                    (B) Solicitations.--The Secretary may--
                            (i) make public or private 
                        solicitations for the sale or exchange 
                        of National Forest System land under 
                        paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) reject any offer that the 
                        Secretary determines is not adequate or 
                        not in the public interest.
            (7) Brokers.--The Secretary may--
                    (A) use brokers or other third parties in 
                the sale or exchange of National Forest System 
                land under paragraph (1); and
                    (B) from the proceeds of a sale, pay 
                reasonable commissions or fees.
    (c) Treatment of Proceeds.--
            (1) Deposit.--Subject to subsection (b)(7)(B), the 
        Secretary shall deposit the proceeds of a sale or a 
        cash equalization payment received from the sale or 
        exchange of National Forest System land under 
        subsection (b)(1) in the fund established under Public 
        Law 90-171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 
        U.S.C. 484a).
            (2) Availability.--Subject to paragraph (3), 
        amounts deposited under paragraph (1) shall be 
        available to the Secretary until expended, without 
        further appropriation, for the acquisition of land for 
        National Forest purposes in the State of Georgia.
            (3) Private property protection.--Nothing in this 
        section authorizes the use of funds deposited under 
        paragraph (1) to be used to acquire land without the 
        written consent of the owner of the land.

SEC. 8626. TENNESSEE WILDERNESS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled 
        ``Proposed Wilderness Areas and Additions-Cherokee 
        National Forest'' and dated January 20, 2010.
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
        Tennessee.
    (b) Additions to Cherokee National Forest.--
            (1) Designation of wilderness.--In accordance with 
        the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the 
        following parcels of Federal land in the Cherokee 
        National Forest in the State are designated as 
        wilderness and as additions to the National Wilderness 
        Preservation System:
                    (A) Certain land comprising approximately 
                9,038 acres, as generally depicted as the 
                ``Upper Bald River Wilderness'' on the Map and 
                which shall be known as the ``Upper Bald River 
                Wilderness''.
                    (B) Certain land comprising approximately 
                348 acres, as generally depicted as the ``Big 
                Frog Addition'' on the Map and which shall be 
                incorporated in, and shall be considered to be 
                a part of, the Big Frog Wilderness.
                    (C) Certain land comprising approximately 
                630 acres, as generally depicted as the 
                ``Little Frog Mountain Addition NW'' on the Map 
                and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
                be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog 
                Mountain Wilderness.
                    (D) Certain land comprising approximately 
                336 acres, as generally depicted as the 
                ``Little Frog Mountain Addition NE'' on the Map 
                and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
                be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog 
                Mountain Wilderness.
                    (E) Certain land comprising approximately 
                2,922 acres, as generally depicted as the 
                ``Sampson Mountain Addition'' on the Map and 
                which shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
                considered to be a part of, the Sampson 
                Mountain Wilderness.
                    (F) Certain land comprising approximately 
                4,446 acres, as generally depicted as the ``Big 
                Laurel Branch Addition'' on the Map and which 
                shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
                considered to be a part of, the Big Laurel 
                Branch Wilderness.
                    (G) Certain land comprising approximately 
                1,836 acres, as generally depicted as the 
                ``Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Addition'' on the Map 
                and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
                be considered to be a part of, the Joyce 
                Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness.
            (2) Maps and legal descriptions.--
                    (A) In general.--As soon as practicable 
                after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
                Secretary shall file maps and legal 
                descriptions of the wilderness areas designated 
                by paragraph (1) with the appropriate 
                committees of Congress.
                    (B) Public availability.--The maps and 
                legal descriptions filed under subparagraph (A) 
                shall be on file and available for public 
                inspection in the office of the Chief of the 
                Forest Service and the office of the Supervisor 
                of the Cherokee National Forest.
                    (C) Force of law.--The maps and legal 
                descriptions filed under subparagraph (A) shall 
                have the same force and effect as if included 
                in this Act, except that the Secretary may 
                correct typographical errors in the maps and 
                descriptions.
            (3) Administration.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to valid existing 
                rights, the Federal land designated as 
                wilderness by paragraph (1) shall be 
                administered by the Secretary in accordance 
                with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
                seq.), except that any reference in that Act to 
                the effective date of that Act shall be deemed 
                to be a reference to the date of enactment of 
                this Act.
                    (B) Fish and wildlife management.--In 
                accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the 
                Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing 
                in this section affects the jurisdiction of the 
                State with respect to fish and wildlife 
                management, including the regulation of 
                hunting, fishing, and trapping, in the 
                wilderness areas designated by paragraph (1).

SEC. 8627. KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE.

    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that it is in the public 
interest to authorize the conveyance of certain Federal land in 
the Kisatchie National Forest in the State of Louisiana for 
market value consideration.
    (b) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Collins camp properties.--The term ``Collins 
        Camp Properties'' means Collins Camp Properties, Inc., 
        a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State.
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
        Louisiana.
    (c) Authorization of Conveyances, Kisatchie National 
Forest, Louisiana.--
            (1) Authorization.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to valid existing 
                rights and paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
                convey the Federal land described in 
                subparagraph (B) by quitclaim deed at public or 
                private sale, including competitive sale by 
                auction, bid, or other methods.
                    (B) Description of land.--The Federal land 
                referred to in subparagraph (A) consists of--
                            (i) all Federal land within sec. 9, 
                        T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, 
                        Louisiana; and
                            (ii) a 2.16-acre parcel of Federal 
                        land located in the SW\1/4\ of sec. 4, 
                        T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, 
                        Louisiana, as depicted on a certificate 
                        of survey dated March 7, 2007, by Glen 
                        L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436.
            (2) First right of purchase.--Subject to valid 
        existing rights and subsection (e), during the 1-year 
        period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, 
        on the provision of consideration by the Collins Camp 
        Properties to the Secretary, the Secretary shall 
        convey, by quitclaim deed, to Collins Camp Properties 
        all right, title, and interest of the United States in 
        and to--
                    (A) the not more than 47.92 acres of 
                Federal land comprising the Collins Campsites 
                within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., in Winn 
                Parish, Louisiana, as generally depicted on a 
                certificate of survey dated February 28, 2007, 
                by Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436; and
                    (B) the parcel of Federal land described in 
                paragraph (1)(B)(ii).
            (3) Terms and conditions.--The Secretary may--
                    (A) configure the Federal land to be 
                conveyed under this section--
                            (i) to maximize the marketability 
                        of the conveyance; or
                            (ii) to achieve management 
                        objectives; and
                    (B) establish any terms and conditions for 
                the conveyances under this section that the 
                Secretary determines to be in the public 
                interest.
            (4) Consideration.--Consideration for a conveyance 
        of Federal land under this section shall be--
                    (A) in the form of cash; and
                    (B) in an amount equal to the market value 
                of the Federal land being conveyed, as 
                determined under paragraph (5).
            (5) Market value.--The market value of the Federal 
        land conveyed under this section shall be determined--
                    (A) in the case of Federal land conveyed 
                under paragraph (2), by an appraisal that is--
                            (i) conducted in accordance with 
                        the Uniform Appraisal Standards for 
                        Federal Land Acquisitions; and
                            (ii) approved by the Secretary; or
                    (B) if conveyed by a method other than the 
                methods described in paragraph (2), by 
                competitive sale.
            (6) Hazardous substances.--
                    (A) In general.--In any conveyance of 
                Federal land under this section, the Secretary 
                shall meet disclosure requirements for 
                hazardous substances, but shall otherwise not 
                be required to remediate or abate the 
                substances.
                    (B) Effect.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (A), nothing in this subsection 
                affects the application of the Comprehensive 
                Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
                Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) 
                to the conveyances of Federal land.
    (d) Proceeds From the Sale of Land.--The Secretary shall 
deposit the proceeds of a conveyance of Federal land under 
subsection (c) in the fund established under Public Law 90-171 
(commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
    (e) Administration.--
            (1) Costs.--As a condition of a conveyance of 
        Federal land to Collins Camp Properties under 
        subsection (c), the Secretary shall require Collins 
        Camp Properties to pay at closing--
                    (A) reasonable appraisal costs; and
                    (B) the cost of any administrative and 
                environmental analyses required by law 
                (including regulations).
            (2) Permits.--
                    (A) In general.--An offer by Collins Camp 
                Properties for the acquisition of the Federal 
                land under subsection (c) shall be accompanied 
                by a written statement from each holder of a 
                Forest Service special use authorization with 
                respect to the Federal land that specifies that 
                the holder agrees to relinquish the special use 
                authorization on the conveyance of the Federal 
                land to Collins Camp Properties.
                    (B) Special use authorizations.--If any 
                holder of a special use authorization described 
                in subparagraph (A) fails to provide a written 
                authorization in accordance with that 
                subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, as a 
                condition of the conveyance, that Collins Camp 
                Properties administer the special use 
                authorization according to the terms of the 
                special use authorization until the date on 
                which the special use authorization expires.

SEC. 8628. PURCHASE OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE PROPERTY, 
                    RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
            (1) Since 1935, the United States has owned a 
        parcel of land in Riverside, California, consisting of 
        approximately 8.75 acres, more specifically described 
        in subsection (b)(1) (in this section referred to as 
        the ``property'').
            (2) The property is under the jurisdiction of the 
        Department of Agriculture and has been variously used 
        for research and plant materials purposes.
            (3) Since 1998, the property has been administered 
        by the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the 
        Department of Agriculture.
            (4) Since 2002, the property has been co-managed 
        under a cooperative agreement between the Natural 
        Resources Conservation Service and the Riverside Corona 
        Resource Conservation District, which is a legal 
        subdivision of the State of California under section 
        9003 of the California Public Resources Code.
            (5) The Conservation District wishes to purchase 
        the property and use it for conservation, 
        environmental, and related educational purposes.
            (6) As provided in subsection (b), the purchase of 
        the property by the Conservation District would promote 
        the conservation education and related activities of 
        the Conservation District and result in savings to the 
        Federal Government.
    (b) Land Purchase, Natural Resources Conservation Service 
Property, Riverside County, California.--
            (1) Purchase authorized.--The Secretary shall sell 
        and quitclaim to the Riverside Corona Resource 
        Conservation District (in this section referred to as 
        the ``Conservation District'') all right, title, and 
        interest of the United States in and to a parcel of 
        real property, including improvements thereon, that is 
        located at 4500 Glenwood Drive in Riverside, 
        California, consists of approximately 8.75 acres, and 
        is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation 
        Service of the Department of Agriculture. As necessary 
        or desirable to facilitate the purchase of the property 
        under this subsection, the Secretary or the 
        Conservation District may survey all or portions of the 
        property.
            (2) Consideration.--As consideration for the 
        purchase of the property under this subsection, the 
        Conservation District shall pay to the Secretary an 
        amount equal to the appraised value of the property.
            (3) Prohibition on reservation of interest.--The 
        Secretary shall not reserve any future interest in the 
        property to be conveyed under this subsection, except 
        such interest as may be acceptable to the Conservation 
        District.
            (4) Hazardous substances.--Notwithstanding section 
        120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
        Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 
        9620(h)) or the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 
        6901 et seq.), in the case of the property purchased by 
        the Conservation District under this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall be only required to meet the disclosure 
        requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, or 
        contaminants, but shall otherwise not be required to 
        remediate or abate any such releases of hazardous 
        substances, pollutants, or contaminants, including 
        petroleum and petroleum derivatives.
            (5) Cooperative authority.--
                    (A) Leases, contracts, and cooperative 
                agreements authorized.--In conjunction with, or 
                in addition to, the purchase of the property by 
                the Conservation District under this 
                subsection, the Secretary may enter into 
                leases, contracts and cooperative agreements 
                with the Conservation District.
                    (B) Sole source.--Notwithstanding sections 
                3105, 3301, and 3303 to 3305 of title 41, 
                United States Code, or any other provision of 
                law, the Secretary may lease real property from 
                the Conservation District on a noncompetitive 
                basis.
                    (C) Non-exclusive authority.--The authority 
                provided by this subsection is in addition to 
                any other authority of the Secretary.

SEC. 8629. COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Waiver Authority.--Section 4003(d) of the Omnibus 
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(d)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Waiver.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), after consulting with the advisory panel 
                established under subsection (e), if the 
                Secretary determines that a proposal that has 
                been selected under paragraph (1) and is being 
                carried out continues to meet the eligibility 
                criteria established by subsection (b), the 
                Secretary, on a case-by-case basis, may issue 
                for the proposal a 1-time extension of the 10-
                year period requirement under paragraph (1)(B) 
                of that subsection.
                    ``(B) Limitation.--The extension described 
                in subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) shall be for the shortest 
                        period of time practicable to complete 
                        implementation of the proposal, as 
                        determined by the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) shall not exceed 10 
                        years.''.
    (b) Waiver Limitation.--Section 4003(f)(4) of the Omnibus 
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(4)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Exception.--The limitation described 
                in subparagraph (B)(i) shall not apply to a 
                proposal for which a 1-time extension is 
                granted under subsection (d)(4).''.
    (c) Reauthorization.--Section 4003(f)(6) of the Omnibus 
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(6)) is 
amended by striking ``$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 
through 2019'' and inserting ``$80,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023''.
    (d) Reporting Requirements.--Section 4003(h) of the Omnibus 
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(h)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting ``; and'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
        paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively;
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
        Forestry of the Senate;''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives.''.

SEC. 8630. UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHTS-OF-WAY VEGETATION MANAGEMENT 
                    PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) National forest system land.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``National Forest 
                System land'' means land within the National 
                Forest System, as defined in section 11(a) of 
                the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
                Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``National Forest 
                System land'' does not include--
                            (i) a National Grassland; or
                            (ii) a land utilization project on 
                        land designated as a National Grassland 
                        and administered pursuant to sections 
                        31, 32, and 33 of the Bankhead-Jones 
                        Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010, 1011, 
                        1012).
            (2) Passing wildfire.--The term ``passing 
        wildfire'' means a wildfire that originates outside of 
        a right-of-way.
            (3) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' 
        means the pilot program established by the Secretary 
        under subsection (b).
            (4) Right-of-way.--The term ``right-of-way'' means 
        a special use authorization issued by the Forest 
        Service allowing the placement of utility 
        infrastructure.
            (5) Utility infrastructure.--The term ``utility 
        infrastructure'' means electric transmission lines, 
        natural gas infrastructure, or related structures.
    (b) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--To encourage owners or operators 
        of rights-of-way on National Forest System land to 
        partner with the Forest Service to voluntarily conduct 
        vegetation management projects on a proactive basis to 
        better protect utility infrastructure from potential 
        passing wildfires, the Secretary may establish a 
        limited, voluntary pilot program, in the manner 
        described in this section, to conduct vegetation 
        management projects on National Forest System land 
        adjacent to those rights-of-way.
            (2) Application.--The pilot program shall not apply 
        in a right-of-way described in paragraph (1).
    (c) Eligible Participants.--
            (1) In general.--A participant in the pilot program 
        shall be the owner or operator of a right-of-way on 
        National Forest System land.
            (2) Selection priority.--In selecting participants 
        for the pilot program, the Secretary shall give 
        priority to an owner or operator of a right-of-way that 
        has developed the utility infrastructure protection 
        prescriptions of the owner or operator in coordination 
        with Forest Service fire scientists or fire managers.
    (d) Vegetation Management Projects.--
            (1) In general.--A vegetation management project 
        conducted under the pilot program shall involve only 
        limited vegetation management activities that--
                    (A) shall create the least ground 
                disturbance and least disturbance to wildlife 
                reasonably necessary to protect utility 
                infrastructure from passing wildfires based on 
                applicable models, including Forest Service 
                fuel models;
                    (B) may include thinning and treatment of 
                surface fuels, ladder fuels, and activity fuels 
                to create or maintain shaded fuel breaks or 
                other appropriate measures recommended by 
                Forest Service fire scientists or fire 
                managers;
                    (C)(i) shall only be conducted on National 
                Forest System land; and
                    (ii) shall not--
                            (I) extend for more than 150 feet 
                        from the electric transmission line for 
                        which the applicable participant has a 
                        right-of-way; or
                            (II) comprise an overall width, for 
                        both sides of that electric 
                        transmission line, that totals more 
                        than 200 feet; and
                    (D) shall not be conducted on--
                            (i) a component of the National 
                        Wilderness Preservation System;
                            (ii) a designated wilderness study 
                        area;
                            (iii) an inventoried roadless area; 
                        or
                            (iv) Federal land on which, by Act 
                        of Congress or Presidential 
                        proclamation, the removal of vegetation 
                        is restricted or prohibited.
            (2) Approval.--Each vegetation management project 
        described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval 
        by the Forest Service in accordance with this section.
            (3) Fire prevention.--In carrying out a vegetation 
        management project under the pilot program, a 
        participant shall adhere to--
                    (A) Forest Service regulations relating to 
                spark arresting devices;
                    (B) Forest Service regulations limiting and 
                prohibiting certain activities conducted by 
                contractors in an area, based on weather 
                conditions and fire danger;
                    (C) Forest Service regulations that apply 
                to contractors removing vegetation on National 
                Forest System land pursuant to a timber sale or 
                stewardship contract, including regulations 
                relating to--
                            (i) protection of residual trees 
                        and timber damaged by contractors;
                            (ii) protection measures needed for 
                        plants, animals, cultural resources, 
                        and cave resources;
                            (iii) streamcourse protection and 
                        erosion control;
                            (iv) fire plans, precautions, and 
                        precautionary periods;
                            (v) fire suppression costs; and
                            (vi) employment of eligible 
                        workers; and
                    (D) State regulations relating to the 
                prevention of wildfires and contractors 
                removing vegetation.
            (4) Treatment of slash.--In carrying out a 
        vegetation management project under the pilot program, 
        a participant shall treat any activity fuels in a 
        manner that--
                    (A) is satisfactory to the Forest Service;
                    (B) does not result in a fire hazard; and
                    (C) reduces the risk of an insect or 
                disease outbreak.
    (e) Project Costs.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (2) and subsection (f)(2), a participant in the pilot 
        program shall be responsible for all costs, as 
        determined by the Secretary, incurred in participating 
        in the pilot program.
            (2) Federal funding.--The Secretary may contribute 
        funds for a vegetation management project conducted 
        under the pilot program if the Secretary determines 
        that the contribution is in the public interest.
    (f) Liability.--
            (1) Activities within rights-of-way.--Participation 
        in the pilot program shall not affect any legal 
        obligations or liability standards that arise under the 
        right-of-way for activities in the right-of-way.
            (2) Wildfires.--
                    (A) Operations fires.--
                            (i) In general.--With respect to 
                        fire suppression costs for a wildfire 
                        caused by the operations of a 
                        participant in the pilot program (other 
                        than an operation or activity of a 
                        participant described in subparagraph 
                        (B) or (C)), the participant shall 
                        reimburse the Forest Service for those 
                        costs, subject to a maximum dollar 
                        amount to which the Forest Service and 
                        the participant shall agree prior to 
                        the commencement of the project.
                            (ii) Credit for actions by 
                        participants.--
                                    (I) In general.--If a 
                                participant in the pilot 
                                program provides actions, 
                                supplies, or equipment for use 
                                to suppress a wildfire 
                                described in clause (i) or at 
                                the request of the Forest 
                                Service, the cost of those 
                                actions, supplies, or equipment 
                                shall be credited toward the 
                                maximum dollar amount described 
                                in that clause.
                                    (II) Reimbursement.--If the 
                                actual cost of a participant 
                                described in subclause (I) 
                                exceeds the maximum dollar 
                                amount described in clause (i), 
                                the Forest Service shall 
                                reimburse the participant for 
                                the excess.
                    (B) Negligent fires.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to clause 
                        (ii), if a wildfire is caused by the 
                        negligence of a participant in the 
                        pilot program, or an agent of the 
                        participant, including a wildfire 
                        caused by smoking by persons engaged in 
                        the operations of the participant, the 
                        participant shall bear the cost of 
                        damages to Forest Service resources and 
                        the fire suppression costs resulting 
                        from the wildfire.
                            (ii) Limitation.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (iii), the costs 
                        borne by a participant under clause (i) 
                        shall not exceed $500,000.
                            (iii) Failure to comply.--If the 
                        start or spread of a wildfire described 
                        in clause (i) is caused by the failure 
                        of the participant to comply with 
                        specific safety requirements expressly 
                        imposed by the Forest Service as a 
                        condition of conducting a vegetation 
                        management project under the pilot 
                        program or by this section, the 
                        participant shall bear the cost of 
                        damages to Forest Service resources and 
                        the fire suppression costs resulting 
                        from the wildfire.
                    (C) Exceptions.--This paragraph shall not 
                apply in the case of a wildfire caused by the 
                felling of a tree by a participant in the pilot 
                program, or an agent of the participant, onto 
                an electric transmission line.
            (3) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection relieves a 
        participant in the pilot program of any liabilities to 
        which the participant is subject--
                    (A) under State laws; or
                    (B) with regard to damages to property 
                other than Forest Service property.
    (g) Implementation.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (3), the Secretary shall use the authority of the 
        Secretary under other laws (including regulations) to 
        carry out the pilot program.
            (2) Compliance with existing laws.--Except as 
        provided in paragraph (3), a vegetation management 
        project under the pilot program shall be--
                    (A) consistent with the applicable land 
                management plan for the area in which the 
                project is located; and
                    (B) carried out in accordance with all 
                applicable laws, including the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4321 et seq.).
            (3) Modification of regulations.--In order to 
        implement the pilot program in an efficient and 
        expeditious manner, the Secretary may waive or modify 
        specific provisions of the Federal Acquisition 
        Regulation, including waivers or modifications to allow 
        for the formation of contracts or agreements on a 
        noncompetitive basis.
    (h) Treatment of Proceeds.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary may--
            (1) retain any funds provided to the Forest Service 
        by a participant in the pilot program; and
            (2) use funds retained under paragraph (1), in such 
        amounts as may be appropriated, to carry out the pilot 
        program.
    (i) Report to Congress.--Not later than December 31, 2020, 
and 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
describing the status of the pilot program and vegetation 
management projects conducted under the pilot program to--
            (1) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
        Forestry and Energy and Natural Resources of the 
        Senate; and
            (2) the Committees on Agriculture and Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives.
    (j) Duration.--The authority to carry out the pilot 
program, including any vegetation management project conducted 
under the pilot program, expires on October 1, 2023.

SEC. 8631. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND CONVEYANCE.

    (a) Definition of Alliance.--In this section, the term 
``Alliance'' means the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance.
    (b) Request.--Subject to the requirements of this section, 
if the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and 
the Secretary determines that it is in the public interest to 
convey the National Forest System Land described in subsection 
(c), the Secretary shall convey to the Alliance all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to the National 
Forest System land described in subsection (c) by quitclaim 
deed through a public or private sale, including a competitive 
sale by auction or bid.
    (c) Description of National Forest System Land.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        National Forest System land referred to in subsection 
        (b) is the approximately 150 acres of real property 
        located in sec. 6, T. 5 N. R. 4 E., Franklin County, 
        Mississippi, and further described as--
                    (A) the portion of the NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 
                lying south of the south boundary of Berrytown 
                Road;
                    (B) the portion of the W\1/2\ NE\1/4\ NW\1/
                4\ lying south of the south boundary of 
                Berrytown Road;
                    (C) the portion of the SW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 
                lying east of the east boundary of U.S. Highway 
                98;
                    (D) the W\1/2\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\;
                    (E) the portion of the NW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 
                lying east of the east boundary of U.S. Highway 
                98;
                    (F) the portion of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 
                commencing at the southwest corner of the NE\1/
                4\ SW\1/4\, said point being the point of 
                beginning, thence running east 330 feet along 
                the south boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to a 
                point in Lake Okhissa, thence running 
                northeasterly to a point in Lake Okhissa on the 
                east boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 330 feet 
                south of the northeast corner thereof, thence 
                running north 330 feet along the east boundary 
                of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to the northeast corner 
                thereof, thence running west along the north 
                boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to the NW 
                corner thereof; thence running south along the 
                west boundary of the NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ to the 
                point of beginning; and
                    (G) the portion of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 
                NW\1/4\ commencing at the southeast corner of 
                the SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\, said point being the point 
                of beginning, and running northwesterly to the 
                northwest corner of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/
                4\, thence running south along the west 
                boundary of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ to the 
                southwest corner thereof, thence running east 
                along the south boundary of the SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 
                NW\1/4\ to the point of beginning.
            (2) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal 
        description of the National Forest System land to be 
        conveyed under this section shall be determined by a 
        survey satisfactory to the Secretary.
    (d) Consideration.--
            (1) In general.--The consideration for the 
        conveyance of any National Forest System land under 
        this section shall be--
                    (A) provided in the form of cash; and
                    (B) in an amount equal to the fair market 
                value of the National Forest System land being 
                conveyed, as determined under paragraph (2).
            (2) Fair market value determination.--The fair 
        market value of the National Forest System land 
        conveyed under this section shall be determined--
                    (A) in the case of a method of conveyance 
                described in subsection (b), by an appraisal 
                that is--
                            (i) conducted in accordance with 
                        the Uniform Appraisal Standards for 
                        Federal Land Acquisitions; and
                            (ii) approved by the Secretary; or
                    (B) in the case of a conveyance by a method 
                other than a method described in subsection 
                (b), by competitive sale.
    (e) Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under this 
section shall be subject to--
            (1) valid existing rights; and
            (2) such other terms and conditions as the 
        Secretary considers to be appropriate to protect the 
        interests of the United States.
    (f) Proceeds From Sale.--The Secretary shall deposit the 
proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land 
under this section in the fund established under Public Law 90-
171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a).
    (g) Costs.--As a condition for the conveyance under this 
section, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at 
closing--
            (1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and
            (2) the costs of any administrative or 
        environmental analysis required by applicable law 
        (including regulations).

SEC. 8632. REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES.

    The Chief of the Forest Service shall--
            (1) continue to find efficiencies in the operations 
        of the forest inventory and analysis program under 
        section 3(e) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
        Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) 
        through the improved use and integration of advanced 
        remote sensing technologies to provide estimates for 
        State- and national-level inventories, where 
        appropriate; and
            (2) partner with States and other interested 
        stakeholders to carry out the program described in 
        paragraph (1).

                      PART III--TIMBER INNOVATION

SEC. 8641. DEFINITIONS.

    In this part:
            (1) Innovative wood product.--The term ``innovative 
        wood product'' means a type of building component or 
        system that uses large panelized wood construction, 
        including mass timber.
            (2) Mass timber.--The term ``mass timber'' 
        includes--
                    (A) cross-laminated timber;
                    (B) nail laminated timber;
                    (C) glue laminated timber;
                    (D) laminated strand lumber; and
                    (E) laminated veneer lumber.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary, acting through the Research and Development 
        deputy area and the State and Private Forestry deputy 
        area of the Forest Service.
            (4) Tall wood building.--The term ``tall wood 
        building'' means a building designed to be--
                    (A) constructed with mass timber; and
                    (B) more than 85 feet in height.

SEC. 8642. CLARIFICATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR WOOD 
                    BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct performance-
driven research and development, education, and technical 
assistance for the purpose of facilitating the use of 
innovative wood products in wood building construction in the 
United States.
    (b) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) after receipt of input and guidance from, and 
        collaboration with, the wood products industry, 
        conservation organizations, and institutions of higher 
        education, conduct research and development, education, 
        and technical assistance at the Forest Products 
        Laboratory or through the State and Private Forestry 
        deputy area that meets measurable performance goals for 
        the achievement of the priorities described in 
        subsection (c); and
            (2) after coordination and collaboration with the 
        wood products industry and conservation organizations, 
        make competitive grants to institutions of higher 
        education to conduct research and development, 
        education, and technical assistance that meets 
        measurable performance goals for the achievement of the 
        priorities described in subsection (c).
    (c) Priorities.--The research and development, education, 
and technical assistance conducted under subsection (a) shall 
give priority to--
            (1) ways to improve the commercialization of 
        innovative wood products;
            (2) analyzing the safety of tall wood building 
        materials;
            (3) calculations by the Forest Products Laboratory 
        of the lifecycle environmental footprint, from 
        extraction of raw materials through the manufacturing 
        process, of tall wood building construction;
            (4) analyzing methods to reduce the lifecycle 
        environmental footprint of tall wood building 
        construction;
            (5) analyzing the potential implications of the use 
        of innovative wood products in building construction on 
        wildlife; and
            (6) 1 or more other research areas identified by 
        the Secretary, in consultation with conservation 
        organizations, institutions of higher education, and 
        the wood products industry.
    (d) Timeframe.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
measurable performance goals for the research and development, 
education, and technical assistance conducted under subsection 
(a) shall be achievable within a 5-year timeframe.

SEC. 8643. WOOD INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' 
        means--
                    (A) an individual;
                    (B) a public or private entity (including a 
                center of excellence that consists of 1 or more 
                partnerships between forestry, engineering, 
                architecture, or business schools at 1 or more 
                institutions of higher education); or
                    (C) a State, local, or Tribal government.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
        Service.
    (b) Grant Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in carrying out the 
        wood innovation grant program of the Secretary 
        described in the notice of the Secretary entitled 
        ``Request for Proposals: 2016 Wood Innovations Funding 
        Opportunity'' (80 Fed. Reg. 63498 (October 20, 2015)), 
        may make a wood innovation grant to 1 or more eligible 
        entities each year for the purpose of advancing the use 
        of innovative wood products.
            (2) Proposals.--To be eligible to receive a grant 
        under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit 
        to the Secretary a proposal at such time, in such 
        manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require.
    (c) Incentivizing Use of Existing Milling Capacity.--In 
selecting among proposals of eligible entities under subsection 
(b)(2), the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that 
include the use or retrofitting (or both) of existing sawmill 
facilities located in counties in which the average annual 
unemployment rate exceeded the national average unemployment 
rate by more than 1 percent in the previous calendar year.
    (d) Matching Requirement.--As a condition of receiving a 
grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall provide 
funds equal to the amount received by the eligible entity under 
the grant, to be derived from non-Federal sources.

SEC. 8644. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PROGRAM.

    Section 9013 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8113) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 9013. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Community wood energy system.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `community wood 
                energy system' means an energy system that--
                            ``(i) produces thermal energy or 
                        combined thermal energy and electricity 
                        where thermal is the primary energy 
                        output;
                            ``(ii) services public facilities 
                        owned or operated by State or local 
                        governments (including schools, town 
                        halls, libraries, and other public 
                        buildings) or private or nonprofit 
                        facilities (including commercial and 
                        business facilities, such as hospitals, 
                        office buildings, apartment buildings, 
                        and manufacturing and industrial 
                        buildings); and
                            ``(iii) uses woody biomass, 
                        including residuals--
                                    ``(I) that have not been 
                                adulterated with glue or other 
                                chemical treatments from wood 
                                processing facilities, as the 
                                primary fuel; and
                                    ``(II) for which the use of 
                                that biomass for energy 
                                production does not cause 
                                conversion of forests to 
                                nonforest use.
                    ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `community wood 
                energy system' includes single-facility central 
                heating, district heating systems serving 
                multiple buildings, combined heat and electric 
                systems where thermal energy is the primary 
                energy output, and other related biomass energy 
                systems.
            ``(2) Innovative wood product facility.--The term 
        `innovative wood product facility' means a 
        manufacturing or processing plant or mill that 
        produces--
                    ``(A) building components or systems that 
                use large panelized wood construction, 
                including mass timber;
                    ``(B) wood products derived from 
                nanotechnology or other new technology 
                processes, as determined by the Secretary; or
                    ``(C) other innovative wood products that 
                use low-value, low-quality wood, as determined 
                by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Mass timber.--The term `mass timber' 
        includes--
                    ``(A) cross-laminated timber;
                    ``(B) nail-laminated timber;
                    ``(C) glue-laminated timber;
                    ``(D) laminated strand lumber; and
                    ``(E) laminated veneer lumber.
            ``(4) Program.--The term `Program' means the 
        Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program 
        established under subsection (b).
    ``(b) Competitive Grant Program.--The Secretary, acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a 
competitive grant program to be known as the `Community Wood 
Energy and Wood Innovation Program'.
    ``(c) Matching Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary 
        shall make grants to cover not more than 35 percent of 
        the capital cost for installing a community wood energy 
        system or building an innovative wood product facility.
            ``(2) Special circumstances.--The Secretary may 
        establish special circumstances, such as in the case of 
        a community wood energy system project or innovative 
        wood product facility project involving a school or 
        hospital in a low-income community, under which grants 
        under the Program may cover up to 50 percent of the 
        capital cost.
            ``(3) Source of matching funds.--Matching funds 
        required pursuant to this subsection from a grant 
        recipient shall be derived from non-Federal funds.
    ``(d) Project Cap.--The total amount of grants under the 
Program for a community wood energy system project or 
innovative wood product facility project may not exceed--
            ``(1) in the case of grants under the general 
        authority provided under subsection (c)(1), $1,000,000; 
        and
            ``(2) in the case of grants for which the special 
        circumstances apply under subsection (c)(2), 
        $1,500,000.
    ``(e) Selection Criteria.--In selecting applicants for 
grants under the Program, the Secretary shall consider the 
following:
            ``(1) The energy efficiency of the proposed 
        community wood energy system or innovative wood product 
        facility.
            ``(2) The cost effectiveness of the proposed 
        community wood energy system or innovative wood product 
        facility.
            ``(3) The extent to which the proposed community 
        wood energy system or innovative wood product facility 
        represents the best available commercial technology.
            ``(4) The extent to which the proposed community 
        wood energy system uses the most stringent control 
        technology that has been required or achieved in 
        practice for a wood-fired boiler of similar size and 
        type.
            ``(5)(A) The extent to which the proposed community 
        wood energy system will displace conventional fossil 
        fuel generation.
            ``(B) Whether the proposed community wood energy 
        system minimizes emission increases to the greatest 
        extent possible.
            ``(6) The extent to which the proposed community 
        wood energy system will increase delivered thermal 
        efficiency of the systems replaced.
            ``(7) The extent to which the applicant has 
        demonstrated a high likelihood of project success by 
        completing detailed engineering and design work in 
        advance of the grant application.
            ``(8) Other technical, economic, conservation, and 
        environmental criteria that the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    ``(f) Grant Priorities.--In selecting applicants for grants 
under the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to 
proposals that use the most stringent control technology that 
has been required or achieved in practice for a wood-fired 
boiler and--
            ``(1) would be carried out in a location where 
        markets are needed for the low-value, low-quality wood;
            ``(2) would be carried out in a location with 
        limited access to natural gas pipelines;
            ``(3) would include the use or retrofitting (or 
        both) of existing sawmill facilities located in a 
        location where the average annual unemployment rate 
        exceeded the national average unemployment rate by more 
        than 1 percent during the previous calendar year; or
            ``(4) would be carried out in a location where the 
        project will aid with forest restoration.
    ``(g) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Capacity of community wood energy systems.--A 
        community wood energy system acquired with grant funds 
        under the Program shall not exceed nameplate capacity 
        of 5 megawatts of thermal energy or combined thermal 
        and electric energy.
            ``(2) Funding for innovative wood product 
        facilities.--Not more than 25 percent of funds provided 
        as grants under the Program for a fiscal year may go to 
        applicants proposing innovative wood product 
        facilities, unless the Secretary has received an 
        insufficient number of qualified proposals for 
        community wood energy systems.
    ``(h) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out the Program $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.''.

                       Subtitle G--Other Matters

SEC. 8701. RURAL REVITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES.

    Section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601(d)(2)) is amended by 
striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 8702. RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

    Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Each'' 
                and inserting ``Except as provided in paragraph 
                (6), each'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), in the matter 
                preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``Committee'' and inserting ``Except as 
                provided in paragraph (6), committee''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) Committee composition waiver authority.--
                    ``(A) Notice.--On notice from the 
                applicable regional forester that an adequate 
                number of qualified candidates are not 
                interested or available to serve on a resource 
                advisory committee, the Secretary concerned 
                shall publish a notice in the Federal Register 
                seeking candidates for the resource advisory 
                committee.
                    ``(B) Modification of membership 
                requirements.--If, by the date that is 30 days 
                after the date of publication of notice under 
                subparagraph (A), an inadequate number of 
                qualified candidates have applied to serve on a 
                resource advisory committee, the Secretary 
                concerned may reduce--
                            ``(i) the membership requirement 
                        under paragraph (1) to not fewer than 
                        9; and
                            ``(ii) the membership requirements 
                        under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) 
                        of paragraph (2) to 3 in each category 
                        described in that paragraph, except 
                        that where a vacancy exists on a 
                        resource advisory committee, the 
                        Secretary concerned may not reject a 
                        qualified applicant from any category.
                    ``(C) Termination of authority.--The 
                authority provided under this paragraph 
                terminates on October 1, 2023.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Regional Appointment Pilot Program.--
            ``(1) Definition of applicable designee.--In this 
        subsection, the term `applicable designee' means the 
        applicable regional forester.
            ``(2) Pilot program.--The Secretary concerned shall 
        carry out a pilot program (referred to in this 
        subsection as the `pilot program') to allow an 
        applicable designee to appoint members of resource 
        advisory committees.
            ``(3) Geographic limitation.--The pilot program 
        shall only apply to resource advisory committees 
        chartered in--
                    ``(A) the State of Montana; and
                    ``(B) the State of Arizona.
            ``(4) Responsibilities of applicable designee.--
                    ``(A) Review.--Before appointing a member 
                of a resource advisory committee under the 
                pilot program, an applicable designee shall 
                conduct the review and analysis that would 
                otherwise be conducted for an appointment to a 
                resource advisory committee if the pilot 
                program was not in effect, including any review 
                and analysis with respect to civil rights and 
                budgetary requirements.
                    ``(B) Savings clause.--Nothing in this 
                subsection relieves an applicable designee from 
                any requirement developed by the Secretary 
                concerned for making an appointment to a 
                resource advisory committee that is in effect 
                on the date of enactment of this subsection, 
                including any requirement for advertising a 
                vacancy.
            ``(5) Termination of effectiveness.--The authority 
        provided under this subsection terminates on October 1, 
        2023.
            ``(6) Report to congress.--Not later than the date 
        that is 180 days after the date described in paragraph 
        (5), the Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a 
        report that includes--
                    ``(A) with respect to appointments made 
                under the pilot program compared to 
                appointments to resource advisory committees 
                not made under the pilot program, a description 
                of the extent to which--
                            ``(i) appointments were faster or 
                        slower; and
                            ``(ii) the requirements described 
                        in paragraph (4) differ; and
                    ``(B) a recommendation with respect to 
                whether Congress should terminate, continue, 
                modify, or expand the pilot program.''.

SEC. 8703. TRIBAL FOREST MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior and the 
Secretary may carry out demonstration projects by which 
federally recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations may 
contract to perform administrative, management, and other 
functions of programs of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 
2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115a et seq.) through contracts entered into 
under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.).
    (b) Requirements.--With respect to any contract or project 
carried out under subsection (a)--
            (1) on National Forest System land, the Secretary 
        shall carry out all functions delegated to the 
        Secretary of the Interior under the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        5304 et seq.);
            (2) the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, 
        as applicable, shall make any decisions required to be 
        made under--
                    (A) the National Environmental Policy Act 
                of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
                    (B) the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 
                2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115a et seq.); and
            (3) the contract or project shall be entered into 
        under, and in accordance with, section 403(b)(2) of the 
        Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
        (25 U.S.C. 5363(b)(2)).

SEC. 8704. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management 
Activities Act.--
            (1) In general.--The Wildfire Suppression Funding 
        and Forest Management Activities Act (Public Law 115-
        141) is amended--
                    (A) in section 102(a)(2), by striking ``the 
                date of enactment'' and inserting ``the date of 
                the enactment''; and
                    (B) in section 401(a)(1), by inserting ``of 
                2000'' after ``Self-Determination Act''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by 
        paragraph (1) shall take effect as if enacted as part 
        of the Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest 
        Management Activities Act (Public Law 115-141).
    (b) Agricultural Act of 2014.--Section 8206(a) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) (as amended by 
section 8624(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)(B)(i)(II), by striking ``Good 
        Neighbor Authority Improvement Act'' and inserting 
        ``Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management 
        Activities Act''; and
            (2) in paragraph (8), by striking ``Good Neighbor 
        Authority Improvement Act'' and inserting ``Wildfire 
        Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities 
        Act''.

SEC. 8705. STREAMLINING THE FOREST SERVICE PROCESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF 
                    COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOCATION APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Communications facility.--The term 
        ``communications facility'' includes--
                    (A) any infrastructure, including any 
                transmitting device, tower, or support 
                structure, and any equipment, switches, wiring, 
                cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabinets, 
                associated with the licensed or permitted 
                unlicensed wireless or wireline transmission of 
                writings, signs, signals, data, images, 
                pictures, and sounds of all kinds; and
                    (B) any antenna or apparatus that--
                            (i) is designed for the purpose of 
                        emitting radio frequency;
                            (ii) is designed to be operated, or 
                        is operating, from a fixed location 
                        pursuant to authorization by the 
                        Federal Communications Commission or is 
                        using duly authorized devices that do 
                        not require individual licenses; and
                            (iii) is added to a tower, 
                        building, or other structure.
            (2) Communications site.--The term ``communications 
        site'' means an area of covered land designated for 
        communications uses.
            (3) Communications use.--The term ``communications 
        use'' means the placement and operation of a 
        communications facility.
            (4) Communications use authorization.--The term 
        ``communications use authorization'' means an easement, 
        right-of-way, lease, license, or other authorization to 
        locate or modify a communications facility on covered 
        land by the Forest Service for the primary purpose of 
        authorizing the occupancy and use of the covered land 
        for communications use.
            (5) Covered land.--The term ``covered land'' means 
        National Forest System land.
            (6) Forest service.--The term ``Forest Service'' 
        means the United States Forest Service of the 
        Department of Agriculture.
            (7) Organizational unit.--The term ``organizational 
        unit'' means, within the Forest Service--
                    (A) a regional office;
                    (B) the headquarters;
                    (C) a management unit; or
                    (D) a ranger district office.
    (b) Regulations.--Notwithstanding section 6409 of the 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 
1455) or section 606 of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better 
Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 (Public Law 
115-141), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations--
            (1) to streamline the process for considering 
        applications to locate or modify communications 
        facilities on covered land;
            (2) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        that the process is uniform and standardized across the 
        organizational units of the Forest Service; and
            (3) to require that the applications described in 
        paragraph (1) be considered and granted on a 
        competitively neutral, technology neutral, and non-
        discriminatory basis.
    (c) Requirements.--The regulations issued under subsection 
(b) shall include the following:
            (1) Procedures for the tracking of applications 
        described in subsection (b)(1), including--
                    (A) identifying the number of 
                applications--
                            (i) received;
                            (ii) approved; and
                            (iii) denied;
                    (B) in the case of an application that is 
                denied, describing the reasons for the denial; 
                and
                    (C) describing the amount of time between 
                the receipt of an application and the issuance 
                of a final decision on an application.
            (2) Provision for minimum lease terms of not less 
        than 15 years for leases with respect to the location 
        of communications facilities on covered land.
            (3) A structure of fees for--
                    (A) submitting an application described in 
                subsection (b)(1), based on the cost to the 
                Forest Service of considering such an 
                application; and
                    (B) issuing communications use 
                authorizations, based on the cost to the Forest 
                Service of any maintenance or other activities 
                required to be performed by the Forest Service 
                as a result of the location or modification of 
                the communications facility.
            (4) Provision for prioritization or streamlining of 
        the consideration of applications to locate or modify 
        communications facilities on covered land in a 
        previously disturbed right-of-way.
    (d) Additional Considerations.--In issuing regulations 
under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider--
            (1) how discrete reviews in considering an 
        application described in subsection (b)(1) can be 
        conducted simultaneously, rather than sequentially, by 
        any organizational units of the Forest Service that 
        must approve the location or modification; and
            (2) how to eliminate overlapping requirements among 
        the organizational units of the Forest Service with 
        respect to the location or modification of a 
        communications facility on covered land administered by 
        those organizational units.
    (e) Communication of Streamlined Process to Organizational 
Units.--The Secretary shall, with respect to the regulations 
issued under subsection (b)--
            (1) communicate the regulations to the 
        organizational units of the Forest Service; and
            (2) ensure that the organizational units of the 
        Forest Service follow the regulations.
    (f) Deposit and Availability of Fees.--
            (1) Special account.--The Secretary of the Treasury 
        shall establish a special account in the Treasury for 
        the Forest Service for the deposit of fees collected by 
        the Forest Service under subsection (c)(3) for 
        communications use authorizations on covered land 
        granted, issued, or executed by the Forest Service.
            (2) Requirements for fees collected.--Fees 
        collected by the Forest Service under subsection (c)(3) 
        shall be--
                    (A) based on the costs described in 
                subsection (c)(3); and
                    (B) competitively neutral, technology 
                neutral, and nondiscriminatory with respect to 
                other users of the communications site.
            (3) Deposit of fees.--Fees collected by the Forest 
        Service under subsection (c)(3) shall be deposited in 
        the special account established for the Forest Service 
        under paragraph (1).
            (4) Availability of fees.--Amounts deposited in the 
        special account for the Forest Service shall be 
        available, to the extent and in such amounts as are 
        provided in advance in appropriation Acts, to the 
        Secretary to cover costs incurred by the Forest Service 
        described in subsection (c)(3), including the 
        following:
                    (A) Preparing needs assessments or other 
                programmatic analyses necessary to designate 
                communications sites and issue communications 
                use authorizations.
                    (B) Developing management plans for 
                communications sites.
                    (C) Training for management of 
                communications sites.
                    (D) Obtaining or improving access to 
                communications sites.
            (5) No additional appropriations authorized.--
        Except as provided in paragraph (4), no other amounts 
        are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        section.
    (g) Savings Provisions.--
            (1) Real property authorities.--Nothing in this 
        section, or the amendments made by this section, shall 
        be construed as providing any executive agency with any 
        new leasing or other real property authorities not 
        existing prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Effect on other laws.--Nothing in this section, 
        or the amendments made by this section, and no actions 
        taken pursuant to this section, or the amendments made 
        by this section, shall impact a decision or 
        determination by any executive agency to sell, dispose 
        of, declare excess or surplus, lease, reuse, or 
        redevelop any Federal real property pursuant to title 
        40, United States Code, the Federal Assets Sale and 
        Transfer Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 
        114-287), or any other law governing real property 
        activities of the Federal Government. No agreement 
        entered into pursuant to this section, or the 
        amendments made by this section, may obligate the 
        Federal Government to hold, control, or otherwise 
        retain or use real property that may otherwise be 
        deemed as excess, surplus, or that could otherwise be 
        sold, leased, or redeveloped.

SEC. 8706. REPORT ON WILDFIRE, INSECT INFESTATION, AND DISEASE 
                    PREVENTION ON FEDERAL LAND.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and every year thereafter, the Secretary and the 
Secretary of Interior shall submit to the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate a jointly written report on--
            (1) the number of acres of Federal land treated by 
        the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior for 
        wildfire, insect infestation, or disease prevention;
            (2) the number of acres of Federal land categorized 
        as a high or extreme fire risk;
            (3) the total timber production from Federal land;
            (4) the number of acres and average fire intensity 
        of wildfires affecting Federal land treated for 
        wildfire, insect infestation, or disease prevention;
            (5) the number of acres and average fire intensity 
        of wildfires affecting Federal land not treated for 
        wildfire, insect infestation, or disease prevention;
            (6) the Federal response time for each fire on 
        greater than 25,000 acres;
            (7) the number of miles of roads and trails on 
        Federal land in need of maintenance;
            (8) the number of miles of roads on Federal land in 
        need of decommissioning;
            (9) the maintenance backlog, as of the date of the 
        report, for roads, trails, and recreational facilities 
        on Federal land;
            (10) other measures needed to maintain, improve, or 
        restore water quality on Federal land; and
            (11) other measures needed to improve ecosystem 
        function or resiliency on Federal land.

SEC. 8707. WEST FORK FIRE STATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) County.--The term ``County'' means Dolores 
        County, Colorado.
            (2) West fork fire station conveyance parcel.--The 
        term ``West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel'' means 
        the parcel of approximately 3.61 acres of National 
        Forest System land in the County, as depicted on the 
        map entitled ``Map for West Fork Fire Station 
        Conveyance Parcel'' and dated November 21, 2017.
    (b) Conveyance of West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel, 
Dolores County, Colorado.--
            (1) In general.--On receipt of a request from the 
        County and subject to such terms and conditions as are 
        mutually satisfactory to the Secretary and the County, 
        including such additional terms as the Secretary 
        determines to be necessary, the Secretary shall convey 
        to the County without consideration all right, title, 
        and interest of the United States in and to the West 
        Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel.
            (2) Costs.--Any costs relating to the conveyance 
        under paragraph (1), including processing and 
        transaction costs, shall be paid by the County.
            (3) Use of land.--The land conveyed to the County 
        under paragraph (1) shall be used by the County only 
        for a fire station, related infrastructure, and roads 
        to facilitate access to and through the West Fork Fire 
        Station Conveyance Parcel.
            (4) Reversion.--If any portion of the land conveyed 
        under paragraph (1) is used in a manner that is 
        inconsistent with the use described in paragraph (3), 
        the land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, 
        revert to the United States.

SEC. 8708. COMPETITIVE FORESTRY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL 
                    GRANTS PROGRAM.

    Section 1232 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 582a-8) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a) by inserting ``or forest 
        restoration'' after ``research''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Priorities.--
            ``(1) Research.--In awarding the initial grants 
        under subsection (a) the Secretary shall give priority 
        to applicants who will use such grants for research 
        concerning--
                    ``(A) the biology of forest organisms, 
                including physiology, genetic mechanisms, and 
                biotechnology;
                    ``(B) ecosystem function and management, 
                including forest ecosystem research, 
                biodiversity, forest productivity, pest 
                management, water resources, and alternative 
                silvicultural systems;
                    ``(C) wood as a raw material, including 
                forest products and harvesting;
                    ``(D) human forest interactions, including 
                outdoor recreation, public policy formulation, 
                economics, sociology, and administrative 
                behavior;
                    ``(E) international trade, competition, and 
                cooperation related to forest products;
                    ``(F) alternative native crops, products, 
                and services that can be produced from 
                renewable natural resources associated with 
                privately held forest lands;
                    ``(G) viable economic production and 
                marketing systems for alternative natural 
                resource products and services;
                    ``(H) economic and environmental benefits 
                of various conservation practices on forest 
                lands;
                    ``(I) genetic tree improvement; and
                    ``(J) market expansion.
            ``(2) Forest restoration.--Grants may be used to 
        support programs that restore forest tree species 
        native to American forests that may have suffered 
        severe levels of mortality caused by non-native 
        insects, plant pathogens, or others pests.
                    ``(A) Required component of forest 
                restoration strategy.--To receive a grant under 
                this subsection, an eligible institution shall 
                demonstrate that it offers a program with a 
                forest restoration strategy that incorporates 
                not less than one of the following components:
                            ``(i) Collection and conservation 
                        of native tree genetic material.
                            ``(ii) Production of propagules of 
                        native trees in numbers large enough 
                        for landscape scale restoration.
                            ``(iii) Site preparation of former 
                        of native tree habitat.
                            ``(iv) Planting of native tree 
                        seedlings.
                            ``(v) Post-planting maintenance of 
                        native trees.
                    ``(B) Award of grants.--The Secretary shall 
                award competitive grants under this subsection 
                based on the degree to which the applicant 
                addresses the following criteria:
                            ``(i) Risk posed to the forests of 
                        that State by non-native pests, as 
                        measured by such factors as the number 
                        of such pests present in the State.
                            ``(ii) The proportion of the 
                        State's forest composed of species 
                        vulnerable to non-native pests present 
                        in the United States.
                            ``(iii) The pests' rate of spread 
                        via natural or human-assisted means.''.

                            TITLE IX--ENERGY

SEC. 9001. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``agricultural 
        materials'' and inserting ``agricultural materials, 
        renewable chemicals,'';
            (2) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``into 
        biofuels and biobased products; and'' and inserting the 
        following: ``or an intermediate ingredient or feedstock 
        of renewable biomass into any 1 or more, or a 
        combination, of--
                            ``(i) biofuels;
                            ``(ii) renewable chemicals; or
                            ``(iii) biobased products; and''; 
                        and
            (3) in paragraph (16)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause 
                        (i), by striking ``(B)'' and inserting 
                        ``(C)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``that--'' in the 
                        matter preceding clause (i) and all 
                        that follows through the period at the 
                        end of clause (ii) and inserting ``that 
                        produces usable energy from a renewable 
                        energy source.'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `renewable 
                energy system' includes--
                            ``(i) distribution components 
                        necessary to move energy produced by a 
                        system described in subparagraph (A) to 
                        the initial point of sale; and
                            ``(ii) other components and 
                        ancillary infrastructure of a system 
                        described in subparagraph (A), such as 
                        a storage system.''.

SEC. 9002. BIOBASED MARKETS PROGRAM.

    Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end 
        the following:
                            ``(iii) Renewable chemicals.--Not 
                        later than 180 days after the date of 
                        enactment of this clause, the Secretary 
                        shall update the criteria issued under 
                        clause (i) to provide criteria for 
                        determining which renewable chemicals 
                        may qualify to receive the label under 
                        paragraph (1).'';
            (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Manufacturers of Renewable Chemicals and Biobased 
Products.--
            ``(1) NAICS codes.--The Secretary and the Secretary 
        of Commerce shall jointly develop North American 
        Industry Classification System codes for--
                    ``(A) renewable chemicals manufacturers; 
                and
                    ``(B) biobased products manufacturers.
            ``(2) National testing center registry.--The 
        Secretary shall establish a national registry of 
        testing centers for biobased products that will serve 
        biobased product manufacturers.'';
            (3) by redesignating subsections (h) through (j) as 
        subsections (j) through (l), respectively;
            (4) by inserting after subsection (g) the 
        following:
    ``(h) Streamlining.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall establish guidelines for an integrated process 
        under which biobased products may be, in 1 expedited 
        approval process--
                    ``(A) determined to be eligible for a 
                Federal procurement preference under subsection 
                (a); and
                    ``(B) approved to use the `USDA Certified 
                Biobased Product' label under subsection (b).
            ``(2) Initiation.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
        a review of a biobased product under the integrated 
        qualification process established pursuant to paragraph 
        (1) may be initiated on receipt of a recommendation or 
        petition from a manufacturer, vendor, or other 
        interested party.
            ``(3) Product designations.--The Secretary may 
        issue a product designation pursuant to subsection 
        (a)(3)(B), or approve the use of the `USDA Certified 
        Biobased Product' label under subsection (b), through 
        streamlined procedures, which shall not be subject to 
        chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.
    ``(i) Requirement of Procuring Agencies.--A procuring 
agency (as defined in subsection (a)(1)) shall not establish 
regulations, guidance, or criteria regarding the procurement of 
biobased products, pursuant to this section or any other law, 
that impose limitations on that procurement that are more 
restrictive than the limitations established by the Secretary 
under the regulations to implement this section.'';
            (5) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' 
                and inserting ``2023''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                ``$2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 
                through 2018'' and inserting ``$3,000,000 for 
                each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Rural Development Mission Area.--In carrying out this 
section, except as provided in subsection (g), the Secretary 
shall act through the rural development mission area.''.

SEC. 9003. BIOREFINERY ASSISTANCE.

    Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``produces an advanced biofuel; and'' and 
                inserting the following: ``produces any 1 or 
                more, or a combination, of--
                                            ``(i) an advanced 
                                        biofuel;
                                            ``(ii) a renewable 
                                        chemical; or
                                            ``(iii) a biobased 
                                        product; and''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``produces an advanced biofuel.'' and inserting 
                the following: ``produces any 1 or more, or a 
                combination, of--
                                            ``(i) an advanced 
                                        biofuel;
                                            ``(ii) a renewable 
                                        chemical; or
                                            ``(iii) a biobased 
                                        product.''; and
            (2) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting a 
                        semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 
                        2019; and
                            ``(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 
                        2020.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2018'' 
                and inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 9004. REPOWERING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 9004 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8104) is repealed.

SEC. 9005. BIOENERGY PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS.

    Section 9005 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Secretary may'' and 
                inserting the following new paragraph:
            ``(1) Amount.--The Secretary shall''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(2) Feedstock.--The total amount of payments made 
        in a fiscal year under this section to one or more 
        eligible producers for the production of advanced 
        biofuels derived from a single eligible commodity, 
        including intermediate ingredients of that single 
        commodity or use of that single commodity and its 
        intermediate ingredients in combination with another 
        commodity, shall not exceed one-third of the total 
        amount of funds made available under subsection (g).''; 
        and
            (2) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (D), by 
                        striking ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (E), by 
                        striking the period at the end and 
                        inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(F) $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2019 through 2023.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2014 
                through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 through 
                2023''.

SEC. 9006. BIODIESEL FUEL EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    Section 9006(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.''.

SEC. 9007. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.

    Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
                follows:
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Assistance.--In addition to any 
                similar authority, the Secretary shall 
                provide--
                            ``(i) loan guarantees and grants to 
                        agricultural producers and rural small 
                        businesses--
                                    ``(I) to purchase renewable 
                                energy systems, including 
                                systems that may be used to 
                                produce and sell electricity; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) to make energy 
                                efficiency improvements; and
                            ``(ii) loan guarantees to 
                        agricultural producers to purchase and 
                        install energy efficient equipment or 
                        systems for agricultural production or 
                        processing that exceed--
                                    ``(I) energy efficiency 
                                building codes, if applicable;
                                    ``(II) Federal or State 
                                energy efficiency standards, if 
                                applicable; and
                                    ``(III) other energy 
                                efficiency standards determined 
                                appropriate by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Limitations.--With respect to loan 
                guarantees under subparagraph (A)(ii)--
                            ``(i) if no codes or standards 
                        described in such subparagraph apply to 
                        the energy efficient equipment or 
                        system to be purchased or installed 
                        pursuant to such subparagraph, the 
                        Secretary shall require, to the maximum 
                        extent practicable, such equipment or 
                        system to meet the same efficiency 
                        measurements as the most efficient 
                        available equipment or system in the 
                        market; and
                            ``(ii) the Secretary shall not 
                        provide such a loan guarantee for the 
                        purchase or installation of any energy 
                        efficient equipment or system unless 
                        more than one type of such equipment or 
                        system is available in the market.''; 
                        and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end 
                the following:
                    ``(D) Loan guarantees for energy efficient 
                equipment to agricultural producers.--Using 
                funds made available under paragraphs (1) and 
                (3) of subsection (f), in each fiscal year the 
                Secretary may use for loan guarantees under 
                paragraph (1)(A)(ii) an amount that does not 
                exceed 15 percent of such funds.'';
            (2) in subsection (e), by striking ``subsection 
        (g)'' each place it appears and inserting ``subsection 
        (f)'';
            (3) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating 
        subsection (g) as subsection (f); and
            (4) in subsection (f)(3) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting ``2019 
        through 2023''.

SEC. 9008. RURAL ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY INITIATIVE.

    Section 9009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8109) is repealed.

SEC. 9009. FEEDSTOCK FLEXIBILITY.

    Section 9010(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 9010. BIOMASS CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8111) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (ii)(II), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iv) algae.''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) by striking clause (iv); and
                            (ii) by redesignating clauses (v) 
                        through (vii) as clauses (iv) through 
                        (vi), respectively; and
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
                follows:
            ``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
        $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
        2023.''; and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as 
                follows:
            ``(3) Technical assistance.--Effective for fiscal 
        year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, funds made 
        available under this subsection shall be available for 
        the provision of technical assistance with respect to 
        activities authorized under this section.''.

SEC. 9011. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 9014. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Carbon dioxide.--The term `carbon dioxide' 
        means carbon dioxide that is produced as a byproduct of 
        the production of a biobased product.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' 
        means an entity that--
                    ``(A) is--
                            ``(i) an organization described in 
                        section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
                        Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
                        taxation under section 501(a) of that 
                        Code; or
                            ``(ii) an institution of higher 
                        education (as defined in section 101(a) 
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                        U.S.C. 1001(a)));
                    ``(B) has demonstrated knowledge about--
                            ``(i) sequestration and utilization 
                        of carbon dioxide; or
                            ``(ii) aggregation of organic waste 
                        from multiple sources into a single 
                        biogas system; and
                    ``(C) has a demonstrated ability to conduct 
                educational and technical support programs.
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Energy, shall make competitive grants to 
eligible entities--
            ``(1) to provide education to the public about the 
        economic and emissions benefits of permanent 
        sequestration or utilization of carbon dioxide with a 
        primary objective of providing benefits and 
        opportunities for rural businesses, rural communities, 
        and utilities serving rural communities; or
            ``(2) to provide education to agricultural 
        producers and other stakeholders about opportunities 
        for aggregation of organic waste from multiple sources 
        into a single biogas system.
    ``(c) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023--
            ``(1) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(1); 
        and
            ``(2) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(2).''.

                         TITLE X--HORTICULTURE

SEC. 10101. SPECIALTY CROPS MARKET NEWS ALLOCATION.

    Section 10107(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 1622b(b)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 10102. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.

    (a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to combine the 
purposes and coordinate the functions, as in effect on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act, of--
            (1) the Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion 
        Program established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-
        Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005); 
        and
            (2) the value-added agricultural product market 
        development grants under section 231(b) of the 
        Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 
        1632a(b)).
    (b) Local Agriculture Market Program.--Subtitle A of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 210A. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `beginning farmer or rancher' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
        Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).
            ``(2) Direct producer-to-consumer marketing.--The 
        term `direct producer-to-consumer marketing' has the 
        meaning given the term `direct marketing from farmers 
        to consumers' in section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
        Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002).
            ``(3) Family farm.--The term `family farm' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 231(a) of the 
        Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 
        1632a(a)).
            ``(4) Food council.--The term `food council' means 
        a food policy council or food and farm system network, 
        as determined by the Secretary, that--
                    ``(A) represents--
                            ``(i) multiple organizations 
                        involved in the production, processing, 
                        and consumption of food; and
                            ``(ii) local, Tribal, or State 
                        governments; and
                    ``(B) addresses food and farm-related 
                issues and needs within city, county, State, 
                Tribal region, multicounty region, or other 
                region designated by the food council or food 
                system network.
            ``(5) Majority-controlled producer-based business 
        venture.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `majority-
                controlled producer-based business venture' 
                means a venture greater than 50 percent of the 
                ownership and control of which is held by--
                            ``(i) 1 or more producers; or
                            ``(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 
                        percent of the ownership and control of 
                        which is held by 1 or more producers.
                    ``(B) Entity described.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `entity' means--
                            ``(i) a partnership;
                            ``(ii) a limited liability 
                        corporation;
                            ``(iii) a limited liability 
                        partnership; and
                            ``(iv) a corporation.
            ``(6) Mid-tier value chain.--The term `mid-tier 
        value chain' means a local or regional supply network 
        that links independent producers with businesses and 
        cooperatives that market value-added agricultural 
        products in a manner that--
                    ``(A) targets and strengthens the 
                profitability and competitiveness of small and 
                medium-sized farms and ranches that are 
                structured as a family farm; and
                    ``(B) obtains agreement from an eligible 
                agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher 
                cooperative, or majority-controlled producer-
                based business venture that is engaged in the 
                value chain on a marketing strategy.
            ``(7) Partnership.--The term `partnership' means a 
        partnership entered into under an agreement between--
                    ``(A) 1 or more eligible partners (as 
                defined in subsection (e)(1)); and
                    ``(B) 1 or more eligible entities (as 
                defined in subsection (e)(1)).
            ``(8) Program.--The term `Program' means the Local 
        Agriculture Market Program established under subsection 
        (b).
            ``(9) Regional food chain coordination.--The term 
        `regional food chain coordination' means coordination 
        and collaboration along the supply chain to increase 
        connections between producers and markets.
            ``(10) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the 
        Secretary of Agriculture.
            ``(11) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--
        The term `socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 355(e) of the 
        Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
        2003(e)).
            ``(12) Value-added agricultural product.--The term 
        `value-added agricultural product' means any 
        agricultural commodity or product that--
                    ``(A)(i) has undergone a change in physical 
                state;
                    ``(ii) was produced in a manner that 
                enhances the value of the agricultural 
                commodity or product, as demonstrated through a 
                business plan that shows the enhanced value, as 
                determined by the Secretary;
                    ``(iii) is physically segregated in a 
                manner that results in the enhancement of the 
                value of the agricultural commodity or product;
                    ``(iv) is a source of farm- or ranch-based 
                renewable energy, including E-85 fuel; or
                    ``(v) is aggregated and marketed as a 
                locally produced agricultural food product; and
                    ``(B) as a result of the change in physical 
                state or the manner in which the agricultural 
                commodity or product was produced, marketed, or 
                segregated--
                            ``(i) the customer base for the 
                        agricultural commodity or product is 
                        expanded; and
                            ``(ii) a greater portion of the 
                        revenue derived from the marketing, 
                        processing, or physical segregation of 
                        the agricultural commodity or product 
                        is available to the producer of the 
                        commodity or product.
            ``(13) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `veteran farmer or rancher' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, 
        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).
    ``(b) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary shall 
establish a program, to be known as the `Local Agriculture 
Market Program', that--
            ``(1) supports the development, coordination, and 
        expansion of--
                    ``(A) direct producer-to-consumer 
                marketing;
                    ``(B) local and regional food markets and 
                enterprises; and
                    ``(C) value-added agricultural products;
            ``(2) connects and cultivates regional food 
        economies through public-private partnerships;
            ``(3) supports the development of business plans, 
        feasibility studies, and strategies for value-added 
        agricultural production and local and regional food 
        system infrastructure;
            ``(4) strengthens capacity and regional food system 
        development through community collaboration and 
        expansion of mid-tier value chains;
            ``(5) improves income and economic opportunities 
        for producers and food businesses through job creation; 
        and
            ``(6) simplifies the application processes and the 
        reporting processes for the Program.
    ``(c) Administration.--In administering the Program, the 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) streamline the Program to better support the 
        activities carried out by the recipient of a grant 
        under the Program;
            ``(2) connect producers with local food markets and 
        value-added agricultural product opportunities;
            ``(3) partner with cooperative extension services, 
        as appropriate, to provide Program technical assistance 
        and outreach to Program stakeholders; and
            ``(4) ensure that the Rural Business-Cooperative 
        Service and Agricultural Marketing Service provide 
        Program technical assistance and outreach to Program 
        stakeholders.
    ``(d) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--Under the Program, the Secretary 
        may, using funds made available under subsection (i), 
        provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
        2023, in accordance with the purposes of the Program 
        described in subsection (b), for the conduct of 
        activities described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Eligible activities.--The recipient of a 
        grant may use a grant provided under paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) to support and promote--
                            ``(i) domestic direct producer-to-
                        consumer marketing;
                            ``(ii) farmers' markets;
                            ``(iii) roadside stands;
                            ``(iv) agritourism activities,
                            ``(v) community-supported 
                        agriculture programs; or
                            ``(vi) online sales;
                    ``(B) to support local and regional food 
                business enterprises that engage as 
                intermediaries in indirect producer-to-consumer 
                marketing;
                    ``(C) to support the processing, 
                aggregation, distribution, and storage of--
                            ``(i) local and regional food 
                        products that are marketed locally or 
                        regionally; and
                            ``(ii) value-added agricultural 
                        products;
                    ``(D) to encourage the development of 
                value-added agricultural products;
                    ``(E) to assist with business development 
                plans and feasibility studies;
                    ``(F) to develop marketing strategies for 
                producers of local food products and value-
                added agricultural products in new and existing 
                markets;
                    ``(G) to facilitate regional food chain 
                coordination and mid-tier value chain 
                development;
                    ``(H) to promote new business opportunities 
                and marketing strategies to reduce on-farm food 
                waste;
                    ``(I) to respond to changing technology 
                needs in direct producer-to-consumer marketing; 
                or
                    ``(J) to cover expenses relating to costs 
                incurred in--
                            ``(i) obtaining food safety 
                        certification; and
                            ``(ii) making changes and upgrades 
                        to practices and equipment to improve 
                        food safety.
            ``(3) Criteria and guidelines.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish criteria and guidelines for the 
                submission, evaluation, and funding of proposed 
                projects under paragraph (1) as the Secretary 
                determines are appropriate.
                    ``(B) Producer or food business benefits.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), an application 
                        submitted for a grant under paragraph 
                        (1) shall include a description of the 
                        direct or indirect producer or food 
                        business benefits intended by the 
                        applicant to result from the proposed 
                        project within a reasonable period of 
                        time after the receipt of the grant.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall 
                        not apply to a planning or feasibility 
                        project.
            ``(4) Amount.--Unless otherwise determined by the 
        Secretary, the amount of a grant under this subsection 
        shall be not more than $500,000.
            ``(5) Value-added producer grants.--In the case of 
        a grant provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible 
        entity described in subparagraph (B), the following 
        shall apply:
                    ``(A) Administration.--The Secretary shall 
                carry out this subsection through the 
                Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
                Service, in coordination with the Administrator 
                of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
                    ``(B) Eligible entities.--An entity shall 
                be eligible for a grant under this paragraph if 
                the entity is--
                            ``(i) an independent producer (as 
                        determined by the Secretary) of a 
                        value-added agricultural product; or
                            ``(ii) an agricultural producer 
                        group, farmer or rancher cooperative, 
                        or majority-controlled producer-based 
                        business venture (as determined by the 
                        Secretary).
                    ``(C) Priorities.--The Secretary shall give 
                priority to applications--
                            ``(i) in the case of an application 
                        submitted by a producer, that are 
                        submitted by, or serve--
                                    ``(I) beginning farmers or 
                                ranchers;
                                    ``(II) socially 
                                disadvantaged farmers or 
                                ranchers;
                                    ``(III) operators of small 
                                or medium sized farms or 
                                ranches that are structured as 
                                family farms; or
                                    ``(IV) veteran farmers or 
                                ranchers; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of an 
                        application submitted by an eligible 
                        entity described in subparagraph 
                        (B)(ii), that provide the greatest 
                        contribution to creating or increasing 
                        marketing opportunities for producers 
                        described in subclauses (I) through 
                        (IV) of clause (i).
                    ``(D) Limitation on use of funds.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), an eligible 
                        entity described in subparagraph (B) 
                        may not use a grant for the purchase or 
                        construction of a building, general 
                        purpose equipment, or structure.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--An eligible 
                        entity described in subparagraph (B) 
                        may use not more than $6,500 of the 
                        amount of a grant for an eligible 
                        activity described in paragraph (2)(J) 
                        to purchase or upgrade equipment to 
                        improve food safety.
                    ``(E) Matching funds.--An eligible entity 
                described in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant 
                shall contribute an amount of non-Federal funds 
                that is at least equal to the amount of Federal 
                funds received.
            ``(6) Farmers' markets and local food promotion 
        program.--In the case of a grant provided under 
        paragraph (1) to an eligible entity described in 
        subparagraph (B), the following shall apply:
                    ``(A) Administration.--The Secretary shall 
                carry out this subsection through the 
                Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing 
                Service, in coordination with the Administrator 
                of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
                    ``(B) Eligible entities.--An entity shall 
                be eligible to receive a grant under this 
                paragraph if the entity is--
                            ``(i) an agricultural cooperative 
                        or other agricultural business entity 
                        or a producer network or association, 
                        including a community-supported 
                        agriculture network or association;
                            ``(ii) a local or Tribal 
                        government;
                            ``(iii) a nonprofit corporation;
                            ``(iv) a public benefit 
                        corporation;
                            ``(v) an economic development 
                        corporation;
                            ``(vi) a regional farmers' market 
                        authority;
                            ``(vii) a food council; or
                            ``(viii) such other entity as the 
                        Secretary may designate.
                    ``(C) Priorities.--The Secretary shall give 
                priority to applications that--
                            ``(i) benefit underserved 
                        communities, including communities that 
                        are located in areas of concentrated 
                        poverty with limited access to fresh 
                        locally or regionally grown food; or
                            ``(ii) are used to carry out 
                        eligible activities under a partnership 
                        agreement under subsection (e) and have 
                        not received benefits from the Program 
                        in the recent past.
                    ``(D) Limitation on use of funds.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), an eligible 
                        entity described in subparagraph (B) 
                        may not use a grant for the purchase or 
                        construction of a building, general 
                        purpose equipment, or structure.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--An eligible 
                        entity described in subparagraph (B) 
                        may use not more than $6,500 of the 
                        amount of a grant for an eligible 
                        activity described in paragraph (2)(J) 
                        to purchase or upgrade equipment to 
                        improve food safety.
                    ``(E) Matching funds.--An eligible entity 
                described in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant 
                shall provide matching funds in the form of 
                cash or an in-kind contribution in an amount 
                that is equal to 25 percent of the total amount 
                of the Federal portion of the grant.
    ``(e) Partnerships.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible 
                entity' means--
                            ``(i) a producer;
                            ``(ii) a producer network or 
                        association;
                            ``(iii) a farmer or rancher 
                        cooperative;
                            ``(iv) a majority-controlled 
                        producer-based business venture;
                            ``(v) a food council;
                            ``(vi) a local or Tribal 
                        government;
                            ``(vii) a nonprofit corporation;
                            ``(viii) an economic development 
                        corporation;
                            ``(ix) a public benefit 
                        corporation;
                            ``(x) a community-supported 
                        agriculture network or association; and
                            ``(xi) a regional farmers' market 
                        authority.
                    ``(B) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible 
                partner' means--
                            ``(i) a State agency or regional 
                        authority;
                            ``(ii) a philanthropic 
                        organization;
                            ``(iii) a private corporation;
                            ``(iv) an institution of higher 
                        education;
                            ``(v) a commercial, Federal, or 
                        Farm Credit System lending institution; 
                        and
                            ``(vi) another entity, as 
                        determined by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Grants to support partnerships.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting 
                through the Administrator of the Agricultural 
                Marketing Service, in accordance with the 
                purposes of the Program described in subsection 
                (b), shall, using funds made available under 
                subsection (i), provide grants for each of 
                fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to support 
                partnerships to plan and develop a local or 
                regional food system.
                    ``(B) Geographical diversity.--To the 
                maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
                ensure geographical diversity in selecting 
                partnerships to receive grants under 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(3) Authorities of partnerships.--A partnership 
        receiving a grant under paragraph (2) may--
                    ``(A) determine the scope of the regional 
                food system to be developed, including goals, 
                outreach objectives, and eligible activities to 
                be carried out;
                    ``(B) determine the local, regional, State, 
                multi-State, or other geographic area covered;
                    ``(C) create and conduct a feasibility 
                study, implementation plan, and assessment of 
                eligible activities under the partnership 
                agreement;
                    ``(D) conduct outreach and education to 
                other eligible entities and eligible partners 
                for potential participation in the partnership 
                agreement and eligible activities;
                    ``(E) describe measures to be taken through 
                the partnership agreement to obtain funding for 
                the eligible activities to be carried out under 
                the partnership agreement;
                    ``(F) at the request of a producer or 
                eligible entity desiring to participate in 
                eligible activities under the partnership 
                agreement, act on behalf of the producer or 
                eligible entity in applying for a grant under 
                subsection (d);
                    ``(G) monitor, evaluate, and periodically 
                report to the Secretary on progress made toward 
                achieving the objectives of eligible activities 
                under the partnership agreement; or
                    ``(H) at the conclusion of the partnership 
                agreement, submit to the Secretary a report 
                describing--
                            ``(i) the results and effects of 
                        the partnership agreement; and
                            ``(ii) funds provided under 
                        paragraph (4).
            ``(4) Contribution.--A partnership receiving a 
        grant under paragraph (2) shall provide funding in an 
        amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the total 
        amount of the Federal portion of the grant.
            ``(5) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to 
                receive a grant under paragraph (2), a 
                partnership shall submit to the Secretary an 
                application at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Secretary 
                considers necessary to evaluate and select 
                applications.
                    ``(B) Competitive process.--The Secretary--
                            ``(i) shall conduct a competitive 
                        process to select applications 
                        submitted under subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) may assess and rank 
                        applications with similar purposes as a 
                        group; and
                            ``(iii) shall make public the 
                        criteria to be used in evaluating 
                        applications prior to accepting 
                        applications.
                    ``(C) Priority to certain applications.--
                The Secretary may give priority to applications 
                submitted under subparagraph (A) that--
                            ``(i)(I) leverage significant non-
                        Federal financial and technical 
                        resources; and
                            ``(II) coordinate with other local, 
                        State, Tribal, or national efforts;
                            ``(ii) cover an area that includes 
                        distressed low-income rural or urban 
                        communities, including areas with 
                        persistent poverty; or
                            ``(iii) have multiple entities and 
                        partners in a partnership.
                    ``(D) Producer or food business benefits.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), an application 
                        submitted under subparagraph (A) shall 
                        include a description of the direct or 
                        indirect producer or food business 
                        benefits intended by the eligible 
                        entity to result from the proposed 
                        project within a reasonable period of 
                        time after the receipt of a grant.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall 
                        not apply to a planning or feasibility 
                        project.
            ``(6) Technical assistance.--On request of an 
        eligible entity, an eligible partner, or a partnership, 
        the Secretary may provide technical assistance in 
        carrying out a partnership agreement.
    ``(f) Simplification of Application and Reporting 
Processes.--
            ``(1) Applications.--The Secretary shall establish 
        a simplified application form for eligible entities 
        that--
                    ``(A) request less than $50,000 under 
                subsection (d); or
                    ``(B) apply for grants under subsection (d) 
                under a single application through partnership 
                agreements under subsection (e).
            ``(2) Reporting.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) streamline and simplify the reporting 
                process for eligible entities; and
                    ``(B) obtain from eligible entities and 
                maintain such information as the Secretary 
                determines is necessary to administer and 
                evaluate the Program.
    ``(g) Interdepartmental Coordination.--In carrying out the 
Program, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
ensure coordination among Federal agencies.
    ``(h) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Using amounts made available 
        under subsection (i)(3)(E), the Secretary shall conduct 
        an evaluation of the Program that--
                    ``(A) measures the economic impact of the 
                Program on new and existing market outcomes;
                    ``(B) measures the effectiveness of the 
                Program in improving and expanding--
                            ``(i) the regional food economy 
                        through public and private 
                        partnerships;
                            ``(ii) the production of value-
                        added agricultural products;
                            ``(iii) producer-to-consumer 
                        marketing, including direct producer-
                        to-consumer marketing;
                            ``(iv) local and regional food 
                        systems, including regional food chain 
                        coordination and business development;
                            ``(v) new business opportunities 
                        and marketing strategies to reduce on-
                        farm food waste;
                            ``(vi) the use of new technologies 
                        in producer-to-consumer marketing, 
                        including direct producer-to-consumer 
                        marketing; and
                            ``(vii) the workforce and capacity 
                        of regional food systems; and
                    ``(C) provides a description of--
                            ``(i) each partnership agreement; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) each grant provided under 
                        subsection (d).
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the 
        date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
        submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
        describing the evaluation conducted under paragraph 
        (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of 
        the evaluation.
    ``(i) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use 
        to carry out this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 
        2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain 
        available until expended.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
        $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
        thereafter, to remain available until expended.
            ``(3) Allocation of funds.--
                    ``(A) Value-added producer grants.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to 
                        clause (ii), of the funds made 
                        available to carry out this section for 
                        a fiscal year, 35 percent shall be used 
                        for grants under subsection (d)(5).
                            ``(ii) Reservation of funds.--
                                    ``(I) Majority-controlled 
                                producer-based business 
                                ventures.--The total amount of 
                                grants under subsection (d)(5) 
                                provided to majority-controlled 
                                producer-based business 
                                ventures for a fiscal year 
                                shall not exceed 10 percent of 
                                the amount allocated under 
                                clause (i).
                                    ``(II) Beginning, veteran, 
                                and socially disadvantaged 
                                farmers and ranchers.--Of the 
                                funds made available for grants 
                                under subsection (d)(5), 10 
                                percent shall be reserved for 
                                grants provided to beginning, 
                                veteran, and socially 
                                disadvantaged farmers or 
                                ranchers.
                                    ``(III) Mid-tier value 
                                chains.--Of the funds made 
                                available for grants under 
                                subsection (d)(5), 10 percent 
                                shall be reserved for grants to 
                                develop mid-tier value chains.
                                    ``(IV) Food safety 
                                assistance.--Of the funds made 
                                available for grants under 
                                subsection (d)(5), not more 
                                than 25 percent shall be 
                                reserved for grants for 
                                eligible activities described 
                                in subsection (d)(2)(J).
                    ``(B) Farmers' market and local food 
                promotion grants.--Of the funds made available 
                to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 47 
                percent shall be used for grants under 
                subsection (d)(6).
                    ``(C) Regional partnerships.--Of the funds 
                made available to carry out this section for a 
                fiscal year, 10 percent shall be used to 
                provide grants to support partnerships under 
                subsection (e).
                    ``(D) Unobligated funds.--Any funds under 
                subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) that are not 
                obligated for the uses described in that 
                subparagraph, as applicable, by September 30 of 
                the fiscal year for which the funds were made 
                available--
                            ``(i) shall be available to the 
                        agency carrying out the Program with 
                        the unobligated funds to carry out any 
                        function of the Program, as determined 
                        by the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) may carry over to the next 
                        fiscal year.
                    ``(E) Administrative expenses.--Not greater 
                than 8 percent of amounts made available to 
                provide grants under subsections (d) and (e) 
                for a fiscal year may be used for 
                administrative expenses.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Agricultural marketing resource center pilot 
        project.--Section 231 of the Agricultural Risk 
        Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a) is amended--
                    (A) by striking the section heading and 
                inserting ``agricultural marketing resource 
                center pilot project.'';
                    (B) by striking subsections (a), (b), (d), 
                and (e);
                    (C) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
                        and (2) as subsections (a) and (b), 
                        respectively, and indenting 
                        appropriately; and
                            (ii) by striking the subsection 
                        designation and heading;
                    (D) in subsection (a) (as so 
                redesignated)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``Notwithstanding'' and all that 
                        follows through ``paragraph (2)'' and 
                        inserting the following: ``The 
                        Secretary shall not use more than 2.5 
                        percent of the funds made available to 
                        carry out the Local Agriculture Market 
                        Program established under section 210A 
                        of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
                        1946 to establish a pilot project (to 
                        be known as the `Agricultural Marketing 
                        Resource Center') at an eligible 
                        institution described in subsection 
                        (b)''; and
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs 
                        (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), 
                        respectively, and indenting 
                        appropriately; and
                    (E) in subsection (b) (as so 
                redesignated)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs 
                        (A) through (C) as paragraphs (1) 
                        through (3), respectively, and 
                        indenting appropriately; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (1) (as so 
                        redesignated), by striking ``paragraph 
                        (1)(A)'' and inserting ``subsection 
                        (a)(1)''.
            (2) Agriculture innovation center demonstration 
        program.--Section 6402(f) of the Farm Security and 
        Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(f)) is 
        amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 
        striking ``section 231(d) of the Agricultural Risk 
        Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 
        106-224))'' and inserting ``section 210A(d)(2) of the 
        Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946''.
            (3) Local food production and program evaluation.--
        Section 10016(b)(3)(B) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
        (7 U.S.C. 2204h(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking 
        ``Farmers' Market and Local Food Promotion Program 
        established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
        Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005)'' and 
        inserting ``Local Agriculture Market Program 
        established under section 210A of the Agricultural 
        Marketing Act of 1946''.
            (4) Program metrics.--Section 6209(a) of the 
        Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2207b(a)) is amended 
        by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing 
        Act of 1946;''.
            (5) Farmer-to-consumer direct marketing act of 
        1976.--
                    (A) Section 4 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
                Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3003) is 
                amended--
                            (i) by striking ``The Secretary'' 
                        and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
carry out this section.''.
                    (B) Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Farmer-to-
                Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 
                3005, 3006; 90 Stat. 1983) are repealed.

SEC. 10103. ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MARKET DATA INITIATIVES.

    Section 7407(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5925c(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
                ``through fiscal year 2012''; and
                    (B) by striking ``$5,000,000, to remain 
                available until expended.'' and inserting the 
                following: ``, to remain available until 
                expended--
                    ``(A) $5,000,000 for each of the periods of 
                fiscal years 2008 through 2012 and 2014 through 
                2018; and
                    ``(B) $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
                years 2019 through 2023.'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (2);
            (3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
        (2); and
            (4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by striking ``paragraphs (1) and (2)'' 
                and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                ``2023''.

SEC. 10104. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION.

    (a) Exclusions From Certification.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
issue regulations to limit the type of organic operations that 
are excluded from certification under section 205.101 of title 
7, Code of Federal Regulations, and from certification under 
any other related sections under part 205 of title 7, Code of 
Federal Regulations.
    (b) Definitions.--Section 2103 of the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``The term'' and inserting 
                the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The term''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Foreign operations.--When used in the 
                context of a certifying agent operating in a 
                foreign country, the term `certifying agent' 
                includes any person (including a private 
                entity)--
                            ``(i) accredited in accordance with 
                        section 2115(d); or
                            ``(ii) accredited by a foreign 
                        government that acted under an 
                        equivalency agreement negotiated 
                        between the United States and the 
                        foreign government from which the 
                        agricultural product is imported.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (21) 
        as paragraphs (14) through (22), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the 
        following:
            ``(13) National organic program import 
        certificate.--The term `national organic program import 
        certificate' means a form developed for purposes of the 
        program under this title--
                    ``(A) to provide documentation sufficient 
                to verify that an agricultural product imported 
                for sale in the United States satisfies the 
                requirement under section 2115(c);
                    ``(B) which shall include, at a minimum, 
                information sufficient to indicate, with 
                respect to the agricultural product--
                            ``(i) the origin;
                            ``(ii) the destination;
                            ``(iii) the certifying agent 
                        issuing the national organic program 
                        import certificate;
                            ``(iv) the harmonized tariff code, 
                        if a harmonized tariff code exists for 
                        the agricultural product;
                            ``(v) the total weight; and
                            ``(vi) the organic standard to 
                        which the agricultural product is 
                        certified; and
                    ``(C) that is not more than otherwise 
                required under an equivalency agreement 
                negotiated between the United States and the 
                foreign government.''.
    (c) Accreditation Program.--Section 2115 of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6514) is amended by 
striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Additional Documentation and Verification.--The 
Secretary, acting through the Deputy Administrator of the 
national organic program established under this title, has the 
authority, and shall grant a certifying agent the authority, to 
require producers and handlers to provide additional 
documentation or verification before granting a certification 
under section 2104, in the case of a compliance risk with 
respect to meeting the national standards for organic 
production established under section 2105, as determined by the 
Secretary or the certifying agent.
    ``(d) Accreditation of Foreign Organic Certification 
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--For an agricultural product 
        being imported into the United States to be represented 
        as organically produced, the Secretary shall require 
        the agricultural product to be accompanied by a 
        complete and valid national organic import certificate, 
        which shall be available as an electronic record.
            ``(2) Tracking system.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish a system to track national organic 
                import certificates.
                    ``(B) Integration.--In establishing the 
                system under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
                may integrate the system into any existing 
                information tracking systems for imports of 
                agricultural products.
    ``(e) Duration of Accreditation.--An accreditation made 
under this section--
            ``(1) subject to paragraph (2), shall be for a 
        period of not more than 5 years, as determined 
        appropriate by the Secretary;
            ``(2) in the case of a certifying agent operating 
        in a foreign country, shall be for a period of time 
        that is consistent with the certification of a domestic 
        certifying agent, as determined appropriate by the 
        Secretary; and
            ``(3) may be renewed.''.
    (d) Requirements of Certifying Agents.--Section 2116 of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6515) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (i)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or an 
                entity acting as an agent of the certifying 
                agent'' after ``a certifying agent'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as 
                paragraph (3); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
                following:
            ``(2) Oversight of certifying offices and foreign 
        operations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary 
                determines that an office of a certifying agent 
                or entity described in paragraph (1) is not 
                complying with the provisions of this title, 
                the Secretary may suspend the operations of the 
                certifying agent or the noncompliant office, 
                including--
                            ``(i) an office operating in a 
                        foreign country; and
                            ``(ii) an office operating in the 
                        United States, including an office 
                        acting on behalf of a foreign-domiciled 
                        entity.
                    ``(B) Process for resuming operations 
                following suspension.--The Secretary shall 
                provide for a process that is otherwise 
                consistent with this section that authorizes a 
                suspended office to resume operations.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Notice.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
which a new certifying office performing certification 
activities opens, an accredited certifying agent shall notify 
the Secretary of the opening.''.
    (e) Certain Employees Eligible to Serve as National Organic 
Standards Board Members.--Section 2119(b) of the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, or employees 
        of such individuals'' after ``operation'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, or employees 
        of such individuals'' after ``operation''; and
            (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, or an 
        employee of such individual'' after ``products''.
    (f) National Organic Standards Board.--Section 2119(i) of 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(i)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``Two-thirds'' and inserting the 
        following:
            ``(1) In general.--\2/3\''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) National list.--Any vote on a motion 
        proposing to amend the national list shall be 
        considered to be a decisive vote that requires \2/3\ of 
        the votes cast at a meeting of the Board at which a 
        quorum is present to prevail.''.
    (g) Investigations.--Section 2120(b) of the Organic Foods 
Production Act (7 U.S.C. 6519(b)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
            ``(3) Information sharing during active 
        investigation.--In carrying out this title, all parties 
        to an active investigation (including certifying 
        agents, State organic certification programs, and the 
        national organic program) shall share confidential 
        business information with Federal Government officers 
        and employees involved in the investigation as 
        necessary to fully investigate and enforce potential 
        violations of this title.''.
    (h) Data Organization and Access.--Section 2122 of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6521) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Access to Data Documentation Systems.--The Secretary 
shall have access to available data from cross-border 
documentation systems administered by other Federal agencies, 
including the Automated Commercial Environment system of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection.
    ``(d) Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than March 1, 2020, 
        and annually thereafter through March 1, 2023, the 
        Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly 
        available on the website of the Department of 
        Agriculture, a report describing national organic 
        program activities with respect to all domestic and 
        overseas investigations and compliance actions taken 
        pursuant to this title during the preceding year.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The data described in 
        paragraph (1) shall be broken down by agricultural 
        product, quantity, value, and month.
            ``(3) Exception.--Any data determined by the 
        Secretary to be confidential business information shall 
        not be provided in the report under paragraph (1).''.
    (i) Organic Agricultural Product Imports Interagency 
Working Group.--The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 is 
amended by inserting after section 2122 (7 U.S.C. 6521) the 
following:

``SEC. 2122A. ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IMPORTS INTERAGENCY WORKING 
                    GROUP.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary and the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security shall jointly establish a working 
        group to facilitate coordination and information 
        sharing between the Department of Agriculture and U.S. 
        Customs and Border Protection relating to imports of 
        organically produced agricultural products (referred to 
        in this section as the `working group').
            ``(2) Members.--The working group--
                    ``(A) shall include--
                            ``(i) the Secretary (or a 
                        designee); and
                            ``(ii) the Secretary of Homeland 
                        Security (or a designee); and
                    ``(B) shall not include any non-Federal 
                officer or employee.
            ``(3) Duties.--The working group shall facilitate 
        coordination and information sharing between the 
        Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
        Protection for the purposes of--
                    ``(A) identifying imports of organically 
                produced agricultural products;
                    ``(B) verifying the authenticity of 
                organically produced agricultural product 
                import documentation, such as national organic 
                program import certificates;
                    ``(C) ensuring imported agricultural 
                products represented as organically produced 
                meet the requirements under this title;
                    ``(D) collecting and organizing 
                quantitative data on imports of organically 
                produced agricultural products; and
                    ``(E) requesting feedback from stakeholders 
                on how to improve the oversight of imports of 
                organically produced agricultural products.
            ``(4) Designated employees and officials.--An 
        employee or official designated to carry out the duties 
        of the Secretary or the Secretary of Homeland Security 
        on the working group under subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
        paragraph (2) shall be an employee or official 
        compensated at a rate of pay not less than the minimum 
        annual rate of basic pay for GS-12 under section 5332 
        of title 5, United States Code.
    ``(b) Reports.--On an annual basis, the working group shall 
submit to Congress and make publicly available on the websites 
of the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection the following reports:
            ``(1) Organic trade enforcement interagency 
        coordination report.--A report--
                    ``(A) identifying existing barriers to 
                cooperation between the agencies involved in 
                agricultural product import inspection, trade 
                data collection and organization, and 
                organically produced agricultural product trade 
                enforcement, including--
                            ``(i) U.S. Customs and Border 
                        Protection;
                            ``(ii) the Agricultural Marketing 
                        Service; and
                            ``(iii) the Animal and Plant Health 
                        Inspection Service;
                    ``(B) assessing progress toward integrating 
                organic trade enforcement into import 
                inspection procedures of U.S. Customs and 
                Border Protection and the Animal and Plant 
                Health Inspection Service, including an 
                assessment of--
                            ``(i) the status of the development 
                        of systems for--
                                    ``(I) tracking the 
                                fumigation of imports of 
                                organically produced 
                                agricultural products into the 
                                United States; and
                                    ``(II) electronically 
                                verifying national organic 
                                program import certificate 
                                authenticity; and
                            ``(ii) training of U.S. Customs and 
                        Border Protection personnel on--
                                    ``(I) the use of the 
                                systems described in clause 
                                (i); and
                                    ``(II) requirements and 
                                protocols under this title;
                    ``(C) establishing methodology for ensuring 
                imports of agricultural products represented as 
                organically produced meet the requirements 
                under this title;
                    ``(D) recommending steps to improve the 
                documentation and traceability of imported 
                organically produced agricultural products;
                    ``(E) recommending and describing steps 
                for--
                            ``(i) improving compliance with the 
                        requirements of this title for all 
                        agricultural products imported into the 
                        United States and represented as 
                        organically produced; and
                            ``(ii) ensuring accurate labeling 
                        and marketing of imported agricultural 
                        products represented as organically 
                        produced by the exporter; and
                    ``(F) describing staffing needs and 
                additional resources at U.S. Customs and Border 
                Protection and the Department of Agriculture 
                needed to ensure compliance.
            ``(2) Report on enforcement actions taken on 
        organic imports.--A report--
                    ``(A) providing detailed quantitative data 
                (broken down by agricultural product, quantity, 
                value, month, and origin) on imports of 
                agricultural products represented as 
                organically produced found to be fraudulent or 
                lacking any documentation required under this 
                title at the port of entry during the report 
                year;
                    ``(B) providing data on domestic 
                enforcement actions taken on imported 
                agricultural products represented as 
                organically produced, including the number and 
                type of actions taken by United States 
                officials at ports of entry in response to 
                violations of this title;
                    ``(C) providing data on fumigation of 
                agricultural products represented as 
                organically produced at ports of entry and 
                notifications of fumigation actions to shipment 
                owners, broken down by product variety and 
                country of origin; and
                    ``(D) providing information on enforcement 
                activities under this title involving overseas 
                investigations and compliance actions taken 
                within that year, including--
                            ``(i) the number of investigations 
                        by country; and
                            ``(ii) a descriptive summary of 
                        compliance actions taken by certifying 
                        agents in each country.''.
    (j) Authorization of Appropriations for National Organic 
Program.--Section 2123 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 6522) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
        ``funding'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) 
        through (7) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2018;
            ``(2) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2019;
            ``(3) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
            ``(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(5) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
            ``(6) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.''; and
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(c) Modernization and Improvement of International Trade 
Technology Systems and Data Collection.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        new system or modify an existing data collection and 
        organization system to collect and organize in a single 
        system quantitative data on imports of each organically 
        produced agricultural product accepted into the United 
        States.
            ``(2) Activities.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall modernize trade and transaction 
        certificates to ensure full traceability to the port of 
        entry without unduly hindering trade or commerce, such 
        as through an electronic trade document exchange 
        system.
            ``(3) Access.--The single system established under 
        paragraph (1) shall be accessible by any agency with 
        the direct authority to engage in--
                    ``(A) inspection of imports of agricultural 
                products;
                    ``(B) trade data collection and 
                organization; or
                    ``(C) enforcement of trade requirements for 
                organically produced agricultural products.
            ``(4) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available 
        $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 for the purposes of--
                    ``(A) carrying out this subsection; and
                    ``(B) maintaining the database and 
                technology upgrades previously carried out 
                under this subsection, as in effect on the day 
                before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018.
            ``(5) Availability.--The amounts made available 
        under paragraph (4) are in addition to any other funds 
        made available for the purposes described in that 
        paragraph and shall remain available until expended.''.
    (k) Trade Savings Provision.--The amendments made by 
subsection (i) shall be carried out in a manner consistent with 
United States obligations under international agreements.

SEC. 10105. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PROGRAM.

    (a) Elimination of Directed Delegation.--Section 10606(a) 
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
6523(a)) is amended by striking ``(acting through the 
Agricultural Marketing Service)''.
    (b) Funding.--Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended by striking 
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Mandatory Funding.--
            ``(1) In general.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available 
        to carry out this section--
                    ``(A) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2019 and 2020;
                    ``(B) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
                    ``(C) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2022 and 2023.
            ``(2) Availability.--Amounts made available under 
        paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 10106. FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION INITIATIVES.

    Section 10105(c) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7655a(c)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 10107. SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS.

    Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 
2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108-465) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                ``2023''; and
                    (B) by striking ``solely to enhance the 
                competitiveness of specialty crops.'' and 
                inserting the following: ``to enhance the 
                competitiveness of specialty crops, including--
            ``(1) by leveraging efforts to market and promote 
        specialty crops;
            ``(2) by assisting producers with research and 
        development relevant to specialty crops;
            ``(3) by expanding availability and access to 
        specialty crops;
            ``(4) by addressing local, regional, and national 
        challenges confronting specialty crop producers; and
            ``(5) for such other purposes determined to be 
        appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
        consultation with specialty crop stakeholders and 
        relevant State departments of agriculture.'';
            (2) in subsection (j)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
                (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), 
                respectively, and indenting appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A) (as so redesignated), by striking ``Not 
                later'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Not later''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Administration of multistate projects from 
        nonparticipating states.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
        may directly administer all aspects of multistate 
        projects under this subsection for applicants in a 
        nonparticipating State.'';
            (3) in subsection (k), by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(3) Evaluation.--
                    ``(A) Performance measures and review.--
                            ``(i) Development.--The Secretary 
                        of Agriculture and the State 
                        departments of agriculture, in 
                        consultation with specialty crop 
                        stakeholders, shall develop performance 
                        measures to be used as the sole means 
                        of performing any evaluation of the 
                        grant program established under this 
                        section.
                            ``(ii) Review.--The Secretary of 
                        Agriculture, in consultation with the 
                        State departments of agriculture, shall 
                        periodically evaluate the performance 
                        of the grant program established under 
                        this section.
                    ``(B) Cooperative agreements.--The 
                Secretary of Agriculture may enter into 
                cooperative agreements--
                            ``(i) to develop the performance 
                        measures under subparagraph (A)(i); or
                            ``(ii) to evaluate the overall 
                        performance of the grant program 
                        established under this section.''; and
            (4) in subsection (l)(2)(E), by inserting ``and 
        each fiscal year thereafter'' after ``2018''.

SEC. 10108. AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT.

    (a) Asexually Reproduced Defined.--Section 41(a) of the 
Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2401(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), 
        (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (2), (3), 
        (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (10), respectively; 
        and
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so 
        redesignated, the following new paragraph:
            ``(1) Asexually reproduced.--The term `asexually 
        reproduced' means produced by a method of plant 
        propagation using vegetative material (other than seed) 
        from a single parent, including cuttings, grafting, 
        tissue culture, and propagation by root division.''.
    (b) Right to Plant Variety Protection; Plant Varieties 
Protectable.--Section 42(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2402(a)) is amended by striking ``or tuber 
propagated'' and inserting ``, tuber propagated, or asexually 
reproduced''.
    (c) Infringement of Plant Variety Protection.--Section 
111(a)(3) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
2541(a)(3)) is amended by inserting ``or asexually'' after 
``sexually''.
    (d) False Marketing; Cease and Desist Orders.--Section 
128(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2568(a)) 
is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
``or asexually'' after ``sexually''.

SEC. 10109. MULTIPLE CROP AND PESTICIDE USE SURVEY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director 
of the Office of Pest Management Policy, shall conduct a 
multiple crop and pesticide use survey of farmers to collect 
data for risk assessment modeling and mitigation for an active 
ingredient.
    (b) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit to the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and make 
publicly available the survey described in subsection (a).
    (c) Funding.--
            (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use 
        to carry out this section $500,000 for fiscal year 
        2019, to remain available until expended.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
        $2,500,000, to remain available until expended.
    (d) Confidentiality of Information.--Section 1770 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``(a) In the case'' and 
                inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--In the case''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking 
                ``subsection (d)(12)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraph (12) or (13) of subsection (d)''; 
                and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) by striking ``(d) For purposes'' and 
                inserting the following:
    ``(d) Provisions of Law References.--For purposes'';
                    (B) in paragraph (11), by striking ``or'' 
                at the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (12), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) section 10109 of the Agriculture Improvement 
        Act of 2018.''.

SEC. 10110. REPORT ON THE ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES OF FOREST PESTS 
                    THROUGH RESTRICTIONS ON THE IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN 
                    PLANTS FOR PLANTING.

    Not later than March 1, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report--
            (1) evaluating the effectiveness of the Federal 
        Government in intercepting pests in international 
        shipping and on plants for planting;
            (2) describing the geographic sources of 
        intercepted pests and the commodities or plant species 
        most often associated with infested shipments;
            (3) quantifying the detection of forest pests in 
        the national surveillance networks, including the 
        Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey and the Early 
        Detection and Rapid Response network of the Forest 
        Service;
            (4) describing new outbreaks of forest pests in the 
        United States and the spread of existing infestations;
            (5) describing how the numbers of such 
        interceptions, detections, and outbreaks described in a 
        preceding paragraph have changed since January 1, 2018;
            (6) containing proposed additional actions to 
        further reduce the rate of arrival for forest pests 
        across the borders of the United States;
            (7) identifying current challenges with 
        intercepting, detecting, and addressing outbreaks of 
        tree and wood pests, as well as challenges in achieving 
        compliance with the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 
        et seq.) and recommendations with respect to such 
        challenges; and
            (8) describing the coordination and collaboration 
        occurring between the Animal and Plant Health 
        Inspection Service and the Forest Service with respect 
        to--
                    (A) identifying and prioritizing critical 
                detection, surveillance, and eradication needs 
                for tree and wood pests; and
                    (B) identifying the actions each agency 
                takes within their respective missions to 
                address identified priorities.

SEC. 10111. REPORT ON PLANT BIOSTIMULANTS.

    (a) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to 
the President and Congress that identifies any potential 
regulatory, non-regulatory, and legislative recommendations, 
including the appropriateness of any definitions for plant 
biostimulant, to ensure the efficient and appropriate review, 
approval, uniform national labeling, and availability of plant 
biostimulant products to agricultural producers.
    (b) Consultation.--The Secretary shall prepare the report 
required by subsection (a) in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
several States, industry stakeholders, and such other 
stakeholders as the Secretary determines necessary.
    (c) Plant Biostimulant.--For the purposes of the report 
under subsection (a), the Secretary--
            (1) shall consider ``plant biostimulant'' to be a 
        substance or micro-organism that, when applied to 
        seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural 
        processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, 
        nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or 
        crop quality and yield; and
            (2) may modify the description of plant 
        biostimulant, as appropriate.

SEC. 10112. CLARIFICATION OF USE OF FUNDS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    Section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act 
(15 U.S.C. 714i) is amended in the last sentence by inserting 
after ``activities'' the following: ``but excluding any amounts 
used to provide technical assistance under title X of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 or an amendment made by 
that title''.

SEC. 10113. HEMP PRODUCTION.

    The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

                     ``Subtitle G--Hemp Production

``SEC. 297A. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subtitle:
            ``(1) Hemp.--The term `hemp' means the plant 
        Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, 
        including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, 
        extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and 
        salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-
        9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 
        0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
            ``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
        U.S.C. 5304).
            ``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the 
        Secretary of Agriculture.
            ``(4) State.--The term `State' means--
                    ``(A) a State;
                    ``(B) the District of Columbia;
                    ``(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
                    ``(D) any other territory or possession of 
                the United States.
            ``(5) State department of agriculture.--The term 
        `State department of agriculture' means the agency, 
        commission, or department of a State government 
        responsible for agriculture in the State.
            ``(6) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal 
        government' means the governing body of an Indian 
        tribe.

``SEC. 297B. STATE AND TRIBAL PLANS.

    ``(a) Submission.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State or Indian tribe desiring 
        to have primary regulatory authority over the 
        production of hemp in the State or territory of the 
        Indian tribe shall submit to the Secretary, through the 
        State department of agriculture (in consultation with 
        the Governor and chief law enforcement officer of the 
        State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, a plan 
        under which the State or Indian tribe monitors and 
        regulates that production as described in paragraph 
        (2).
            ``(2) Contents.--A State or Tribal plan referred to 
        in paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) shall only be required to include--
                            ``(i) a practice to maintain 
                        relevant information regarding land on 
                        which hemp is produced in the State or 
                        territory of the Indian tribe, 
                        including a legal description of the 
                        land, for a period of not less than 3 
                        calendar years;
                            ``(ii) a procedure for testing, 
                        using post-decarboxylation or other 
                        similarly reliable methods, delta-9 
                        tetrahydrocannabinol concentration 
                        levels of hemp produced in the State or 
                        territory of the Indian tribe;
                            ``(iii) a procedure for the 
                        effective disposal of--
                                    ``(I) plants, whether 
                                growing or not, that are 
                                produced in violation of this 
                                subtitle; and
                                    ``(II) products derived 
                                from those plants;
                            ``(iv) a procedure to comply with 
                        the enforcement procedures under 
                        subsection (e);
                            ``(v) a procedure for conducting 
                        annual inspections of, at a minimum, a 
                        random sample of hemp producers to 
                        verify that hemp is not produced in 
                        violation of this subtitle;
                            ``(vi) a procedure for submitting 
                        the information described in section 
                        297C(d)(2), as applicable, to the 
                        Secretary not more than 30 days after 
                        the date on which the information is 
                        received; and
                            ``(vii) a certification that the 
                        State or Indian tribe has the resources 
                        and personnel to carry out the 
                        practices and procedures described in 
                        clauses (i) through (vi); and
                    ``(B) may include any other practice or 
                procedure established by a State or Indian 
                tribe, as applicable, to the extent that the 
                practice or procedure is consistent with this 
                subtitle.
            ``(3) Relation to state and tribal law.--
                    ``(A) No preemption.--Nothing in this 
                subsection preempts or limits any law of a 
                State or Indian tribe that--
                            ``(i) regulates the production of 
                        hemp; and
                            ``(ii) is more stringent than this 
                        subtitle.
                    ``(B) References in plans.--A State or 
                Tribal plan referred to in paragraph (1) may 
                include a reference to a law of the State or 
                Indian tribe regulating the production of hemp, 
                to the extent that law is consistent with this 
                subtitle.
    ``(b) Approval.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after 
        receipt of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a), 
        the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) approve the State or Tribal plan if 
                the State or Tribal plan complies with 
                subsection (a); or
                    ``(B) disapprove the State or Tribal plan 
                only if the State or Tribal plan does not 
                comply with subsection (a).
            ``(2) Amended plans.--If the Secretary disapproves 
        a State or Tribal plan under paragraph (1)(B), the 
        State, through the State department of agriculture (in 
        consultation with the Governor and chief law 
        enforcement officer of the State) or the Tribal 
        government, as applicable, may submit to the Secretary 
        an amended State or Tribal plan that complies with 
        subsection (a).
            ``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult 
        with the Attorney General in carrying out this 
        subsection.
    ``(c) Audit of State Compliance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may conduct an 
        audit of the compliance of a State or Indian tribe with 
        a State or Tribal plan approved under subsection (b).
            ``(2) Noncompliance.--If the Secretary determines 
        under an audit conducted under paragraph (1) that a 
        State or Indian tribe is not materially in compliance 
        with a State or Tribal plan--
                    ``(A) the Secretary shall collaborate with 
                the State or Indian tribe to develop a 
                corrective action plan in the case of a first 
                instance of noncompliance; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary may revoke approval of 
                the State or Tribal plan in the case of a 
                second or subsequent instance of noncompliance.
    ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide 
technical assistance to a State or Indian tribe in the 
development of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a).
    ``(e) Violations.--
            ``(1) In general.--A violation of a State or Tribal 
        plan approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to 
        enforcement solely in accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Negligent violation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A hemp producer in a 
                State or the territory of an Indian tribe for 
                which a State or Tribal plan is approved under 
                subsection (b) shall be subject to subparagraph 
                (B) of this paragraph if the State department 
                of agriculture or Tribal government, as 
                applicable, determines that the hemp producer 
                has negligently violated the State or Tribal 
                plan, including by negligently--
                            ``(i) failing to provide a legal 
                        description of land on which the 
                        producer produces hemp;
                            ``(ii) failing to obtain a license 
                        or other required authorization from 
                        the State department of agriculture or 
                        Tribal government, as applicable; or
                            ``(iii) producing Cannabis sativa 
                        L. with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol 
                        concentration of more than 0.3 percent 
                        on a dry weight basis.
                    ``(B) Corrective action plan.--A hemp 
                producer described in subparagraph (A) shall 
                comply with a plan established by the State 
                department of agriculture or Tribal government, 
                as applicable, to correct the negligent 
                violation, including--
                            ``(i) a reasonable date by which 
                        the hemp producer shall correct the 
                        negligent violation; and
                            ``(ii) a requirement that the hemp 
                        producer shall periodically report to 
                        the State department of agriculture or 
                        Tribal government, as applicable, on 
                        the compliance of the hemp producer 
                        with the State or Tribal plan for a 
                        period of not less than the next 2 
                        calendar years.
                    ``(C) Result of negligent violation.--A 
                hemp producer that negligently violates a State 
                or Tribal plan under subparagraph (A) shall not 
                as a result of that violation be subject to any 
                criminal enforcement action by the Federal 
                Government or any State government, Tribal 
                government, or local government.
                    ``(D) Repeat violations.--A hemp producer 
                that negligently violates a State or Tribal 
                plan under subparagraph (A) 3 times in a 5-year 
                period shall be ineligible to produce hemp for 
                a period of 5 years beginning on the date of 
                the third violation.
            ``(3) Other violations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If the State department 
                of agriculture or Tribal government in a State 
                or the territory of an Indian tribe for which a 
                State or Tribal plan is approved under 
                subsection (b), as applicable, determines that 
                a hemp producer in the State or territory has 
                violated the State or Tribal plan with a 
                culpable mental state greater than negligence--
                            ``(i) the State department of 
                        agriculture or Tribal government, as 
                        applicable, shall immediately report 
                        the hemp producer to--
                                    ``(I) the Attorney General; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) the chief law 
                                enforcement officer of the 
                                State or Indian tribe, as 
                                applicable; and
                            ``(ii) paragraph (1) of this 
                        subsection shall not apply to the 
                        violation.
                    ``(B) Felony.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii), any person 
                        convicted of a felony relating to a 
                        controlled substance under State or 
                        Federal law before, on, or after the 
                        date of enactment of this subtitle 
                        shall be ineligible, during the 10-year 
                        period following the date of the 
                        conviction--
                                    ``(I) to participate in the 
                                program established under this 
                                section or section 297C; and
                                    ``(II) to produce hemp 
                                under any regulations or 
                                guidelines issued under section 
                                297D(a).
                            ``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall 
                        not apply to any person growing hemp 
                        lawfully with a license, registration, 
                        or authorization under a pilot program 
                        authorized by section 7606 of the 
                        Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
                        5940) before the date of enactment of 
                        this subtitle.
                    ``(C) False statement.--Any person who 
                materially falsifies any information contained 
                in an application to participate in the program 
                established under this section shall be 
                ineligible to participate in that program.
    ``(f) Effect.--Nothing in this section prohibits the 
production of hemp in a State or the territory of an Indian 
tribe--
            ``(1) for which a State or Tribal plan is not 
        approved under this section, if the production of hemp 
        is in accordance with section 297C or other Federal 
        laws (including regulations); and
            ``(2) if the production of hemp is not otherwise 
        prohibited by the State or Indian tribe.

``SEC. 297C. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

    ``(a) Department of Agriculture Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a State or Indian 
        tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved 
        under section 297B, the production of hemp in that 
        State or the territory of that Indian tribe shall be 
        subject to a plan established by the Secretary to 
        monitor and regulate that production in accordance with 
        paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Content.--A plan established by the Secretary 
        under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) a practice to maintain relevant 
                information regarding land on which hemp is 
                produced in the State or territory of the 
                Indian tribe, including a legal description of 
                the land, for a period of not less than 3 
                calendar years;
                    ``(B) a procedure for testing, using post-
                decarboxylation or other similarly reliable 
                methods, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol 
                concentration levels of hemp produced in the 
                State or territory of the Indian tribe;
                    ``(C) a procedure for the effective 
                disposal of--
                            ``(i) plants, whether growing or 
                        not, that are produced in violation of 
                        this subtitle; and
                            ``(ii) products derived from those 
                        plants;
                    ``(D) a procedure to comply with the 
                enforcement procedures under subsection (c)(2);
                    ``(E) a procedure for conducting annual 
                inspections of, at a minimum, a random sample 
                of hemp producers to verify that hemp is not 
                produced in violation of this subtitle; and
                    ``(F) such other practices or procedures as 
                the Secretary considers to be appropriate, to 
                the extent that the practice or procedure is 
                consistent with this subtitle.
    ``(b) Licensing.--The Secretary shall establish a procedure 
to issue licenses to hemp producers in accordance with a plan 
established under subsection (a).
    ``(c) Violations.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a State or Indian 
        tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved 
        under section 297B, it shall be unlawful to produce 
        hemp in that State or the territory of that Indian 
        tribe without a license issued by the Secretary under 
        subsection (b).
            ``(2) Negligent and other violations.--A violation 
        of a plan established under subsection (a) shall be 
        subject to enforcement in accordance with paragraphs 
        (2) and (3) of section 297B(e), except that the 
        Secretary shall carry out that enforcement instead of a 
        State department of agriculture or Tribal government.
            ``(3) Reporting to attorney general.--In the case 
        of a State or Indian tribe covered by paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall report the production of hemp 
        without a license issued by the Secretary under 
        subsection (b) to the Attorney General.
    ``(d) Information Sharing for Law Enforcement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) collect the information described in 
                paragraph (2); and
                    ``(B) make the information collected under 
                subparagraph (A) accessible in real time to 
                Federal, State, territorial, and local law 
                enforcement.
            ``(2) Content.--The information collected by the 
        Secretary under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) contact information for each hemp 
                producer in a State or the territory of an 
                Indian tribe for which--
                            ``(i) a State or Tribal plan is 
                        approved under section 297B(b); or
                            ``(ii) a plan is established by the 
                        Secretary under this section;
                    ``(B) a legal description of the land on 
                which hemp is grown by each hemp producer 
                described in subparagraph (A); and
                    ``(C) for each hemp producer described in 
                subparagraph (A)--
                            ``(i) the status of--
                                    ``(I) a license or other 
                                required authorization from the 
                                State department of agriculture 
                                or Tribal government, as 
                                applicable; or
                                    ``(II) a license from the 
                                Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) any changes to the status.

``SEC. 297D. REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES; EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.

    ``(a) Promulgation of Regulations and Guidelines; Report.--
            ``(1) Regulations and guidelines.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                promulgate regulations and guidelines to 
                implement this subtitle as expeditiously as 
                practicable.
                    ``(B) Consultation with attorney general.--
                The Secretary shall consult with the Attorney 
                General on the promulgation of regulations and 
                guidelines under subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Report.--The Secretary shall annually submit 
        to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
        containing updates on the implementation of this 
        subtitle.
    ``(b) Authority.--Subject to subsection (c)(3)(B), the 
Secretary shall have sole authority to promulgate Federal 
regulations and guidelines that relate to the production of 
hemp, including Federal regulations and guidelines that relate 
to the implementation of sections 297B and 297C.
    ``(c) Effect on Other Law.--Nothing in this subtitle shall 
affect or modify--
            ``(1) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
        U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
            ``(2) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 262); or
            ``(3) the authority of the Commissioner of Food and 
        Drugs and the Secretary of Health and Human Services--
                    ``(A) under--
                            ``(i) the Federal Food, Drug, and 
                        Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); 
                        or
                            ``(ii) section 351 of the Public 
                        Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262); or
                    ``(B) to promulgate Federal regulations and 
                guidelines that relate to the production of 
                hemp under the Act described in subparagraph 
                (A)(i) or the section described in subparagraph 
                (A)(ii).

``SEC. 297E. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this subtitle.''.

SEC. 10114. INTERSTATE COMMERCE.

    (a) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title or an 
amendment made by this title prohibits the interstate commerce 
of hemp (as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by section 10113)) or hemp 
products.
    (b) Transportation of Hemp and Hemp Products.--No State or 
Indian Tribe shall prohibit the transportation or shipment of 
hemp or hemp products produced in accordance with subtitle G of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by section 
10113) through the State or the territory of the Indian Tribe, 
as applicable.

SEC. 10115. FIFRA INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.

    Section 3(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 13a(c)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
            ``(11) Interagency working group.--
                    ``(A) Definition of covered agency.--In 
                this paragraph, the term `covered agency' means 
                any of the following:
                            ``(i) The Department of 
                        Agriculture.
                            ``(ii) The Department of Commerce.
                            ``(iii) The Department of the 
                        Interior.
                            ``(iv) The Council on Environmental 
                        Quality.
                            ``(v) The Environmental Protection 
                        Agency.
                    ``(B) Establishment.--The Administrator 
                shall establish an interagency working group, 
                to be comprised of representatives from each 
                covered agency, to provide recommendations 
                regarding, and to implement a strategy for 
                improving, the consultation process required 
                under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act 
                of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) for pesticide 
                registration and registration review.
                    ``(C) Duties.--The interagency working 
                group established under subparagraph (B) 
                shall--
                            ``(i) analyze relevant Federal law 
                        (including regulations) and case law 
                        for purposes of providing an outline of 
                        the legal and regulatory framework for 
                        the consultation process referred to in 
                        that subparagraph, including--
                                    ``(I) requirements under 
                                this Act and the Endangered 
                                Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
                                1531 et seq.);
                                    ``(II) Federal case law 
                                regarding the intersection of 
                                this Act and the Endangered 
                                Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
                                1531 et seq.); and
                                    ``(III) Federal regulations 
                                relating to the pesticide 
                                consultation process;
                            ``(ii) provide advice regarding 
                        methods of--
                                    ``(I) defining the scope of 
                                actions of the covered agencies 
                                that are subject to the 
                                consultation requirement 
                                referred to in subparagraph 
                                (B); and
                                    ``(II) properly identifying 
                                and classifying effects of 
                                actions of the covered agencies 
                                with respect to that 
                                consultation requirement;
                            ``(iii) identify the obligations 
                        and limitations under Federal law of 
                        each covered agency for purposes of 
                        providing a legal and regulatory 
                        framework for developing the 
                        recommendations referred to in 
                        subparagraph (B);
                            ``(iv) review practices for the 
                        consultation referred to in 
                        subparagraph (B) to identify problem 
                        areas, areas for improvement, and best 
                        practices for conducting that 
                        consultation among the covered 
                        agencies;
                            ``(v) develop scientific and policy 
                        approaches to increase the accuracy and 
                        timeliness of the process for that 
                        consultation, in accordance with 
                        requirements of this Act and the 
                        Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
                        U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including--
                                    ``(I) processes to 
                                efficiently share data and 
                                coordinate analyses among the 
                                Department of Agriculture, the 
                                Department of Commerce, the 
                                Department of the Interior, and 
                                the Environmental Protection 
                                Agency;
                                    ``(II) a streamlined 
                                process for identifying which 
                                actions require no 
                                consultation, informal 
                                consultation, or formal 
                                consultation;
                                    ``(III) an approach that 
                                will provide clarity with 
                                respect to what constitutes the 
                                best scientific and commercial 
                                data available in the fields of 
                                pesticide use and ecological 
                                risk assessment, pursuant to 
                                section 7(a)(2) of the 
                                Endangered Species Act of 1973 
                                (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)); and
                                    ``(IV) approaches that 
                                enable the Environmental 
                                Protection Agency to better 
                                assist the Department of the 
                                Interior and the Department of 
                                Commerce in carrying out 
                                obligations under that section 
                                in a timely and efficient 
                                manner; and
                            ``(vi) propose and implement a 
                        strategy to implement approaches to 
                        consultations under the Endangered 
                        Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
                        seq.) and document that strategy in a 
                        memorandum of understanding, revised 
                        regulations, or another appropriate 
                        format to promote durable cooperation 
                        among the covered agencies.
                    ``(D) Reports.--
                            ``(i) Progress reports.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Not 
                                later than 18 months after the 
                                date of enactment of this 
                                paragraph, the Administrator, 
                                in coordination with the head 
                                of each other covered agency, 
                                shall submit to the Committee 
                                on Agriculture of the House of 
                                Representatives and the 
                                Committee on Agriculture, 
                                Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                                Senate a report describing the 
                                progress of the working group 
                                in developing the 
                                recommendations under 
                                subparagraph (B).
                                    ``(II) Requirements.--The 
                                report under this clause 
                                shall--
                                            ``(aa) reflect the 
                                        perspectives of each 
                                        covered agency; and
                                            ``(bb) identify 
                                        areas of new consensus 
                                        and continuing topics 
                                        of disagreement and 
                                        debate.
                            ``(ii) Results.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Not 
                                later than 1 year after the 
                                date of enactment of this 
                                paragraph, the Administrator, 
                                in coordination with the head 
                                of each other covered agency, 
                                shall submit to the Committee 
                                on Agriculture of the House of 
                                Representatives and the 
                                Committee on Agriculture, 
                                Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                                Senate a report describing--
                                            ``(aa) the 
                                        recommendations 
                                        developed under 
                                        subparagraph (B); and
                                            ``(bb) plans for 
                                        implementation of those 
                                        recommendations.
                                    ``(II) Requirements.--The 
                                report under this clause 
                                shall--
                                            ``(aa) reflect the 
                                        perspectives of each 
                                        covered agency; and
                                            ``(bb) identify 
                                        areas of consensus and 
                                        continuing topics of 
                                        disagreement and 
                                        debate, if any.
                            ``(iii) Implementation.--Not later 
                        than 1 year after the date of 
                        submission of the report under clause 
                        (i), the Administrator, in coordination 
                        with the head of each other covered 
                        agency, shall submit to the Committee 
                        on Agriculture of the House of 
                        Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate a report describing--
                                    ``(I) the implementation of 
                                the recommendations referred to 
                                in that clause;
                                    ``(II) the extent to which 
                                that implementation improved 
                                the consultation process 
                                referred to in subparagraph 
                                (B); and
                                    ``(III) any additional 
                                recommendations for 
                                improvements to the process 
                                described in subparagraph (B).
                            ``(iv) Other reports.--Not later 
                        than the date that is 180 days after 
                        the date of submission of the report 
                        under clause (iii), and not less 
                        frequently than once every 180 days 
                        thereafter during the 5-year period 
                        beginning on that date, the 
                        Administrator, in coordination with the 
                        head of each other covered agency, 
                        shall submit to the Committee on 
                        Agriculture of the House of 
                        Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate a report describing--
                                    ``(I) the implementation of 
                                the recommendations referred to 
                                in that clause;
                                    ``(II) the extent to which 
                                that implementation improved 
                                the consultation process 
                                referred to in subparagraph 
                                (B); and
                                    ``(III) any additional 
                                recommendations for 
                                improvements to the process 
                                described in subparagraph (B).
                    ``(E) Consultation with private sector.--In 
                carrying out the duties under this paragraph, 
                the working group shall, as appropriate--
                            ``(i) consult with, representatives 
                        of interested industry stakeholders and 
                        nongovernmental organizations; and
                            ``(ii) take into consideration 
                        factors, such as actual and potential 
                        differences in interest between, and 
                        the views of, those stakeholders and 
                        organizations.
                    ``(F) Federal advisory committee act.--The 
                Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
                shall not apply to the working group 
                established under this paragraph.
                    ``(G) Savings clause.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph supersedes any provision of--
                            ``(i) this Act; or
                            ``(ii) the Endangered Species Act 
                        of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 
                        including the requirements under 
                        section 7 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
                        1536).''.

SEC. 10116. STUDY ON METHYL BROMIDE USE IN RESPONSE TO AN EMERGENCY 
                    EVENT.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Emergency event.--The term ``emergency event'' 
        means a situation--
                    (A) that occurs at a location on which a 
                plant or commodity is grown or produced or 
                facility providing for the storage of, or other 
                services with respect to, a plant or commodity;
                    (B) for which the lack of availability of 
                methyl bromide for a particular use would 
                result in significant economic loss to the 
                owner, lessee, or operator of the location or 
                facility or the owner, grower, or purchaser of 
                the plant or commodity; and
                    (C) that, in light of the specific 
                agricultural, meteorological, or other 
                conditions presented, requires the use of 
                methyl bromide to control a pest or disease in 
                the location or facility because there are no 
                technically feasible alternatives to methyl 
                bromide easily accessible by an entity referred 
                to in subparagraph (B) at the time and location 
                of the event that--
                            (i) are registered under the 
                        Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
                        Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) 
                        for the intended use or pest to be so 
                        controlled; and
                            (ii) would adequately control the 
                        pest or disease presented at the 
                        location or facility.
            (2) Pest.--The term ``pest'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, 
        Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136).
    (b) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of 
        the Environmental Protection Agency, shall complete a 
        study on the potential use of methyl bromide in 
        response to an emergency event.
            (2) Requirements.--The study under paragraph (1) 
        shall include--
                    (A) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing 
                State, local, or Tribal authorities, in 
                accordance with appropriate requirements and 
                criteria, such as the recommendations developed 
                under subparagraph (E)--
                            (i) to determine when the use of 
                        methyl bromide is required; and
                            (ii) to authorize such use;
                    (B) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing 
                the Secretary, in accordance with appropriate 
                requirements and criteria, such as the 
                recommendations developed under subparagraph 
                (E)--
                            (i) to determine when the use of 
                        methyl bromide is required; and
                            (ii) to authorize such use;
                    (C) a historic estimate of situations 
                occurring on or after September 15, 1997, that 
                could have been deemed emergency events;
                    (D) a detailed assessment of the adherence 
                of the United States to international 
                obligations of the United States with respect 
                to the prevention of ozone depletion; and
                    (E) an assessment and recommendations on 
                appropriate requirements and criteria to be met 
                to authorize the use of methyl bromide in 
                response to an emergency event (including any 
                recommendations for revising the definition of 
                the term ``emergency event'' in subsection (a)) 
                in a manner that fully complies with the 
                Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete 
                the Ozone Layer, including Decision IX/7 of the 
                Ninth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties 
                to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that 
                Deplete the Ozone Layer.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on 
the study under subsection (b) to the Committee on Agriculture 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition of the Senate.

                        TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE

SEC. 11101. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1502(b)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), 
        (10), and (11) as paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), 
        (12), and (13) respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) Cover crop termination.--The term `cover crop 
        termination' means a practice that historically and 
        under reasonable circumstances results in the 
        termination of the growth of a cover crop.''; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(9) Hemp.--The term `hemp' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing 
        Act of 1946.''.

SEC. 11102. DATA COLLECTION.

    Section 506(h)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1506(h)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting 
        the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) National agricultural statistics 
                service.--Data collected by the National 
                Agricultural Statistics Service, whether 
                published or unpublished, shall be--
                            ``(i) provided in an aggregate form 
                        to the Corporation for the purpose of 
                        providing insurance under this 
                        subtitle; and
                            ``(ii) kept confidential by the 
                        Corporation in the same manner and to 
                        the same extent as is required under--
                                    ``(I) section 1770 of the 
                                Food Security Act of 1985 (7 
                                U.S.C. 2276); and
                                    ``(II) the Confidential 
                                Information Protection and 
                                Statistical Efficiency Act of 
                                2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note; 
                                Public Law 107-347).
                    ``(C) Noninsured crop disaster assistance 
                program.--In collecting data under this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that--
                            ``(i) appropriate data are 
                        collected through the noninsured crop 
                        disaster assistance program established 
                        by section 196 of the Federal 
                        Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
                        of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333); and
                            ``(ii) not less frequently than 
                        annually, the Farm Service Agency 
                        shares, and the Corporation considers, 
                        the data described in clause (i).''.

SEC. 11103. SHARING OF RECORDS.

    Section 506(h)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1506(h)(3)) is amended by inserting ``applicants who 
have received payment under section 522(b)(2)(E),'' after 
``divisions,''.

SEC. 11104. USE OF RESOURCES.

    Section 507(f) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1507(f)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(3) the Farm Service Agency, in assisting the 
        Board in--
                    ``(A) the determination of individual 
                producer yields;
                    ``(B) sharing information on beginning 
                farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and 
                ranchers;
                    ``(C) investigating potential waste, fraud, 
                or abuse;
                    ``(D) sharing information to support the 
                transition of crops and counties from the 
                noninsured crop disaster assistance program 
                established by section 196 of the Federal 
                Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
                (7 U.S.C. 7333) to insurance under this 
                subtitle; and
                    ``(E) serving as a local point of contact 
                for the dissemination of information on risk 
                management options available to farmers and 
                ranchers; and
            ``(4) other Federal agencies, in assisting the 
        Board in any way the Board determines is necessary in 
        carrying out this subtitle.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(2) the'' and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) the''; and
            (3) by striking ``(f) The Board'' in the matter 
        preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through 
        the semicolon at the end of paragraph (1) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(f) Use of Resources, Data, Boards, and Committees of 
Federal Agencies.--If the Board determines it is necessary, the 
Board shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
resources, data, boards, and the committees of--
            ``(1) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
        in assisting the Board in--
                    ``(A) the classification of land as to risk 
                and production capability; and
                    ``(B) the consideration of acceptable 
                conservation practices, including good farming 
                practices with respect to conservation (such as 
                cover crop termination);''.

SEC. 11105. SPECIALTY CROPS.

    (a) Specialty Crops Coordinator.--Section 507(g) of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1507(g)) is amended--
            (1) by striking the subsection designation and all 
        that follows through ``The Corporation'' in paragraph 
        (1) and inserting the following:
    ``(g) Specialty Crops Coordinator.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Corporation''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Specialty crop liaisons.--The Specialty Crops 
        Coordinator shall--
                    ``(A) designate a Specialty Crops Liaison 
                in each regional field office; and
                    ``(B) share the contact information of the 
                Specialty Crops Liaisons with specialty crop 
                producers.
            ``(5) Website.--The Specialty Crops Coordinator 
        shall establish a website focused on the efforts of the 
        Corporation to provide and expand crop insurance for 
        specialty crop producers.''.
    (b) Addition of Specialty Crops and Other Value-added 
Crops.--Section 508(a)(6) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(a)(6)) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading, by adding at the end 
        the following: ``(including value-added crops)'';
            (2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Annual review.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, and annually 
                thereafter, the manager of the Corporation 
                shall prepare, to the maximum extent 
                practicable, based on data shared from the 
                noninsured crop disaster assistance program 
                established by section 196 of the Federal 
                Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
                (7 U.S.C. 7333), written agreements, or other 
                data, and present to the Board not less than 1 
                of each of the following:
                            ``(i) Research and development for 
                        a policy or plan of insurance for a 
                        commodity for which there is no 
                        existing policy or plan of insurance.
                            ``(ii) Expansion of an existing 
                        policy or plan of insurance to 
                        additional counties or States, 
                        including malting barley endorsements 
                        or contract options.
                            ``(iii) Research and development 
                        for a new policy or plan of insurance, 
                        or endorsement, for commodities with 
                        existing policies or plans of 
                        insurance, such as dollar plans.'';
            (3) in subparagraph (B), in the subparagraph 
        heading, by striking ``Addition of new crops'' and 
        inserting ``Report''; and
            (4) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D).

SEC. 11106. INSURANCE PERIOD.

    Section 508(a)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``and sweet 
potatoes'' and inserting ``sweet potatoes, and hemp''.

SEC. 11107. COVER CROPS.

    Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)(B), in the subparagraph 
        heading, by inserting ``determination review'' after 
        ``practices''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) Cover crops.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The voluntary practice 
                of cover cropping shall be considered a good 
                farming practice under paragraph (3)(A)(iii) if 
                the cover crop is terminated in accordance with 
                subparagraph (B).
                    ``(B) Termination.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The termination 
                        of a cover crop shall be carried out 
                        according to--
                                    ``(I) guidelines 
                                established by the Secretary; 
                                or
                                    ``(II) an exception to the 
                                guidelines approved under 
                                clause (ii).
                            ``(ii) Exception to guidelines.--
                        The Corporation shall approve an 
                        exception to the guidelines under 
                        clause (i)(I) if that exception is 
                        recommended by--
                                    ``(I) the Natural Resources 
                                Conservation Service; or
                                    ``(II) an agricultural 
                                expert, as determined by the 
                                Corporation, unless the 
                                exception is determined to be 
                                unreasonable by the 
                                Corporation.
                    ``(C) Insurability of subsequent crop.--
                Cover crop termination shall not affect the 
                insurability of a subsequently planted 
                insurable crop if the cover crop is terminated 
                in accordance with subparagraph (B).
                    ``(D) Summer fallow.--In a county in which 
                summer fallow is an insurable practice, a cover 
                crop in that county that is terminated in 
                accordance with subparagraph (B) shall be 
                considered as summer fallow for the purpose of 
                insurability.''.

SEC. 11108. UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS.

    Section 508(a)(7) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(a)(7)) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``and 
        underserved producers'' after ``states'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking the designation and heading 
                and all that follows through ``the term'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                            ``(i) Adequately served.--The 
                        term'';
                    (B) in clause (i) (as so designated), by 
                striking ``participation rate'' and inserting 
                ``participation rate, by crop,''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Underserved producer.--The 
                        term `underserved producer' means an 
                        individual (including a member of an 
                        Indian Tribe) that is--
                                    ``(I) a beginning farmer or 
                                rancher;
                                    ``(II) a veteran farmer or 
                                rancher; or
                                    ``(III) a socially 
                                disadvantaged farmer or 
                                rancher.'';
            (3) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Board'' and inserting 
                ``Using resources and information available to 
                the Board or the Secretary, the Board''; and
                    (B) by striking ``subtitle'' and inserting 
                ``subtitle, including policies and plans of 
                insurance for underserved producers,''; and
            (4) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(C) Report.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 
                        30 days after completion of the review 
                        under subparagraph (B), and not less 
                        frequently than once every 3 years 
                        thereafter, the Board shall make 
                        publicly available and submit to the 
                        Committee on Agriculture of the House 
                        of Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate a report describing the 
                        results of the review.
                            ``(ii) Recommendations.--The report 
                        under clause (i) shall include 
                        recommendations to increase 
                        participation in States and among 
                        underserved producers that are not 
                        adequately served by the policies and 
                        plans of insurance, including any plans 
                        for administrative action or 
                        recommendations for Congressional 
                        action.''.

SEC. 11109. TREATMENT OF FORAGE AND GRAZING.

    (a) Availability of Catastrophic Risk Protection for Crops 
and Grasses Used for Grazing.--Section 508(b)(1) of the Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(1)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(A) In general.--Except as 
        provided in subparagraph (B), the'' and inserting 
        ``The''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B).
    (b) Coverage for Forage and Grazing.--The Federal Crop 
Insurance Act is amended by inserting after section 508C (7 
U.S.C. 1508c) the following new section:

``SEC. 508D. COVERAGE FOR FORAGE AND GRAZING.

    ``Notwithstanding section 508A, and in addition to any 
other available coverage, for crops that can be both grazed and 
mechanically harvested on the same acres during the same 
growing season, producers shall be allowed to purchase separate 
policies for each intended use, as determined by the 
Corporation, and any indemnity paid under those policies for 
each intended use shall not be considered to be for the same 
loss for the purposes of section 508(n).''.

SEC. 11110. ADMINISTRATIVE BASIC FEE.

    Section 508(b)(5)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(b)(5)(A)) is amended by striking ``$300'' and 
inserting ``$655''.

SEC. 11111. ENTERPRISE UNITS.

    Section 508(e)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(e)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
                    ``(E) Enterprise units across county 
                lines.--The Corporation may allow a producer to 
                establish a single enterprise unit by combining 
                an enterprise unit with--
                            ``(i) 1 or more other enterprise 
                        units in 1 or more other counties; or
                            ``(ii) all basic units and all 
                        optional units in 1 or more other 
                        counties.''.

SEC. 11112. CONTINUED AUTHORITY.

    Section 508(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(6) Continued authority.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                establish--
                            ``(i) underwriting rules that limit 
                        the decrease in the actual production 
                        history of a producer, at the election 
                        of the producer, to not more than 10 
                        percent of the actual production 
                        history of the previous crop year 
                        provided that the production decline 
                        was the result of drought, flood, 
                        natural disaster, or other insurable 
                        loss (as determined by the 
                        Corporation); and
                            ``(ii) actuarially sound premiums 
                        to cover additional risk.
                    ``(B) Other authority.--The authority 
                provided under subparagraph (A) is in addition 
                to any other authority that adjusts the actual 
                production history of the producer under this 
                Act.
                    ``(C) Effect.--Nothing in this paragraph 
                shall be construed to require a change in the 
                administration of any provision of this Act as 
                the Act was administered for the 2018 
                reinsurance year.''.

SEC. 11113. SUBMISSION OF POLICIES AND MATERIALS TO BOARD.

    Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(h)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                    (A) by redesignating clauses (i) through 
                (iii) as subclauses (I) through (III), 
                respectively, and indenting appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding subclause (I) 
                (as so redesignated), by striking ``The 
                Corporation shall'' and inserting the 
                following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The Corporation 
                        shall'';
                    (C) in clause (i)(I) (as so redesignated), 
                by inserting ``subject to clause (ii),'' before 
                ``will likely''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Waiver for hemp.--The 
                        Corporation may waive the viability and 
                        marketability requirement under clause 
                        (i)(I) in the case of a policy or pilot 
                        program relating to the production of 
                        hemp.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(C)--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at 
                the end;
                    (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period 
                at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) in the case of reviewing 
                        policies and other materials relating 
                        to the production of hemp, may waive 
                        the viability and marketability 
                        requirement under subparagraph 
                        (A)(ii)(I).''.

SEC. 11114. CROP PRODUCTION ON NATIVE SOD.

    Section 508(o)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(o)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``During the'' and inserting the 
        following:
                            ``(i) First 4 crop years.--During 
                        the'';
            (2) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking 
        ``after the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act 
        of 2014'' and inserting ``beginning on February 8, 
        2014, and ending on the date of enactment of the 
        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Subsequent crop years.--
                        Native sod acreage that has been tilled 
                        for the production of an insurable crop 
                        after the date of enactment of the 
                        Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
                        shall be subject to a reduction in 
                        benefits under this subtitle as 
                        described in this paragraph for not 
                        more than 4 cumulative years--
                                    ``(I) during the first 10 
                                years after initial tillage; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) during each of which 
                                a crop on that acreage is 
                                insured under subsection 
                                (c).''.

SEC. 11115. USE OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE DATA TO 
                    COMBAT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE.

    Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1515) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) using published aggregate data from 
                the National Agricultural Statistics Service or 
                any other data source to--
                            ``(i) detect yield disparities or 
                        other data anomalies that indicate 
                        potential fraud; and
                            ``(ii) target the relevant 
                        counties, crops, regions, companies, or 
                        agents associated with that potential 
                        fraud for audits and other enforcement 
                        actions.''; and
            (2) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by striking ``pursuant 
        to'' each place it appears and inserting ``under''.

SEC. 11116. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION TO CORPORATION.

    Section 515(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1515(g)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the 
        following:
                    ``(D) The actual production history to be 
                used to establish insurable yields.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking ``The information required 
                by paragraph (1)'' and inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The information required 
                to be submitted under subparagraphs (A) through 
                (C) of paragraph (1)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Actual production history.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The information 
                        required to be submitted under 
                        paragraph (1)(D) with respect to an 
                        applicable policy or plan of insurance 
                        for a covered commodity (as defined in 
                        section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 
                        2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) shall be 
                        submitted so as to ensure receipt by 
                        the Corporation not later than the 
                        Saturday of the week containing the 
                        calendar day that is 30 days after the 
                        applicable production reporting date 
                        for the crop to be insured.
                            ``(ii) Correction of errors.--
                        Nothing in clause (i) limits the 
                        ability of an approved insurance 
                        provider to correct any error in the 
                        information submitted under paragraph 
                        (1)(D) after receipt of the information 
                        by the Corporation in accordance with 
                        clause (i).''.

SEC. 11117. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LOSS ADJUSTERS AND AGENTS.

    Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1515) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection 
        (l); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the 
        following:
    ``(k) Continuing Education for Loss Adjusters and Agents.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Corporation shall establish 
        requirements for continuing education for loss 
        adjusters and agents of approved insurance providers.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The requirements for 
        continuing education described in paragraph (1) shall 
        ensure that loss adjusters and agents of approved 
        insurance providers are familiar with--
                    ``(A) the policies and plans of insurance 
                available under this Act, including the 
                regulations promulgated to carry out this Act;
                    ``(B) efforts to promote program integrity 
                through the elimination of waste, fraud, and 
                abuse; and
                    ``(C) other aspects of adjusting, 
                delivering, and servicing policies and plans of 
                insurance by adjustors and agents, as 
                determined by the Secretary, including 
                conservation activities and agronomic practices 
                (including organic and sustainable practices) 
                that are common and appropriate to the area in 
                which the insured crop being inspected is 
                produced.''.

SEC. 11118. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

    Section 516(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1516(b)(2)(C)(i)) is amended by striking 
``$9,000,000'' and inserting ``$7,000,000''.

SEC. 11119. AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY.

    Section 518 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1518) is amended by inserting ``hemp,'' before ``aquacultural 
species''.

SEC. 11120. MAINTENANCE OF POLICIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by amending subparagraph (B) 
        to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Reimbursement.--
                            ``(i) In general.--An applicant who 
                        submits a policy under section 508(h) 
                        shall be eligible for the reimbursement 
                        of reasonable research and development 
                        costs if the policy is approved by the 
                        Board for sale to producers.
                            ``(ii) Reasonable costs.--For the 
                        purpose of reimbursing research and 
                        development and maintenance costs under 
                        this section, costs of the applicant 
                        shall be considered reasonable costs if 
                        the costs are based on--
                                    ``(I) for any employees or 
                                contracted personnel, wage 
                                rates equal to not more than 2 
                                times the hourly wage rate plus 
                                benefits, as provided by the 
                                Bureau of Labor Statistics for 
                                the year in which such costs 
                                are incurred, calculated using 
                                the formula applied to an 
                                applicant by the Corporation in 
                                reviewing proposed project 
                                budgets under this section on 
                                October 1, 2016; and
                                    ``(II) other actual 
                                documented costs incurred by 
                                the applicant.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                ``approved insurance provider'' and inserting 
                ``applicant''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``determined by the approved insurance 
                        provider'' and inserting ``determined 
                        by the applicant''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iii) Review.--After the Board 
                        approves the amount of a fee under 
                        clause (ii), the fee shall remain in 
                        effect and not be reviewed by the Board 
                        unless--
                                    ``(I) the applicant 
                                petitions the Board for 
                                reconsideration of the fee;
                                    ``(II) a substantial change 
                                is made to the policy, as 
                                determined by the Board; or
                                    ``(III) there is 
                                substantial evidence that the 
                                fee is inhibiting sales or use 
                                of the policy, as determined by 
                                the Board.''.
    (b) Applicability.--
            (1) In general.--The amendments made by this 
        section shall apply to reimbursement requests made on 
        or after October 1, 2016.
            (2) Resubmission of denied request.--An applicant 
        that was denied all or a portion of a reimbursement 
        request under paragraph (1) of section 522(b) of the 
        Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) during 
        the period between October 1, 2016, and the date of the 
        enactment of this Act shall be given an opportunity to 
        resubmit such request.

SEC. 11121. REIMBURSEMENT OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND MAINTENANCE 
                    COSTS.

    Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the 
        following:
                    ``(K) Waiver for hemp.--The Board may waive 
                the viability and marketability requirements 
                under this paragraph in the case of research 
                and development relating to a policy to insure 
                the production of hemp.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``The Corporation'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), the Corporation''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Waiver for hemp.--The Corporation may 
                waive the marketability requirement under 
                subparagraph (A) in the case of research and 
                development relating to a policy to insure the 
                production of hemp.''.

SEC. 11122. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

    Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(c)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraphs (7) through (18) and 
        (20) through (23);
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (19) and (24) as 
        paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively;
            (3) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated) (entitled 
        ``Whole farm diversified risk management insurance 
        plan''), by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Review of modifications to improve 
                effectiveness.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 
                        18 months after the date of enactment 
                        of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
                        2018--
                                    ``(I) the Corporation shall 
                                hold stakeholder meetings to 
                                solicit producer and agent 
                                feedback; and
                                    ``(II) the Board shall--
                                            ``(aa) review 
                                        procedures and 
                                        paperwork requirements 
                                        on agents and 
                                        producers; and
                                            ``(bb) modify 
                                        procedures and 
                                        requirements, as 
                                        appropriate, to 
                                        decrease burdens and 
                                        increase flexibility 
                                        and effectiveness.
                            ``(ii) Factors.--In carrying out 
                        items (aa) and (bb) of subclause 
                        (i)(II), the Board shall consider--
                                    ``(I) removing caps on 
                                nursery and livestock 
                                production;
                                    ``(II) allowing a waiver to 
                                expand operations, especially 
                                for small and beginning 
                                farmers;
                                    ``(III) minimizing 
                                paperwork for producers and 
                                agents;
                                    ``(IV) implementing an 
                                option for producers with less 
                                than $1,000,000 in gross 
                                revenue that requires 
                                significantly less paperwork 
                                and recordkeeping;
                                    ``(V) developing and using 
                                alternative records such as 
                                time-stamped photographs or 
                                technology applications to 
                                document planting and 
                                production history;
                                    ``(VI) treating the 
                                different growth stages of 
                                aquaculture species as separate 
                                crops to recognize the 
                                difference in perils at 
                                different phases of growth;
                                    ``(VII) moderating the 
                                impacts of disaster years on 
                                historic revenue, such as--
                                            ``(aa) using an 
                                        average of the historic 
                                        and projected revenue;
                                            ``(bb) counting 
                                        indemnities as historic 
                                        revenue for loss years;
                                            ``(cc) counting 
                                        payments under section 
                                        196 of the Federal 
                                        Agriculture Improvement 
                                        and Reform Act of 1996 
                                        (7 U.S.C. 7333) as 
                                        historic revenue for 
                                        loss years; or
                                            ``(dd) using an 
                                        assigned yield floor 
                                        similar to the 
                                        limitation described in 
                                        section 
                                        508(g)(6)(A)(i), as 
                                        determined by the 
                                        Secretary;
                                    ``(VIII) improving agent 
                                training and outreach to 
                                underserved regions and sectors 
                                such as small dairy farms; and
                                    ``(IX) providing coverage 
                                and indemnification of 
                                insurable losses--
                                            ``(aa) after the 
                                        losses exceed the 
                                        deductible; and
                                            ``(bb) up to the 
                                        maximum amount of total 
                                        coverage.
                    ``(F) Beginning farmer or rancher 
                defined.--Notwithstanding section 502(b)(3), 
                with respect to plans described under this 
                paragraph, the term `beginning farmer or 
                rancher' means a farmer or rancher who has not 
                actively operated and managed a farm or ranch 
                with a bona fide insurable interest in a crop 
                or livestock as an owner-operator, landlord, 
                tenant, or sharecropper for more than 10 crop 
                years.''; and
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
            ``(9) Tropical storm or hurricane insurance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development, regarding a policy to insure crops 
                (including tomatoes, peppers, and citrus) 
                against losses due to a tropical storm or 
                hurricane.
                    ``(B) Research and development.--Research 
                and development under subparagraph (A) shall--
                            ``(i) evaluate the effectiveness of 
                        risk management tools for a low 
                        frequency and catastrophic loss weather 
                        event; and
                            ``(ii) result in a policy that 
                        provides protection for at least 1 of 
                        the following:
                                    ``(I) Production loss.
                                    ``(II) Revenue loss.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under this 
                        paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(10) Quality loss.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development, regarding the establishment of 
                each of the following alternative methods of 
                adjusting for quality losses:
                            ``(i) A method that does not impact 
                        the actual production history of a 
                        producer.
                            ``(ii) A method that provides that, 
                        in circumstances in which a producer 
                        has suffered a quality loss to the 
                        insured crop of the producer that is 
                        insufficient to trigger an indemnity 
                        payment, the producer may elect to 
                        exclude that quality loss from the 
                        actual production history of the 
                        producer.
                            ``(iii) 1 or more methods that 
                        combine the methods described in 
                        clauses (i) and (ii).
                    ``(B) Requirements.--Notwithstanding 
                subsections (g) and (m) of section 508, any 
                method developed under subparagraph (A) that is 
                used by the Corporation shall be--
                            ``(i) optional for a producer to 
                        use; and
                            ``(ii) offered at an actuarially 
                        sound premium rate.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(11) Citrus.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development, regarding the insurance of citrus 
                fruit commodities and commodity types, 
                including research and development of--
                            ``(i) improvements to 1 or more 
                        existing policies, including the whole-
                        farm revenue protection pilot policy;
                            ``(ii) alternative methods of 
                        insuring revenue for citrus fruit 
                        commodities and commodity types; and
                            ``(iii) the development of new, or 
                        expansion of existing, revenue policies 
                        for citrus fruit commodities and 
                        commodity types.
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(12) Hops.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development, regarding a policy to insure the 
                production of hops or revenue derived from the 
                production of hops.
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(13) Subsurface irrigation practices.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development, regarding the creation of a 
                separate practice for subsurface irrigation, 
                including the establishment of a separate 
                transitional yield within a county that is 
                reflective of the average gain in productivity 
                and yield associated with the installation of a 
                subsurface irrigation system.
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months 
                after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(14) Grain sorghum.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development--
                            ``(i) regarding improvements to 1 
                        or more policies to insure irrigated 
                        grain sorghum;
                            ``(ii) regarding alternative 
                        methods for producers with not more 
                        than 4 years of production history to 
                        insure irrigated grain sorghum; and
                            ``(iii) to assess, by county, the 
                        difference in the rate, average yield, 
                        and coverage level of grain sorghum 
                        policies compared to policies for other 
                        feed grains in that county.
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months 
                after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(15) Limited irrigation practices.--
                    ``(A) Authority.--The Corporation shall--
                            ``(i) consider expanding the 
                        availability of the limited irrigation 
                        insurance program to neighboring and 
                        similarly situated States (such as the 
                        States of Colorado and Nebraska), as 
                        determined by the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) carry out research, or offer 
                        to enter into 1 or more contracts with 
                        1 or more qualified persons to carry 
                        out research, on the marketability of 
                        the existing limited irrigation 
                        insurance program; and
                            ``(iii) make recommendations on how 
                        to improve participation in that 
                        program.
                    ``(B) Research.--In carrying out research 
                under subparagraph (A), a qualified person 
                shall--
                            ``(i) collaborate with researchers 
                        on the subjects of--
                                    ``(I) reduced irrigation 
                                practices or limited irrigation 
                                practices; and
                                    ``(II) expected yield 
                                reductions following the 
                                application of reduced 
                                irrigation;
                            ``(ii) collaborate with State and 
                        Federal officials responsible for the 
                        collection of water and the regulation 
                        of water use for the purpose of 
                        irrigation;
                            ``(iii) provide recommendations to 
                        encourage producers to carry out 
                        limited irrigation practices or reduced 
                        irrigation and water conservation 
                        practices; and
                            ``(iv) develop web-based 
                        applications that will streamline 
                        access to coverage for producers 
                        electing to conserve water use on 
                        irrigated crops.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than 18 months 
                after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        carried out under subparagraphs (A) and 
                        (B);
                            ``(ii) any recommendations to 
                        encourage producers to carry out 
                        limited irrigation practices or reduced 
                        irrigation and water conservation 
                        practices; and
                            ``(iii) the actions taken by the 
                        Corporation to carry out the 
                        recommendations described in clause 
                        (ii).
            ``(16) Insurable irrigation practices for rice.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall 
                carry out research and development, or offer to 
                enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
                qualified persons to carry out research and 
                development, to include new and innovative 
                irrigation practices under the current rice 
                policy or the development of a distinct policy 
                endorsement rated for rice produced using--
                            ``(i) alternate wetting and drying 
                        practices (also referred to as 
                        `intermittent flooding'); and
                            ``(ii) furrow irrigation practices.
                    ``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months 
                after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        paragraph (1); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(17) Greenhouse policy.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Research and development.--
                        The Corporation shall carry out 
                        research and development, or offer to 
                        enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 
                        or more qualified persons to carry out 
                        research and development, regarding a 
                        policy to insure in a controlled 
                        environment such as a greenhouse--
                                    ``(I) the production of 
                                floriculture, nursery, and 
                                bedding plants;
                                    ``(II) the establishment of 
                                cuttings or tissue culture in a 
                                growing medium; or
                                    ``(III) other similar 
                                production, as determined by 
                                the Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Availability of policy.--
                        Notwithstanding the last sentence of 
                        section 508(a)(1), and section 
                        508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a 
                        policy described in clause (i) 
                        available if the requirements of 
                        section 508(h) are met.
                    ``(B) Research and development described.--
                Research and development described in 
                subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate the 
                effectiveness of policies for the production of 
                plants in a controlled environment, including 
                policies that--
                            ``(i) are based on the risk of--
                                    ``(I) plant diseases 
                                introduced from the 
                                environment;
                                    ``(II) contaminated 
                                cuttings, seedlings, or tissue 
                                culture; or
                                    ``(III) Federal or State 
                                quarantine or destruction 
                                orders associated with the 
                                contaminated items described in 
                                subclause (II);
                            ``(ii) consider other causes of 
                        loss applicable to a controlled 
                        environment, such as a loss of 
                        electricity due to weather;
                            ``(iii) consider appropriate best 
                        practices to minimize the risk of loss;
                            ``(iv) consider whether to provide 
                        coverage for various types of plants 
                        under 1 policy or to provide coverage 
                        for 1 species or type of plant per 
                        policy;
                            ``(v) have streamlined reporting 
                        and paperwork requirements that take 
                        into account short propagation 
                        schedules, variable crop years, and the 
                        variety of plants that may be produced 
                        in a single facility; and
                            ``(vi) provide protection for 
                        revenue losses.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the results of the research 
                        and development carried out under 
                        subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B); and
                            ``(ii) any recommendations with 
                        respect to those results.
            ``(18) Local foods.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Feasibility study.--The 
                        Corporation shall carry out a study to 
                        determine the feasibility of, or offer 
                        to enter into 1 or more contracts with 
                        1 or more qualified persons to carry 
                        out a study to determine the 
                        feasibility of, a policy to insure 
                        production--
                                    ``(I) of floriculture, 
                                fruits, vegetables, poultry, 
                                livestock, or the products of 
                                floriculture, fruits, 
                                vegetables, poultry, or 
                                livestock; and
                                    ``(II) that is targeted 
                                toward local consumers and 
                                markets.
                            ``(ii) Availability of policy.--
                        Notwithstanding the last sentence of 
                        section 508(a)(1), and section 
                        508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make 
                        available a policy described in clause 
                        (i) if--
                                    ``(I) the results of the 
                                feasibility study under clause 
                                (i) are viable; and
                                    ``(II) the requirements of 
                                section 508(h) are met.
                    ``(B) Feasibility study described.--The 
                feasibility study described in subparagraph 
                (A)(i) shall evaluate the effectiveness of 
                policies for production targeted toward local 
                consumers and markets, including policies 
                that--
                            ``(i) consider small-scale 
                        production in various areas, including 
                        urban, suburban, and rural areas;
                            ``(ii) consider a variety of 
                        marketing strategies;
                            ``(iii) allow for production in 
                        soil and in alternative systems such as 
                        vertical systems, greenhouses, 
                        rooftops, or hydroponic systems;
                            ``(iv) consider the price premium 
                        when accounting for production or 
                        revenue losses;
                            ``(v) consider whether to provide 
                        coverage--
                                    ``(I) for various types of 
                                production under 1 policy; and
                                    ``(II) for 1 species or 
                                type of plant per policy; and
                            ``(vi) have streamlined reporting 
                        and paperwork requirements.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that--
                            ``(i) examines whether a version of 
                        existing policies such as the whole-
                        farm revenue protection insurance plan 
                        may be tailored to provide improved 
                        coverage for producers of local foods;
                            ``(ii) describes the results of the 
                        feasibility study carried out under 
                        subparagraph (A)(i); and
                            ``(iii) includes any 
                        recommendations with respect to those 
                        results.
            ``(19) High-risk, highly productive batture land 
        policy.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Research and development.--
                        The Corporation shall carry out 
                        research and development, or offer to 
                        enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 
                        or more qualified persons to carry out 
                        research and development, regarding a 
                        policy to insure producers of corn, 
                        cotton, and soybeans--
                                    ``(I) with operations on 
                                highly productive batture land 
                                within the Lower Mississippi 
                                River Valley;
                                    ``(II) that have a history 
                                of production of not less than 
                                5 years; and
                                    ``(III) that have been 
                                impacted by more frequent 
                                flooding over the past 10 years 
                                due to sedimentation or 
                                federally constructed 
                                engineering improvements.
                            ``(ii) Availability of policy.--
                        Notwithstanding the last sentence of 
                        section 508(a)(1), and section 
                        508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a 
                        policy described in clause (i) 
                        available if the requirements of 
                        section 508(h) are met.
                    ``(B) Research and development described.--
                Research and development described in 
                subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate the 
                feasibility of less cost-prohibitive policies 
                for batture-land producers in high risk areas, 
                including policies that--
                            ``(i) consider premium rate 
                        adjustments;
                            ``(ii) consider automatic yield 
                        exclusion for consecutive-year losses; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) allow for flexibility of 
                        final plant dates and prevent plant 
                        regulations.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after 
                the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
                Improvement Act of 2018, the Corporation shall 
                submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report that--
                            ``(i) examines whether a version of 
                        existing policies may be tailored to 
                        provide improved coverage for batture-
                        land producers;
                            ``(ii) describes the results of the 
                        research and development carried out 
                        under subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
                            ``(iii) includes any 
                        recommendations with respect to those 
                        results.''.

SEC. 11123. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 522(e)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1522(e)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``not more than $12,500,000 for 
        fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year.'' and 
        inserting the following: ``not more than--
                            ``(i) $12,500,000 for each of 
                        fiscal years 2008 through 2018; and''; 
                        and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 
                        2019 and each fiscal year 
                        thereafter.''.

SEC. 11124. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO PILOT PROGRAMS.

    Section 523(i)(3)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1523(i)(3)(A)) is amended by adding a period at the end.

SEC. 11125. EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Education Assistance.--Section 524(a) of the Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``paragraph (5)'' and all that 
                follows through ``the Secretary'' in 
                subparagraph (B) and inserting ``paragraph (4), 
                the Secretary''; and
                    (B) by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and 
                inserting ``paragraph (2)'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (2);
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as 
        paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively;
            (4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in 
        subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``about the full range of'' 
                and inserting ``and providing technical 
                assistance to agricultural producers on a full 
                range of farm viability and'';
                    (B) by inserting ``business planning, 
                enterprise analysis, transfer and succession 
                planning, management coaching, market 
                assessment, cash flow analysis,'' after 
                ``insurance,''; and
                    (C) by inserting ``conservation 
                activities,'' after ``benchmarking,'';
            (5) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``programs 
                        established under paragraphs (2) and 
                        (3)'' and inserting ``program 
                        established under paragraph (2)'';
                            (ii) by inserting ``farm viability 
                        and'' after ``emphasis on''; and
                            (iii) by inserting ``, business 
                        planning and technical assistance, 
                        market assessment, transfer and 
                        succession planning, and crop insurance 
                        participation'' after ``benchmarking'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end; and
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (E) and 
                inserting the following:
                            ``(iii) are converting production 
                        and marketing systems to pursue new 
                        markets; and
                    ``(E) producers that are underserved by the 
                Federal crop insurance program established 
                under this subtitle, as determined by the 
                Corporation.''; and
            (6) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``transferred'' and all that 
                follows through ``for the partnerships'' in 
                subparagraph (B) and inserting ``transferred 
                for the partnerships'';
                    (B) by striking ``paragraph (3), $5,000,000 
                for fiscal year 2001'' and inserting 
                ``paragraph (2), $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
                2019''; and
                    (C) by striking the period at the end and 
                inserting ``, of which not less than $5,000,000 
                shall be used to carry out paragraph (3)(E).''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 251(f)(1)(D)(ii) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6971(f)(1)(D)(ii)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``section 524(a)(3)'' and inserting 
        ``section 524(a)''; and
            (2) by striking ``(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3))'' and 
        inserting ``(7 U.S.C. 1524(a))''.

SEC. 11126. REPEAL OF CROPLAND REPORT ANNUAL UPDATES.

    Section 11014 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113-79; 128 Stat. 963) is amended by striking subsection (c).

                        TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS

                         Subtitle A--Livestock

SEC. 12101. ANIMAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Definition.--Section 10403 of the Animal Health 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
            ``(18) Veterinary countermeasure.--The term 
        `veterinary countermeasure' means any biological 
        product (including an animal vaccine or diagnostic), 
        pharmaceutical product (including a therapeutic), non-
        pharmaceutical product (including a disinfectant), or 
        other product or equipment to prevent, detect, respond 
        to, or mitigate harm to public or animal health 
        resulting from, animal pests or diseases.''.
    (b) Animal Disease Preparedness and Response.--Section 
10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
        ``animal disease prevention and management'';
            (2) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) Definition 
        of Eligible Laboratory.--In this section,'' and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(a) National Animal Health Laboratory Network.--
            ``(1) Definition of eligible laboratory.--In this 
        subsection,'';
            (3) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating 
                subparagraphs (A) through (E) as clauses (i) 
                through (v), respectively, and moving the 
                margins of such clauses (as so redesignated) 2 
                ems to the right;
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
                (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), 
                respectively, and moving the margins of such 
                subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the 
                right;
            (4) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as 
        paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively, and moving the 
        margins of such paragraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems 
        to the right; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response 
Program.--
            ``(1) Program required.--The Secretary shall 
        establish a program, to be known as the National Animal 
        Disease Preparedness and Response Program (referred to 
        in this section as `the Program'), to address the 
        increasing risk of the introduction and spread within 
        the United States of animal pests and diseases 
        affecting the economic interests of the livestock and 
        related industries of the United States, including the 
        maintenance and expansion of export markets.
            ``(2) Program activities.--Activities under the 
        Program shall include, to the extent practicable, the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Enhancing animal pest and disease 
                analysis and surveillance.
                    ``(B) Expanding outreach and education.
                    ``(C) Targeting domestic inspection 
                activities at vulnerable points in the 
                safeguarding continuum.
                    ``(D) Enhancing and strengthening threat 
                identification technology.
                    ``(E) Improving biosecurity.
                    ``(F) Enhancing emergency preparedness and 
                response capabilities, including training 
                additional emergency response personnel.
                    ``(G) Conducting technology development to 
                enhance electronic sharing of animal health 
                data for risk analysis between State and 
                Federal animal health officials.
                    ``(H) Enhancing the development and 
                effectiveness of animal health technologies to 
                treat and prevent animal disease, including--
                            ``(i) veterinary biologics and 
                        diagnostics;
                            ``(ii) animal drugs for minor uses 
                        and minor species;
                            ``(iii) animal medical devices; and
                            ``(iv) emerging veterinary 
                        countermeasures.
                    ``(I) Such other activities as determined 
                appropriate by the Secretary, in consultation 
                with eligible entities specified in paragraph 
                (3).
            ``(3) Eligible entities.--To carry out the Program, 
        the Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative 
        agreements or other legal instruments, as authorized 
        under section 10413 (referred to in this section as 
        `agreements') with eligible entities, to be selected by 
        the Secretary, which may include any of the following 
        entities, either individually or in combination:
                    ``(A) A State department of agriculture.
                    ``(B) The office of the chief animal health 
                official of a State.
                    ``(C) An entity eligible to receive funds 
                under a capacity and infrastructure program (as 
                defined in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the 
                Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
                1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C))).
                    ``(D) A college of veterinary medicine, 
                including a veterinary emergency team at such 
                college.
                    ``(E) A State or national livestock 
                producer organization with direct and 
                significant economic interest in livestock 
                production.
                    ``(F) A State emergency agency.
                    ``(G) A State, national, allied, or 
                regional veterinary organization or specialty 
                board recognized by the American Veterinary 
                Medical Association.
                    ``(H) An Indian Tribe.
                    ``(I) A Federal agency.
            ``(4) Special funding considerations.--In entering 
        into agreements under this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall give priority to applications submitted by--
                    ``(A) a State department of agriculture or 
                an office of the chief animal health official 
                of a State; or
                    ``(B) an eligible entity that will carry 
                out program activities in a State or region in 
                which--
                            ``(i) an animal pest or disease is 
                        a Federal concern; or
                            ``(ii) the Secretary determines a 
                        potential exists for the spread of an 
                        animal pest or disease after taking 
                        into consideration--
                                    ``(I) the agricultural 
                                industries in the State or 
                                region;
                                    ``(II) factors contributing 
                                to animal pest or disease in 
                                the State or region, such as 
                                the climate, natural resources, 
                                and geography of, and native 
                                and exotic wildlife species and 
                                other disease vectors in, the 
                                State or region; and
                                    ``(III) the movement of 
                                animals in the State or region.
            ``(5) Consultation.--For purposes of setting 
        priorities under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        consult with eligible entities specified in paragraph 
        (3). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
        shall not apply to consultation carried out under this 
        paragraph.
            ``(6) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An eligible entity 
                specified in paragraph (3) seeking to enter 
                into an agreement under the Program shall 
                submit to the Secretary an application 
                containing such information as the Secretary 
                may require.
                    ``(B) Notification.--The Secretary shall 
                notify each applicant of--
                            ``(i) the requirements to be 
                        imposed on the eligible entity that is 
                        the recipient of funds under the 
                        Program for auditing of, and reporting 
                        on, the use of such funds; and
                            ``(ii) the criteria to be used to 
                        ensure activities supported using such 
                        funds are based on sound scientific 
                        data or thorough risk assessments.
                    ``(C) Non-federal contributions.--When 
                deciding whether to enter into an agreement 
                under the Program with an eligible entity 
                described in paragraph (3), the Secretary--
                            ``(i) may take into consideration 
                        an eligible entity's ability to 
                        contribute non-Federal funds to carry 
                        out such an agreement; and
                            ``(ii) shall not require such an 
                        eligible entity to make such a 
                        contribution as a condition to enter 
                        into an agreement.
            ``(7) Use of funds.--
                    ``(A) Use consistent with terms of 
                cooperative agreement.--The recipient of funds 
                under the Program shall use the funds for the 
                purposes and in the manner provided in the 
                agreement under which the funds are provided.
                    ``(B) Sub-agreement.--Nothing in this 
                section prevents an eligible entity from using 
                funds received under the Program to enter into 
                sub-agreements with another eligible entity or 
                with a political subdivision of a State that 
                has legal responsibilities relating to animal 
                disease prevention, surveillance, or rapid 
                response.
            ``(8) Reporting requirement.--Not later than 90 
        days after the date of completion of an activity 
        conducted using funds provided under the Program, the 
        recipient of such funds shall submit to the Secretary a 
        report that describes the purposes and results of the 
        activities.''.
    (c) National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures 
Bank.--Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 
U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsection (b), is further amended 
by inserting after subsection (b) (as added by subsection 
(b)(5) of this section) the following:
    ``(c) National Animal Vaccine Bank.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
        a national animal vaccine and veterinary 
        countermeasures bank (to be known as the National 
        Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank and 
        referred to in this subsection as the `Vaccine Bank') 
        to benefit the domestic interests of the United States.
            ``(2) Elements of vaccine bank.--Through the 
        Vaccine Bank, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) maintain sufficient quantities of 
                veterinary countermeasures to appropriately and 
                rapidly respond to the most damaging animal 
                diseases affecting or with potential to affect 
                human health or the economy of the United 
                States; and
                    ``(B) leverage, when appropriate, the 
                mechanisms and infrastructure that have been 
                developed for the management, storage, and 
                distribution of the National Veterinary 
                Stockpile.
            ``(3) Priority for response to foot and mouth 
        disease.--The Secretary shall prioritize the 
        acquisition and maintenance of sufficient quantities of 
        foot and mouth disease vaccine and accompanying 
        diagnostic products for the Vaccine Bank. As part of 
        such prioritization, the Secretary may offer to enter 
        into one or more contracts with one or more entities 
        that are capable of producing foot and mouth disease 
        vaccine and that have surge production capacity of the 
        vaccine.''.
    (d) Funding.--Section 10409A of the Animal Health 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsections (b) 
and (c), is further amended by striking subsection (d) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(d) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--
                    ``(A) Fiscal years 2019 through 2022.--Of 
                the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
                the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
                this section $120,000,000 for the period of 
                fiscal years 2019 through 2022, of which not 
                less than $5,000,000 shall be made available 
                for each of those fiscal years to carry out 
                subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Subsequent fiscal years.--Of the 
                funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
                Secretary shall make available to carry out 
                this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 
                and each fiscal year thereafter, of which not 
                less than $18,000,000 shall be made available 
                for each of those fiscal years to carry out 
                subsection (b).
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--
                    ``(A) National animal health laboratory 
                network.--In addition to the funds made 
                available under paragraph (1), there is 
                authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 for 
                each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry 
                out subsection (a).
                    ``(B) National animal disease preparedness 
                and response program; national animal vaccine 
                and veterinary countermeasures bank.--In 
                addition to the funds made available under 
                paragraph (1), there is authorized to be 
                appropriated such sums as are necessary for 
                each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry 
                out subsections (b) and (c).
                    ``(C) Additionality.--The funds authorized 
                for appropriation under this paragraph are in 
                addition to any funds authorized or otherwise 
                made available under this section or section 
                10417.
            ``(3) Administrative costs.--
                    ``(A) Secretary.--Of the funds made 
                available under this section or section 10417 
                to carry out the National Animal Health 
                Laboratory Network under subsection (a) and the 
                National Animal Disease Preparedness and 
                Response Program under subsection (b), not more 
                than 4 percent may be retained by the Secretary 
                to pay administrative costs incurred by the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(B) Eligible entities.--Of the funds made 
                available under this section or section 10417 
                to carry out the National Animal Disease 
                Preparedness and Response Program under 
                subsection (b), not more than 10 percent may be 
                retained by an eligible entity that receives 
                funds under any agreement entered into under 
                such subsection, including any sub-agreement 
                under paragraph (7)(B) of such subsection to 
                pay administrative costs incurred by the 
                eligible entity to carry out activities under 
                the Program.
            ``(4) Duration of availability.--Funds made 
        available under this subsection, including any proceeds 
        credited under paragraph (5), shall remain available 
        until expended.
            ``(5) Proceeds from veterinary countermeasures 
        sales.--Any proceeds of a sale of veterinary 
        countermeasures from the Vaccine Bank shall be--
                    ``(A) deposited into the Treasury of the 
                United States; and
                    ``(B) credited to the account for the 
                operation of the Vaccine Bank to be made 
                available for expenditure without further 
                appropriation.
            ``(6) Limitations on use of funds for certain 
        purposes.--Funds made available under the National 
        Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal 
        Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and the 
        Vaccine Bank shall not be used for the construction of 
        a new building or facility or the acquisition or 
        expansion of an existing building or facility, 
        including site grading and improvement and architect 
        fees.
    ``(e) Availability and Purpose of Funding.--
            ``(1) In general.--Using the funds made available 
        under subsection (d), the Secretary of Agriculture 
        shall offer to enter into contracts, grants, 
        cooperative agreements, or other legal instruments 
        under subsections (a) through (c) during each of the 
        fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
            ``(2) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be 
        construed to terminate a contract, grant, cooperative 
        agreement, or other legal instrument entered into 
        during the period specified in such paragraph.''.

SEC. 12102. SHEEP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING GRANT PROGRAM.

    Section 209(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 
U.S.C. 1627a(c)) is amended by striking ``$1,500,000 for fiscal 
year 2014'' and inserting ``$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2019''.

SEC. 12103. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON LIVESTOCK DEALER STATUTORY TRUST.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to 
determine the feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer 
statutory trust.
    (b) Contents.--The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall--
            (1) analyze how the establishment of a livestock 
        dealer statutory trust would affect buyer and seller 
        behavior in markets for livestock (as defined in 
        section 2(a) of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 
        U.S.C. 182));
            (2) examine how the establishment of a livestock 
        dealer statutory trust would affect seller recovery in 
        the event of a livestock dealer payment default;
            (3) consider what potential effects a livestock 
        dealer statutory trust would have on credit 
        availability, including impacts on lenders and lending 
        behavior and other industry participants;
            (4) examine unique circumstances common to 
        livestock dealers and how those circumstances could 
        impact the functionality of a livestock dealer 
        statutory trust;
            (5) study the feasibility of the industry-wide 
        adoption of electronic funds transfer or another 
        expeditious method of payment to provide sellers of 
        livestock protection from nonsufficient funds payments;
            (6) assess the effectiveness of statutory trusts in 
        other segments of agriculture, whether similar effects 
        could be experienced under a livestock dealer statutory 
        trust, and whether authorizing the Secretary to appoint 
        an independent trustee under the livestock dealer 
        statutory trust would improve seller recovery;
            (7) consider the effects of exempting dealers with 
        average annual purchases under a de minimis threshold 
        from being subject to the livestock dealer statutory 
        trust; and
            (8) analyze how the establishment of a livestock 
        dealer statutory trust would affect the treatment of 
        sellers of livestock as it relates to preferential 
        transfer in bankruptcy.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report describing the findings of the study conducted 
under subsection (a).

SEC. 12104. DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK.

    Section 602(2) of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance 
Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471(2)) is amended in the matter 
preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``fish'' and all that 
follows through ``that--'' and inserting ``llamas, alpacas, 
live fish, crawfish, and other animals that--''.

SEC. 12105. NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH PLAN.

    Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (d); and
            (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection 
        (d).

SEC. 12106. VETERINARY TRAINING.

    Section 10504 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8318) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and veterinary teams, including 
        those based at colleges of veterinary medicine,'' after 
        ``veterinarians''; and
            (2) by inserting before the period at the end the 
        following: ``and who are capable of providing effective 
        services before, during, and after emergencies''.

SEC. 12107. REPORT ON FSIS GUIDANCE AND OUTREACH TO SMALL MEAT 
                    PROCESSORS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into a 
contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-
grant college of agriculture (as those terms are defined in 
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101)) to review the 
effectiveness of existing Food Safety and Inspection Service 
guidance materials and other tools used by small and very small 
establishments, as defined by regulations issued by the Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, operating under Federal 
inspection, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, 
including--
            (1) the effectiveness of the outreach conducted by 
        the Food Safety and Inspection Service to small and 
        very small establishments;
            (2) the effectiveness of the guidance materials and 
        other tools used by the Food Safety and Inspection 
        Service to assist small and very small establishments; 
        and
            (3) the responsiveness of Food Safety and 
        Inspection Service personnel to inquiries and issues 
        from small and very small establishments.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report that describes--
            (1) the results of the review conducted under 
        subsection (a); and
            (2) recommendations on measures the Food Safety and 
        Inspection Service should take to improve regulatory 
        clarity and consistency and ensure all guidance 
        materials and other tools take into account small and 
        very small establishments.

SEC. 12108. REGIONAL CATTLE AND CARCASS GRADING CORRELATION AND 
                    TRAINING CENTERS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish not more 
than 3 regional centers, to be known as Cattle and Carcass 
Grading Correlation and Training Centers (referred to in this 
section as the ``Centers''), to provide education and training 
for cattle and carcass beef graders of the Agricultural 
Marketing Service, cattle producers, and other professionals 
involved in the reporting, delivery, and grading of feeder 
cattle, live cattle, and carcasses--
            (1) to limit the subjectivity in the application of 
        beef grading standards;
            (2) to provide producers with greater confidence in 
        the price of the producers' cattle; and
            (3) to provide investors with both long and short 
        positions more assurance in the cattle delivery system.
    (b) Location.--The Centers shall be located near cattle 
feeding and slaughter populations and areas shall be 
strategically identified in order to capture regional variances 
in cattle production.
    (c) Administration.--Each Center shall be organized and 
administered by offices of the Department of Agriculture in 
operation on the date on which the respective Center is 
established, or in coordination with other appropriate Federal 
agencies or academic institutions.
    (d) Training Program.--The Centers shall offer intensive 
instructional programs involving classroom and field training 
work for individuals described in subsection (a).
    (e) Coordination of Resources.--Each Center, in carrying 
out the functions of the Center, shall make use of information 
generated by the Department of Agriculture, the State 
agricultural extension and research stations, relevant 
designated contract markets, and the practical experience of 
area cattle producers, especially cattle producers cooperating 
in on-farm demonstrations, correlations, and research projects.
    (f) Prohibition on Construction.--Funds made available to 
carry out this section shall not be used for the construction 
of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, 
remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility 
(including site grading and improvement, and architect fees). 
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary may use 
funds made available to carry out this section to provide a 
Center with payment for the cost of the rental of a space 
determined to be necessary by the Center for conducting 
training under this section and may accept donations (including 
in-kind contributions) to cover such cost.

                Subtitle B--Agriculture and Food Defense

SEC. 12201. REPEAL OF OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

    Section 14111 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8911) is repealed.

SEC. 12202. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

    Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 221. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

    ``(a) Definition of Agriculture and Food Defense.--In this 
section, the term `agriculture and food defense' means any 
action to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, 
respond to, or recover from a naturally occurring, 
unintentional, or intentional threat to the agriculture and 
food system.
    ``(b) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the Office of Homeland Security.
    ``(c) Executive Director.--The Office of Homeland Security 
shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be known as 
the Executive Director of Homeland Security.
    ``(d) Duties.--The Executive Director of Homeland Security 
shall--
            ``(1) serve as the principal advisor to the 
        Secretary on homeland security, including emergency 
        management and agriculture and food defense;
            ``(2) coordinate activities of the Department, 
        including policies, processes, budget needs, and 
        oversight relating to homeland security, including 
        emergency management and agriculture and food defense;
            ``(3) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the 
        Department with other Federal departments and agencies 
        in activities relating to homeland security, including 
        emergency management and agriculture and food defense, 
        and provide for interagency coordination and data 
        sharing;
            ``(4)(A) coordinate in the Department the gathering 
        of information relevant to early warning and awareness 
        of threats and risks to the food and agriculture 
        critical infrastructure sector; and
            ``(B) share that information with, and provide 
        assistance with interpretation and risk 
        characterization of that information to, the 
        intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the 
        National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), law 
        enforcement agencies, the Secretary of Defense, the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health 
        and Human Services, and State fusion centers (as 
        defined in section 210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act 
        of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j));
            ``(5) liaise with the Director of National 
        Intelligence to assist in the development of periodic 
        assessments and intelligence estimates, or other 
        intelligence products, that support the defense of the 
        food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector;
            ``(6) coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and 
        improvement of exercises to identify and eliminate gaps 
        in preparedness and response;
            ``(7) produce a Department-wide centralized 
        strategic coordination plan to provide a high-level 
        perspective of the operations of the Department 
        relating to homeland security, including emergency 
        management and agriculture and food defense; and
            ``(8) carry out other appropriate duties, as 
        determined by the Secretary.
    ``(e) Agriculture and Food Threat Awareness Partnership 
Program.--
            ``(1) Interagency exchange program.--The Secretary, 
        in partnership with the intelligence community (as 
        defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 
        1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) and fusion centers (as defined 
        in section 210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
        (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)) that have analysis and intelligence 
        capabilities relating to the defense of the food and 
        agriculture critical infrastructure sector, shall 
        establish and carry out an interagency exchange program 
        of personnel and information to improve communication 
        and analysis for the defense of the food and 
        agriculture critical infrastructure sector.
            ``(2) Collaboration with federal, state, and local 
        authorities.--To carry out the program established 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary may--
                    ``(A) enter into 1 or more cooperative 
                agreements or contracts with Federal, State, or 
                local authorities that have analysis and 
                intelligence capabilities and expertise 
                relating to the defense of the food and 
                agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and
                    ``(B) carry out any other activity under 
                any other authority of the Secretary that is 
                appropriate to engage the authorities described 
                in subparagraph (A) for the defense of the food 
                and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, 
                as determined by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 12203. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Animal.--The term ``animal'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health 
        Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).
            (2) Disease or pest of concern.--The term ``disease 
        or pest of concern'' means a plant or animal disease or 
        pest that--
                    (A) is--
                            (i) a transboundary disease; or
                            (ii) an established disease; and
                    (B) is likely to pose a significant risk to 
                the food and agriculture critical 
                infrastructure sector that warrants efforts at 
                prevention, protection, mitigation, response, 
                and recovery.
            (3) Established disease.--The term ``established 
        disease'' means a plant or animal disease or pest 
        that--
                    (A)(i) if it becomes established, poses an 
                imminent threat to agriculture in the United 
                States; or
                    (ii) has become established, as defined by 
                the Secretary, within the United States; and
                    (B) requires management.
            (4) High-consequence plant transboundary disease.--
        The term ``high-consequence plant transboundary 
        disease'' means a transboundary disease that is--
                    (A)(i) a plant disease; or
                    (ii) a plant pest; and
                    (B) of high consequence, as determined by 
                the Secretary.
            (5) Pest.--The term ``pest''--
                    (A) with respect to a plant, has the 
                meaning given the term ``plant pest'' in 
                section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 
                U.S.C. 7702); and
                    (B) with respect to an animal, has the 
                meaning given the term in section 10403 of the 
                Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).
            (6) Plant.--The term ``plant'' has the meaning 
        given the term in section 403 of the Plant Protection 
        Act (7 U.S.C. 7702).
            (7) Plant health management strategy.--The term 
        ``plant health management strategy'' means a strategy 
        to timely control and eradicate a plant disease or 
        plant pest outbreak, including through mitigation (such 
        as chemical control), surveillance, the use of 
        diagnostic products and procedures, and the use of 
        existing resistant seed stock.
            (8) Transboundary disease.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``transboundary 
                disease'' means a plant or animal disease or 
                pest that is within 1 or more countries outside 
                of the United States.
                    (B) Inclusion.--The term ``transboundary 
                disease'' includes a plant or animal disease or 
                pest described in subparagraph (A) that--
                            (i) has emerged within the United 
                        States; or
                            (ii) has been introduced within the 
                        United States.
            (9) Veterinary countermeasure.--The term 
        ``veterinary countermeasure'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 10403 of the Animal Health 
        Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).
    (b) Disease or Pest of Concern Response Planning.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                    (A) establish a list of diseases or pests 
                of concern by--
                            (i) developing a process to solicit 
                        and receive expert opinion and evidence 
                        relating to the diseases or pests of 
                        concern entered on the list; and
                            (ii) reviewing all available 
                        evidence relating to the diseases or 
                        pests of concern entered on the list, 
                        including classified information; and
                    (B) periodically update the list 
                established under subparagraph (A).
            (2) Response plans.--
                    (A) Comprehensive strategic response plan 
                or plans.--The Secretary shall develop, in 
                collaboration with appropriate Federal, State, 
                regional, and local officials, a comprehensive 
                strategic response plan or plans, as 
                appropriate, for the diseases or pests of 
                concern that are entered on the list 
                established under paragraph (1).
                    (B) State or region response plan or 
                plans.--The Secretary shall provide information 
                to a State or region to assist in producing a 
                response plan or plans that shall include a 
                concept of operations for a disease or pest of 
                concern or a platform concept of operations for 
                responses to similar diseases or pests of 
                concern that are determined to be a priority to 
                the State or region that shall, as 
                appropriate--
                            (i) describe the appropriate 
                        interactions among, and roles of--
                                    (I) Federal, State, Tribal, 
                                and units of local government; 
                                and
                                    (II) plant or animal 
                                industry partners;
                            (ii) include a decision matrix or 
                        dynamic decision modeling tools that, 
                        as appropriate, include--
                                    (I) information and timing 
                                requirements necessary for the 
                                use of veterinary 
                                countermeasures;
                                    (II) plant health 
                                management strategies;
                                    (III) deployment of other 
                                key materials and resources; 
                                and
                                    (IV) parameters for 
                                transitioning from outbreak 
                                response to disease management;
                            (iii) identify key response 
                        performance metrics to establish--
                                    (I) benchmarking to provide 
                                assessments of capabilities, 
                                capacity, and readiness to 
                                achieve response goals and 
                                objectives;
                                    (II) progressive exercise 
                                evaluation; and
                                    (III) continuing 
                                improvement of a response plan, 
                                including by providing for--
                                            (aa) ongoing 
                                        exercises;
                                            (bb) improvement 
                                        planning and the 
                                        implementation of 
                                        corrective actions to 
                                        enhance a response plan 
                                        over time; and
                                            (cc) strategic 
                                        information to guide 
                                        investment in any 
                                        appropriate research to 
                                        mitigate the risk of a 
                                        disease or pest of 
                                        concern; and
                            (iv) be updated periodically, 
                        including in response to--
                                    (I) an exercise evaluation; 
                                or
                                    (II) new risk information 
                                becoming available regarding a 
                                disease or pest of concern.
            (3) Coordination of plans.--Pursuant to section 
        221(d)(6) of the Department of Agriculture 
        Reorganization Act of 1994, as added by section 12202, 
        the Secretary shall, as appropriate, assist in 
        coordinating with other appropriate Federal, State, 
        regional, or local officials in the exercising of the 
        plans developed under paragraph (2).
    (c) National Plant Diagnostic Network.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in 
        the Department of Agriculture a National Plant 
        Diagnostic Network to monitor and surveil through 
        diagnostics threats to plant health from diseases or 
        pests of concern in the United States.
            (2) Requirements.--The National Plant Diagnostic 
        Network established under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) provide for increased awareness, 
                surveillance, early identification, rapid 
                communication, warning, and diagnosis of a 
                threat to plant health from a disease or pest 
                of concern to protect natural and agricultural 
                plant resources;
                    (B) coordinate and collaborate with 
                agencies of the Department of Agriculture and 
                State agencies and authorities involved in 
                plant health;
                    (C) establish diagnostic laboratory 
                standards;
                    (D) establish regional hubs throughout the 
                United States that provide expertise, 
                leadership, and support to diagnostic labs 
                relating to the agricultural crops and plants 
                in the covered regions of those hubs; and
                    (E) establish a national repository for 
                records of endemic or emergent diseases and 
                pests of concern.
            (3) Head of network.--
                    (A) In general.--The Director of the 
                National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
                shall serve as the head of the National Plant 
                Diagnostic Network.
                    (B) Duties.--The head of the National Plant 
                Diagnostic Network shall--
                            (i) coordinate and collaborate with 
                        land-grant colleges and universities 
                        (as defined in section 1404 of the 
                        National Agricultural Research, 
                        Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
                        1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in carrying out 
                        the requirements under paragraph (2), 
                        including through cooperative 
                        agreements described in paragraph (4);
                            (ii) partner with the Administrator 
                        of the Animal and Plant Health 
                        Inspection Service for assistance with 
                        plant health regulation and inspection; 
                        and
                            (iii) coordinate with other Federal 
                        agencies, as appropriate, in carrying 
                        out activities relating to the National 
                        Plant Diagnostic Network, including the 
                        sharing of biosurveillance information.
            (4) Collaboration with land-grant colleges and 
        universities.--The Secretary shall seek to establish 
        cooperative agreements with land-grant colleges and 
        universities (as defined in section 1404 of the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
        Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) that have the 
        appropriate level of skill, experience, and competence 
        with plant diseases or pests of concern.
            (5) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition 
        to the amount authorized to carry out this subtitle 
        under section 12205, there is authorized to be 
        appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
    (d) National Plant Disease Recovery System.--
            (1) Recovery system.--The Secretary shall establish 
        in the Department of Agriculture a National Plant 
        Disease Recovery System to engage in strategic long-
        range planning to recover from high-consequence plant 
        transboundary diseases.
            (2) Requirements.--The National Plant Disease 
        Recovery System established under paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) coordinate with disease or pest of 
                concern concept of operations response plans;
                    (B) make long-range plans for the 
                initiation of future research projects relating 
                to high-consequence plant transboundary 
                diseases;
                    (C) establish research plans for long-term 
                recovery;
                    (D) plan for the identification and use of 
                specific genotypes, cultivars, breeding lines, 
                and other disease-resistant materials necessary 
                for crop stabilization or improvement; and
                    (E) establish a watch list of high-
                consequence plant transboundary diseases for 
                the purpose of making long-range plans under 
                subparagraph (B).

SEC. 12204. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS LIST.

    Section 212(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism 
Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (III), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;
            (2) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause 
        (V); and
            (3) by inserting after subclause (III) the 
        following:
                                    ``(IV)(aa) whether such 
                                inclusion would have a 
                                substantial negative impact on 
                                the research and development of 
                                solutions for the animal or 
                                plant disease caused by the 
                                agent or toxin; and
                                    ``(bb) whether the negative 
                                impact described in item (aa) 
                                would substantially outweigh 
                                the risk posed by the agent or 
                                toxin to animal or plant health 
                                if it is not included on the 
                                list; and''.

SEC. 12205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    In addition to other amounts made available under this 
subtitle, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subtitle $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.

             Subtitle C--Historically Underserved Producers

SEC. 12301. FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH.

    (a) Repeal.--
            (1) In general.--Section 7405 of the Farm Security 
        and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is 
        repealed.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 226B(e)(2)(B) of the Department 
                of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
                U.S.C. 6934(e)(2)(B)) is amended by striking 
                ``the beginning farmer and rancher development 
                program established under section 7405 of the 
                Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
                (7 U.S.C. 3319f).'' and inserting ``the 
                beginning farmer and rancher development grant 
                program established under subsection (d) of 
                section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
                Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
                2279).''.
                    (B) Section 251(f)(1)(D) of the Department 
                of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
                U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(D)) is amended by striking 
                clause (iv) and inserting the following:
                            ``(iv) The beginning farmer and 
                        rancher development grant program 
                        established under subsection (d) of 
                        section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
                        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
                        U.S.C. 2279).''.
                    (C) Section 7506(e) of the Food, 
                Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                7614c(e)) is amended--
                            (i) in paragraph (2)(C)--
                                    (I) by striking clause (v);
                                    (II) by redesignating 
                                clauses (i) through (iv) as 
                                clauses (ii) through (v), 
                                respectively;
                                    (III) by inserting before 
                                clause (ii) (as so 
                                redesignated) the following:
                            ``(i) each grant and cooperative 
                        agreement awarded under subsection (d) 
                        of section 2501 of the Food, 
                        Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
                        Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);'';
                                    (IV) in clause (ii) (as so 
                                redesignated), by striking 
                                ``450i(b)(2));'' and inserting 
                                ``3157(b)(2));''; and
                                    (V) in clause (iv) (as so 
                                redesignated), by adding 
                                ``and'' at the end; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (4)--
                                    (I) by striking 
                                subparagraph (E);
                                    (II) by redesignating 
                                subparagraphs (A) through (D) 
                                as subparagraphs (B) through 
                                (E), respectively;
                                    (III) by inserting before 
                                subparagraph (B) (as so 
                                redesignated) the following:
                    ``(A) subsection (d) of section 2501 of the 
                Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
                of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);'';
                                    (IV) in subparagraph (B) 
                                (as so redesignated), by 
                                striking ``450i(b));'' and 
                                inserting ``3157(b));'';
                                    (V) in subparagraph (D) (as 
                                so redesignated), by adding 
                                ``or'' at the end; and
                                    (VI) in subparagraph (E) 
                                (as so redesignated), by 
                                striking ``; or'' and inserting 
                                a period.
    (b) Outreach and Education for Socially Disadvantaged 
Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, and 
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.--Section 2501 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
        ``farming opportunities training and outreach'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (i) as paragraph 
        (5) (and moving the margins of such paragraph 2 ems to 
        the right) and moving such paragraph (as so 
        redesignated) so as to follow subsection (a)(4);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (a) (as amended by 
        paragraph (2)), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), and (h) as 
        subsections (c), (g), (k), (h), (a), (i), and (j), 
        respectively, and moving the subsections so as to 
        appear in alphabetical order;
            (4) by moving paragraph (5) of subsection (a) (as 
        so redesignated) so as to appear at the end of 
        subsection (c) (as so redesignated) and redesignating 
        such paragraph as paragraph (6);
            (5) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by striking the subsection designation 
                and heading and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), 
                (3), (4), and (6) as paragraphs (6), (5), (1), 
                (3), and (4), respectively, and moving the 
                paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;
                    (C) in paragraphs (1), (5), and (6) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``As used in this 
                section, the'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``The'';
                    (D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by 
                        striking ``agriculture'' and inserting 
                        ``agricultural''; and
                            (ii) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``agriculture'' and inserting 
                        ``agricultural''; and
                    (E) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
            ``(2) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `beginning farmer or rancher' means a person that--
                    ``(A)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; 
                or
                    ``(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not 
                more than 10 years; and
                    ``(B) meets such other criteria as the 
                Secretary may establish.'';
            (6) by inserting after subsection (a) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
    ``(b) Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.--The 
Secretary shall carry out this section to encourage and assist 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers 
and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers in the 
ownership and operation of farms and ranches through--
            ``(1) education and training; and
            ``(2) equitable participation in all agricultural 
        programs of the Department.'';
            (7) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated and as 
        amended by paragraph (4))--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting 
                ``for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran 
                Farmers and Ranchers'' after ``Assistance'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (4);
                    (C) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), 
                (3), and (6) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and 
                (1), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so 
                as to appear in numerical order;
                    (D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking ``The 
                        term'' and inserting ``In this 
                        subsection, the term'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by 
                        striking ``subsection (a)'' and 
                        inserting ``this subsection''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (F), by 
                        striking ``450b))'' and inserting 
                        ``5304))'';
                    (E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A), by striking ``The 
                        Secretary of Agriculture shall carry 
                        out'' and inserting ``Using funds made 
                        available under subsection (l), the 
                        Secretary of Agriculture shall, for the 
                        period of fiscal years 2019 through 
                        2023, carry out''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by 
                        striking ``agricultural'' and inserting 
                        ``agricultural, forestry, and 
                        related'';
                            (iii) by striking ``agricultural'' 
                        and inserting ``agricultural, forestry, 
                        and related'';
                    (F) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking ``(1)'' in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A) and inserting ``(2)''; and
                    (G) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) by striking the 
                                subparagraph heading and 
                                inserting ``Outreach and 
                                technical assistance.--'';
                                    (II) by striking ``(2)'' 
                                and inserting ``(3)''; and
                                    (III) by inserting ``to 
                                socially disadvantaged farmers 
                                and ranchers and veteran 
                                farmers and ranchers'' after 
                                ``assistance'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by 
                        striking ``(1)'' and inserting ``(2)'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (D), by 
                        adding at the end the following:
                            ``(v) The number of farms or 
                        ranches started, maintained, or 
                        improved as a result of funds made 
                        available under the program.
                            ``(vi) Actions taken by the 
                        Secretary in partnership with eligible 
                        entities to enhance participation in 
                        agricultural programs by veteran 
                        farmers or ranchers and socially 
                        disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
                            ``(vii) The effectiveness of the 
                        actions described in clause (vi).''; 
                        and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                    ``(E) Maximum term and amount of grant, 
                contract, or agreement.--A grant, contract, or 
                agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) 
                shall be--
                            ``(i) for a term of not longer than 
                        3 years; and
                            ``(ii) in an amount that is not 
                        more than $250,000 for each year of the 
                        grant, contract, or agreement.
                    ``(F) Priority.--In making grants and 
                entering into contracts and other agreements 
                under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
                give priority to nongovernmental and community-
                based organizations with an expertise in 
                working with socially disadvantaged farmers and 
                ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers.
                    ``(G) Regional balance.--To the maximum 
                extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure 
                the geographical diversity of eligible entities 
                to which grants are made and contracts and 
                other agreements are entered into under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    ``(H) Prohibition.--A grant, contract, or 
                other agreement under subparagraph (A) may not 
                be used for the planning, repair, 
                rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of 
                a building or facility.
                    ``(I) Peer review.--The Secretary shall 
                establish a fair and efficient external peer 
                review process that--
                            ``(i) the Secretary shall use in 
                        making grants and entering into 
                        contracts and other agreements under 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            ``(ii) shall include a broad 
                        representation of peers of the eligible 
                        entity.
                    ``(J) Input from eligible entities.--The 
                Secretary shall seek input from eligible 
                entities providing technical assistance under 
                this subsection not less than once each year to 
                ensure that the program is responsive to the 
                eligible entities providing that technical 
                assistance.'';
            (8) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so 
        redesignated) the following:
    ``(d) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant 
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--Using funds made available under 
        subsection (l), the Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the National Institute of Food and 
        Agriculture, shall, for the period of fiscal years 2019 
        through 2023, make competitive grants or enter into 
        cooperative agreements to support new and established 
        local and regional training, education, outreach, and 
        technical assistance initiatives to increase 
        opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.
            ``(2) Included programs and services.--Initiatives 
        described in paragraph (1) may include programs or 
        services, as appropriate, relating to--
                    ``(A) basic livestock, forest management, 
                and crop farming practices;
                    ``(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private, 
                nonindustrial forest land transfer and 
                succession strategies;
                    ``(C) entrepreneurship and business 
                training;
                    ``(D) technical assistance to help 
                beginning farmers or ranchers acquire land from 
                retiring farmers and ranchers;
                    ``(E) financial and risk management 
                training, including the acquisition and 
                management of agricultural credit;
                    ``(F) natural resource management and 
                planning;
                    ``(G) diversification and marketing 
                strategies;
                    ``(H) curriculum development;
                    ``(I) mentoring, apprenticeships, and 
                internships;
                    ``(J) resources and referral;
                    ``(K) farm financial benchmarking;
                    ``(L) agricultural rehabilitation and 
                vocational training for veteran farmers and 
                ranchers;
                    ``(M) farm safety and awareness;
                    ``(N) food safety and recordkeeping; and
                    ``(O) other similar subject areas of use to 
                beginning farmers and ranchers.
            ``(3) Eligibility.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to 
                receive a grant or enter into a cooperative 
                agreement under this subsection, the recipient 
                of the grant or participant in the cooperative 
                agreement shall be a collaborative State, 
                Tribal, local, or regionally-based network or 
                partnership of public or private entities.
                    ``(B) Inclusions.--A recipient of a grant 
                or a participant that enters into a cooperative 
                agreement described in subparagraph (A) may 
                include--
                            ``(i) a State cooperative extension 
                        service;
                            ``(ii) a Federal, State, municipal, 
                        or Tribal agency;
                            ``(iii) a community-based or 
                        nongovernmental organization;
                            ``(iv) a college or university 
                        (including an institution awarding an 
                        associate's degree) or foundation 
                        maintained by a college or university; 
                        or
                            ``(v) any other appropriate 
                        partner, as determined by the 
                        Secretary.
            ``(4) Terms of grants or cooperative agreement.--A 
        grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection 
        shall--
                    ``(A) be for a term of not longer than 3 
                years; and
                    ``(B) provide not more than $250,000 for 
                each year.
            ``(5) Matching requirement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), to be eligible to receive a 
                grant or enter into a cooperative agreement 
                under this subsection, a recipient or 
                participant shall provide a match in the form 
                of cash or in-kind contributions in an amount 
                equal to 25 percent of the funds provided by 
                the grant or cooperative agreement.
                    ``(B) Exception.--The Secretary may waive 
                or reduce the matching requirement in 
                subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines 
                such a waiver or modification is necessary to 
                effectively reach an underserved area or 
                population.
            ``(6) Evaluation criteria.--In making grants or 
        entering into cooperative agreements under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall evaluate, with respect 
        to applications for the grants or cooperative 
        agreements--
                    ``(A) relevancy;
                    ``(B) technical merit;
                    ``(C) achievability;
                    ``(D) the expertise and track record of 1 
                or more applicants;
                    ``(E) the consultation of beginning farmers 
                and ranchers in design, implementation, and 
                decisionmaking relating to an initiative 
                described in paragraph (1);
                    ``(F) the adequacy of plans for--
                            ``(i) a participatory evaluation 
                        process;
                            ``(ii) outcome-based reporting; and
                            ``(iii) the communication of 
                        findings and results beyond the 
                        immediate target audience; and
                    ``(G) other appropriate factors, as 
                determined by the Secretary.
            ``(7) Regional balance.--To the maximum extent 
        practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the 
        geographical diversity of recipients of grants or 
        participants in cooperative agreements under this 
        subsection.
            ``(8) Priority.--In making grants or entering into 
        cooperative agreements under this subsection, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to partnerships and 
        collaborations that are led by or include 
        nongovernmental, community-based organizations and 
        school-based educational organizations with expertise 
        in new agricultural producer training and outreach.
            ``(9) Prohibition.--A grant made or cooperative 
        agreement entered into under this subsection may not be 
        used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, 
        acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.
            ``(10) Coordination permitted.--A recipient of a 
        grant or participant in a cooperative agreement under 
        this subsection may coordinate with a recipient of a 
        grant or cooperative agreement under section 1680 in 
        addressing the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers 
        with disabilities.
            ``(11) Consecutive awards.--A grant or cooperative 
        agreement under this subsection may be made to a 
        recipient or participant for consecutive years.
            ``(12) Peer review.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish a fair and efficient external peer 
                review process, which the Secretary shall use 
                in making grants or entering into cooperative 
                agreements under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Requirement.--The peer review process 
                under subparagraph (A) shall include a review 
                panel composed of a broad representation of 
                peers of the applicant for the grant or 
                cooperative agreement that are not applying for 
                a grant or cooperative agreement under this 
                subsection.
            ``(13) Participation by other farmers and 
        ranchers.--Nothing in this subsection prohibits the 
        Secretary from allowing a farmer or rancher who is not 
        a beginning farmer or rancher (including an owner or 
        operator that has ended, or expects to end within 5 
        years, active labor in a farming or ranching operation 
        as a producer, retiring farmers, and non-farming 
        landowners) from participating in a program or service 
        under this subsection, to the extent that the Secretary 
        determines that such participation--
                    ``(A) is appropriate; and
                    ``(B) will not detract from the primary 
                purpose of increasing opportunities for 
                beginning farmers and ranchers.
            ``(14) Education teams.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish beginning farmer and rancher 
                education teams to develop curricula, conduct 
                educational programs and workshops for 
                beginning farmers and ranchers in diverse 
                geographical areas of the United States, or 
                provide training and technical assistance 
                initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers 
                or for trainers and service providers that work 
                with beginning farmers or ranchers.
                    ``(B) Curriculum.--In promoting the 
                development of curricula, educational programs 
                and workshops, or training and technical 
                assistance initiatives under subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
                practicable, include content tailored to 
                specific audiences of beginning farmers and 
                ranchers, based on crop diversity or regional 
                diversity.
                    ``(C) Composition.--In establishing an 
                education team under subparagraph (A) for a 
                specific program or workshop, the Secretary 
                shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
                            ``(i) obtain the short-term 
                        services of specialists with knowledge 
                        and expertise in programs serving 
                        beginning farmers and ranchers; and
                            ``(ii) use officers and employees 
                        of the Department with direct 
                        experience in programs of the 
                        Department that may be taught as part 
                        of the curriculum for the program or 
                        workshop.
                    ``(D) Cooperation.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In carrying out 
                        this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                        cooperate, to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, with--
                                    ``(I) State cooperative 
                                extension services;
                                    ``(II) Federal, State, and 
                                Tribal agencies;
                                    ``(III) community-based and 
                                nongovernmental organizations;
                                    ``(IV) colleges and 
                                universities (including an 
                                institution awarding an 
                                associate's degree) or 
                                foundations maintained by a 
                                college or university; and
                                    ``(V) other appropriate 
                                partners, as determined by the 
                                Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Cooperative agreements.--The 
                        Secretary may enter into a cooperative 
                        agreement to reflect the terms of any 
                        cooperation under subparagraph (A).
            ``(15) Curriculum and training clearinghouse.--The 
        Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that 
        makes available to beginning farmers and ranchers 
        education curricula and training materials and 
        programs, which may include online courses for direct 
        use by beginning farmers and ranchers.
    ``(e) Application Requirements.--In making grants and 
entering into contracts and other agreements, as applicable, 
under subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall make 
available a simplified application process for an application 
for a grant that requests less than $50,000.'';
            (9) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(f) Stakeholder Input.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall seek stakeholder input from--
            ``(1) beginning farmers and ranchers;
            ``(2) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
            ``(3) veteran farmers and ranchers;
            ``(4) national, State, Tribal, and local 
        organizations and other persons with expertise in 
        operating programs for--
                    ``(A) beginning farmers and ranchers;
                    ``(B) socially disadvantaged farmers and 
                ranchers; or
                    ``(C) veteran farmers and ranchers;
            ``(5) the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers 
        and Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the 
        Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 
        1929 note; Public Law 102-554);
            ``(6) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers 
        established under section 14008 of the Food, 
        Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2279 
        note; Public Law 110-246); and
            ``(7) the Tribal Advisory Committee established 
        under subsection (b) of section 309 of the Federal Crop 
        Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
        Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921).'';
            (10) in paragraph (3) of subsection (h) (as so 
        redesignated), by inserting ``and not later than March 
        1, 2020,'' after ``1991,''; and
            (11) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(l) Funding.--
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use 
        to carry out this section--
                    ``(A) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                2019 and 2020;
                    ``(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
                    ``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
        $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
            ``(3) Reservation of funds.--Of the amounts made 
        available to carry out this section--
                    ``(A) 50 percent shall be used to carry out 
                subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) 50 percent shall be used to carry out 
                subsection (d).
            ``(4) Allocation of funds.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not less than 5 percent 
                of the amounts made available to carry out 
                subsection (d) for a fiscal year shall be used 
                to support programs and services that address 
                the needs of--
                            ``(i) limited resource beginning 
                        farmers and ranchers, as defined by the 
                        Secretary;
                            ``(ii) socially disadvantaged 
                        farmers and ranchers that are beginning 
                        farmers and ranchers; and
                            ``(iii) farmworkers desiring to 
                        become farmers or ranchers.
                    ``(B) Veteran farmers and ranchers.--Not 
                less than 5 percent of the amounts made 
                available to carry out subsection (d) for a 
                fiscal year shall be used to support programs 
                and services that address the needs of veteran 
                farmers and ranchers.
            ``(5) Interagency funding.--Any agency of the 
        Department may participate in any grant, contract, or 
        agreement entered into under this section by 
        contributing funds, if the contributing agency 
        determines that the objectives of the grant, contract, 
        or agreement will further the authorized programs of 
        the contributing agency.
            ``(6) Administrative expenses.--Not more than 5 
        percent of the amounts made available to carry out this 
        section for a fiscal year may be used for expenses 
        relating to the administration of this section.
            ``(7) Limitation on indirect costs.--A recipient of 
        a grant or a party to a contract or other agreement 
        under subsection (c) or (d) may not use more than 10 
        percent of the funds received for the indirect costs of 
        carrying out a grant, contract, or other agreement.''.

SEC. 12302. URBAN AGRICULTURE.

    Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) (as amended by section 
12202) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 222. OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION.

    ``(a) Office.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in 
        the Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and 
        Innovative Production.
            ``(2) Director.--The Secretary shall appoint a 
        senior official to serve as the Director of the Office 
        of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
        (referred to in this section as the `Director').
            ``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Urban 
        Agriculture and Innovative Production shall be to 
        encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging 
        agricultural practices, including--
                    ``(A) community gardens and farms located 
                in urban areas, suburbs, and urban clusters;
                    ``(B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical 
                production, and green walls;
                    ``(C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-
                tech vertical technology farms;
                    ``(D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic 
                farm facilities; and
                    ``(E) other innovations in agricultural 
                production, as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Responsibilities.--The Director shall be 
        responsible for engaging in activities to carry out the 
        mission described in paragraph (3), including by--
                    ``(A) managing programs, including for 
                community gardens, urban farms, rooftop 
                agriculture, and indoor vertical production;
                    ``(B) advising the Secretary;
                    ``(C) coordinating with the agencies and 
                officials of the Department to update relevant 
                programs;
                    ``(D) engaging in stakeholder relations and 
                developing external partnerships;
                    ``(E) identifying common State and 
                municipal best practices for navigating local 
                policies;
                    ``(F) coordinating networks of community 
                gardens and facilitating connections to local 
                food banks, in partnership with the Food and 
                Nutrition Service; and
                    ``(G) collaborating with other Federal 
                agencies.
    ``(b) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory 
Committee.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
        shall establish an Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
        Production Advisory Committee (referred to in this 
        subsection as the `Committee') to advise the Secretary 
        on--
                    ``(A) the development of policies and 
                outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other 
                emerging agricultural production practices; and
                    ``(B) any other aspects of the 
                implementation of this section.
            ``(2) Membership.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be 
                composed of 12 members, of whom--
                            ``(i) 4 shall be individuals who 
                        are agricultural producers, of whom--
                                    ``(I) 2 individuals shall 
                                be agricultural producers 
                                located in an urban area or 
                                urban cluster; and
                                    ``(II) 2 individuals shall 
                                be farmers that use innovative 
                                technology;
                            ``(ii) 2 shall be representatives 
                        from an institution of higher education 
                        or extension program;
                            ``(iii) 1 shall be an individual 
                        who represents a nonprofit 
                        organization, which may include a 
                        public health, environmental, or 
                        community organization;
                            ``(iv) 1 shall be an individual who 
                        represents business and economic 
                        development, which may include a 
                        business development entity, a chamber 
                        of commerce, a city government, or a 
                        planning organization;
                            ``(v) 1 shall be an individual with 
                        supply chain experience, which may 
                        include a food aggregator, wholesale 
                        food distributor, food hub, or an 
                        individual who has direct-to-consumer 
                        market experience;
                            ``(vi) 1 shall be an individual 
                        from a financing entity; and
                            ``(vii) 2 shall be individuals with 
                        related experience or expertise in 
                        urban, indoor, and other emerging 
                        agriculture production practices, as 
                        determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Initial appointments.--The Secretary 
                shall appoint the members of the Committee not 
                later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
                of this section.
            ``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), a member of the Committee 
                shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.
                    ``(B) Initial appointments.--Of the members 
                first appointed to the Committee--
                            ``(i) 4 of the members, as 
                        determined by the Secretary, shall be 
                        appointed for a term of 3 years;
                            ``(ii) 4 of the members, as 
                        determined by the Secretary, shall be 
                        appointed for a term of 2 years; and
                            ``(iii) 4 of the members, as 
                        determined by the Secretary, shall be 
                        appointed for a term of 1 year.
                    ``(C) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the 
                Committee--
                            ``(i) shall not affect the powers 
                        of the Committee; and
                            ``(ii) shall be filled as soon as 
                        practicable in the same manner as the 
                        original appointment.
                    ``(D) Consecutive terms.--An initial 
                appointee of the committee may serve an 
                additional consecutive term if the member is 
                reappointed by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Meetings.--
                    ``(A) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet 
                not fewer than 3 times per year.
                    ``(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 
                days after the date on which the members are 
                appointed under paragraph (2)(B), the Committee 
                shall hold the first meeting of the Committee.
            ``(5) Duties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Committee shall--
                            ``(i) develop recommendations and 
                        advise the Director on policies, 
                        initiatives, and outreach administered 
                        by the Office of Urban Agriculture and 
                        Innovative Production;
                            ``(ii) evaluate and review ongoing 
                        research and extension activities 
                        relating to urban, indoor, and other 
                        innovative agricultural practices;
                            ``(iii) identify new and existing 
                        barriers to successful urban, indoor, 
                        and other emerging agricultural 
                        production practices; and
                            ``(iv) provide additional 
                        assistance and advice to the Director 
                        as appropriate.
                    ``(B) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date on which the Committee is established, 
                and every 2 years through 2023, the Committee 
                shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on 
                Agriculture of the House of Representatives, 
                and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
                and Forestry of the Senate a report describing 
                the recommendations developed under 
                subparagraph (A).
            ``(6) Personnel matters.--
                    ``(A) Compensation.--A member of the 
                Committee shall serve without compensation.
                    ``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the 
                Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, 
                including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
                accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United 
                States Code.
            ``(7) Termination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), the Committee shall terminate on the date 
                that is 5 years after the date on which the 
                members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B).
                    ``(B) Extensions.--Before the date on which 
                the Committee terminates, the Secretary may 
                renew the Committee for 1 or more 2-year 
                periods.
    ``(c) Grants.--The Director shall award competitive grants 
to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative 
production to any of the following eligible entities:
            ``(1) A nonprofit organization.
            ``(2) A unit of local government.
            ``(3) A Tribal government.
            ``(4) Any school that serves any of grades 
        kindergarten through grade 12.
    ``(d) Pilot Projects.--
            ``(1) Urban and suburban county committees.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of enactment of this section, 
                the Secretary shall establish a pilot program 
                for not fewer than 5 years that establishes 10 
                county committees in accordance with section 
                8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and 
                Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 
                590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II)) to operate in counties 
                located in urban or suburban areas with a high 
                concentration of urban or suburban farms.
                    ``(B) Effect.--Nothing in this paragraph 
                requires or precludes the establishment of a 
                Farm Service Agency office in a county in which 
                a county committee is established under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    ``(C) Report.--For fiscal year 2019 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 
                2023, the Secretary shall submit to the 
                Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate a report describing a summary of--
                            ``(i) the status of the pilot 
                        program under subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) meetings and other 
                        activities of the committees 
                        established under that subparagraph; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the types and volume of 
                        assistance and services provided to 
                        farmers in counties in which county 
                        committees are established under that 
                        subparagraph.
            ``(2) Increasing community compost and reducing 
        food waste.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting 
                through the Director, shall carry out pilot 
                projects under which the Secretary shall offer 
                to enter into cooperative agreements with local 
                or municipal governments in not fewer than 10 
                States to develop and test strategies for 
                planning and implementing municipal compost 
                plans and food waste reduction plans.
                    ``(B) Eligible entities and purposes of 
                pilot projects.--Under a cooperative agreement 
                entered into under this paragraph, the 
                Secretary shall provide assistance to 
                municipalities, counties, local governments, or 
                city planners, as appropriate, to carry out 
                planning and implementing activities that 
                will--
                            ``(i) generate compost;
                            ``(ii) increase access to compost 
                        for agricultural producers;
                            ``(iii) reduce reliance on, and 
                        limit the use of, fertilizer;
                            ``(iv) improve soil quality;
                            ``(v) encourage waste management 
                        and permaculture business development;
                            ``(vi) increase rainwater 
                        absorption;
                            ``(vii) reduce municipal food 
                        waste; and
                            ``(viii) divert food waste from 
                        landfills.
                    ``(C) Evaluation and ranking of 
                applications.--
                            ``(i) Criteria.--Not later than 180 
                        days after the date of enactment of 
                        this section, the Secretary shall 
                        establish criteria for the selection of 
                        pilot projects under this paragraph.
                            ``(ii) Consideration.--In 
                        selecting, undertaking, or funding 
                        pilot projects under this paragraph, 
                        the Secretary shall consider any 
                        commonly known significant impact on 
                        existing food waste recovery and 
                        disposal by commercial, marketing, or 
                        business relationships.
                            ``(iii) Priority.--In selecting a 
                        pilot project under this paragraph, the 
                        Secretary shall give priority to an 
                        application for a pilot project that--
                                    ``(I) anticipates or 
                                demonstrates economic benefits;
                                    ``(II) incorporates plans 
                                to make compost easily 
                                accessible to agricultural 
                                producers, including community 
                                gardeners;
                                    ``(III) integrates other 
                                food waste strategies, 
                                including food recovery 
                                efforts; and
                                    ``(IV) provides for 
                                collaboration with multiple 
                                partners.
                    ``(D) Matching requirement.--The recipient 
                of assistance for a pilot project under this 
                paragraph shall provide funds, in-kind 
                contributions, or a combination of both from 
                sources other than funds provided through the 
                grant in an amount equal to not less than 25 
                percent of the amount of the grant.
                    ``(E) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall 
                conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects 
                funded under this paragraph to assess different 
                solutions for increasing access to compost and 
                reducing municipal food waste, including an 
                evaluation of--
                            ``(i) the amount of Federal funds 
                        used for each project; and
                            ``(ii) a measurement of the 
                        outcomes of each project.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments 
made by this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.''.

SEC. 12303. TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    Section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6921) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Tribal Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian 
                tribe' has the meaning given the term in 
                section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
                    ``(B) Relevant committees of congress.--The 
                term `relevant committees of Congress' means--
                            ``(i) the Committee on Agriculture 
                        of the House of Representatives;
                            ``(ii) the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate; and
                            ``(iii) the Committee on Indian 
                        Affairs of the Senate.
                    ``(C) Tribal organization.--The term 
                `tribal organization' has the meaning given the 
                term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
                Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
                U.S.C. 5304).
            ``(2) Establishment of committee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish an advisory committee, to be known as 
                the Tribal Advisory Committee (referred to in 
                this subsection as the `Committee') to provide 
                advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters 
                relating to Tribal and Indian affairs.
                    ``(B) Facilitation.--The Committee shall 
                facilitate, but not supplant, government-to-
                government consultation between the Department 
                of Agriculture (referred to in this subsection 
                as the `Department') and Indian tribes.
            ``(3) Membership.--
                    ``(A) Composition.--The Committee shall be 
                composed of 11 members, of whom--
                            ``(i) 3 shall be appointed by the 
                        Secretary;
                            ``(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the 
                        chairperson of the Committee on Indian 
                        Affairs of the Senate;
                            ``(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the 
                        ranking member of the Committee on 
                        Indian Affairs of the Senate;
                            ``(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the 
                        chairperson of the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate;
                            ``(v) 1 shall be appointed by the 
                        ranking member of the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate;
                            ``(vi) 2 shall be appointed by the 
                        chairperson of the Committee on 
                        Agriculture of the House of 
                        Representatives; and
                            ``(vii) 2 shall be appointed by the 
                        ranking member of the Committee on 
                        Agriculture of the House of 
                        Representatives.
                    ``(B) Nominations.--The Secretary shall 
                accept nominations for members of the Committee 
                from any of the following:
                            ``(i) An Indian tribe.
                            ``(ii) A tribal organization.
                            ``(iii) A national or regional 
                        organization with expertise in issues 
                        relating to the duties of the Committee 
                        described in paragraph (4).
                    ``(C) Diversity.--To the maximum extent 
                feasible, the Secretary shall ensure that the 
                members of the Committee represent a diverse 
                set of expertise on issues relating to 
                geographic regions, Indian tribes, and the 
                agricultural industry.
                    ``(D) Limitation.--No member of the 
                Committee shall be an officer or employee of 
                the Federal Government.
                    ``(E) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each member of 
                        the Committee--
                                    ``(I) subject to clause 
                                (ii), shall be appointed to a 
                                3-year term; and
                                    ``(II) may be reappointed 
                                to not more than 3 consecutive 
                                terms.
                            ``(ii) Initial staggering.--The 
                        first 3 appointments by the Secretary 
                        under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be for 
                        a 2-year term.
                            ``(iii) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in 
                        the Committee shall be filled in the 
                        same manner as the original appointment 
                        not more than 90 days after the date on 
                        which the position becomes vacant.
                    ``(F) Meetings.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Committee 
                        shall meet in person not less than 
                        twice each year.
                            ``(ii) Office of tribal relations 
                        representative.--Not fewer than 1 
                        representative from the Office of 
                        Tribal Relations of the Department 
                        shall be present at each meeting of the 
                        Committee. 
                            ``(iii) Department of interior 
                        representative.--The Assistant 
                        Secretary for Indian Affairs of the 
                        Department of the Interior (or a 
                        designee) shall be present at each 
                        meeting of the Committee.
                            ``(iv) Nonvoting representatives.--
                        The individuals described in clauses 
                        (ii) and (iii) shall be nonvoting 
                        representatives at meetings of the 
                        Committee.
            ``(4) Duties of committee.--The Committee shall--
                    ``(A) identify evolving issues of relevance 
                to Indian tribes relating to programs of the 
                Department;
                    ``(B) communicate to the Secretary the 
                issues identified under subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) submit to the Secretary 
                recommendations for, and solutions to--
                            ``(i) the issues identified under 
                        subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) issues raised at the Tribal, 
                        regional, or national level; and
                            ``(iii) issues relating to any 
                        Tribal consultation carried out by the 
                        Department;
                    ``(D) discuss issues and proposals for 
                changes to the regulations, policies, and 
                procedures of the Department that impact Indian 
                tribes;
                    ``(E) identify priorities and provide 
                advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal 
                consultation on issues at the Tribal, regional, 
                or national level regarding the Department;
                    ``(F) ensure that pertinent issues of the 
                Department are brought to the attention of an 
                Indian tribe in a timely manner so that timely 
                feedback from an Indian tribe can be obtained; 
                and
                    ``(G) identify and propose solutions to any 
                interdepartmental barrier between the 
                Department and other Federal agencies.
            ``(5) Reports.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than 
                once each year, the Committee shall submit to 
                the Secretary and the relevant committees of 
                Congress a report that describes--
                            ``(i) the activities of the 
                        Committee during the previous year; and
                            ``(ii) recommendations for 
                        legislative or administrative action 
                        for the following year.
                    ``(B) Response from secretary.--Not more 
                than 45 days after the date on which the 
                Secretary receives a report under subparagraph 
                (A), the Secretary shall submit a written 
                response to that report to--
                            ``(i) the Committee; and
                            ``(ii) the relevant committees of 
                        Congress.
            ``(6) Compensation of members.--Members of the 
        Committee shall be compensated at a rate equal to the 
        daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
        prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
        section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each 
        day (including travel time) during which the member is 
        engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
        Committee.
            ``(7) Federal advisory committee act exemption.--
        Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
        U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Committee.''.

SEC. 12304. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION.

    Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506 and 
12301(a)(1)) is further amended by inserting after section 7403 
(7 U.S.C. 3119b note; Public Law 107-171) the following:

``SEC. 7404. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `beginning farmer or rancher' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, 
        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).
            ``(2) National coordinator.--The term `National 
        Coordinator' means the National Beginning Farmer and 
        Rancher Coordinator established under subsection 
        (b)(1).
            ``(3) State coordinator.--The term `State 
        coordinator' means a State beginning farmer and rancher 
        coordinator designated under subsection (c)(1)(A).
            ``(4) State office.--The term `State office' 
        means--
                    ``(A) a State office of--
                            ``(i) the Farm Service Agency;
                            ``(ii) the Natural Resources 
                        Conservation Service;
                            ``(iii) the Rural Business-
                        Cooperative Service; or
                            ``(iv) the Rural Utilities Service; 
                        or
                    ``(B) a regional office of the Risk 
                Management Agency.
    ``(b) National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish 
        in the Department the position of National Beginning 
        Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.
            ``(2) Duties.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The National Coordinator 
                shall--
                            ``(i) advise the Secretary and 
                        coordinate activities of the Department 
                        on programs, policies, and issues 
                        relating to beginning farmers and 
                        ranchers; and
                            ``(ii) in consultation with the 
                        applicable State food and agriculture 
                        council, determine whether to approve a 
                        plan submitted by a State coordinator 
                        under subsection (c)(3)(B).
                    ``(B) Discretionary duties.--Additional 
                duties of the National Coordinator may 
                include--
                            ``(i) developing and implementing 
                        new strategies--
                                    ``(I) for outreach to 
                                beginning farmers and ranchers; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) to assist beginning 
                                farmers and ranchers with 
                                connecting to owners or 
                                operators that have ended, or 
                                expect to end within 5 years, 
                                actively owning or operating a 
                                farm or ranch; and
                            ``(ii) facilitating interagency and 
                        interdepartmental collaboration on 
                        issues relating to beginning farmers 
                        and ranchers.
            ``(3) Reports.--Not less frequently than once each 
        year, the National Coordinator shall distribute within 
        the Department and make publicly available a report 
        describing the status of steps taken to carry out the 
        duties described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
        paragraph (2).
            ``(4) Contracts and cooperative agreements.--In 
        carrying out the duties under paragraph (2), the 
        National Coordinator may enter into a contract or 
        cooperative agreement with an institution of higher 
        education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), cooperative 
        extension services (as defined in section 1404 of the 
        National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
        Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), or a nonprofit 
        organization--
                    ``(A) to conduct research on the 
                profitability of new farms in operation for not 
                less than 5 years in a region;
                    ``(B) to develop educational materials;
                    ``(C) to conduct workshops, courses, 
                training, or certified vocational training; or
                    ``(D) to conduct mentoring activities.
    ``(c) State Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators.--
            ``(1) In general.--
                    ``(A) Designation.--The National 
                Coordinator, in consultation with State food 
                and agriculture councils and directors of State 
                offices, shall designate in each State a State 
                beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from 
                among employees of State offices.
                    ``(B) Requirements.--To be designated as a 
                State coordinator, an employee shall--
                            ``(i) be familiar with issues 
                        relating to beginning farmers and 
                        ranchers; and
                            ``(ii) have the ability to 
                        coordinate with other Federal 
                        departments and agencies.
            ``(2) Training.--The Secretary shall develop a 
        training plan to provide to each State coordinator 
        knowledge of programs and services available from the 
        Department for beginning farmers and ranchers, taking 
        into consideration the needs of all production types 
        and sizes of agricultural operations.
            ``(3) Duties.--A State coordinator shall--
                    ``(A) coordinate technical assistance at 
                the State level to assist beginning farmers and 
                ranchers in accessing programs of the 
                Department;
                    ``(B) develop and submit to the National 
                Coordinator for approval under subsection 
                (b)(2)(A)(ii) a State plan to improve the 
                coordination, delivery, and efficacy of 
                programs of the Department to beginning farmers 
                and ranchers, taking into consideration the 
                needs of all types of production methods and 
                sizes of agricultural operation, at each county 
                and area office in the State;
                    ``(C) oversee implementation of an approved 
                State plan described in subparagraph (B);
                    ``(D) work with outreach coordinators in 
                the State offices to ensure appropriate 
                information about technical assistance is 
                available at outreach events and activities; 
                and
                    ``(E) coordinate partnerships and joint 
                outreach efforts with other organizations and 
                government agencies serving beginning farmers 
                and ranchers.''.

SEC. 12305. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR.

    Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506, section 
12301(a)(1), and 12304) is further amended by inserting after 
section 7404, as added by section 12304, the following:

``SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR.

    ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Agricultural Youth Organization 
Coordinator.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Agricultural Youth Organization 
Coordinator shall--
            ``(1) promote the role of youth-serving 
        organizations and school-based agricultural education 
        in motivating and preparing young people to pursue 
        careers in the agriculture, food, and natural resources 
        systems;
            ``(2) work to help build youth awareness of the 
        reach and importance of agriculture, across a diversity 
        of fields and disciplines;
            ``(3) identify short-term and long-term interests 
        of the Department and provide opportunities, resources, 
        input, and coordination with programs and agencies of 
        the Department to youth-serving organizations and 
        school-based agricultural education, including the 
        development of internship opportunities;
            ``(4) share, internally and externally, the extent 
        to which active steps are being taken to encourage 
        collaboration with, and support of, youth-serving 
        organizations and school-based agricultural education;
            ``(5) provide information to youth involved in food 
        and agriculture organizations concerning the 
        availability of, and eligibility requirements for, 
        participation in agricultural programs, with particular 
        emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher programs;
            ``(6) serve as a resource for assisting youth 
        involved in food and agriculture organizations in 
        applying for participation in agriculture; and
            ``(7) advocate on behalf of youth involved in food 
        and agriculture organizations in interactions with 
        employees of the Department.
    ``(c) Contracts and Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes 
of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the 
Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator shall consult with 
the cooperative extension and the land-grant university 
systems, and may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements 
with the research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, 
cooperative extension and the land-grant university systems, 
non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, or nonprofit 
organizations for--
            ``(1) the conduct of regional research on the 
        profitability of small farms;
            ``(2) the development of educational materials;
            ``(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and 
        certified vocational training;
            ``(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or
            ``(5) the provision of internship opportunities.''.

SEC. 12306. AVAILABILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS FOR 
                    VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

    (a) Definition of Veteran Farmer or Rancher.--Paragraph (7) 
of subsection (a) (as redesignated by section 12301(b)(3)) of 
section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the 
        end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 
        the end and inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) is a veteran (as defined in section 
                101 of that title) who has first obtained 
                status as a veteran (as so defined) during the 
                most recent 10-year period.''.
    (b) Federal Crop Insurance.--
            (1) Definition of veteran farmer or rancher.--
        Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
        U.S.C. 1502(b)) (as amended by section 11101) is 
        amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(14) Veteran farmer or rancher.--The term 
        `veteran farmer or rancher' means a farmer or rancher 
        who--
                    ``(A) has served in the Armed Forces (as 
                defined in section 101 of title 38, United 
                States Code); and
                    ``(B)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch;
                    ``(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not 
                more than 5 years; or
                    ``(iii) is a veteran (as defined in section 
                101 of that title) who has first obtained 
                status as a veteran (as so defined) during the 
                most recent 5-year period.''.
            (2) Crop insurance.--Section 508 of the Federal 
        Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (b)(5)(E)--
                            (i) by striking ``The Corporation'' 
                        and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The 
                        Corporation''; and
                            (ii) in clause (i) (as so 
                        designated), by striking the period at 
                        the end and inserting the following: 
                        ``, and veteran farmers or ranchers.
                            ``(ii) Coordination.--The 
                        Corporation shall coordinate with other 
                        agencies of the Department that provide 
                        programs or services to farmers and 
                        ranchers described in clause (i) to 
                        make available coverage under the 
                        waiver under that clause and to share 
                        eligibility information to reduce 
                        paperwork and avoid duplication.'';
                    (B) in subsection (e)(8)--
                            (i) in the paragraph heading, by 
                        inserting ``and veteran'' after 
                        ``beginning''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``or veteran 
                        farmer or rancher'' after ``beginning 
                        farmer or rancher'' each place it 
                        appears; and
                    (C) in subsection (g)--
                            (i) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), in 
                        the matter preceding subclause (I), by 
                        inserting ``or veteran farmer or 
                        rancher'' after ``beginning farmer or 
                        rancher'' each place it appears; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii)(II), 
                        by inserting ``and veteran farmers or 
                        ranchers'' after ``beginning farmers or 
                        ranchers''.
            (3) Education and risk management assistance.--
        Paragraph (3) of section 524(a) of the Federal Crop 
        Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)), as redesignated by 
        section 11125(a)(3), is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) veteran farmers or ranchers.''.
    (c) Down Payment Loan Program.--Section 310E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``qualified 
        beginning farmers or ranchers and socially 
        disadvantaged farmers or ranchers'' and inserting 
        ``eligible farmers or ranchers'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking 
                ``recipients of the loans'' and inserting 
                ``farmers or ranchers'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(3) encourage retiring farmers and ranchers to 
        assist in the sale of their farms and ranches to 
        eligible farmers or ranchers by providing seller 
        financing;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``for 
                beginning farmers or ranchers or socially 
                disadvantaged farmers or ranchers'' and 
                inserting the following: ``for--
                    ``(A) beginning farmers or ranchers;
                    ``(B) socially disadvantaged farmers or 
                ranchers, as defined in section 355(e); or
                    ``(C) veteran farmers or ranchers, as 
                defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)); and''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``a 
                qualified beginning farmer or rancher or 
                socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher'' and 
                inserting ``an eligible farmer or rancher''; 
                and
            (3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(e) Definition of Eligible Farmer or Rancher.--In this 
section, the term `eligible farmer or rancher' means--
            ``(1) a qualified beginning farmer or rancher;
            ``(2) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, 
        as defined in section 355(e); and
            ``(3) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in 
        section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
        and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).''.
    (d) Interest Rate Reduction Program.--Section 351(e)(2)(B) 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1999(e)(2)(B)) is amended--
            (1) in the subparagraph heading, by inserting ``and 
        veteran'' after ``Beginning'';
            (2) in clause (i), by inserting ``or veteran 
        farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of 
        the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
        1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))'' before the period at the 
        end; and
            (3) in clause (ii), by striking ``beginning''.
    (e) National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, 
Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program.--Section 405(c) of 
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(c)) is amended by inserting ``veteran 
farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a))),'' after ``socially disadvantaged farmers,''.
    (f) Administration and Operation of Noninsured Crop 
Assistance Program.--Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (k)(2), by inserting ``, or a 
        veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 
        2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
        Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))'' before the 
        period at the end; and
            (2) in subsection (l), in paragraph (3) (as 
        redesignated by section 1601(7)(D))--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
                ``veteran,'' before ``and socially''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and veteran farmers or 
                ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the 
                Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
                of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))'' before ``in 
                exchange''.
    (g) Funding for Transition Option for Certain Farmers or 
Ranchers.--Section 1241(a)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking 
``beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
farmers or ranchers'' and inserting ``covered farmers or 
ranchers, as defined in section 1235(f)(1)''.
    (h) Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance.--
            (1) Definition of covered producer.--Section 
        1501(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
        9081(a)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
                (4) as paragraphs (2) through (5), 
                respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as 
                so redesignated) the following:
            ``(1) Covered producer.--The term `covered 
        producer' means an eligible producer on a farm that 
        is--
                    ``(A) as determined by the Secretary--
                            ``(i) a beginning farmer or 
                        rancher;
                            ``(ii) a socially disadvantaged 
                        farmer or rancher; or
                            ``(iii) a limited resource farmer 
                        or rancher; or
                    ``(B) a veteran farmer or rancher, as 
                defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
                Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).''.
            (2) Emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, 
        and farm-raised fish.--Section 1501(d) of the 
        Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)) is amended 
        by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Payment rate for covered producers.--In the 
        case of a covered producer that is eligible to receive 
        assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        provide reimbursement of 90 percent of the cost of 
        losses described in paragraph (1) or (2).''.

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

SEC. 12401. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL 
                    AFFAIRS.

    (a) Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture.--Section 
218(a)(1) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918(a)(1)) is amended by striking 
``Relations'' and inserting ``Relations and Intergovernmental 
Affairs''.
    (b) Succession.--Any official who is serving as the 
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations 
on the date of enactment of this Act and who was appointed by 
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, shall not be required to be reappointed as a result of 
the change made to the name of that position under the 
amendment made by subsection (a).

SEC. 12402. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON.

    Section 219 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6919) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) establish and periodically update the website 
        described in subsection (d); and
            ``(6) in carrying out the duties described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (5), consult with and provide 
        technical assistance to any Federal agency, including 
        the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the 
        Department of Labor.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Website Required.--
            ``(1) In general.--The website required under 
        subsection (b)(5) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) Positions identified within the 
                Department of Agriculture that are available to 
                veterans for apprenticeships.
                    ``(B) Apprenticeships, programs of training 
                on the job, and programs of education that are 
                approved for purposes of chapter 36 of title 
                38, United States Code.
                    ``(C) Employment skills training programs 
                for members of the Armed Forces carried out 
                pursuant to section 1143(e) of title 10, United 
                States Code.
                    ``(D) Information designed to assist 
                businesses, nonprofit entities, educational 
                institutions, and farmers interested in 
                developing apprenticeships, on-the-job 
                training, educational, or entrepreneurial 
                programs for veterans in navigating the process 
                of having a program approved by a State 
                approving agency for purposes of chapter 36 of 
                title 38, United States Code, including--
                            ``(i) contact information for 
                        relevant offices in the Department of 
                        Defense, Department of Veterans 
                        Affairs, Department of Labor, and Small 
                        Business Administration;
                            ``(ii) basic requirements for 
                        approval by each State approving 
                        agency;
                            ``(iii) recommendations with 
                        respect to training and coursework to 
                        be used during apprenticeships or on-
                        the-job training that will enable a 
                        veteran to be eligible for agricultural 
                        programs; and
                            ``(iv) examples of successful 
                        programs and curriculums that have been 
                        approved for purposes of chapter 36 of 
                        title 38, United States Code (with 
                        consent of the organization and without 
                        any personally identifiable 
                        information).
            ``(2) Review of website.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 5 years 
                after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 
                and once every 5 years thereafter, the 
                Secretary shall conduct a study to determine if 
                the website required under subsection (b)(5) is 
                effective in providing veterans the information 
                required under paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Ineffective website.--If the 
                Secretary determines that the website is not 
                effective under subparagraph (A), the Secretary 
                shall--
                            ``(i) notify the agriculture and 
                        veterans committees described in 
                        subparagraph (C) of that determination; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) not earlier than 180 days 
                        after the date on which the Secretary 
                        provides notice under clause (i), 
                        terminate the website.
                    ``(C) Agriculture and veterans 
                committees.--The agriculture and veterans 
                committees referred to in subparagraph (B)(i) 
                are--
                            ``(i) the Committee on Agriculture 
                        of the House of Representatives;
                            ``(ii) the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate;
                            ``(iii) the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs of the House of 
                        Representatives; and
                            ``(iv) the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs of the Senate.
    ``(e) Consultation Required.--In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary shall consult with organizations that serve 
veterans.
    ``(f) Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this subsection, and annually 
        thereafter, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison 
        shall submit a report on beginning farmer training for 
        veterans and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation 
        programs for veterans to--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives;
                    ``(B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
                the House of Representatives;
                    ``(C) the Committee on Agriculture, 
                Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and
                    ``(D) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
                the Senate.
            ``(2) Contents of report.--The report submitted 
        under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    ``(A) a summary of the measures taken to 
                carry out subsections (b) and (c);
                    ``(B) a description of the information 
                provided to veterans under paragraphs (1) and 
                (2) of subsection (b);
                    ``(C) recommendations for best informing 
                veterans of the programs described in 
                paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b);
                    ``(D) a summary of the contracts or 
                cooperative agreements entered into under 
                subsection (c);
                    ``(E) a description of the programs 
                implemented under subsection (c);
                    ``(F) a summary of the employment outreach 
                activities directed to veterans;
                    ``(G) recommendations for how opportunities 
                for veterans in agriculture should be developed 
                or expanded;
                    ``(H) a summary of veteran farm lending 
                data and a summary of shortfalls, if any, 
                identified by the Military Veterans 
                Agricultural Liaison in collecting data with 
                respect to veterans engaged in agriculture; and
                    ``(I) recommendations, if any, on how to 
                improve activities under subsection (b).
    ``(g) Public Dissemination of Information.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this subsection, and annually 
        thereafter, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison 
        shall make publicly available and share broadly, 
        including by posting on the website of the Department--
                    ``(A) the report of the Military Veterans 
                Agricultural Liaison on beginning farmer 
                training for veterans and agricultural 
                vocational and rehabilitation programs; and
                    ``(B) the information disseminated under 
                paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).
            ``(2) Further dissemination.--Not later than the 
        day before the date on which the Military Veterans 
        Agricultural Liaison makes publicly available the 
        information under paragraph (1), the Military Veterans 
        Agricultural Liaison shall provide that information to 
        the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans 
        Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the 
        Department of Labor.''.

SEC. 12403. CIVIL RIGHTS ANALYSES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct civil rights 
impact analyses in accordance with Departmental Regulation 
4300-004 issued by the Department of Agriculture on October 17, 
2016, with respect to the Department of Agriculture's 
employment, federally-conducted programs and activities, and 
federally-assisted programs and activities.
    (b) Study; Report.--
            (1) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
        the United States (referred to in this section as the 
        ``Comptroller General'') shall conduct a study 
        describing--
                    (A) the effectiveness of the Department of 
                Agriculture in processing and resolving civil 
                rights complaints;
                    (B) minority participation rates in farm 
                programs, including a comparison of overall 
                farmer and rancher participation with minority 
                farmer and rancher participation by considering 
                particular aspects of the programs of the 
                Department of Agriculture for producers, such 
                as ownership status, program participation, 
                usage of permits, and waivers;
                    (C) the realignment of the civil rights 
                functions of the Department of Agriculture, as 
                outlined in Secretarial Memorandum 1076-023 
                (March 9, 2018), including an analysis of 
                whether that realignment has any negative 
                implications on the civil rights functions of 
                the Department;
                    (D) efforts of the Department of 
                Agriculture to identify actions, programs, or 
                activities of the Department of Agriculture 
                that may adversely affect employees, 
                contractors, or beneficiaries (including 
                participants) of the action, program, or 
                activity based on the membership of the 
                employees, contractors, or beneficiaries in a 
                group that is protected under Federal law from 
                discrimination in employment, contracting, or 
                provision of an action, program, or activity, 
                as applicable; and
                    (E) efforts of the Department of 
                Agriculture to strategically plan actions to 
                decrease discrimination and civil rights 
                complaints within the Department of Agriculture 
                or in the carrying out of the programs and 
                authorities of the Department of Agriculture.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
        of completion of the study under paragraph (1), the 
        Comptroller General shall submit a report describing 
        the results of the study to--
                    (A) the Committee on Agriculture of the 
                House of Representatives; and
                    (B) the Committee on Agriculture, 
                Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.

SEC. 12404. FARM SERVICE AGENCY.

    (a) In General.--Section 226 of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) is 
amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking 
        ``consolidated farm'' and inserting ``farm'';
            (2) in subsection (b), in the subsection heading, 
        by striking ``of Consolidated Farm Service Agency''; 
        and
            (3) by striking ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it 
        appears and inserting ``Farm''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture 
        Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (c), by striking 
                ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``Farm''; and
                    (B) in subsection (e)(2), by striking 
                ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it appears and 
                inserting ``Farm''.
            (2) Section 271(2)(A) of the Department of 
        Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
        6991(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``Consolidated 
        Farm'' each place it appears and inserting ``Farm''.
            (3) Section 275(b) of the Department of Agriculture 
        Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995(b)) is 
        amended by striking ``Consolidated Farm'' each place it 
        appears and inserting ``Farm''.

SEC. 12405. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR FARM PRODUCTION AND 
                    CONSERVATION.

    (a) Office of Risk Management.--Section 226A(d)(1) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6933(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services'' and 
inserting ``Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production 
and Conservation''.
    (b) Multiagency Task Force.--Section 242(b)(3) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6952(b)(3)) is amended by striking ``Under Secretary for Farm 
and Foreign Agricultural Services'' and inserting ``Under 
Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and 
Conservation''.
    (c) Food Aid Consultative Group.--Section 205(b)(2) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
``Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services'' and inserting ``Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs''.
    (d) Interagency Committee on Minority Careers in 
International Affairs.--Section 625(c)(1)(A) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1131c(c)(1)(A)) is amended by 
striking ``Under Secretary'' and all that follows through 
``designee'' and inserting ``Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, or the designee of that 
Under Secretary''.

SEC. 12406. OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) Changing Name of Office.--
            (1) In general.--Section 226B of the Department of 
        Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) 
        is amended--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking 
                ``advocacy and outreach'' and inserting 
                ``partnerships and public engagement''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Advocacy and Outreach'' 
                each place it appears in subsections (a)(2), 
                (b)(1), and (d)(4)(B) and inserting 
                ``Partnerships and Public Engagement''.
            (2) References.--Beginning on the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, any reference to the Office of 
        Advocacy and Outreach established under section 226B of 
        the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
        1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) in any provision of Federal law 
        shall be deemed to be a reference to the Office of 
        Partnerships and Public Engagement.
    (b) Increasing Outreach.--Section 226B of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934), as 
amended by subsection (a), is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting a 
                        semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following new clauses:
                            ``(iv) limited resource producers; 
                        and
                            ``(v) veteran farmers and ranchers; 
                        and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
                    ``(C) to promote youth outreach.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by inserting ``veteran farmers and ranchers,'' 
                after ``beginning farmers or ranchers,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or 
                socially disadvantaged'' and inserting 
                ``socially disadvantaged, or veteran''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting 
                ``veteran farmers or ranchers,'' after 
                ``beginning farmers or ranchers,''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 226B(f)(3)(B) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6934(f)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.

SEC. 12407. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 231 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``is authorized 
        to'' and inserting ``shall''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``If the 
        Secretary'' and all that follows through ``the Under 
        Secretary shall'' and inserting ``The Under Secretary 
        of Agriculture for Rural Development shall''.

SEC. 12408. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE.

    (a) Rate of Pay.--
            (1) In general.--Section 232(b) of the Department 
        of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
        6942(b)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Administrator.--
            ``(1) Appointment.--The Rural Utilities Service 
        shall be headed by an Administrator who shall be 
        appointed by the President.
            ``(2) Compensation.--The Administrator of the Rural 
        Utilities Service shall receive basic pay at a rate not 
        to exceed the maximum amount of compensation payable to 
        a member of the Senior Executive Service under 
        subsection (b) of section 5382 of title 5, United 
        States Code.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 5315 of title 5, 
        United States Code, is amended by striking 
        ``Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Department of 
        Agriculture.''.
    (b) Other Amendment Relating to Administrator.--Section 748 
of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 918b) is amended by inserting ``the Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through'' before ``the Administrator of the 
Rural Utilities Service''.

SEC. 12409. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON.

    Subtitle C of title II of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 236. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON.

    ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Rural Health Liaison.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Rural Health Liaison shall--
            ``(1) in consultation with the Secretary of Health 
        and Human Services, coordinate the role of the 
        Department with respect to rural health;
            ``(2) integrate across the Department the strategic 
        planning and activities relating to rural health;
            ``(3) improve communication relating to rural 
        health within the Department and between Federal 
        agencies;
            ``(4) advocate on behalf of the health care and 
        relevant infrastructure needs in rural areas;
            ``(5) provide to stakeholders, potential grant 
        applicants, Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian 
        Tribes, private organizations, and academic 
        institutions relevant data and information, including 
        the eligibility requirements for, and availability and 
        outcomes of, Department programs applicable to the 
        advancement of rural health;
            ``(6) maintain communication with public health, 
        medical, occupational safety, and telecommunication 
        associations, research entities, and other stakeholders 
        to ensure that the Department is aware of current and 
        upcoming issues relating to rural health;
            ``(7) consult on programs, pilot projects, 
        research, training, and other affairs relating to rural 
        health at the Department and other Federal agencies;
            ``(8) provide expertise on rural health to support 
        the activities of the Secretary as Chair of the Council 
        on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development; 
        and
            ``(9) provide technical assistance and guidance 
        with respect to activities relating to rural health to 
        the outreach, extension, and county offices of the 
        Department.''.

SEC. 12410. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE.

    (a) Field Offices.--Section 246 of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
amended by section 12404(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
    ``(g) Field Offices.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall not close 
        any field office of the Natural Resources Conservation 
        Service unless, not later than 30 days before the date 
        of the closure, the Secretary submits to the Committee 
        on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate a notification of the closure.
            ``(2) Employees.--The Secretary shall not 
        permanently relocate any field-based employees of the 
        Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural 
        development mission area if doing so would result in a 
        field office of the Natural Resources Conservation 
        Service or the rural development mission area with 2 or 
        fewer employees, unless, not later than 30 days before 
        the date of the permanent relocation, the Secretary 
        submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
        Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of 
        the permanent relocation.
            ``(3) Sunset.--The requirements under paragraphs 
        (1) and (2) shall cease to be effective on September 
        30, 2023.''.
    (b) Technical Corrections.--Section 246 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
amended by subsection (a)) is further amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2);
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through 
                (6) as paragraphs (2) through (5), 
                respectively;
                    (C) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), 
                by inserting ``; Public Law 101-624'' after 
                ``note''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), 
                by striking ``3831-3836'' and inserting ``3831 
                et seq.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraphs (1), (2), and 
        (4) of subsection (b) and the program under subchapter 
        C of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837-3837f)'' and 
        inserting ``paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (b)''.
    (c) Relocation in Act.--
            (1) In general.--Section 246 of the Department of 
        Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) 
        (as amended by subsections (a) and (b)) is--
                    (A) redesignated as section 228; and
                    (B) moved so as to appear at the end of 
                subtitle B of title II (7 U.S.C. 6931 et seq.).
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 226 of the Department of 
                Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
                U.S.C. 6932) (as amended by section 12404(a)) 
                is amended--
                            (i) in subsection (b)(5), by 
                        striking ``section 246(b)'' and 
                        inserting ``section 228(b)''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (g)(2), by 
                        striking ``section 246(b)'' and 
                        inserting ``section 228(b)''.
                    (B) Section 271(2)(F) of the Department of 
                Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
                U.S.C. 6991(2)(F)) is amended by striking 
                ``section 246(b)'' and inserting ``section 
                228(b)''.

SEC. 12411. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SCIENTIST.

    (a) In General.--Section 251(e) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(e)) is 
amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking 
        ``Research, Education, and Extension Office'' and 
        inserting ``Office of the Chief Scientist'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Research, 
        Education, and Extension Office'' and inserting 
        ``Office of the Chief Scientist'';
            (3) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by striking ``Research, Education, 
        and Extension Office'' and inserting ``Office of the 
        Chief Scientist'';
            (4) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``subparagraph 
        (A) shall not exceed 4 years'' and inserting ``clauses 
        (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be for not less 
        than 3 years'';
            (5) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
        paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;
            (6) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Additional leadership duties.--In addition to 
        selecting the Division Chiefs under paragraph (3), 
        using available personnel authority under title 5, 
        United States Code, the Under Secretary shall select 
        personnel--
                    ``(A) to oversee implementation, training, 
                and compliance with the scientific integrity 
                policy of the Department;
                    ``(B)(i) to integrate strategic program 
                planning and evaluation functions across the 
                programs of the Department; and
                    ``(ii) to help prepare the annual report to 
                Congress on the relevance and adequacy of 
                programs under the jurisdiction of the Under 
                Secretary;
                    ``(C) to assist the Chief Scientist in 
                coordinating the international engagements of 
                the Department with the Department of State and 
                other international agencies and offices of the 
                Federal Government; and
                    ``(D) to oversee other duties as may be 
                required by Federal law or Department 
                policy.'';
            (7) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Authorization of 
                        appropriations.--There is authorized to 
                        be appropriated such sums as are 
                        necessary to fund the costs of Division 
                        personnel.
                            ``(ii) Additional funding.--In 
                        addition to amounts made available 
                        under clause (i), notwithstanding''; 
                        and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; 
                        and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:
                            ``(iii) provides strong staff 
                        continuity to the Office of the Chief 
                        Scientist.''; and
            (8) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``Research, Education and Extension Office'' 
        and inserting ``Office of the Chief Scientist''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 251(f)(5)(B) of the Department of 
        Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
        6971(f)(5)(B)) is amended by striking ``Research, 
        Education and Extension Office'' and inserting ``Office 
        of the Chief Scientist''.
            (2) Section 296(b)(6)(B) of the Department of 
        Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
        7014(b)(6)(B)) is amended by striking ``Research, 
        Education, and Extension Office'' and inserting 
        ``Office of the Chief Scientist''.

SEC. 12412. APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION HEARING OFFICERS.

    Section 272(e) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6992(e)) is amended to 
read as follows:
    ``(e) Division Personnel.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director shall recommend to 
        the Secretary persons for appointment as hearing 
        officers as are necessary for the conduct of hearings 
        under section 277. The Director shall appoint such 
        other employees as are necessary for the administration 
        of the Division. A hearing officer or other employee of 
        the Division shall have no duties other than those that 
        are necessary to carry out this subtitle. Each position 
        of the Division shall be filled by an individual who is 
        not a political appointee.
            ``(2) Political appointee.--In this subsection, the 
        term `political appointee' means an individual 
        occupying--
                    ``(A) a position described under sections 
                5312 through 5316 of title 5, United States 
                Code (relating to the Executive Schedule);
                    ``(B) a noncareer position in the Senior 
                Executive Service, as described under section 
                3132(a)(7) of that title;
                    ``(C) a position in the executive branch of 
                the Government of a confidential or policy-
                determining character under schedule C of 
                subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of 
                Federal Regulations; or
                    ``(D) a position which has been excepted 
                from the competitive service by reason of its 
                confidential, policy-determining, policy-
                making, or policy-advocating character.''.

SEC. 12413. TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

    The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subtitle J (7 U.S.C. 7011 et 
        seq.) as subtitle K; and
            (2) by inserting after subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 7005 et 
        seq.) the following:

          ``Subtitle J--Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

``SEC. 287. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR TRADE AND FOREIGN 
                    AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
    ``(b) Appointment.--The Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall be appointed by 
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate.
    ``(c) Functions.--
            ``(1) Principal functions.--The Secretary shall 
        delegate to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
        Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs those functions 
        and duties under the jurisdiction of the Department 
        that are related to trade and foreign agricultural 
        affairs.
            ``(2) Additional functions.--The Under Secretary of 
        Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs 
        shall perform such other functions and duties as may 
        be--
                    ``(A) required by law; or
                    ``(B) prescribed by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 12414. REPEALS.

    (a) Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.--
The following provisions of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 are repealed:
            (1) Section 211 (7 U.S.C. 6911).
            (2) Section 213 (7 U.S.C. 6913).
            (3) Section 214 (7 U.S.C. 6914).
            (4) Section 217 (7 U.S.C. 6917).
            (5) Section 247 (7 U.S.C. 6963).
            (6) Section 252 (7 U.S.C. 6972).
            (7) Section 295 (7 U.S.C. 7013).
    (b) Other Provision.--Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 6935) is repealed.
    (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the amendments made 
by this section shall be construed as affecting--
            (1) the authority of the Secretary to continue to 
        carry out a function vested in, and performed by, the 
        Secretary as of the date of enactment of this Act under 
        any provision of Federal law other than the provisions 
        repealed by subsections (a) and (b); or
            (2) the authority of an agency, office, officer, or 
        employee of the Department of Agriculture to continue 
        to perform all functions delegated or assigned to the 
        agency, office, officer, or employee as of the date of 
        enactment of this Act any provision of Federal law 
        other than the provisions repealed by subsections (a) 
        and (b).

SEC. 12415. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

    (a) Office of Risk Management.--Section 226A(a) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6933(a)) is amended by striking ``Subject to subsection (e), 
the Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary''.
    (b) Correction of Error.--
            (1) Assistant secretaries of agriculture.--Section 
        218 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
        of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918) (as in effect on the day before 
        the effective date of the amendments made by section 
        2(a)(1) of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and 
        Streamlining Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-166; 126 Stat. 
        1283, 1295)) is amended by striking ``Senate.'' in 
        subsection (b) and all that follows through 
        ``responsibility for--'' in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1) of subsection (d) and inserting the 
        following: ``Senate.
    ``(c) Duties of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for 
Civil Rights.--The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant 
Secretary for Civil Rights responsibility for--''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by 
        paragraph (1) take effect on the effective date 
        described in section 6(a) of the Presidential 
        Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 
        (Public Law 112-166; 126 Stat. 1295).

SEC. 12416. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

    Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) The authority of the Secretary to carry out 
        the amendments made to this title by section 772 of the 
        Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
        Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
        Act, 2018.
            ``(10) The authority of the Secretary to carry out 
        the amendments made to this title by the Agriculture 
        Improvement Act of 2018.''.

               Subtitle E--Other Miscellaneous Provisions

              PART I--MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURE PROVISIONS

SEC. 12501. ACER ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 12306(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1632c(f)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2023''.

SEC. 12502. PROTECTING ANIMALS WITH SHELTER.

    (a) Crimes Related to Domestic Violence and Stalking 
Targeting Pets.--
            (1) Interstate stalking.--Section 2261A of title 
        18, United States Code, is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking 
                        ``or'' at the end; and
                            (ii) by inserting after clause 
                        (iii) the following:
                            ``(iv) the pet, service animal, 
                        emotional support animal, or horse of 
                        that person; or''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
                            (i) by inserting after ``to a 
                        person'' the following: ``, a pet, a 
                        service animal, an emotional support 
                        animal, or a horse''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``or (iii)'' and 
                        inserting ``(iii), or (iv)''.
            (2) Interstate violation of protection order.--
        Section 2262 of title 18, United States Code, is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), by inserting 
                        after ``another person'' the following: 
                        ``or the pet, service animal, emotional 
                        support animal, or horse of that 
                        person''; and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting 
                        after ``proximity to, another person'' 
                        the following ``or the pet, service 
                        animal, emotional support animal, or 
                        horse of that person''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting 
                after ``in any other case,'' the following: 
                ``including any case in which the offense is 
                committed against a pet, service animal, 
                emotional support animal, or horse,''.
            (3) Restitution to include veterinary services.--
        Section 2264 of title 18, United States Code, is 
        amended in subsection (b)(3)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as 
                subparagraph (G);
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
                ``and'' at the end; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the 
                following:
                    ``(F) veterinary services relating to 
                physical care for the victim's pet, service 
                animal, emotional support animal, or horse; 
                and''.
            (4) Definitions.--Section 2266 of title 18, United 
        States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph 
        (10) the following:
            ``(11) Pet.--The term `pet' means a domesticated 
        animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, 
        or other animal that is kept for pleasure rather than 
        for commercial purposes.
            ``(12) Emotional support animal.--The term 
        `emotional support animal' means an animal that is 
        covered by the exclusion specified in section 5.303 of 
        title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation), and that is not a service animal.
            ``(13) Service animal.--The term `service animal' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 36.104 of 
        title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
        regulation).''.
    (b) Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing 
Assistance Grant Program.--
            (1) Grant program.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary, acting in 
                consultation with the Office of the Violence 
                Against Women of the Department of Justice, the 
                Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and 
                the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
                shall award grants under this subsection to 
                eligible entities to carry out programs to 
                provide the assistance described in paragraph 
                (3) with respect to victims of domestic 
                violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
                stalking and the pets, service animals, 
                emotional support animals, or horses of such 
                victims.
                    (B) Memorandum of understanding.--The 
                Secretary may enter into a memorandum of 
                understanding with the head of another 
                Department or agency, as appropriate, to carry 
                out any of the authorities provided to the 
                Secretary under this section.
            (2) Application.--
                    (A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking 
                a grant under this subsection shall submit an 
                application to the Secretary at such time, in 
                such manner, and containing such information as 
                the Secretary may reasonably require, 
                including--
                            (i) a description of the activities 
                        for which a grant under this subsection 
                        is sought;
                            (ii) such assurances as the 
                        Secretary determines to be necessary to 
                        ensure compliance by the entity with 
                        the requirements of this subsection; 
                        and
                            (iii) a certification that the 
                        entity, before engaging with any 
                        individual domestic violence victim, 
                        will disclose to the victim any 
                        mandatory duty of the entity to report 
                        instances of abuse and neglect 
                        (including instances of abuse and 
                        neglect of pets, service animals, 
                        emotional support animals, or horses).
                    (B) Additional requirements.--In addition 
                to the requirements of subparagraph (A), each 
                application submitted by an eligible entity 
                under that subparagraph shall--
                            (i) not include proposals for any 
                        activities that may compromise the 
                        safety of a domestic violence victim, 
                        including--
                                    (I) background checks of 
                                domestic violence victims; or
                                    (II) clinical evaluations 
                                to determine the eligibility of 
                                such a victim for support 
                                services;
                            (ii) not include proposals that 
                        would require mandatory services for 
                        victims or that a victim obtain a 
                        protective order in order to receive 
                        proposed services; and
                            (iii) reflect the eligible entity's 
                        understanding of the dynamics of 
                        domestic violence, dating violence, 
                        sexual assault, or stalking.
                    (C) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph shall be construed to require--
                            (i) domestic violence victims to 
                        participate in the criminal justice 
                        system in order to receive services; or
                            (ii) eligible entities receiving a 
                        grant under this subsection to breach 
                        client confidentiality.
            (3) Use of funds.--Grants awarded under this 
        subsection may only be used for programs that provide--
                    (A) emergency and transitional shelter and 
                housing assistance for domestic violence 
                victims with pets, service animals, emotional 
                support animals, or horses, including 
                assistance with respect to any construction or 
                operating expenses of newly developed or 
                existing emergency and transitional pet, 
                service animal, emotional support animal, or 
                horse shelter and housing (regardless of 
                whether such shelter and housing is co-located 
                at a victim service provider or within the 
                community);
                    (B) short-term shelter and housing 
                assistance for domestic violence victims with 
                pets, service animals, emotional support 
                animals, or horses, including assistance with 
                respect to expenses incurred for the temporary 
                shelter, housing, boarding, or fostering of the 
                pets, service animals, emotional support 
                animals, or horses of domestic violence victims 
                and other expenses that are incidental to 
                securing the safety of such a pet, service 
                animal, emotional support animal, or horse 
                during the sheltering, housing, or relocation 
                of such victims;
                    (C) support services designed to enable a 
                domestic violence victim who is fleeing a 
                situation of domestic violence, dating 
                violence, sexual assault, or stalking to--
                            (i) locate and secure--
                                    (I) safe housing with the 
                                victim's pet, service animal, 
                                emotional support animal, or 
                                horse; or
                                    (II) safe accommodations 
                                for the victim's pet, service 
                                animal, emotional support 
                                animal, or horse; or
                            (ii) provide the victim with pet, 
                        service animal, emotional support 
                        animal, or horse related services, such 
                        as transportation, care services, and 
                        other assistance; or
                    (D) for the training of relevant 
                stakeholders on--
                            (i) the link between domestic 
                        violence, dating violence, sexual 
                        assault, or stalking and the abuse and 
                        neglect of pets, service animals, 
                        emotional support animals, and horses;
                            (ii) the needs of domestic violence 
                        victims;
                            (iii) best practices for providing 
                        support services to such victims;
                            (iv) best practices for providing 
                        such victims with referrals to victims' 
                        services; and
                            (v) the importance of 
                        confidentiality.
            (4) Grant conditions.--An eligible entity that 
        receives a grant under this subsection shall, as a 
        condition of such receipt, agree--
                    (A) to be bound by the nondisclosure of 
                confidential information requirements of 
                section 40002(b)(2) of the Violence Against 
                Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(2)); and
                    (B) that the entity shall not condition the 
                receipt of support, housing, or other benefits 
                provided pursuant to this subsection on the 
                participation of domestic violence victims in 
                any or all of the support services offered to 
                such victims through a program carried out by 
                the entity using grant funds.
            (5) Duration of assistance provided to victims.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), assistance provided with respect to a pet, 
                service animal, emotional support animal, or 
                horse of a domestic violence victim using grant 
                funds awarded under this subsection shall be 
                provided for a period of not more than 24 
                months.
                    (B) Extension.--An eligible entity that 
                receives a grant under this subsection may 
                extend the 24-month period referred to in 
                subparagraph (A) for a period of not more than 
                6 months in the case of a domestic violence 
                victim who--
                            (i) has made a good faith effort to 
                        acquire permanent housing for the 
                        victim and the victim's pet, service 
                        animal, emotional support animal, or 
                        horse during that 24-month period; and
                            (ii) has been unable to acquire 
                        such permanent housing within that 
                        period.
            (6) Report to the secretary.--Not later than 1 year 
        after the date on which an eligible entity receives a 
        grant under this subsection and each year thereafter in 
        which the grant funds are used, the entity shall submit 
        to the Secretary a report that contains, with respect 
        to assistance provided by the entity to domestic 
        violence victims with pets, service animals, emotional 
        support animals, or horses using grant funds received 
        under this subsection, information on--
                    (A) the number of domestic violence victims 
                with pets, service animals, emotional support 
                animals, or horses provided such assistance; 
                and
                    (B) the purpose, amount, type of, and 
                duration of such assistance.
            (7) Report to congress.--
                    (A) Reporting requirement.--Not later than 
                November 1 of each even-numbered fiscal year, 
                the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
                Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
                the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
                Forestry of the Senate a report that contains a 
                compilation of the information contained in the 
                reports submitted under paragraph (6).
                    (B) Availability of report.--The Secretary 
                shall transmit a copy of the report submitted 
                under subparagraph (A) to--
                            (i) the Office on Violence Against 
                        Women of the Department of Justice;
                            (ii) the Office of Community 
                        Planning and Development of the 
                        Department of Housing and Urban 
                        Development; and
                            (iii) the Administration for 
                        Children and Families of the Department 
                        of Health and Human Services.
            (8) Authorization of appropriations.--
                    (A) In general.--There is authorized to be 
                appropriated to carry out this subsection 
                $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
                through 2023.
                    (B) Limitation.--Of the amount made 
                available under subparagraph (A) in any fiscal 
                year, not more than 5 percent may be used for 
                evaluation, monitoring, salaries, and 
                administrative expenses.
            (9) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Domestic violence victim defined.--The 
                term ``domestic violence victim'' means a 
                victim of domestic violence, dating violence, 
                sexual assault, or stalking.
                    (B) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible 
                entity'' means--
                            (i) a State;
                            (ii) a unit of local government;
                            (iii) an Indian tribe; or
                            (iv) any other organization that 
                        has a documented history of effective 
                        work concerning domestic violence, 
                        dating violence, sexual assault, or 
                        stalking (as determined by the 
                        Secretary), including--
                                    (I) a domestic violence and 
                                sexual assault victim service 
                                provider;
                                    (II) a domestic violence 
                                and sexual assault coalition;
                                    (III) a community-based and 
                                culturally specific 
                                organization;
                                    (IV) any other nonprofit, 
                                nongovernmental organization; 
                                and
                                    (V) any organization that 
                                works directly with pets, 
                                service animals, emotional 
                                support animals, or horses and 
                                collaborates with any 
                                organization referred to in 
                                clauses (i) through (iv), 
                                including--
                                            (aa) an animal 
                                        shelter; and
                                            (bb) an animal 
                                        welfare organization.
                    (C) Emotional support animal.--The term 
                ``emotional support animal'' means an animal 
                that is covered by the exclusion specified in 
                section 5.303 of title 24, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or a successor regulation), and 
                that is not a service animal.
                    (D) Pet.--The term ``pet'' means a 
                domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, 
                rodent, fish, turtle, or other animal that is 
                kept for pleasure rather than for commercial 
                purposes.
                    (E) Service animal.--The term ``service 
                animal'' has the meaning given the term in 
                section 36.104 of title 28, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (or a successor regulation).
                    (F) Other terms.--Except as otherwise 
                provided in this subsection, terms used in this 
                section shall have the meaning given such terms 
                in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against 
                Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).
    (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
States should encourage the inclusion of protections against 
violent or threatening acts against the pet, service animal, 
emotional support animal, or horse of a person in domestic 
violence protection orders.

SEC. 12503. MARKETING ORDERS.

    Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 
608e-1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural 
Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by inserting 
``cherries, pecans,'' after ``walnuts,''.

SEC. 12504. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON.

    Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended by sections 
12202, 12302, and 12403, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following:

``SEC. 224. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Food 
Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to coordinate Federal, State, 
local, and nongovernmental programs, and other efforts, to 
measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste in 
accordance with this section.
    ``(b) In General.--The Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison shall--
            ``(1) coordinate food loss and waste reduction 
        efforts within the Department of Agriculture and with 
        other Federal agencies, including the Environmental 
        Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration;
            ``(2) support and promote Federal programs to 
        measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste 
        and increase food recovery;
            ``(3) provide information to, and serve as a 
        resource for, entities engaged in food loss and waste 
        reduction and food recovery, including information 
        about the availability of, and eligibility requirements 
        for, participation in Federal, State, local, and 
        nongovernmental programs;
            ``(4) raise awareness of the liability protections 
        afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food 
        Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791) to persons engaged in 
        food loss and waste reduction and food recovery; and
            ``(5) make recommendations with respect to 
        expanding innovative food recovery models and reducing 
        the incidence of food loss and waste.
    ``(c) Cooperative Agreements.--For purposes of carrying out 
the duties under subsection (b), the Food Loss and Waste 
Reduction Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative 
agreements with the research centers of the Research, 
Education, and Economics mission area, institutions of higher 
education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or nonprofit organizations for--
            ``(1) the development of educational materials;
            ``(2) the conduct of workshops and courses; or
            ``(3) the conduct of research on best practices 
        with respect to food loss and waste reduction and food 
        recovery.
    ``(d) Study on Food Waste.--The Secretary shall conduct a 
study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison, to evaluate and determine--
            ``(1) methods of measuring food waste;
            ``(2) standards for the volume of food waste;
            ``(3) factors that contribute to food waste;
            ``(4) the cost and volume of food loss;
            ``(5) the effectiveness of existing liability 
        protections afforded under the Bill Emerson Good 
        Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791); and
            ``(6) measures to ensure that programs 
        contemplated, undertaken, or funded by the Department 
        of Agriculture do not disrupt existing food waste 
        recovery and disposal efforts by commercial, marketing, 
        or business relationships.
    ``(e) Reports.--
            ``(1) Initial report.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this section, the Food Loss 
        and Waste Liaison shall submit to the Committee on 
        Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate a report that describes the results of the 
        study conducted under subsection (d).
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of the submission of the report under paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
        the Senate a report that contains, with respect to the 
        preceding year--
                    ``(A) an estimate of the quantity of food 
                waste during such year; and
                    ``(B) the results of the food waste 
                reduction and loss prevention activities 
                carried out or led by the Department of 
                Agriculture.''.

SEC. 12505. REPORT ON BUSINESS CENTERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 365 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report evaluating each 
business center established in the Department of Agriculture.
    (b) Inclusions.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) an examination of the effectiveness of each 
        business center in carrying out its mission, including 
        any recommendations to improve the operation of and 
        function of any of those business centers; and
            (2) an evaluation of--
                    (A) the impact the business centers have on 
                customer service of the Department of 
                Agriculture;
                    (B) the impact on the annual budget for 
                agencies the budget offices of which have been 
                relocated to the business center, and the 
                effectiveness of funds used to support the 
                business centers, including an accounting of 
                all discretionary and mandatory funding 
                provided to the business center for 
                conservation and farm services from--
                            (i) the Natural Resources 
                        Conservation Service;
                            (ii) the Farm Service Agency; and
                            (iii) the Risk Management Agency;
                    (C) funding described in subparagraph (B) 
                spent on information technology modernizations;
                    (D) the impact that the business centers 
                have had on the human resources of the 
                Department of Agriculture, including hiring;
                    (E) any concerns or problems with the 
                business centers; and
                    (F) any positive or negative impact that 
                the business centers have had on the 
                functionality of the Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 12506. REPORT ON PERSONNEL.

    For the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a biannual report 
describing the number of staff years and employees of each 
agency of the Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 12507. REPORT ON ABSENT LANDLORDS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report describing the effects of absent landlords on the long-
term economic health of agricultural production, including the 
effect of absent landlords on--
            (1) land valuation;
            (2) soil health; and
            (3) the economic stability of rural communities.
    (b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) a description of the positive and negative 
        effects of an absent landlord on the land owned by the 
        landlord, including--
                    (A) the effect of an absent landlord on the 
                long-term value of the land; and
                    (B) the environmental and economic impact 
                of an absent landlord on the surrounding 
                community; and
            (2) recommendations to policymakers concerning how 
        to mitigate those effects when necessary.

SEC. 12508. CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM.

    The Secretary shall establish a program under which the 
Secretary recognizes any farm that--
            (1) a State department of agriculture or similar 
        statewide agricultural organization recognizes as a 
        Century Farm; or
            (2)(A) is defined as a farm or ranch under section 
        4284.902 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in 
        effect on the date of enactment of this Act);
            (B) has been in continuous operation for at least 
        100 years; and
            (C) has been owned by the same family for at least 
        100 consecutive years, as verified through deeds, 
        wills, abstracts, tax statements, or other similar 
        legal documents considered appropriate by the 
        Secretary.

SEC. 12509. REPORT ON IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report on the importation of live dogs into the United 
States.
    (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
shall include, with respect to the importation of live dogs 
into the United States for each of the 3 most recent calendar 
years for which data are available--
            (1) the total number of live dogs imported;
            (2) the number of live dogs imported as personal 
        pets;
            (3) the number of live dogs imported for resale (as 
        defined in section 18(a) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
        U.S.C. 2148(a));
            (4) the number of live dogs for which importation 
        was requested but denied due to the proposed 
        importation failing to meet the requirements under--
                    (A) section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
                U.S.C. 2148);
                    (B) section 71.51 of title 42, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (or any successor 
                regulations); or
                    (C) any other Federal law; and
            (5) any recommendations of the Secretary for 
        modifications to Federal law (including regulations) 
        relating to the importation of live dogs, including for 
        the protection of public health.
    (c) Provision of Information.--To facilitate the 
preparation of the report submitted under subsection (a), not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each 
provide to the Secretary of Agriculture all available data and 
information relating to the importation of live dogs into the 
United States, including--
            (1) the data described in paragraphs (1) through 
        (4) of subsection (b) for each of the 3 most recent 
        calendar years for which data is available; and
            (2) any recommendations for modifications to 
        Federal law (including regulations) relating to the 
        importation of live dogs, including for the protection 
        of public health.

SEC. 12510. TRIBAL PROMISE ZONES.

    (a) In General.--In this section, the term ``Tribal Promise 
Zone'' means an area that--
            (1) is nominated by 1 or more Indian tribes (as 
        defined in section 4(13) of the Native American Housing 
        Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 
        U.S.C. 4103(13))) for designation as a Tribal Promise 
        Zone (in this section referred to as a ``nominated 
        zone'');
            (2) has a continuous boundary; and
            (3) the Secretary designates as a Tribal Promise 
        Zone, after consultation with the Secretary of 
        Commerce, the Secretary of Education, the Attorney 
        General, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary 
        of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of 
        Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the 
        Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of 
        Transportation, and other agencies as appropriate.
    (b) Authorization and Number of Designations.--Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall nominate a minimum number of nominated zones, 
as determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian 
tribes, to be designated as Tribal Promise Zones.
    (c) Period of Designations.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall designate 
        nominated zones as Tribal Promise Zones before January 
        1, 2020.
            (2) Effective dates of designations.--The 
        designation of any Tribal Promise Zone shall take 
        effect--
                    (A) for purposes of priority consideration 
                in Federal grant programs and initiatives 
                (other than this section), upon execution of 
                the Tribal Promise Zone agreement with the 
                Secretary; and
                    (B) for purposes of this section, on 
                January 1 of the first calendar year beginning 
                after the date of the execution of the Tribal 
                Promise Zone agreement.
            (3) Termination of designations.--The designation 
        of any Tribal Promise Zone shall end on the earlier 
        of--
                    (A)(i) with respect to a Tribal Promise 
                Zone not described in paragraph (4), the end of 
                the 10-year period beginning on the date that 
                such designation takes effect; or
                    (ii) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone 
                described in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-
                year period beginning on the date the area was 
                designated as a Tribal Promise Zone before the 
                date of the enactment of this Act; or
                    (B) the date of the revocation of such 
                designation.
            (4) Application to certain zones already 
        designated.--In the case of any area designated as a 
        Tribal Promise Zone by the Secretary before the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, such area shall be deemed a 
        Tribal Promise Zone designated under this section 
        (notwithstanding whether any such designation has been 
        revoked before the date of the enactment of this Act) 
        and shall reduce the number of Tribal Promise Zones 
        remaining to be designated under paragraph (1).
    (d) Limitations on Designations.--No area may be designated 
under this section unless--
            (1) the entities nominating the area have the 
        authority to nominate the area of designation under 
        this section;
            (2) such entities provide written assurances 
        satisfactory to the Secretary that the competitiveness 
        plan described in the application under subsection (e) 
        for such area will be implemented and that such 
        entities will provide the Secretary with such data 
        regarding the economic conditions of the area (before, 
        during, and after the area's period of designation as a 
        Tribal Promise Zone) as the Secretary may require; and
            (3) the Secretary determines that any information 
        furnished is reasonably accurate.
    (e) Application.--No area may be designated under this 
section unless the application for such designation--
            (1) demonstrates that the nominated zone satisfies 
        the eligibility criteria described in subsection (a); 
        and
            (2) includes a competitiveness plan that--
                    (A) addresses the need of the nominated 
                zone to attract investment and jobs and improve 
                educational opportunities;
                    (B) leverages the nominated zone's economic 
                strengths and outlines targeted investments to 
                develop competitive advantages;
                    (C) demonstrates collaboration across a 
                wide range of stakeholders;
                    (D) outlines a strategy that connects the 
                nominated zone to drivers of regional economic 
                growth; and
                    (E) proposes a strategy for focusing on 
                increased access to high quality affordable 
                housing and improved public safety.
    (f) Selection Criteria.--
            (1) In general.--From among the nominated zones 
        eligible for designation under this section, the 
        Secretary shall designate Tribal Promise Zones on the 
        basis of--
                    (A) the effectiveness of the 
                competitiveness plan submitted under subsection 
                (e) and the assurances made under subsection 
                (d);
                    (B) unemployment rates, poverty rates, 
                vacancy rates, crime rates, and such other 
                factors as the Secretary may identify, 
                including household income, labor force 
                participation, and educational attainment; and
                    (C) other criteria as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            (2) Minimal standards.--The Secretary may set 
        minimal standards for the levels of unemployment and 
        poverty that must be satisfied for designation as a 
        Tribal Promise Zone.

SEC. 12511. PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONNECTIVITY.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
            (1) Precision agriculture technologies and 
        practices allow farmers to significantly increase crop 
        yields, eliminate overlap in operations, and reduce 
        inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pesticides, water, and 
        fuel.
            (2) These technologies allow farmers to collect 
        data in real time about their fields, automate field 
        management, and maximize resources.
            (3) Studies estimate that precision agriculture 
        technologies can reduce agricultural operation costs by 
        up to 25 dollars per acre and increase farm yields by 
        up to 70 percent by 2050.
            (4) The critical cost savings and productivity 
        benefits of precision agriculture cannot be realized 
        without the availability of reliable broadband Internet 
        access service delivered to the agricultural land of 
        the United States.
            (5) The deployment of broadband Internet access 
        service to unserved agricultural land is critical to 
        the United States economy and to the continued 
        leadership of the United States in global food 
        production.
            (6) Despite the growing demand for broadband 
        Internet access service on agricultural land, broadband 
        Internet access service is not consistently available 
        where needed for agricultural operations.
            (7) The Federal Communications Commission has an 
        important role to play in the deployment of broadband 
        Internet access service on unserved agricultural land 
        to promote precision agriculture.
    (b) Task Force.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A)(i) The term ``broadband Internet access 
                service'' means a mass-market retail service by 
                wire or radio that provides the capability to 
                transmit data to, and receive data from, all or 
                substantially all Internet endpoints, including 
                any capabilities that are incidental to, and 
                enable the operation of, the communications 
                service, but excluding dial up internet access 
                service.
                    (ii) Such term includes any service the 
                Commission finds to be providing a functional 
                equivalent of the service described in clause 
                (i).
                    (B) The term ``Commission'' means the 
                Federal Communications Commission.
                    (C) The term ``Department'' means the 
                Department of Agriculture.
                    (D) The term ``Secretary'' means the 
                Secretary of Agriculture.
                    (E) The term ``Task Force'' means the Task 
                Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and 
                Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in 
                the United States established under paragraph 
                (2).
            (2) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall 
        establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity 
        and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the 
        United States.
            (3) Duties.--
                    (A) In general.--The Task Force shall 
                consult with the Secretary, or a designee of 
                the Secretary, and collaborate with public and 
                private stakeholders in the agriculture and 
                technology fields to--
                            (i) identify and measure current 
                        gaps in the availability of broadband 
                        Internet access service on agricultural 
                        land;
                            (ii) develop policy recommendations 
                        to promote the rapid, expanded 
                        deployment of broadband Internet access 
                        service on unserved agricultural land, 
                        with a goal of achieving reliable 
                        capabilities on 95 percent of 
                        agricultural land in the United States 
                        by 2025;
                            (iii) promote effective policy and 
                        regulatory solutions that encourage the 
                        adoption of broadband Internet access 
                        service on farms and ranches and 
                        promote precision agriculture;
                            (iv) recommend specific new rules 
                        or amendments to existing rules of the 
                        Commission that the Commission should 
                        issue to achieve the goals and purposes 
                        of the policy recommendations described 
                        in clause (ii);
                            (v) recommend specific steps that 
                        the Commission should take to obtain 
                        reliable and standardized data 
                        measurements of the availability of 
                        broadband Internet access service as 
                        may be necessary to target funding 
                        support, from future programs of the 
                        Commission dedicated to the deployment 
                        of broadband Internet access service, 
                        to unserved agricultural land in need 
                        of broadband Internet access service; 
                        and
                            (vi) recommend specific steps that 
                        the Commission should consider to 
                        ensure that the expertise of the 
                        Secretary and available farm data are 
                        reflected in future programs of the 
                        Commission dedicated to the 
                        infrastructure deployment of broadband 
                        Internet access service and to direct 
                        available funding to unserved 
                        agricultural land where needed.
                    (B) No duplicate data reporting.--In 
                performing the duties of the Commission under 
                subparagraph (A), the Commission shall ensure 
                that no provider of broadband Internet access 
                service is required to report data to the 
                Commission that is, on the day before the date 
                of enactment of this Act, required to be 
                reported by the provider of broadband Internet 
                access service.
                    (C) Hold harmless.--The Task Force and the 
                Commission shall not interpret the phrase 
                ``future programs of the Commission'', as used 
                in clauses (v) and (vi) of subparagraph (A), to 
                include the universal service programs of the 
                Commission established under section 254 of the 
                Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254).
                    (D) Consultation.--The Secretary, or a 
                designee of the Secretary, shall explain and 
                make available to the Task Force the expertise, 
                data mapping information, and resources of the 
                Department that the Department uses to identify 
                cropland, ranchland, and other areas with 
                agricultural operations that may be helpful in 
                developing the recommendations required under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    (E) List of available federal programs and 
                resources.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
                and the Commission shall jointly submit to the 
                Task Force a list of all Federal programs or 
                resources available for the expansion of 
                broadband Internet access service on unserved 
                agricultural land to assist the Task Force in 
                carrying out the duties of the Task Force.
            (4) Membership.--
                    (A) In general.--The Task Force shall be--
                            (i) composed of not more than 15 
                        voting members who shall--
                                    (I) be selected by the 
                                Chairman of the Commission, in 
                                consultation with the 
                                Secretary; and
                                    (II) include--
                                            (aa) agricultural 
                                        producers representing 
                                        diverse geographic 
                                        regions and farm sizes, 
                                        including owners and 
                                        operators of farms of 
                                        less than 100 acres;
                                            (bb) an 
                                        agricultural producer 
                                        representing tribal 
                                        agriculture;
                                            (cc) Internet 
                                        service providers, 
                                        including regional or 
                                        rural fixed and mobile 
                                        broadband Internet 
                                        access service 
                                        providers and 
                                        telecommunications 
                                        infrastructure 
                                        providers;
                                            (dd) 
                                        representatives from 
                                        the electric 
                                        cooperative industry;
                                            (ee) 
                                        representatives from 
                                        the satellite industry;
                                            (ff) 
                                        representatives from 
                                        precision agriculture 
                                        equipment 
                                        manufacturers, 
                                        including drone 
                                        manufacturers, 
                                        manufacturers of 
                                        autonomous agricultural 
                                        machinery, and 
                                        manufacturers of 
                                        farming robotics 
                                        technologies;
                                            (gg) 
                                        representatives from 
                                        State and local 
                                        governments; and
                                            (hh) 
                                        representatives with 
                                        relevant expertise in 
                                        broadband network data 
                                        collection, geospatial 
                                        analysis, and coverage 
                                        mapping; and
                            (ii) fairly balanced in terms of 
                        technologies, points of view, and 
                        fields represented on the Task Force.
                    (B) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
                            (i) In general.--A member of the 
                        Committee appointed under subparagraph 
                        (A)(i) shall serve for a single term of 
                        2 years.
                            (ii) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the 
                        Task Force--
                                    (I) shall not affect the 
                                powers of the Task Force; and
                                    (II) shall be filled in the 
                                same manner as the original 
                                appointment.
                    (C) Ex-officio member.--The Secretary, or a 
                designee of the Secretary, shall serve as an 
                ex-officio, nonvoting member of the Task Force.
            (5) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        on which the Commission establishes the Task Force, and 
        annually thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the 
        Chairman of the Commission a report, which shall be 
        made public not later than 30 days after the date on 
        which the Chairman receives the report, that details--
                    (A) the status of fixed and mobile 
                broadband Internet access service coverage of 
                agricultural land;
                    (B) the projected future connectivity needs 
                of agricultural operations, farmers, and 
                ranchers; and
                    (C) the steps being taken to accurately 
                measure the availability of broadband Internet 
                access service on agricultural land and the 
                limitations of current, as of the date of the 
                report, measurement processes.
            (6) Termination.--The Commission shall renew the 
        Task Force every 2 years until the Task Force 
        terminates on January 1, 2025.
    (c) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No additional funds is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. This 
section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 
authorized.

SEC. 12512. IMPROVEMENTS TO UNITED STATES DROUGHT MONITOR.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the 
Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center and the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to enhance the collection of data to improve the 
accuracy of the United States Drought Monitor.
    (b) Utilization.--To the maximum extent practicable, the 
Secretary shall utilize a consistent source or sources of data 
for programs that are based on drought or precipitation 
indices, such as the livestock forage disaster program 
established under section 1501(c) of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)) or policies or plans of insurance 
established under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.).
    (c) Review.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review 
of--
            (1) the types of data currently utilized by the 
        United States Drought Monitor;
            (2) the geographic coverage and density of existing 
        data collection sites; and
            (3) other meteorological or climatological data 
        that is being collected by other Federal agencies, 
        State and local governments, and non-Federal entities 
        that could be utilized by the United States Drought 
        Monitor.
    (d) Improvements.--
            (1) In general.--Upon the completion of the review 
        prescribed in subsection (c), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) seek to expand the collection of 
                relevant data in States or geographic areas 
                where coverage is currently lacking as compared 
                to other States or geographic areas; and
                    (B) to the maximum extent practicable, 
                develop standards to allow the integration of 
                meteorological or climatological data into the 
                United States Drought Monitor derived from--
                            (i) in-situ soil moisture profile 
                        measuring devices;
                            (ii) citizen science (as defined in 
                        the Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science 
                        Act (15 U.S.C. 3724)), including data 
                        from the Cooperative Observer Program 
                        of the National Weather Service; and
                            (iii) other Federal agencies, State 
                        and local governments, and non-Federal 
                        entities.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is to 
        be authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to 
        carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2019 through 2023.

SEC. 12513. DAIRY BUSINESS INNOVATION INITIATIVES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Dairy business.--The term ``dairy business'' 
        means a business that develops, produces, markets, or 
        distributes dairy products.
            (2) Initiative.--The term ``initiative'' means a 
        dairy product and business innovation initiative 
        established under subsection (b).
    (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish not less 
than 3 regionally-located dairy product and business innovation 
initiatives for the purposes of--
            (1) diversifying dairy product markets to reduce 
        risk and develop higher-value uses for dairy products;
            (2) promoting business development that diversifies 
        farmer income through processing and marketing 
        innovation; and
            (3) encouraging the use of regional milk 
        production.
    (c) Selection of Initiatives.--An initiative--
            (1) shall be positioned to draw on existing dairy 
        industry resources, including activities conducted by 
        the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and 
        other dairy promotion entities, research capacity, 
        academic and industry expertise, a density of dairy 
        farms or farmland suitable for dairying, and dairy 
        businesses; and
            (2) may serve a certain product niche, such as 
        specialty cheese, or serve dairy businesses with dairy 
        products derived from the milk of a specific type of 
        dairy animal, including dairy products made from cow 
        milk, sheep milk, and goat milk.
    (d) Entities Eligible To Host Initiative.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), any of 
        the following entities may submit to the Secretary an 
        application to host an initiative:
                    (A) A State department of agriculture or 
                other State entity.
                    (B) A nonprofit organization.
                    (C) An institution of higher education.
                    (D) A cooperative extension service.
            (2) Capacity of eligible entity.--Any entity 
        described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph 
        (1) shall be eligible to submit an application under 
        that paragraph if the entity has--
                    (A) a capacity to provide consultation and 
                expertise necessary to advance the purpose and 
                activities of the proposed initiative; and
                    (B) expertise in grant distribution and 
                tracking.
            (3) Ineligible entity.--A dairy promotion program 
        shall not be eligible to host an initiative under this 
        section.
    (e) Partners.--
            (1) In general.--An entity described in subsection 
        (d)(1) may establish as a partner an organization or 
        entity described in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) prior to the submission of the 
                application under that subsection; or
                    (B) after approval of the application, in 
                consultation with the Secretary.
            (2) Partner described.--A partner under paragraph 
        (1) shall be an organization or entity with expertise 
        or experience in dairy, including the marketing, 
        research, education, or promotion of dairy.
    (f) Activities of Initiatives.--
            (1) Direct assistance to dairy businesses.--An 
        initiative shall provide nonmonetary assistance 
        directly to dairy businesses through private 
        consultation or widely available distribution--
                    (A) by the entity that hosts the initiative 
                under subsection (d)(1);
                    (B) through contracting with industry 
                experts;
                    (C) through the provision of technical 
                assistance, such as informational websites, 
                webinars, conferences, trainings, plant tours, 
                and field days; or
                    (D) through research institutions, 
                including cooperative extension services.
            (2) Types of assistance.--Eligible forms of 
        assistance include--
                    (A) business consulting, including business 
                plan development for processed dairy products, 
                strategic planning assistance, and distribution 
                and supply chain innovation;
                    (B) marketing and branding assistance, 
                including market messaging, packaging 
                innovation, consumer assessments, innovation in 
                emerging market opportunities, and evaluation 
                of regional, national, and international 
                markets;
                    (C) assistance in product innovation, 
                including the development of value-added 
                products, innovation in byproduct reprocessing 
                and use maximization, and dairy product 
                production training, including in new, rare, or 
                innovative techniques; and
                    (D) other nonmonetary assistance, as 
                determined by the Secretary.
            (3) Grants to dairy businesses.--
                    (A) In general.--An initiative shall 
                provide grants on a competitive basis to new 
                and existing dairy businesses for the purposes 
                of--
                            (i) modernization, specialization, 
                        and grazing transition on dairy farms;
                            (ii) value chain and commodity 
                        innovation and facility and process 
                        updates for dairy processors; and
                            (iii) product development, 
                        packaging, and marketing of dairy 
                        products.
                    (B) Grants to certain entities.--An 
                initiative may provide a grant on a 
                noncompetitive basis to an entity that receives 
                assistance under paragraph (1) to advance the 
                business activities recommended as a result of 
                that assistance.
                    (C) Grant amounts.--Grants provided under 
                this paragraph shall not exceed $500,000, 
                unless a greater amount is approved by the 
                Secretary.
            (4) Consultation.--An entity that hosts an 
        initiative shall consult with the National Dairy 
        Promotion and Research Board, the Secretary, and the 
        Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service in 
        carrying out the initiative.
            (5) Conflict of interest.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                establish guidelines and procedures to prevent 
                any conflict of interest or the appearance of a 
                conflict of interest by an initiative 
                (including a partner of the initiative) during 
                the allocation of direct assistance under 
                paragraph (1) or grant funding under paragraph 
                (3).
                    (B) Penalty.--The Secretary may suspend or 
                terminate an initiative if the initiative 
                (including a partner of the initiative) is 
                found to be in violation of the guidelines and 
                procedures established under subparagraph (A).
    (g) Distribution of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--Using the funds made available to 
        carry out this section, the Secretary--
                    (A) shall provide not less than 3 awards to 
                eligible entities described in subsection (d) 
                for the purposes of carrying out the activities 
                under subsection (f); and
                    (B) is encouraged to award funds under 
                subparagraph (A) in multiyear funding 
                allocations.
            (2) Use of funds.--Not less than 50 percent of the 
        funds made available under subsection (i) shall be 
        allocated to grants under subsection (f)(3).
            (3) Priority.--An entity hosting an initiative 
        shall give priority to the provision of direct 
        assistance under subsection (f)(1) and grants under 
        subsection (f)(3) to--
                    (A) dairy farms and dairy businesses with 
                limited access to other forms of assistance;
                    (B) employee-owned dairy businesses;
                    (C) cooperatives; and
                    (D) dairy businesses that seek to create 
                dairy products that add substantial value in 
                processing or marketing, such as specialty 
                cheeses.
            (4) Requirement.--Assistance or a grant shall not 
        be made available to a foreign person making direct 
        investment (as those terms are defined in section 801.2 
        of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
        regulations)) in the United States in the case of--
                    (A) direct assistance under subsection 
                (f)(1) that is provided to a specific dairy 
                business and is not publicly available, as 
                determined by the Secretary; or
                    (B) a grant under subsection (f)(3).
            (5) Supplementation.--To the extent practicable, 
        the Secretary shall ensure that funds provided to an 
        initiative supplement, and do not duplicate or replace, 
        existing dairy product research, development, and 
        promotion activities.
    (h) Report.--Not later than January 31, 2022, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the outcomes of the 
program under this section and any related activities and 
opportunities to further increase dairy innovation.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
each fiscal year.

SEC. 12514. REPORT ON FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND 
                    AGRICULTURE AND OTHER EXTENSION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
which the census of agriculture required to be conducted in 
calendar year 2017 under section 2 of the Census of Agriculture 
Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) is released, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the funding 
necessary to adequately address the needs of the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture, activities carried out under 
the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), and research and 
extension programs carried out at an 1890 Institution (as 
defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)) or an 
institution designated under the Act of July 2, 1862 (commonly 
known as the ``First Morrill Act'') (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 
7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), to provide adequate services for the 
growth and development of the economies of rural communities 
based on the changing demographic in the rural and farming 
communities in the various States.
    (b) Requirements.--In preparing the report under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall focus on the funding needs of the 
programs described in subsection (a) with respect to carrying 
out activities relating to small and diverse farms and ranches, 
veteran farmers and ranchers, value-added agriculture, direct-
to-consumer sales, and specialty crops.

SEC. 12515. PROHIBITION ON SLAUGHTER OF DOGS AND CATS FOR HUMAN 
                    CONSUMPTION.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (c), no 
person may--
            (1) knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human 
        consumption; or
            (2) knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, 
        receive, possess, purchase, sell, or donate--
                    (A) a dog or cat to be slaughtered for 
                human consumption; or
                    (B) a dog or cat part for human 
                consumption.
    (b) Scope.--Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to 
conduct--
            (1) in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign 
        commerce; or
            (2) within the special maritime and territorial 
        jurisdiction of the United States.
    (c) Exception for Indian Tribes.--The prohibition in 
subsection (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in 
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) carrying out any activity 
described in subsection (a) for the purpose of a religious 
ceremony.
    (d) Penalty.--Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for 
each violation.
    (e) Effect On State Law.--Nothing in this section--
            (1) limits any State or local law or regulation 
        protecting the welfare of animals; or
            (2) prevents a State or unit of local government 
        from adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or 
        regulation that is more stringent than this section.

SEC. 12516. LABELING EXEMPTION FOR SINGLE INGREDIENT FOODS AND 
                    PRODUCTS.

    The food labeling requirements under section 403(q) of the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343(q)) shall 
not require that the nutrition facts label of any single-
ingredient sugar, honey, agave, or syrup, including maple 
syrup, that is packaged and offered for sale as a single-
ingredient food bear the declaration ``Includes X g Added 
Sugars.''.

SEC. 12517. SOUTH CAROLINA INCLUSION IN VIRGINIA/CAROLINA PEANUT 
                    PRODUCING REGION.

    Section 1308(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7958(c)(2)(B)(iii)) is amended 
by striking ``Virginia and North Carolina'' and inserting 
``Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina''.

SEC. 12518. FOREST SERVICE HIRE AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture may appoint, 
without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 
of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and 
3328 of such title, a qualified candidate described in 
subsection (b) directly to a position with the Department of 
Agriculture, Forest Service for which the candidate meets 
Office of Personnel Management qualification standards.
    (b) Qualifications.--Subsection (a) applies to a former 
resource assistant (as defined in section 203 of the Public 
Land Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1722)) who--
            (1) completed a rigorous internship with a land 
        managing agency, such as the Forest Service Resource 
        Assistant Program;
            (2) successfully fulfilled the requirements of the 
        internship program; and
            (3) earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from 
        an accredited institution of higher education (as 
        defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).
    (c) Limitation.--The direct hire authority under this 
section may not be exercised with respect to a specific 
qualified candidate after the end of the 2-year period 
beginning on the date on which the candidate completed the 
undergraduate or graduate degree, as the case may be, or has 
successfully fulfilled the requirements of the internship 
program, whichever is later.

SEC. 12519. CONVERSION AUTHORITY.

    The Secretary may, notwithstanding subchapter I of chapter 
33 of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
the competitive or excepted service, noncompetitively convert 
to an appointment in the competitive service, in an agency or 
office within the Department of Agriculture, a recent graduate 
or student who is a United States citizen and has been awarded 
and successfully completed a scholarship program granted to the 
individual by the Department through the 1890 National Scholars 
Program or the 1994 Tribal Scholars Program carried out by the 
Department, provided the individual meets the requirements for 
such conversion and meets Office of Personnel Management 
qualification standards, as determined by the Secretary. 
Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed as 
requiring the Secretary to convert an individual under the 
authority under such sentence.

SEC. 12520. AUTHORIZATION OF PROTECTION OPERATIONS FOR THE SECRETARY OF 
                    AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS.

    (a) In General.--The Department of Agriculture is 
authorized to employ qualified law enforcement officers or 
special agents to provide--
            (1) protection for the Secretary and the Deputy 
        Secretary during the performance of official duties by 
        each such officer and during any activity that is 
        preliminary or postliminary to the performance of 
        official duties by each such officer;
            (2) protection, incidental to the protection 
        provided pursuant to paragraph (1), to an individual 
        accompanying each such officer who is participating in 
        an activity or event relating to the official duties of 
        each such officer when there is an articulable threat 
        to such individual;
            (3) continuous protection to the Secretary and 
        Deputy Secretary (including during periods not 
        described in paragraph (1)) if there is an articulable 
        threat of physical harm, in accordance with guidelines 
        established by the Secretary; and
            (4) protection of another senior officer 
        representing the Secretary (including a person 
        nominated to be the Secretary during the pendency of 
        such nomination) if there is an articulable threat of 
        physical harm, in accordance with guidelines 
        established by the Secretary.
    (b) Authorities of the Protective Operation.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may authorize 
        officers or special agents employed pursuant to 
        subsection (a)--
                    (A) to carry firearms;
                    (B) to conduct criminal investigations into 
                potential threats to the security of persons 
                protected under this section;
                    (C) to make arrests without a warrant for 
                any offense against the United States committed 
                in the presence of such officer or special 
                agent;
                    (D) to perform protective intelligence 
                work, including identifying and mitigating 
                potential threats and conducting advance work 
                to review security matters relating to sites 
                and events; and
                    (E) to coordinate with local law 
                enforcement agencies.
            (2) Guidelines.--The authority conveyed under this 
        section shall be exercised in accordance with any--
                    (A) guidelines issued by the Attorney 
                General; and
                    (B) such additional guidelines as may be 
                issued by the Secretary.
    (c) Exception.--The authorities granted under this section 
may be exercised notwithstanding section 1343(b)(1) of title 
31, United States Code.
    (d) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2019, and each 
September 30 through 2024, the Secretary shall provide to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
a report describing the protection provided, and accounting for 
the expenditures made, pursuant to this section.

              PART II--NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE

SEC. 12531. NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 713 of the National Oilheat 
Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 
106-469) is amended by striking ``18 years'' and inserting ``28 
years''.
    (b) Limitation on Obligations of Funds.--The National 
Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; 
Public Law 106-469) is amended by inserting after section 707 
the following:

``SEC. 708. LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OF FUNDS.

    ``(a) In General.--In each calendar year of the covered 
period, the Alliance may not obligate an amount greater than 
the sum of--
            ``(1) 75 percent of the amount of assessments 
        estimated to be collected under section 707 in that 
        calendar year;
            ``(2) 75 percent of the amount of assessments 
        actually collected under section 707 in the most recent 
        calendar year for which an audit report has been 
        submitted under section 706(f)(2)(B) as of the 
        beginning of the calendar year for which the amount 
        that may be obligated is being determined, less the 
        estimate made pursuant to paragraph (1) for that most 
        recent calendar year; and
            ``(3) amounts permitted in preceding calendar years 
        to be obligated pursuant to this subsection that have 
        not been obligated.
    ``(b) Excess Amounts Deposited in Escrow Account.--
Assessments collected under section 707 in excess of the amount 
permitted to be obligated under subsection (a) in a calendar 
year shall be deposited in an escrow account for the duration 
of the covered period.
    ``(c) Treatment of Amounts in Escrow Account.--
            ``(1) In general.--During the covered period, the 
        Alliance may not obligate, expend, or borrow against 
        amounts required under subsection (b) to be deposited 
        in the escrow account.
            ``(2) Interest.--Any interest earned on amounts 
        described in paragraph (1) shall be--
                    ``(A) deposited in the escrow account; and
                    ``(B) unavailable for obligation for the 
                duration of the covered period.
    ``(d) Release of Amounts in Escrow Account.--Beginning on 
October 1, 2028, the Alliance may withdraw and obligate any 
amount in the escrow account.
    ``(e) Covered Period Defined.--In this section, the term 
`covered period' means the period that begins on February 6, 
2019, and ends on September 30, 2028.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--The National Oilheat Research 
Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106-469) 
is amended--
            (1) in section 706(d)(1), by striking ``not exceed 
        7 percent of the amount of assessments collected in any 
        calendar year, except that during the first year of 
        operation of the Alliance such expenses and amounts 
        shall not exceed 10 percent of the amount of 
        assessments'' and inserting ``not exceed 7 percent of 
        the amount of assessments collected in any calendar 
        year that are permitted to be obligated in that 
        calendar year''; and
            (2) in section 707--
                    (A) in subsection (e), by inserting ``that 
                are permitted to be obligated'' after ``amount 
                of assessments collected in the State'' each 
                place it appears; and
                    (B) in subsection (f), by inserting ``and 
                permitted to be obligated'' after ``assessments 
                collected'' each place it appears.

                     Subtitle F--General Provisions

SEC. 12601. BAITING OF MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Normal agricultural operation.--The term 
        ``normal agricultural operation'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 20.11 of title 50, Code of Federal 
        Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
        this Act).
            (2) Post-disaster flooding.--The term ``post-
        disaster flooding'' means the destruction of a crop 
        through flooding in accordance with practices required 
        by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for 
        agricultural producers to obtain crop insurance under 
        the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) 
        on land on which a crop was not harvestable due to a 
        natural disaster (including any hurricane, storm, 
        tornado, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal 
        wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, 
        landslide, mudslide, drought, fire, snowstorm, or other 
        catastrophe that is declared a major disaster by the 
        President in accordance with section 401 of the Robert 
        T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 5170)) in the crop year--
                    (A) in which the natural disaster occurred; 
                or
                    (B) immediately preceding the crop year in 
                which the natural disaster occurred.
            (3) Rice ratooning.--The term ``rice ratooning'' 
        means the agricultural practice of harvesting rice by 
        cutting the majority of the aboveground portion of the 
        rice plant but leaving the roots and growing shoot 
        apices intact to allow the plant to recover and produce 
        a second crop yield.
    (b) Regulations to Exclude Rice Ratooning and Post-disaster 
Flooding.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall revise part 20 of 
title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that rice 
ratooning and post-disaster flooding, when carried out as part 
of a normal agricultural operation, do not constitute baiting.
    (c) Reports.--Not less frequently than once each year--
            (1) the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to 
        the Secretary of the Interior a report that describes 
        any changes to normal agricultural operations across 
        the range of crops grown by agricultural producers in 
        each region of the United States in which the official 
        recommendations described in section 20.11(h) of title 
        50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the 
        date of enactment of this Act), are provided to 
        agricultural producers; and
            (2) the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
        with the Secretary of Agriculture and after seeking 
        input from the heads of State departments of fish and 
        wildlife or the Regional Migratory Bird Flyway Councils 
        of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall 
        publicly post a report on the impact that rice 
        ratooning and post-disaster flooding have on the 
        behavior of migratory game birds that are hunted in the 
        area in which rice ratooning and post-disaster 
        flooding, respectively, have occurred.

SEC. 12602. PIMA AGRICULTURE COTTON TRUST FUND.

    Section 12314 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
2101 note; Public Law 113-79) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``2018'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``2023'';
            (2) by striking ``calendar year 2013'' each place 
        it appears and inserting ``the prior calendar year'';
            (3) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and 
                (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
                    (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as 
                so redesignated), by striking ``(2) Twenty-
                five'' and inserting the following:
            ``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
        twenty-five'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (A)(ii) (as so 
                designated), by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' 
                and inserting ``clause (i)''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(B)(i) A yarn spinner shall not receive an amount 
        under subparagraph (A) that exceeds the cost of pima 
        cotton that--
                    ``(I) was purchased during the prior 
                calendar year; and
                    ``(II) was used in spinning any cotton 
                yarns.
            ``(ii) The Secretary shall reallocate any amounts 
        reduced by reason of the limitation under clause (i) to 
        spinners using the ratio described in subparagraph (A), 
        disregarding production of any spinner subject to that 
        limitation.'';
            (4) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``(b)(2)(A)'' and inserting 
                ``(b)(2)(A)(i)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' 
                at the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) the dollar amount of pima cotton purchased 
        during the prior calendar year--
                    ``(A) that was used in spinning any cotton 
                yarns; and
                    ``(B) for which the producer maintains 
                supporting documentation.'';
            (5) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``by the Secretary--'' and 
                inserting ``by the Secretary not later than 
                March 15 of the applicable calendar year.''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and
            (6) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection 
        (b)--'' in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and all 
        that follows through ``not later than'' in paragraph 
        (2) and inserting ``subsection (b) not later than''.

SEC. 12603. AGRICULTURE WOOL APPAREL MANUFACTURERS TRUST FUND.

    Section 12315 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
7101 note; Public Law 113-79) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``2019'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``2023'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                clause (i), by striking ``the 
                                payment--'' and inserting ``the 
                                payment, payments in amounts 
                                authorized under that 
                                paragraph.''; and
                                    (II) by striking clauses 
                                (i) and (ii); and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B)--
                                    (I) in the matter preceding 
                                clause (i), by striking 
                                ``4002(c)--'' and inserting 
                                ``4002(c), payments in amounts 
                                authorized under that 
                                paragraph.''; and
                                    (II) by striking clauses 
                                (i) and (ii); and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                ``submitted--'' in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A) and all that follows through 
                ``to the Secretary'' in subparagraph (B) and 
                inserting ``submitted to the Secretary''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                by striking ``subsection (b)--'' and inserting 
                ``subsection (b) not later than April 15 of the 
                year of the payment.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2).

SEC. 12604. WOOL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION.

    Section 12316(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
7101 note; Public Law 113-79) is amended by striking ``2015 
through 2019'' and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

SEC. 12605. EMERGENCY CITRUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TRUST 
                    FUND.

    (a) Definition of Citrus.--In this section, the term 
``citrus'' means edible fruit of the family Rutaceae, including 
any hybrid of that fruit and any product of that hybrid that is 
produced for commercial purposes in the United States.
    (b) Establishment of Trust Fund.--There is established in 
the Treasury of the United States a trust fund, to be known as 
the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust 
Fund (referred to in this section as the ``Citrus Trust 
Fund''), consisting of such amounts as shall be transferred to 
the Citrus Trust Fund pursuant to subsection (d).
    (c) Use of Fund.--From amounts in the Citrus Trust Fund, 
the Secretary shall, beginning in fiscal year 2019, carry out 
the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program in 
section 412(j) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(j)).
    (d) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall transfer to the Citrus Trust 
Fund $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to 
remain available until expended.

SEC. 12606. EXTENSION OF MERCHANDISE PROCESSING FEES.

    Section 503 of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (Public Law 112-41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) is 
amended by striking ``February 24, 2027'' and inserting ``May 
26, 2027''.

SEC. 12607. REPORTS ON LAND ACCESS AND FARMLAND OWNERSHIP DATA 
                    COLLECTION.

    (a) Land Access.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
consultation with the Chief Economist, shall submit to Congress 
and make publicly available a report identifying--
            (1) the barriers that prevent or hinder the ability 
        of beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in 
        section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
        and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))) and socially 
        disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in such 
        section) to acquire or access farmland;
            (2) the extent to which Federal programs, including 
        agricultural conservation easement programs, land 
        transition programs, and financing programs, are 
        improving--
                    (A) farmland access and tenure for 
                beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
                disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and
                    (B) farmland transition and succession; and
            (3) the regulatory, operational, or statutory 
        changes that are necessary to improve--
                    (A) the ability of beginning farmers and 
                ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and 
                ranchers to acquire or access farmland;
                    (B) farmland tenure for beginning farmers 
                and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers 
                and ranchers; and
                    (C) farmland transition and succession.
    (b) Farmland Ownership.--The Secretary shall collect and, 
not less frequently than once every 3 years report, data and 
analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry 
of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers (as those terms are defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))). In carrying out this subsection, 
the Secretary shall, at a minimum--
            (1) collect and distribute comprehensive reporting 
        of trends in farmland ownership, tenure, transition, 
        barriers to entry, profitability, and viability of 
        beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
        disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
            (2) develop surveys and report statistical and 
        economic analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, 
        transition, barriers to entry, profitability, and 
        viability of beginning farmers and ranchers, including 
        a regular follow-on survey to each Census of 
        Agriculture with results of the follow-on survey made 
        public not later than 3 years after the previous Census 
        of Agriculture; and
            (3) require the National Agricultural Statistics 
        Service to include in the Tenure, Ownership, and 
        Transition of Agricultural Land survey questions 
        relating to--
                    (A) the extent to which non-farming 
                landowners are purchasing and holding onto 
                farmland for the sole purpose of real estate 
                investment;
                    (B) the impact of these farmland ownership 
                trends on the successful entry and viability of 
                beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
                disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
                    (C) the extent to which farm and ranch land 
                with undivided interests and no administrative 
                authority identified have farms or ranches 
                operating on that land; and
                    (D) the impact of land tenure patterns, 
                categorized by--
                            (i) race, gender, and ethnicity; 
                        and
                            (ii) region.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for 
each fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until 
expended.

SEC. 12608. REAUTHORIZATION OF RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 
                    TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    Section 330J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
254c-15) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in rural 
        areas'' and inserting ``in rural areas or to residents 
        of rural areas'';
            (2) by striking subsections (b) through (f) and 
        inserting the following:
    ``(b) Eligibility; Application.--To be eligible to receive 
grant under this section, an entity shall--
            ``(1) be--
                    ``(A) an emergency medical services agency 
                operated by a local or tribal government 
                (including fire-based and non-fire based); or
                    ``(B) an emergency medical services agency 
                that is described in section 501(c) of the 
                Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
                tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and
            ``(2) submit an application to the Secretary at 
        such time, in such manner, and containing such 
        information as the Secretary may require.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--An entity--
            ``(1) shall use amounts received through a grant 
        under subsection (a) to--
                    ``(A) train emergency medical services 
                personnel as appropriate to obtain and maintain 
                licenses and certifications relevant to service 
                in an emergency medical services agency 
                described in subsection (b)(1);
                    ``(B) conduct courses that qualify 
                graduates to serve in an emergency medical 
                services agency described in subsection (b)(1) 
                in accordance with State and local 
                requirements;
                    ``(C) fund specific training to meet 
                Federal or State licensing or certification 
                requirements; and
                    ``(D) acquire emergency medical services 
                equipment; and
            ``(2) may use amounts received through a grant 
        under subsection (a) to--
                    ``(A) recruit and retain emergency medical 
                services personnel, which may include volunteer 
                personnel;
                    ``(B) develop new ways to educate emergency 
                health care providers through the use of 
                technology-enhanced educational methods; or
                    ``(C) acquire personal protective equipment 
                for emergency medical services personnel as 
                required by the Occupational Safety and Health 
                Administration.
    ``(d) Grant Amounts.--Each grant awarded under this section 
shall be in an amount not to exceed $200,000.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `emergency medical services'--
                    ``(A) means resources used by a public or 
                private nonprofit licensed entity to deliver 
                medical care outside of a medical facility 
                under emergency conditions that occur as a 
                result of the condition of the patient; and
                    ``(B) includes services delivered (either 
                on a compensated or volunteer basis) by an 
                emergency medical services provider or other 
                provider that is licensed or certified by the 
                State involved as an emergency medical 
                technician, a paramedic, or an equivalent 
                professional (as determined by the State).
            ``(2) The term `rural area' means--
                    ``(A) a nonmetropolitan statistical area;
                    ``(B) an area designated as a rural area by 
                any law or regulation of a State; or
                    ``(C) a rural census tract of a 
                metropolitan statistical area (as determined 
                under the most recent rural urban commuting 
                area code as set forth by the Office of 
                Management and Budget).
    ``(f) Matching Requirement.--The Secretary may not award a 
grant under this section to an entity unless the entity agrees 
that the entity will make available (directly or through 
contributions from other public or private entities) non-
Federal contributions toward the activities to be carried out 
under the grant in an amount equal to 10 percent of the amount 
received under the grant.''; and
            (3) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2002 
        through 2006'' and inserting ``2019 through 2023''.

SEC. 12609. COMMISSION ON FARM TRANSITIONS--NEEDS FOR 2050.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be 
known as the Commission on Farm Transitions-Needs for 2050 
(referred to in this section as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study on issues 
impacting the transition of agricultural operations from 
established farmers and ranchers to the next generation of 
farmers and ranchers, including--
            (1) access to, and availability of--
                    (A) quality land and necessary 
                infrastructure;
                    (B) affordable credit;
                    (C) adequate risk management tools; and
                    (D) apprenticeship and mentorship programs;
            (2) agricultural asset transfer strategies in use 
        as of the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        improvements to such strategies;
            (3) incentives that may facilitate agricultural 
        asset transfers to the next generation of farmers and 
        ranchers, including an assessment of, and 
        recommendations for, how existing and new Federal tax 
        policies--
                    (A) facilitate lifetime and estate 
                transfers; and
                    (B) impact individuals seeking to farm who 
                do not have family farm lineage or access to 
                farmland;
            (4) the causes of the failures of such transitions, 
        if any; and
            (5) the effectiveness of programs and incentives 
        providing assistance with respect to such transitions 
        in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        opportunities for the revision or improvement of such 
        programs.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed 
        of 10 members, as follows:
                    (A) 3 members appointed by the Secretary.
                    (B) 3 members appointed by the Committee on 
                Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
                Senate.
                    (C) 3 members appointed by the Committee on 
                Agriculture of the House of Representatives.
                    (D) The Chief Economist of the Department 
                of Agriculture.
            (2) Federal government employment.--In addition to 
        the Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture, 
        the membership of the Commission may include 1 or more 
        employees of the Department of Agriculture or other 
        Federal agencies.
            (3) Date of appointments.--The appointment of all 
        members of the Commission shall be made not later than 
        60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (4) Term; vacancies.--
                    (A) Term.--A member shall be appointed for 
                the life of the Commission.
                    (B) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the 
                Commission--
                            (i) shall not affect the powers of 
                        the Commission; and
                            (ii) shall be filled in the same 
                        manner as the original appointment was 
                        made.
            (5) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after 
        the date on which all members of the Commission have 
        been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial 
        meeting of the Commission.
    (d) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but 
a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
    (e) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall appoint 1 of the 
members of the Commission to serve as Chairperson of the 
Commission.
    (f) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
President, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of 
the study required by subsection (b), including such 
recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.
    (g) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, meet 
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to 
carry out this section.
    (h) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may 
secure directly from a Federal agency such information as the 
Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. On 
request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the 
agency shall provide the information to the Commission.
    (i) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
States mail in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
other agencies of the Federal Government.
    (j) Assistance From Secretary.--The Secretary may provide 
to the Commission appropriate office space and such reasonable 
administrative and support services as the Commission may 
request.
    (k) Compensation of Members.--
            (1) Non-federal employees.--A member of the 
        Commission who is not an officer or employee of the 
        Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal 
        to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
        prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under 
        section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each 
        day (including travel time) during which the member is 
        engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
        Commission.
            (2) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission 
        who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government 
        shall serve without compensation in addition to the 
        compensation received for the services of the member as 
        an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
            (3) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission 
        shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
        lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an 
        employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 
        of title 5, United States Code, while away from the 
        home or regular place of business of the member in the 
        performance of the duties of the Commission.
    (l) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Sections 9 and 14 of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Commission or any proceeding of the Commission.
    (m) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on 
September 30, 2023.

SEC. 12610. EXCEPTIONS UNDER UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT.

    (a) Geographic Boundaries for Official Agencies.--Section 7 
of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (f)(2)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), 
                (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (iii), and (iv), 
                respectively, and indenting appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as 
                so redesignated), by striking ``Not more'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), not more'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), 
                in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``Secretary, except 
                that, if'' and inserting the following: 
                ``Secretary.
                    ``(B) Exceptions.--Subject to subsection 
                (g)(4)(A), if'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (B) (as so designated), 
                by inserting after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) a person requesting 
                        inspection services in that geographic 
                        area has not been receiving official 
                        inspection services from the current 
                        designated official agency for that 
                        geographic area;''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Termination of nonuse of service 
                exception.--The exception under subparagraph 
                (B)(ii) may only be terminated if all parties 
                to that exception jointly agree on the 
                termination, unless terminated according to 
                subsection (g)(4)(A).
                    ``(D) Restoration of certain exceptions.--
                            ``(i) Definition of eligible grain 
                        handling facility.--In this 
                        subparagraph, the term `eligible grain 
                        handling facility' means a grain 
                        handling facility that--
                                    ``(I) was granted an 
                                exception under the final rule 
                                entitled `Exceptions to 
                                Geographic Areas for Official 
                                Agencies Under the USGSA' (68 
                                Fed. Reg. 19137 (April 18, 
                                2003)); and
                                    ``(II) had that exception 
                                revoked between September 30, 
                                2015, and the date of enactment 
                                of the Agriculture Improvement 
                                Act of 2018.
                            ``(ii) Restoration of exceptions.--
                        Within 90 days of notification from an 
                        eligible grain handling facility, the 
                        Secretary shall restore an exception 
                        described in clause (i)(I) with an 
                        official agency if--
                                    ``(I) the eligible grain 
                                handling facility and the 
                                former excepted official agency 
                                agree to restore that 
                                exception; and
                                    ``(II) the eligible grain 
                                handling facility notifies the 
                                Secretary of the preferred date 
                                for restoration of the 
                                exception within 90 days of 
                                enactment of the Agriculture 
                                Improvement Act of 2018.''; and
            (2) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(4) Effect on exceptions.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The exceptions under 
                clauses (ii) and (iv) of subsection (f)(2)(B) 
                shall not apply if the designation of an 
                official agency is terminated, pursuant to 
                paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Designation renewed or restored.--If 
                the designation of an official agency is 
                renewed or restored after being terminated 
                under paragraph (1), the Secretary may renew or 
                restore the exceptions under subsection 
                (f)(2)(B) in accordance with that 
                subsection.''.
    (b) Unauthorized Weighing Prohibited.--Section 7A(i)(2) of 
the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79a(i)(2)) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
        clauses (i) and (iii), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (2) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
        redesignated), by striking ``Not more'' and inserting 
        the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B), not more'';
            (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the 
        matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by 
        striking ``Secretary, except that, if'' and inserting 
        the following: ``Secretary.
                    ``(B) Exceptions.--If'';
            (4) in subparagraph (B) (as so designated)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' at 
                the end; and
                    (B) by inserting after clause (i) the 
                following:
                            ``(ii) a person requesting weighing 
                        services in that geographic area has 
                        not been receiving official weighing 
                        services from the current designated 
                        official agency for that geographic 
                        area; or''; and
            (5) by adding after subparagraph (B) (as so 
        designated)--
                    ``(C) Restoration of certain exceptions.--
                            ``(i) Definition of eligible grain 
                        handling facility.--In this 
                        subparagraph, the term `eligible grain 
                        handling facility' means a grain 
                        handling facility that--
                                    ``(I) was granted an 
                                exception under the final rule 
                                entitled `Exceptions to 
                                Geographic Areas for Official 
                                Agencies Under the USGSA' (68 
                                Fed. Reg. 19137 (April 18, 
                                2003)); and
                                    ``(II) had that exception 
                                revoked between September 30, 
                                2015 and the date of enactment 
                                of the Agriculture Improvement 
                                Act of 2018.
                            ``(ii) Restoration of exceptions.--
                        Within 90 days of notification from an 
                        eligible grain handling facility, the 
                        Secretary shall restore an exception 
                        described in clause (i)(I) with an 
                        official agency if--
                                    ``(I) the eligible grain 
                                handling facility and the 
                                former excepted official agency 
                                agree to restore that 
                                exception; and
                                    ``(II) the eligible grain 
                                handling facility notifies the 
                                Secretary of the preferred date 
                                for restoration of the 
                                exception within 90 days of 
                                enactment of the Agriculture 
                                Improvement Act of 2018.''.
    (c) Technical Correction.--Section 7(f)(1) of the United 
States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(1)) is amended by 
indenting subparagraph (C) appropriately.

SEC. 12611. CONFERENCE REPORT REQUIREMENT THRESHOLD.

    Section 14209(a)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2255b(a)(3)(A)) is amended by 
striking ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$50,000''.

SEC. 12612. NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IMAGERY PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
through the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, shall 
carry out a national agriculture imagery program to annually 
acquire aerial imagery during agricultural growing seasons from 
the continental United States.
    (b) Data.--The aerial imagery acquired under this section 
shall--
            (1) consist of high resolution processed digital 
        imagery;
            (2) be made available in a format that can be 
        provided to Federal, State, and private sector 
        entities;
            (3) be technologically compatible with geospatial 
        information technology; and
            (4) be consistent with the standards established by 
        the Federal Geographic Data Committee.
    (c) Supplemental Satellite Imagery.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture may supplement the aerial imagery collected under 
this section with satellite imagery.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $23,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.

SEC. 12613. REPORT ON INCLUSION OF NATURAL STONE PRODUCTS IN COMMODITY 
                    PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMATION ACT OF 1996.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report examining the effect the establishment of a 
Natural Stone Research and Promotion Board pursuant to the 
Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) would have on the natural stone industry, 
including how such a program would effect--
            (1) research conducted on, and the promotion of, 
        natural stone;
            (2) the development and expansion of domestic 
        markets for natural stone;
            (3) economic activity of the natural stone industry 
        subject to such a Board;
            (4) economic development in rural areas; and
            (5) benefits to consumers in the United States of 
        natural stone products.

SEC. 12614. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD ACCESS LIAISON.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), 
as amended by sections 12202, 12302, 12403, and 12504, is 
amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 225. FOOD ACCESS LIAISON.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish the 
position of Food Access Liaison to coordinate Department 
programs to reduce barriers to food access and monitor and 
evaluate the progress of such programs in accordance with this 
section.
    ``(b) Duties.--The Food Access Liaison shall--
            ``(1) coordinate the efforts of the Department, 
        including regional offices, to experiment and consider 
        programs and policies aimed at reducing barriers to 
        food access for consumers, including but not limited to 
        participants in nutrition assistance programs;
            ``(2) provide outreach to entities engaged in 
        activities to reduce barriers to food access in 
        accordance with the statutory authorization for each 
        program;
            ``(3) provide outreach to entities engaged in 
        activities to reduce barriers to food access, including 
        retailers, markets, producers, and others involved in 
        food production and distribution, with respect to the 
        availability of, and eligibility for, Department 
        programs;
            ``(4) raise awareness of food access issues in 
        interactions with employees of the Department;
            ``(5) make recommendations to the Secretary with 
        respect to efforts to reduce barriers to food access; 
        and
            ``(6) submit to Congress an annual report with 
        respect to the efforts of the Department to reduce 
        barriers to food access.''.
    (b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
technical assistance to entities that are participants, or seek 
to participate, in Department of Agriculture programs related 
to reduction of barriers to food access.

SEC. 12615. ELIGIBILITY FOR OPERATORS ON HEIRS PROPERTY LAND TO OBTAIN 
                    A FARM NUMBER.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Eligible documentation.--The term ``eligible 
        documentation'', with respect to land for which a farm 
        operator seeks assignment of a farm number under 
        subsection (b)(1), includes--
                    (A) in States that have adopted a statute 
                consisting of an enactment or adoption of the 
                Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, as 
                approved and recommended for enactment in all 
                States by the National Conference of 
                Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2010--
                            (i) a court order verifying the 
                        land meets the definition of heirs 
                        property (as defined in that Act); or
                            (ii) a certification from the local 
                        recorder of deeds that the recorded 
                        owner of the land is deceased and not 
                        less than 1 heir of the recorded owner 
                        of the land has initiated a procedure 
                        to retitle the land in the name of the 
                        rightful heir;
                    (B) a fully executed, unrecorded tenancy-
                in-common agreement that sets out ownership 
                rights and responsibilities among all of the 
                owners of the land that--
                            (i) has been approved by a majority 
                        of the ownership interests in that 
                        property;
                            (ii) has given a particular owner 
                        the right to manage and control any 
                        portion or all of the land for purposes 
                        of operating a farm or ranch; and
                            (iii) was validly entered into 
                        under the authority of the jurisdiction 
                        in which the land is located;
                    (C) the tax return of a farm operator 
                farming a property with undivided interests for 
                each of the 5 years preceding the date on which 
                the farm operator submits the tax returns as 
                eligible documentation under subsection (b);
                    (D) self-certification that the farm 
                operator has control of the land for purposes 
                of operating a farm or ranch; and
                    (E) any other documentation identified by 
                the Secretary under subsection (c).
            (2) Farm number.--The term ``farm number'' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 718.2 of title 7, 
        Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date 
        of enactment of this Act).
    (b) Farm Number.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for 
        the assignment of a farm number to any farm operator 
        who provides any form of eligible documentation for 
        purposes of demonstrating that the farm operator has 
        control of the land for purposes of defining that land 
        as a farm.
            (2) Eligibility.--Any farm number provided under 
        paragraph (1) shall be sufficient to satisfy any 
        requirement of the Secretary to have a farm number to 
        participate in a program of the Secretary.
    (c) Eligible Documentation.--The Secretary shall identify 
alternative forms of eligible documentation that a farm 
operator may provide in seeking the assignment of a farm number 
under subsection (b)(1).

SEC. 12616. EXTENDING PROHIBITION ON ANIMAL FIGHTING TO THE 
                    TERRITORIES.

    (a) In General.--Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
U.S.C. 2156) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Except 
                as provided in paragraph (3), it'' and 
                inserting ``It''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3);
            (2) by striking subsection (d); and
            (3) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), 
        (h), (i), and (j) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), 
        (h), and (i), respectively.
    (b) Use of Postal Service or Other Interstate 
Instrumentalities.--Section 26(c) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
U.S.C. 2156(c)) is amended by striking ``(e)'' and inserting 
``(d)''.
    (c) Criminal Penalties.--Subsection (i) of section 26 of 
the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156), as redesignated by 
section 2(3), is amended by striking ``(e)'' and inserting 
``(d)''.
    (d) Enforcement of Animal Fighting Prohibitions.--Section 
49(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking 
``(e)'' and inserting ``(d)''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 12617. EXEMPTION OF EXPORTATION OF CERTAIN ECHINODERMS FROM 
                    PERMISSION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Conservation and management.--The term 
        ``conservation and management'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802).
            (2) Marine fisheries commission.--The term ``Marine 
        Fisheries Commission'' means an interstate commission 
        (as that term is used in the Interjurisdictional 
        Fisheries Act of 1986 (16 USC 4101 et seq.)).
            (3) State jurisdiction.--The term ``State 
        jurisdiction'' means areas under the jurisdiction and 
        authority of a State as described in section 306(a)(2) 
        of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
        Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1856(a)(2)).
    (b) Exemption.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, 
Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that--
            (1) except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
        subsection (d)(2)--
                    (A) fish and wildlife described in 
                subsection (c) are fishery products exempt from 
                the export permission requirements of section 
                9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
                (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); and
                    (B) any person may engage in business as an 
                exporter of fish or wildlife described in 
                subsection (c) without procuring--
                            (i) permission under section 
                        9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act 
                        of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); or
                            (ii) an export license under 
                        subpart I of part 14 of title 50, Code 
                        of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                        regulations); and
            (2) notwithstanding paragraph (1), unless the 
        person has qualified for and obtained an export license 
        described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), any person that has 
        been convicted of 1 or more violations of a Federal law 
        relating to the importation, transportation, or 
        exportation of wildlife shall not be permitted, during 
        the 5-year period beginning on the date of the most 
        recent conviction, to engage in business as an exporter 
        of fish or wildlife described in subsection (c).
    (c) Covered Fish or Wildlife.--The fish or wildlife 
referred to in subsection (b) are members of the species 
Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (commonly known as the 
``green sea urchin''), including any products of that species, 
that--
            (1) do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 
        23 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
        successor regulations);
            (2)(A) are harvested in waters under State 
        jurisdiction; or
            (B) are imported for processing in the United 
        States pursuant to an import license as required under 
        section 14.91 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations 
        (or a successor regulation), and not exempt from import 
        license requirements under section 14.92 of that title 
        (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
        of this Act); and
            (3) are exported for purposes of human or animal 
        consumption.
    (d) Information Collection on Exports.--
            (1) In general.--The State agency that regulates or 
        otherwise oversees a State fishery in which the fish 
        and wildlife described in subsection (c) are harvested 
        shall annually transmit the conservation and management 
        data (as defined in subsection (a)) to the Interstate 
        Fisheries Management Program Policy Board of the 
        applicable Marine Fisheries Commission.
            (2) Privacy.--Such data thereafter shall not be 
        released and shall be maintained as confidential by 
        such applicable Marine Fisheries Commission, including 
        data requested under the section 552 of title 5, United 
        States Code, unless disclosure is required under court 
        order or unless the data is essential for an 
        enforcement action under Federal wildlife management 
        laws.
            (3) Exclusion.--The exemption under subsection 
        (b)(1) shall not apply in a State if--
                    (A) the State fails to transmit the data 
                required under paragraph (1); or
                    (B) the applicable Marine Fisheries 
                Commission determines, in consultation with the 
                primary research agency of such Commission, 
                after notice and an opportunity to comment, 
                that the data required under paragraph (1) 
                fails to prove that the State agency or 
                official is engaged in conservation and 
                management of the fish or wildlife described in 
                subsection (c).

SEC. 12618. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

    Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 1247. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

    ``(a) Data on Conservation Practices.--The Secretary shall 
identify available data sets within the Department of 
Agriculture regarding the use of conservation practices and the 
effect of such practices on farm and ranch profitability 
(including such effects relating to crop yields, soil health, 
and other risk-related factors).
    ``(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes--
            ``(1) a summary of the data sets identified under 
        subsection (a);
            ``(2) a summary of the steps the Secretary would 
        have to take to provide access to such data sets by 
        university researchers, including taking into account 
        any technical, privacy, or administrative 
        considerations;
            ``(3) a summary of safeguards the Secretary employs 
        when providing access to data to university 
        researchers;
            ``(4) a summary of appropriate procedures to 
        maximize the potential for research benefits while 
        preventing any violations of privacy or 
        confidentiality; and
            ``(5) recommendations for any necessary 
        authorizations or clarifications of Federal law to 
        allow access to such data sets to maximize the 
        potential for research benefits.''.

SEC. 12619. CONFORMING CHANGES TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT.

    (a) In General.--Section 102(16) of the Controlled 
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(16) The'' and inserting 
        ``(16)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the''; and
            (2) by striking ``Such term does not include the'' 
        and inserting the following:
    ``(B) The term `marihuana' does not include--
            ``(i) hemp, as defined in section 297A of the 
        Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; or
            ``(ii) the''.
    (b) Tetrahydrocannabinol.--Schedule I, as set forth in 
section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 
812(c)), is amended in subsection (c)(17) by inserting after 
``Tetrahydrocannabinols'' the following: ``, except for 
tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)''.

    And the Senate agree to the same.
                From the Committee on Agriculture, for 
                consideration of the House bill and the Senate 
                amendment, and modifications committed to 
                conference:
                                   K. Michael Conaway,
                                   Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania,
                                   Bob Goodlatte,
                                   Frank D. Lucas,
                                   Mike Rogers of Alabama,
                                   Austin Scott of Georgia,
                                   Eric A. ``Rick'' Crawford,
                                   Vicky Hartzler,
                                   Rodney Davis of Illinois,
                                   Ted S. Yoho,
                                   David Rouzer,
                                   Roger W. Marshall,
                                   Jodey C. Arrington,
                                   Collin C. Peterson,
                                   David Scott of Georgia,
                                   Jim Costa,
                                   Marcia L. Fudge,
                                   James P. McGovern,
                                   Filemon Vela,
                                   Ann M. Kuster of New Hampshire,
                                   Tom O'Halleran,
                                   Virginia Foxx,
                                   Rick W. Allen,
                                   Alma S. Adams,
                                   Kevin Cramer,
                                   Edward R. Royce,
                                   Steve Chabot,
                                   Eliot L. Engel,
                                   Rob Bishop of Utah,
                                   Bruce Westerman,
                                   Raul M. Grijalva,
                                   James Comer,
                                   Ralph Lee Abraham,
                                   Neal P. Dunn,
                                   Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas,
                                   Jeff Denham,
                                   Bob Gibbs,
                                   Cheri Bustos,
                                 Managers on the Part of the House.

                                   Pat Roberts,
                                   Mitch McConnell,
                                   John Boozman,
                                   John Hoeven,
                                   Joni Ernst,
                                   Debbie Stabenow,
                                   Patrick J. Leahy,
                                   Sherrod Brown,
                                   Heidi Heitkamp,
                                Managers on the Part of the Senate.

       Joint Explanatory Statement of the Committee of Conference

      The managers on the part of the Senate and the House at 
the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on 
the amendment of the Senate to the bill, H.R. 2, to provide for 
the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs 
of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and 
for other purposes, submit the following joint statement to the 
Senate and the House in explanation of the effect of the action 
agreed upon by the managers and recommended in the accompanying 
conference report:
      The Senate amendment struck all of the House bill after 
the enacting clause and inserted a substitute text.
      The House recedes from its disagreement to the amendment 
of the Senate with an amendment that is a substitute for the 
House bill and the Senate amendment.
      The differences between the House bill, the Senate 
amendment, and the substitute agreed to in conference are noted 
below, except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made 
necessary by agreements reached by the conferees, and minor 
drafting and clarifying changes.

                          Title I--Commodities

(1) Definitions
      The House bill proposes a freestanding version of the 
farm program statutory framework, and provides definitions for 
24 terms applicable to the commodity program provisions in 
subtitles A and B of the Act. Most are the same as current law, 
with exceptions in the following paragraphs of section 1111: 
(4) Base Acres: technical change is made to cross reference the 
same definition in the 2014 Act; (5) Covered Commodities: 
updated to include seed cotton in the underlying definition; 
(7) Effective Reference Price: defined to mean the lesser of: 
(A) An amount equal to 115% of the reference price for such 
covered commodity; or (B) An amount equal to the greater of--
(i) the reference price for such covered commodity; or (ii) 85 
percent of the average of the marketing year average price of 
the covered commodity for the most recent 5 crop years, 
excluding each of the crop years with the highest and lowest 
marketing year average price. (9) Marketing Year Average Price: 
included as defined term in lieu of repeated references to 
``national average market price received by producers during 
the 12-month marketing year for a covered commodity''; (13) 
Payment Yield: conforming amendment is included to reflect 
reenactment of new Title I provisions. (21) Temperate Japonica 
Rice: the reference to one-time reallocation of base acres 
under the Agriculture Act of 2014 is deleted. The House bill 
also deletes the current law definitions of ``County Coverage'' 
and ``Individual Coverage'', consistent with the House bill's 
proposal to repeal the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) 
individual program. The definition of ``Generic Base Acres'' is 
also omitted. (Section 1111)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to add a definition of ``effective reference 
price'' to section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. 
(Section 1101)
(2) Base Acres
      The House bill deletes the provisions in section 1112(a) 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 governing the 2009 through 2012 
crop year-based 1-time base reallocation. (Section 1112(a)-
(c)(2))
      The Senate amendment amends section 1112(c)(2) to make a 
technical correction to update the reference to the wetlands 
reserve program to wetland reserve easements. (Section 1709(a))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1102(a))
      The Managers expect the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to 
provide information to producers regarding the treatment of 
base on a farm prior to a producer making a decision on whether 
or not to reenroll the farm in a CRP contract.
(3) Base Acres--Treatment of Unplanted Base Acres
      The House bill requires that in the case of a farm on 
which no covered commodities (including seed cotton) were 
planted during 2009 through 2017, the Secretary shall allocate 
all base acres on the farm to unassigned crop base for which no 
payment shall be made under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) or 
ARC programs.
      The House bill also requires the Secretary to ensure that 
producers do not reconstitute the farm to void or change the 
treatment of base acres section 1112. (Section 1112(c)((3)-
(c)(4))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to provide that in the case of a farm on which all 
of the cropland was planted to grass or pasture (including 
cropland that was idle or fallow), as determined by the 
Secretary, during 2009 through 2017, the Secretary shall 
maintain all base acres and payment yields for the covered 
commodities on the farm, except that no payment shall be made 
with respect to those base acres under the PLC or ARC programs 
for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. In addition, producers on 
a farm for which all the base acres are maintained under this 
provision are ineligible for the option to change their PLC/ARC 
election under new section 1115(h) of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 as added by section 1105 of the bill. (Section 1102(b))
      The Managers intend for base acreage on entire farms 
planted to grass and pasture to be limited to include only FSA 
crop codes for grass (subcategories of grass and native grass) 
and idle (subcategories of fallow and idle) for the purposes of 
the provision. The Managers intend for FSA to electronically 
maintain all of the base acres on the farm as the crop base for 
the covered commodity, along with program payment yields for 
the farm. The Managers do not intend for the base acres to be 
categorized as unassigned crop base, nor that unassigned crop 
base will be affected by this provision.
      The Managers do not intend for base acreage planted to 
annual forages, such as sorghum-sudangrass or grazed 
commodities, to be considered planted to grass and pasture for 
the purposes of the provision. The Managers do not intend for 
base acreage assigned to idle crop codes (other than those for 
the subcategories of idle and fallow) and for base acreage 
under a CRP contract to be considered planted to grass and 
pasture for the purposes of the provision.
      The Managers expect FSA to consult with the Committees 
during the process of identifying the base acreage that they 
determine to be subject to new section 1112(d)(3).
(4) Payment Yields--Designated Oilseeds
      The House bill provides for the establishment of 
designated oilseed yields for a farm that does not have a 
payment yield under the Agricultural Act of 2014 (same as 
current law).
      The House bill also increases the payment yield for 
designated oilseeds from 75 percent to 90 percent of the 
average yield per planted acre for the most recent 5 years. 
(Section 1113)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to clarify that the payment yield for designated 
oilseeds shall be established at 90 percent of the average 
yield per planted acre for the most recent 5 years shall apply 
only with respect to oilseed designated after the date of 
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. (Section 
1103(a))
(5) Payment Yields--Single Opportunity to Update Yields in Counties 
        Affected by Drought
      The House bill provides: (1) a single opportunity for the 
owner of a farm to update yields only where the farm is 
physically located in a county that experienced 20 or more 
consecutive weeks of exceptional drought during 2008 through 
2012; (2) by covered-commodity, yields may be updated at 90% of 
average yield per planted acre for the 2013 through 2017 crop 
years (excluding any year in which the acreage planted to the 
covered commodity was zero); (3) if the farm-level yield is 
less than 75% of the average county yield for a covered 
commodity for any of the years, then the Secretary shall assign 
75% of the 2013-2017 average county yield for the covered 
commodity for that crop year; (4) the election must be made in 
time for the 2019 crop year; and (5) the average yield for seed 
cotton per planted acre equals 2.4 times the average yield for 
upland cotton per planted acre. (Section 1113(c))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to provide the owners of all farms in the country 
a one-time opportunity to update the payment yield that would 
otherwise be used in calculating any PLC payment for each 
covered commodity on the farm, based on a formula specified in 
the statute, to be in effect beginning with the 2020 crop year. 
(Section 1103(b))
(6) Payment Acres
      The House bill amends the minimum 10 base acre test for 
PLC or ARC payments to provide an exception for producers who 
collectively have more than 10 base acres across all farms in 
which they have an interest. Section 1114(c)(4) provides that 
for each crop year for which fruits, vegetables (other than 
mung beans and pulse crops), or wild rice are planted to base 
acres on a farm for which a reduction in payment acres is made, 
the Secretary shall consider such base acres to be planted, or 
prevented from planting, to a covered commodity for purposes of 
any adjustment or reduction of base acres for the farm under 
section 1112 of the Agricultural Act of 2014. (Section 1114)
      The Senate amendment amends current law section 1114(e) 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 to provide that: (A) if the 
Secretary recalculates base acres for a farm while a farm is 
engaged in planting and production of fruits, vegetables, or 
wild rice on base acres for which a reduction in payment acres 
was made, that planting and production shall be considered to 
be the same as the planting and production of a covered 
commodity; and (B) this provision does not authorize the 
Secretary to recalculate base acres for a farm. (Section 1101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to add beginning and veteran farmers or ranchers 
to the current law exception for socially disadvantaged farmers 
and ranchers from the minimum 10 base acre test for PLC or ARC 
payments. (Section 1104)
(7) Producer Election
      The House bill deletes references to ARC Individual 
coverage, but otherwise is consistent with current law, 
providing that failure to make a unanimous election for the 
2019 crop year results in no program payments on the farm for 
the 2019 crop year, and that the producers on the farm are 
deemed to have elected PLC for all covered commodities on the 
farm for the 2020-2023 crop years. (Section 1115)
      The Senate amendment makes current law section 1115(a) 
applicable for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. The Senate 
amendment also amends current law 1115(c) to provide that 
failure to make a unanimous election for the 2019 crop year 
results in no program payments to the farm for the 2019 crop 
year, and the producers on the farm are deemed to have elected 
ARC county coverage for all covered commodities on the farm for 
the 2020-2023 crop years. (Section 1102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that failure to make a unanimous election for 
the 2019 crop year results in no program payments to the farm 
for the 2019 crop year, and the producers on the farm are 
deemed to have elected the same coverage for each covered 
commodity on the farm for the 2020 through 2023 crop years as 
was applicable for the 2015 through 2018 crop years. (Section 
1105)
(8) Option to Change Producer Election
      The Senate amendment amends section 1115 by adding a new 
subsection (h) to provide that for the 2021 crop year, all of 
the producers on a farm may make a one-time, irrevocable 
election to change the election applicable to the producers on 
the farm to PLC or ARC, which shall apply to the producers on 
the farm for each of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 crop years. 
(Section 1106)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to allow producers an opportunity to change 
program elections annually beginning with crop year 2021. 
(Section 1105(5))
      The Managers intend for eligible producers to have the 
opportunity to voluntarily change program elections annually 
beginning with crop year 2021 under similar terms as the crop 
year 2019 election, including unanimous elections on a farm-by-
farm and covered commodity-by-covered commodity basis. However, 
the Managers do not intend for FSA to require producers to make 
a new election or to reaffirm previous elections in crop year 
2021 or each crop year thereafter. This is an option to be 
exercised solely at the discretion of the producers on the 
farm.
(9) One time filing for ARC and PLC
      The House bill provides the following: (a) During the 
first enrollment period announced by the Farm Service Agency 
(FSA) after the date of the enactment, producers on a farm may 
file a one-time program contract with the Secretary to enroll 
in ARC or PLC through crop year 2023. (b) In the case of a 
change in a farming operation for which producers on a farm 
have filed a one-time program contract, the producers must file 
an updated program contract with the Secretary not later than 
one year after such change in the farming operation occurs. (c) 
The Secretary shall provide to each producer that files a one-
time program contract a notice that includes the applicable 
annual and other periodic reporting requirements. (d) The 
Secretary shall issue regulations necessary to carry out this 
section; and revise section 1412.41 of title 7, Code of Federal 
Regulations, in accordance with this section. (Section 1612)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(10) Price Loss Coverage
      The House bill, effective for crop years 2019-2023, sets 
the PLC payment rate as the difference between (1) the 
effective reference price and (2) the effective price.
      In order to reflect price premiums, the House bill 
provides a reference price for temperate japonica rice in an 
amount equal to (1) the effective price established for long 
grain rice, multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing: (A) 
the simple average of the marketing year average price of 
medium grain rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop years; by (B) 
the simple average of the marketing year average price of all 
rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop years. (Section 1116)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1116 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 to extend PLC provisions through crop 
year 2023, with an amendment to require that within 30 days 
after the end of each applicable 12 month marketing year for 
each covered commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment 
rate determined under 1116(c). (Section 1103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to require that within 30 days after the end of 
each applicable 12-month marketing year for each covered 
commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment rate 
determined under 1116(c). (Section 1106)
(11) Agriculture Risk Coverage
      The House bill enacts the same provisions as current law 
for ARC county coverage applicable to crop years 2019 through 
2023. By omission ARC individual would expire at the end of the 
2018 crop year.
      The House bill also enacts the same provisions as current 
law, with the following changes: (1) deletes section 1117(g)(3) 
provisions to delete the ARC individual provisions; (2) amends 
section 1117(g)(4) to require the Secretary to assign an actual 
or benchmark county yield for each planted acre for the crop 
year for the covered commodity--(A) for a county for which 
county data collected by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) is 
sufficient to offer a county-wide insurance product using the 
actual average county yield determined by RMA; or (B) for other 
counties using, as determined by the Secretary--(i) other 
sources of yield information; or (ii) the yield history of 
representative farms in the State, region, or crop reporting 
district; (3) adds a new requirement that the Secretary make 
ARC payments to producers using the payment rate of the county 
of the physical location of the base acres of a farm; and (4) 
deletes ``to the maximum extent practicable'' from section 
1117(g)(2), thus requiring the Secretary to calculate a 
separate actual crop revenue and ARC guarantee for irrigated 
and nonirrigated covered commodities. (Section 1117)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1117(a) to: (1) 
reauthorize the ARC County and ARC Individual Programs for the 
2019 through 2023 crop years; and (2) require ARC payments to 
be paid based on the physical location of the farm.
      The Senate amendment also amends section 1117(c) to 
extend ARC coverage guarantee provisions though the 2023 crop 
year; to increase the transitional (plug) yield from 70 percent 
to 75 percent of the transitional yield; and to require the use 
of a trend adjusted yield factor to adjust the yields in 
determining the actual county yield and the benchmark county 
revenue for ARC county coverage, not to exceed the trend-
adjusted yield factor used to increase yield history under the 
endorsement under the Federal Crop Insurance Act for that crop 
and county.
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to publish 
the county payment rate for a covered commodity no later than 
thirty days after the end of each marketing year for each 
covered commodity.
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to--(1) 
assign an actual yield for the covered commodity by giving 
priority to the use of actual county yields from a single 
source that provides the greatest national coverage of county-
level data; and (2) prorate the base acres and payments in the 
case of a farm that has a tract with base acres that crosses a 
county boundary.
      The Senate amendment also requires the Secretary, on 
request of a county FSA State Committee, to consider a 1-time 
request to calculate a separate actual crop revenue and ARC 
guarantee for irrigated and nonirrigated covered commodities in 
a county if, during the 2014 through 2018 crop years--(1) an 
average of not less than 5 percent of the planted and 
considered planted acreage of a covered commodity in the county 
was irrigated; and (2) an average of not less than 5 percent of 
the planted and considered planted acreage of the covered 
commodity in the county was nonirrigated. It also authorizes 
the Secretary to use other sources of yield information, 
including the yield history of representative farms in the 
State, region, or crop reporting district, when considering or 
recalculating separate actual crop revenue and ARC guarantee. 
(Section 1104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provisions 
with amendments to: (1) make payments based on the payment rate 
of the county where the base acre on the farm is physically 
located; (2) increase the transitional yield plug to 80 
percent; (3) utilize the ``effective reference price'' to 
calculate the guarantee; (4) calculate a separate irrigated and 
nonirrigated yield in each county; and (5) prioritize RMA data 
in the calculation of the guarantee and actual yields. The 
substitute deletes a Senate provision regarding the case of a 
farm that has a tract with base acres that crosses a county 
boundary. (Section 1107)
      In applying the yield plug, when actual yields drop below 
80% of the transitional yield for the county, the Managers 
expect the FSA Administrator to consult with the Administrator 
of the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to ensure that the 
transitional yield utilized is current and reflective of recent 
yields within the county.
      In the case of a farm that has a tract with base acres 
that crosses a county boundary, the Managers intend for FSA to 
prorate the base acres based on the quantity of cropland of the 
tract in each county and calculate any ARC-County payments to 
the farm on that basis.
      For determining a separate irrigated and non-irrigated 
yield for a covered commodity within a county with limited data 
for a practice, the Managers intend for the Secretary to 
utilize other sources of yield information such as 
representative farms in adjacent counties or the crop reporting 
district to determine a county yield that is representative of 
the applicable practice.
      The Managers intend for FSA to implement the trend yield 
adjustment such that it has a similar result as the Federal 
Crop Insurance endorsement to adjust either the guarantee or 
actual yield to account for the long-term increase in 
production that is not accounted for otherwise. The Managers 
expect this will include using more than just the five years of 
the guarantee to calculate a trend, which will also help avoid 
the potential anomalies from using limited data. The Managers 
also expect all trend yield adjustments to be positive or 
neutral.
(12) Agriculture Risk Coverage--Publication of Coverage Guarantee, 
        Yield, and Price
      The Senate amendment requires the publication of the 
county risk coverage guarantee, average historical county 
yield, and the national average market price for each covered 
commodity in each county, not later than 30 days after the end 
of the applicable 12-month marketing year; provides an 
exception to the reporting deadline in the case of a covered 
commodity, such as temperate japonica rice, for which the 
Secretary cannot determine the national average market price 
for the most recent 12-month marketing year for the national 
average market price due to insufficient reporting of timely 
pricing data by one or more nongovernmental entities, including 
a marketing cooperative for the covered commodity. (Section 
1104(6))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with a technical amendment to clarify the information that the 
Secretary shall publish. (Section 1107)
(13) Administrative Units
      The Senate amendment adds a new subsection to section 
1117 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 providing that, for 
purposes of ARC payments in the case of county coverage, a 
county may be divided into not greater than two administrative 
units. Eligible counties are those that are larger than 1,400 
square miles, are in a State that is larger than 140,000 square 
miles, and contain more than 190,000 base acres. (Section 
12611)
      The House bill contains no comparable provisions.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to delete the requirement the county be 
contained within a State that is larger than 140,000 square 
miles. The substitute adds a limit of 25 counties that may be 
divided into administrative units, and provides direction for 
the preference to the division of counties that have greater 
variation in climate, soils, and expected productivity between 
the proposed administrative units. (Section 1107)
(14) Producer Agreements
      The House bill restates current law except that it omits 
subsection (d), consistent with the cessation of ARC individual 
coverage. (Section 1118)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(15) Repeal of Transition Assistance for Producers of Upland Cotton
      The Senate amendment repeals section 1119 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014. (Section 1105)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1108)
(16) Availability of Nonrecourse Marketing Assistance Loans for Loan 
        Commodities
      The House bill restates current law to make available 
nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for the 2019 through 
2023 crops. (Section 1201)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1201(b)(1) of the 
2014 Act to extend current law for the availability of 
nonrecourse marketing assistance loans through 2023. (Section 
1201(a))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1108)
(17) Loan Rates for Nonrecourse Marketing Assistance Loans
      The House bill provides that for the 2019 through 2023 
crop years the loan rate for extra long staple cotton is 
increased to 95 cents per pound; the loan rate formula for 
upland cotton is prevented from declining by more than two 
percent in any one crop year; and that seed cotton shall be 
deemed to have a loan rate of 25 cents per pound for purposes 
of calculating the effective price under PLC and actual crop 
revenue under ARC. (Section 1202)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1201(b)(1) of the 
2014 Act to extend the availability of nonrecourse marketing 
assistance loans through 2023. (Section 1201(b))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to adjust the loan rates for wheat, corn, grain 
sorghum, barley, oats, long grain rice, medium grain rice, 
soybeans, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, large chickpeas, 
and raw cane sugar for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. 
(Sections 1202 and 1301(a))
(18) Loan Deficiency Payments
      The House bill includes provisions that are the same as 
current law, effective for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. 
(Section 1205)
      The Senate amendment extends through the 2023 crop year 
the provisions of section 1205(a)(2)(B) of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 authorizing the Secretary to make loan deficiency 
payments for hay and silage derived from a loan commodity.
      The Senate amendment also repeals the authority of the 
Secretary to make loan deficiency payments for nongraded wool 
in the form of unshorn pelts. (Section 1201(d)(1) & 1202)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to delete the repeal of the authority of the 
Secretary to make loan deficiency payments for nongraded wool 
in the form of unshorn pelts. (Section 1201(c))
(19) Special Marketing Loan Provisions for Upland Cotton; Economic 
        Adjustment Assistance to Users of Upland Cotton
      The House bill is the same as current law applicable 
beginning with the 2019 crop year, except with regard to the 
changes to the Economic Adjustment Assistance to Users of 
Upland Cotton, for which the House bill increases the payment 
rate of economic adjustment assistance 3 cents to 3.15 cents 
per pound of cotton used, and renames the program as ``Economic 
Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills.'' (Section 1207)
      The Senate bill amends section 1207(c) of the 2014 Act to 
extend the Economic Adjustment Assistance to Users of Upland 
Cotton at the rate of 3 cents per pound through July 31, 2021. 
For subsequent years, the program is extended at the same 
payment rate, subject to funding available through annual 
appropriations. (Section 1203(b))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to continue the payment rate of economic 
adjustment assistance at 3 cents per pound of cotton used, and 
to strike a redundant authority to provide economic adjustment 
assistance under section 1207(c) of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8737). (Section 1202)
      The Managers believe timely shipment and delivery of 
cotton to the end-user is essential to maintain the 
competitiveness of the U.S. cotton industry. The Managers urge 
the Secretary to work with representatives of the U.S. cotton 
industry to identify how best to update and modernize the 
current Cotton Storage Agreement for U.S. cotton warehouses. 
The Managers expect any updates to be based on consensus 
recommendations of all segments of the industry. As necessary, 
the Secretary should make changes to the provider agreement 
between USDA and the electronic warehouse receipt provider to 
facilitate the implementation of those industry recommendations 
to improve the flow of cotton.
(20) Special Competitive Provisions for Extra Long Staple Cotton
      The House bill is the same as current law, except the 
House bill maintains the value of assistance available to 
domestic users of extra long staple cotton by making a 
conforming change in new section 1208(b) to reflect the 
increase in the extra long staple cotton loan rate. (Section 
1208)
      The Senate amendment extends current law through July 31, 
2024. (Section 1201(d)(3)).
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision to 
make a conforming change to reflect the increase in the extra 
long staple cotton loan rate, and extends the authority through 
July 31, 2024. (Section 1204)
(21) Availability of Recourse Loans for High Moisture Feed Grains and 
        Seed Cotton
      The House bill (1) extends current law with respect to 
high moisture feed grains and seed cotton for the 2019 through 
2023 crops; and (2) requires the Secretary to make available 
recourse commodity loans at the loan rate for a marketing 
assistance loan for a loan commodity that is ineligible for 100 
percent of the nonrecourse marketing loan rate in the county 
due to a determination that the commodity is contaminated yet 
still merchantable. (Section 1209)
      The Senate amendment extends current law with respect to 
high moisture feed grains and seed cotton through the 2023 
crops. (Section 1201(d)(4))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 1205)
(22) Adjustment of Loans
      The House bill (1) continues the authorization for the 
Secretary to adjust loan rates for loan commodities in the same 
matter as current law; and (2) adds a requirement that the 
Secretary shall consider methods to enhance the support, loan, 
or assistance provided under this title in a manner that 
further minimizes the potential for forfeitures. (Section 1210)
      The Senate amendment has no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(23) Dairy Risk Management Production for Dairy Producers--Reports; 
        Collection and Review of Data
      The House bill requires the Secretary to submit a report 
to the relevant congressional committees evaluating the 
accuracy of the data used by the Secretary to reevaluate the 
average cost of feed used by a dairy operation to produce a 
hundredweight of milk.
      The House bill also requires the Secretary to submit a 
report to the relevant congressional committees detailing the 
costs incurred by the dairy operation in the use of corn silage 
as feed and the difference between the feed cost of corn silage 
and the feed cost of corn.
      The House bill also requires the Secretary to revise 
monthly price survey reports to include prices for high-quality 
alfalfa hay in the top five milk producing States. (Section 
1401(a) through (c))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provisions. 
(Section 1401(a) through(c))
(24) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Name of Program
      The House bill (1) renames the program as the Dairy Risk 
Management Program for Dairy Producers (DRMP), defined in 
section 1401(5) and referred to throughout as the ``dairy risk 
management program'' (2) makes conforming amendments throughout 
section 1401, and specifically in subsection (i). (Section 1401 
generally & subsection (i))
      The Senate amendment (1) renames the program as Dairy 
Risk Coverage (DRC), defined in section 1401(5) and referred to 
throughout as ``dairy risk coverage;'' and (2) makes amendments 
throughout current law section 1401 to conform to the renaming 
of the program to ``Dairy Risk Coverage.'' (Section 1401)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to rename the program Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). 
(Section 1401)
(25) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Definition of 
        Catastrophic Coverage
      The Senate amendment amends current law section 1401 to 
add a definition of ``catastrophic coverage.'' (Section 
1401(b))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(26) Establishment of Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers
      The House bill amends section 1403 to require the 
Secretary to continue to administer a dairy risk program.
      The House bill also provides that the amendments made by 
section 1401 shall take effect 60 days after the date of 
enactment. (Section 1401 (i) & (j))
      The Senate amendment amends current law section 1403(a), 
to require the Secretary to administer DRC beginning with the 
2019 calendar year.
      The Senate amendment also provides that Subpart A of part 
1430 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
the date of enactment), shall remain in effect for DRC 
beginning with the 2019 calendar year, except to the extent 
that the regulations are inconsistent with any provision of 
this Act. (Section 1401(d))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments that specify that MPP regulations that do not 
conflict with the new structure of DMC are to remain in place 
and do not need to be reissued. (Section 1401(k))
(27) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Registration of 
        Multiproducer Dairy Operations
      The House bill amends section 1404(b) to allow a 
multiproducer dairy operation to elect to exclude from 
registration under the DRMP one or more individual owners--(1) 
who individually owns less than five percent of the operation; 
or (2) who is entitled to less than five percent of the income, 
revenue, profit, or one of other specified financial measures 
of the operation.
      The House bill also would require a reduction in DRMP 
payments to such operations corresponding to the reduction in 
ownership excluded from registration. (Section 1401(d))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to ensure a multiproducer dairy will be treated as 
a single operation under the program, and to clarify that 
operations are not allowed to reduce their production history 
to impact eligibility for tier I or tier II premiums. (Section 
1401(d))
      The Managers intend for FSA to ensure a more efficient 
sign-up process for dairy operations with multiple owners. The 
Managers intend for operations to be allowed to sign-up for 
coverage without every owner participating, and that those 
participating operations be treated as a single operation 
consistent with existing law. After coverage elections are 
made, the total premiums due and payments made may be adjusted 
downward to reflect the proportion of ownership participating. 
Nothing in this section is intended to allow a participating 
dairy operation to reduce the production history for the dairy 
operation to impact eligibility for tier I or tier II premiums.
(28) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Catastrophic 
        Coverage
      The Senate amendment amends section 1404(b) to provide 
that a participating dairy operation may elect to receive 
catastrophic coverage instead of paying a premium under section 
1407.
      The Senate amendment also amends section 1404(c) to 
provide that, in addition to the $100 administrative fee under 
section 1404(c)(1)(A), a participating dairy operation that 
elects to receive catastrophic coverage shall pay an additional 
administrative fee of $100. (Section 1401(e))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute allows participating dairy 
operations to elect to receive a $4 coverage level instead of 
paying a premium. (Section 1401(h))
(29) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Relation to 
        Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Program
      The House bill amends section 1404(d) to allow a dairy 
operation to participate in both the DRMP and the Livestock 
Gross Margin (LGM) for dairy program. (Section 1401(e))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
a modification permitting participating dairy operations to 
participate in both programs on the same production, and to 
allow producers who were locked out of the improved 2018 MPP 
due to LGM participation to retroactively participate in MPP 
for the months in 2018 in which they were excluded from 
participation. (Section 1401(e))
      Given that Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) is a new program 
option for dairy operations, the Managers note the importance 
of USDA-led outreach and education efforts to operations that 
are currently participating in the Margin Protection Program 
(MPP), those that have ceased participation, and those that 
have never participated (including organic dairy farmers that 
may not be aware of their eligibility). In advance of 2019 
program sign-up, the Managers expect FSA to conduct outreach to 
eligible operations through repeated contacts and multiple 
modes such as mailings, phone calls and local meetings, and to 
collaborate with state licensing boards, cooperatives, producer 
groups, institutions of higher education, and other 
stakeholders to thoroughly inform producers of their 
operations' new affordable options under DMC, MPP credit or 
refund values, and the new safety net options provided under 
DMC.
      Specifically with regard to the credit or refund under 
section 1407(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 USC 9057), 
the Managers recognize the potential complexity of tracing 
former owners of operations that have ceased operation, but 
expect operations that have continued operation unabated to be 
offered the option of a credit or refund in conjunction with 
the 2019 program sign-up. Additionally, this title removes 
restrictions between DMC and any Federal Crop Insurance 
product. Therefore the Managers expect FSA and the Risk 
Management Agency (RMA) to coordinate to ensure that each 
agency's employees, along with crop insurance companies, agents 
and customers, are aware of the change in rules and additional 
opportunities for complementary coverage.
(30) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Production History 
        of Participating Dairy Operations
      The House bill amends current law section 1405 (a)(2) to 
limit the application of the adjustments to the production 
history of participating dairy operations to ``calendar years 
ending before January 1, 2019.''
      The House bill also adds a new section 1405(d) to prevent 
DRMP payments to a participating dairy operation if the 
Secretary determines that the participating dairy operation has 
reorganized the operation solely for the purpose of qualifying 
as a new operation. (Section 1401(f))
      The Senate amendment amends current law section 
1405(a)(2) to limit the application of the adjustments to the 
production history of participating dairy operations to 
``during each of the 2014 through 2019 calendar years.'' 
(Section 1401(f))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to provide equitable treatment to newly-
participating dairies. (Section 1401(f))
(31) Margin Protection Program--Payments
      The House bill amends section 1406(a) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 to provide that, for purposes of receiving DRMP 
payments for a month, a participating dairy operation shall 
elect--(1) a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, 
$4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 
``(and in the case of production subject to Tier 1 premiums 
(under section 1407(b)), also $8.50 or $9.00)''; and (2) a 
percentage of coverage, in 5-percent increments, but not to 
exceed 90 percent of the production history of the 
participating dairy operation.
      The House bill further amends section 1406 by adding a 
new subsection (d) requiring that, within 90 days after the 
date of enactment, each participating dairy operation shall 
elect a coverage level threshold under subsection (a)(1) and a 
coverage percentage under subsection (q)(2) to be used to 
determine DRMP payments. This election shall remain in effect 
for the participating dairy operation through December 31, 2023 
(for the duration of the DRMP, as specified in section 1409). 
(Section 1401(h))
      The Senate amendment amends section 1406(a) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 to provide that, for purposes of 
receiving margin protection payments for a month, a 
participating dairy operation shall annually elect--(1) a 
coverage level threshold that is equal to--(A) in the case of 
catastrophic coverage, $5.00; (B) $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, 
$7.50, $8.00, $8.50, or $9.00; and (2)(A) a percentage of 
coverage, in 5-percent increments, that does not exceed 90 
percent of the production history of the participating dairy 
operation; or (2)(B) in the case of catastrophic coverage, a 
coverage level of 40 percent of the production history of the 
participating dairy operation. (Section 1401(g))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to require the participating dairy operation to 
elect a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, 
$5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, $8.00, $8.50, $9.00, 
or $9.50 for their first five million pounds of participating 
production. The amendment allows an operation that elects 
coverage on its first five million pounds of $8.00, $8.50, or 
$9.50 to make a second election of a coverage level threshold 
that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, 
$7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 for production over five million pounds. 
The amendment also allows operations to cover between five 
percent and ninety-five percent of their production history. 
(Section 1401(g))
(32) Margin Protection Program--Premium Rates
      The House bill amends section 1407(b)(2) to set the Tier 
1 premium rates for the first 5 million pounds of milk 
marketings included in the production history of a 
participating dairy operation, for each coverage level ranging 
from $5.50 to $9.00 per hundredweight. (Section 1401(h))
      The Senate amendment amends section 1407(b)(2) to set the 
Tier 1 premium rates for the first 5 million pounds of milk 
marketings included in the production history of a 
participating dairy operation, the premium per hundredweight 
for each coverage level ranging from $5.50 to $8.00 per 
hundredweight. (Section 1401(h))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to modify premium rates from the $4.00 to $9.50-
coverage options. The amendment also modifies premium rates for 
operations covering more than five million pounds. 
(Section1401(h))
(33) Margin Protection Program--Small and Medium Farmer Discount
      The Senate amendment adds a new subsection (f) to section 
1407 to require that the Tier I and Tier II premium per 
hundredweight for each coverage level shall be reduced by--(1) 
50 percent for a participating dairy operation with a 
production history that is less than 2 million pounds; and (2) 
25 percent for a participating dairy operation with a 
production history that is less than 2 million pounds and not 
greater than 1 million pounds. (Section 1401(h)(6))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute provides that any operation 
that signs up in 2019 and commits to maintaining their coverage 
decisions, including coverage level and covered production, 
through 2023 will receive a 25% discount on their premiums each 
year. Any producer who makes this commitment will be unable to 
change that coverage decision at any time over the life of the 
bill. Operations electing not to commit to five-year decisions 
may continue to make annual coverage decisions but will be 
ineligible for this discount. (Section 1401(j))
(34) Margin Protection Program--Repayment of Premiums
      The Senate amendment adds a new subsection (g) to section 
1407 to require the Secretary to repay each dairy operation 
that participated in the MPP as in effect for each of calendar 
years 2014 through 2017, an amount equal to the difference 
between--(1) the premiums paid by the participating dairy 
operation for the calendar year; and (2) the total amount of 
margin protection payments made to the participating dairy 
operation for the calendar year. (Section 1401(h)(6))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments clarifying that eligible dairy operations must 
apply for the repayment and to establish the percentages for 
repayments as credit at 75 percent and direct cash repayment at 
50 percent. (Section 1401(i))
      The Managers expect, with regard to the credit or refund 
under section 1407(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
9057), for FSA to make the credit or refund available to the 
operation that paid the premiums for coverage during 2014 
through 2017. In the event that the ownership and production 
history of an operation has been sold or transferred, the 
Managers expect the current operation to receive the credit or 
refund. In the case of an operation that participated in MPP 
during 2014, 2015, 2016, or 2017 and has since ceased operating 
or been dissolved, the Managers expect FSA to offer the owners 
of the operation a credit or refund based on their respective 
ownership share.
(35) Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers--Duration
      The House bill amends section 1409(k) to authorize the 
DRMP through December 31, 2023. (Section 1401(k))
      The Senate Amendment amends section 1409 to authorize DRC 
through December 31, 2023. (Section 1401(j))
      The Conference substitute provides an authorization for 
the DMC program through December 31, 2023. (Section 1401(l)). 
The Conference substitute also provides that the effective date 
of the amendments made by Section 1401 is January 1, 2019. 
(Section 1401(m))
      While DMC is replacing MPP, the Managers expect FSA to 
continue utilizing any existing regulations that are not 
contradicted by the new provisions including the regulations 
related to intergenerational transfer and the regulation that 
provides the maximum coverage percentage at a $4 margin, even 
if an operation selects a lower percentage under buy-up.
(36) Dairy Product Donation Program
      The House bill repeals the current law Dairy Product 
Donation Program (Section 1431 of the 2014 Act). (Section 1406)
      The Senate amendment amends current law section 1431 in 
its entirety to establish and administer a milk donation 
program to reimburse eligible dairy organizations' costs 
incurred for donating milk by accounting to the Federal Milk 
Marketing Order pool the difference in the Class I milk value 
and the lowest classified price for the applicable month 
(either Class III milk or Class IV milk).
      The Senate amendment defines eligible dairy organization, 
eligible distributor, eligible milk, eligible partnership, and 
participating partnership for purposes of the program. The 
amendment also establishes the purposes and administrative 
provisions governing the program, donation and distribution 
plans, and the reimbursement of qualified expenses. It 
prohibits the resale of products, and requires the conduct of 
audits to insure program integrity.
      The amendment provides mandatory funding for the program 
in the amount of $8 million for fiscal year 2019, and $5 
million each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 1413)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to repeal the Dairy Product Donation Program 
in current law and establish a new fluid milk donation program 
that makes it easier for producers, processors, and co-
operatives to donate fluid milk to food banks and other feeding 
organizations. The amendment provides mandatory funding for the 
program at $9 million in 2019 and at $5 million in each of the 
following years. (Section 1404)
(37) Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance
      The House bill amends the Livestock Indemnity Program 
(LIP) to cover death or sale loss as a result of diseases that 
are ``caused or transmitted by a vector and that is not able to 
be controlled by vaccination or other acceptable management 
practices.
      The House bill also eliminates the payment limitation of 
$125,000 per crop year for Emergency Assistance for Livestock, 
Honey Bees, and Farm Raised-Fish (ELAP). The amendment applies 
the limitation to any person or ``qualified pass through 
entity,'' and excludes such a person or pass through entity 
from the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitation if 75 percent 
or more of the person or entity's average AGI comes from 
farming, ranching, or silviculture.
      The House bill also requires that the amendments made by 
this section shall be effective for losses incurred on or after 
January 1, 2017. (Section 1501)
      The Senate amendment adds an Indian Tribe or tribal 
organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
U.S.C. 5304) as an eligible producer for purposes of 
supplemental agricultural assistance.
      The Senate amendment also allows the Secretary to provide 
assistance for coverage under LIP for the death of unweaned 
livestock due to adverse weather, including those that have not 
been vaccinated; and requires the Secretary to seek input 
annually from the bison industry to ensure LIP rates are 
consistent with market value.
      The Senate amendment also provides that funds made 
available for emergency assistance include for the purpose of 
reducing losses from inspections of cattle tick fever.
      The Senate amendment also requires an increased cost 
reimbursement of 75 percent for beginning farmers, ranchers and 
veterans under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). (Sections 
1501 & 12610)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provisions 
with amendments to add Indian Tribes or tribal organizations as 
an eligible producer, provide assistance for coverage under LIP 
for the death of unweaned livestock due to adverse weather, 
make available ELAP funds for inspections of cattle tick fever, 
increase the cost share available under TAP to 75 percent for 
beginning farmers, ranchers, and veterans, and to exclude the 
changes related to ``qualified pass thru entities'', AGI, and 
retroactive application. (Section 1501)
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to seek input and 
data from the bison industry (including bison producer groups) 
annually relating to the market value of bison to ensure that 
Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payments are consistent with 
the market value of bison.
      The Managers intend for livestock death losses that occur 
due to a cause of loss that is not eligible for indemnification 
under LIP to still be eligible for compensation under Emergency 
Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish 
(ELAP).
      The Managers note the ongoing struggle faced by 
beekeepers due to the persistence of Colony Collapse Disorder 
(CCD). In determining a normal mortality rate for honeybees for 
the purposes of calculating ELAP assistance for beekeepers, the 
Managers expect FSA to use mortality rates known to be normal 
prior to the emergence of CCD and other serious honeybee health 
declines.
(38) Loss of Peach and Blueberry Crops due to Extreme Cold
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to provide 
compensation for expenses relating to losses of peach and 
blueberry crops that occurred during calendar year 2017 due to 
extreme cold, as determined by the Secretary. It provides $18 
million in mandatory funding from CCC. (Section 1502)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(39) Administration and Operation of Noninsured Crop Assistance 
        Program--Eligible Crops
      The House bill amends section 196(a)(2) of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act to define ``eligible 
crops'' for the purposes of non-insured assistance as 
commercial crops or other agricultural commodities which are 
produced for food or fiber (except livestock) for which 
catastrophic risk protection or certain other additional 
coverage is not available. (Section 11501)
      The Senate amendment amends section 196(a)(1) of the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to 
direct the Secretary to coordinate between the agencies of the 
Department data collection, eligibility, and reduced paperwork 
for the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP).
      The Senate amendment also amends section 196(a)(4) to 
clarify required reductions in benefits for eligible crops for 
any 4 years after native sod acreage has been tilled by 
producers in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, 
and South Dakota. The Senate amendment allows a governor of 
another State to elect to have the provision apply to the 
State. It also requires a producer, as a condition of receiving 
noninsured crop assistance, to certify to the Secretary if the 
producer has tilled native sod for the production of an 
insurable crop. The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to 
submit an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture 
Committees describing the tilled native sod acreage in each 
country and state.
      The Senate amendment also amends section 196(b) to add a 
new paragraph (4) requiring the Secretary to establish a 
streamlined process for the submission of records and acreage 
reports for small-scale, direct-to-consumer, and divers urban 
production systems.
      The amendment also amends section 196(i)(2) to establish 
separate payment limitations of $125,000 for catastrophic 
coverage and $300,000 for additional coverage. (Section 1601)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provisions 
with amendments to define ``eligible crops'', clarify that 
native sod acreage that has been tilled would be subject to a 
reduction in benefits not more than four cumulative years 
during the first ten years after initial tillage, and exclude 
the authority for a governor of a state to elect to have the 
requirements apply to a state not currently covered by native 
sod rules. (Section 1601)
      The Managers observe that FSA implements the Noninsured 
Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) in a manner that is 
appropriate for conventional row-crop agriculture with entire 
fields and farms planted to one, or a small number of crops, 
that are harvested in a single crop year. The Managers note 
that producers who grow a variety of crops, often on small 
acreage with multiple rotations each crop year, have a 
paperwork burden under existing NAP that can act as a barrier 
to obtaining adequate risk protection.
      The Managers direct FSA to streamline reporting 
requirements through an equivalent process as described in the 
regulations for microloan operating loans under parts 761 and 
764 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
the date of enactment) and implement any other additional 
streamlining, as determined appropriate. The Managers also 
encourage FSA to coordinate with RMA to ensure that 
participation data are collected in a form useful to support 
the development and expansion of Federal Crop Insurance to new 
crops and counties.
(40) Noninsured Crop Assistance Program--Service Fee
      The House bill amends section 196(k)(1) to increase the 
service fees for eligible crops to the lesser of--(a) $350 per 
crop per county; or (B) $1,050 per producer per county, but not 
to exceed a total of $2,100 per producer. (Section 11502)
      The Senate amendment amends section 196(k)(l) to increase 
the service fees for eligible crops to the lesser of--(A) $325 
per crop per county; or (B) $825 per producer per county, but 
not to exceed a total of $1,950 per producer. (Section 1601(6))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1601(6))
(41) Noninsured Crop Assistance Program--Payment Equivalent to 
        Additional Coverage
      The House bill amends section 196(1)(2)(b)(i) to add the 
producer's share of the crop to the list of multipliers used to 
calculate the service fee or premium required to be paid by the 
producer in order to receive payments under noninsured 
assistance.
      The House bill strikes obsolete current law section 
196(1)(3) that addressed assistance for losses to certain 2012 
annual fruit crops grown on a bush or tree related to losses 
due to a freeze or frost.
      The House bill also amends section 196(1)(5) to extend 
the availability of additional coverage under subsection (l) 
through the 2023 crop year. (Section 11503)
      The Senate amendment amends section 196(1)(l) to add 
``the producer's share of the total acres devoted to the crop'' 
to the list of multipliers used to calculate the NAP payment 
amount that is equivalent to an indemnity for additional 
coverage under section 508(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act.
      The Senate amendment amends section 196(1)(1)(C) to 
clarify the ``market price'' used to calculate the NAP payment 
amount to also include the ``contract price, or other premium 
price (such as a local, organic, or direct market price, as 
elected by the producer.)''
      The Senate amendment strikes the same obsolete current 
law section 196(1)(3).
      The Senate amendment also strikes section 196(1)(5), thus 
making additional coverage under subsection (1) available 
permanently. (Section 1601(7))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1601(7))
      The Managers recognize that the expiration of the 
authority to offer additional coverage (also referred to as NAP 
buy-up) creates both an administrative burden on the agency and 
can cause uncertainty or even limited coverage for producers of 
crops with fall or winter sign-up periods. The Managers intend 
to avoid these issues in the future and have made permanent the 
authority for NAP buy-up. The Managers also removed the 30-day 
limit before coverage can attach in order to provide more 
flexibility and allow FSA to restart NAP buy-up immediately 
following enactment.
(42) Additional Assistance for Certain Producers--Losses Due to 
        Volcanic Activity
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary, as soon as 
practicable after October 1, 2018, under the section 196 
related to NAP to make available assistance to producers of an 
eligible crop that suffered losses in a county covered by a 
qualifying natural disaster declaration for production losses 
due to volcanic activity. The Secretary shall make assistance 
available under in an amount equal to the amount of assistance 
determined under section 196(d), less any service fees that are 
owed by producers under section 196(k). (Section 1602)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(43) Administration Generally
      The House bill continues the expedited rulemaking and 
other provisions in current law, with amended section 
references updated to reflect the House Bill. (Section 1601)
      The Senate amendment continues the expedited rulemaking 
and other provisions as current law, with amended section 
references updated to reflect the amendments made by title I 
(commodities) and section 10109 (multiple crop and pesticide 
use survey) of the Senate Amendment. (Section 1701)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1709)
(44) Suspension of Permanent Price Support Authority
      The House bill continues the suspension of the same 
permanent price support authorities (and related wheat 
marketing quotas) through 2023, with an amendment.
      The House bill amends section 201(a) of the Agricultural 
Act of 1949 to (1) add eleven additional commodities to the 
current list of eleven commodities for which the Secretary 
would be required to provide price support in the event that 
the 1949 Act were to become effective, including crambe, 
cottonseed, sesame seed, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, 
large chickpeas, graded wool, nongraded wool, mohair and 
peanuts; and (2) clarify that if price support were to be 
required under section 201, it would be provided at a level not 
less than 75 percent and not greater than 90 percent of the 
parity price of the commodity. (Section 1602)
      The Senate amendment extends the suspension of permanent 
price support authorities through 2023. (Section 1702)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 1702)
(45) Payment Limitations
      The House bill amends section 1001 of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 to limit to $125,000 the total amount of payments a 
person or a legal entity can receive from PLC or ARC payments 
under Subtitle A--(1) for the sum of all covered commodities 
(except peanuts); and (2) separately, for peanuts.
      The House bill amends the definition of family member to 
include first cousins, nieces, and nephews.
      The House bill adds a new definition of ``qualified pass 
through entity'' to mean ``a partnership (within the meaning of 
subchapter K of chapter 2 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
and including a limited liability company that does not 
affirmatively elect to be treated as a corporation), an S 
corporation (as defined in section 1361 of such Code), or a 
joint venture.''
      The House bill amends sections 1001(b) and 1001(c) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 to remove marketing loan gains and 
loan deficiency payments from the limitations on payments for 
peanuts under subsection (c) and all other covered commodities 
under subsection (b).
      The House bill also amends section 1001(f) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary to apply 
reductions in PLC or ARC payments due to a sequester before 
applying payment limitations under section 1001.
      The House bill also amends section 1001(e)(3)(B) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 to attribute payments to all 
qualified pass through entities on the same basis as joint 
ventures and general partnerships under current law. (Section 
1603)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provisions 
with amendments to delete the definition of `qualified pass 
through entity' and related provisions that would have 
attributed payments to all qualified pass through entities on 
the same basis as joint ventures and general partnerships. 
(Section 1703)
(46) Definition of Significant Contribution of Active Personal 
        Management
      The Senate amendment amends section 1001 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 to add a new definition for a 
``significant contribution of active personal management''. 
(Section 1704)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(47) Payments Limited to Active Farmers
      The Senate amendment amends section 1001A(b) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 to require the Secretary to consider not 
more than 1 person or legal entity per farming operation to be 
actively engaged in farming using active personal management, 
and to establish detailed criteria for determining when a 
person may be considered to be actively engaged in farming 
using active personal management. (Section 1705)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(48) Adjusted Gross Income Limitation
      The House bill amends section 1001D(b)(2) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 to exempt Marketing Loan Gains (MLG) and 
Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) 
limitations.
      The House bill also amends Section 1001D(b) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 to--(1) provide an exception from the AGI 
limitation for a qualified pass through entity; and (2) 
authorize the Secretary to waive, on a case-by-case basis, the 
AGI limitation to protect environmentally sensitive land of 
special significance. (Section 1604)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1001D(b)(1) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 to reduce the AGI limitation from 
$900,000 to $700,000. (Section 1706)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to delete the exception for marketing loan gains 
and loan deficiency payments and for a qualified pass through 
entity. The substitute also clarifies that the AGI limitation 
applies to conservation benefits under title II of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. (Section 1704)
(49) Prevention of Deceased Individual Receiving Payments Under Farm 
        Commodity Programs
      The House bill would reenact the current law requirement. 
(Section 1605)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
current law continues to apply.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(50) Assignment of Payments
      The House bill would reenact and continue the assignment 
of payments provisions in the same manner as current law. 
(Section 1606)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
current law continues to apply.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(51) Tracking of Benefits
      The House bill would reenact and continue the tracking of 
benefits in the same manner as current law. (Section 1607)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
current law continues to apply.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(52) Signature Authority
      The House bill would reenact and continue the signature 
authority of a producer in the same manner as current law, with 
a conforming amendment. (Section 1608)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision--
current law continues to apply.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(53) Base Acres Review
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to review the 
establishment, calculation, reallocation, adjustment, and 
reduction of base acres under Subtitle A of Title I of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014, and to report to the House and Senate 
Agriculture Committees on the results of the review. (Section 
1707)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(54) Farm Service Agency Accountability
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to establish 
policies, procedures and plans to improve program 
accountability and integrity through activities including 
utilizing data mining to identify and reduce errors, waste, 
fraud, and abuse in Farm Service Agency programs and to report 
to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. (Section 1708)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to delete some of the prescriptive 
requirements for the report. (Section 1705)
      The Managers intend the report to include a summary of 
the existing USDA efforts to eliminate errors, waste, fraud, 
and abuse, including existing and planned data sampling and 
mining activities of FSA, and efforts that involve coordination 
with other departments or agencies. The report should include 
identified weaknesses or program integrity issues, any plans 
for action and recommendations for legislative changes to 
address errors, waste, fraud, and abuse in FSA programs.
(55) Personal Liability of Producers for Deficiencies
      The House bill reenacts and continues provisions 
regarding the personal liability of producers for deficiencies 
in the same manner as current law. (Section 1609)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(56) Technical Corrections
      The Senate amendment revises sections 1112(c)(2) and 
1614(d) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 to make 2 technical 
corrections. (Section 1709(b))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to exclude the modification to section 
1614(d). (Section 1102(a))
(57) Implementation
      The House bill requires the Secretary to continue to 
maintain base acres and payment yields for each covered 
commodity in the same manner as current law.
      The House bill also requires the Secretary to continue to 
streamline administrative burdens and costs under the Acreage 
Crop Reporting and Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI).
      The House bill adds a new requirement that the Secretary 
shall ensure that no agent, Approved Insurance Provider (AIP), 
or employee or contractor of an agency or AIP, bears 
responsibility or liability under the ACRSI for the eligibility 
of a producer for programs administered by USDA that are not 
policies or plans of insurance offered under the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act except in cases of misrepresentation, fraud, or 
scheme and device.
      The House bill allows producers an option to remotely and 
electronically sign annual contracts.
      The House bill requires the Secretary to make $25,000,000 
available to the FSA to implement this title.
      The House bill also amends section 1614(d) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 to extend the loan implementation 
provisions to the provisions of the Agriculture and Nutrition 
Act of 2018. (Section 1610)
      The Senate amendment amends section of 1614(b) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 to update the requirements of ACSRI to 
make available more detailed USDA data across agencies and 
accessible via a single department-wide login.
      The Senate amendment also amends section 1614 by adding a 
new requirement that any USDA commodity program payment 
obligations that have not been disbursed or liquidated, and 
remain outstanding five years after the date on which the 
payment was obligated or made available, shall be deobligated 
and revert to the U.S. Treasury. The Secretary may delay the 
date of deobligation in the event of an ongoing appeal or 
litigation, settlement of an estate, or where otherwise 
equitable. (Section 1703)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to allow crop insurance agents and AIPs access to 
records necessary for program delivery held by FSA, include 
NRCS in coordination and data sharing efforts, provide 
producers an opportunity to sign a multi-year contract, reduces 
the mandatory funding available to the FSA for implementation 
to $15.5 million, and to consolidate required reports on the 
tillage of native sod. (Section 1706)
      The Managers recognize significant progress has been made 
to implement the Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative 
(ACRSI) to allow for sharing of producer information across 
common fields in FSA and RMA data collection. The Managers 
would note that the goal of one-stop reporting for producers at 
either RMA or FSA has yet to be realized, additionally 
widespread acceptance of geospatial data has not been achieved. 
The Managers expect the Undersecretary for Farm Production and 
Conservation (FPAC) to make acceptance of geospatial data a 
priority for the next phase of improvements to ACRSI, as well 
as begin the process of integrating data from the Natural 
Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to allow for the seamless 
transfer of producers' information across the agencies within 
the FPAC mission area.
      The Managers encourage FSA to add temporary refrigerated 
beehive storage facility to the list of eligible uses for the 
Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, in order to help beekeepers 
more effectively fight mites and CCD.
      The Managers note that the reports on tillage of native 
sod and the cropland report were consolidated in section 
1614(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014, as added by section 
1706(f) in Title 1 of this bill. The Managers expect FSA and 
RMA to coordinate on completing this report, and to provide 
data similar to that provided in the previous separate reports 
to allow a comparison over time in addition to any new 
information.
(58) Exemption from Certain Reporting Requirements for Certain 
        Producers
      The House bill exempts producers who participate in any 
conservation or commodity program, or who are eligible for 
indemnity or compensation payments, from the same reporting 
requirements as under section 1244(m), with respect to 
assistance received through NRCS, APHIS, or FSA.
      The House bill strikes current law section 1244(m). 
(Sections 1611 and 2503(1))
      The Senate amendment amends current law section 1244(m) 
to add producers participating in commodity programs through 
FSA to the exemption from the reporting requirements. (Section 
2503(d))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to clarify the term ``exempted producer'' means an 
individual or entity that is eligible to participate in a 
conservation program under title II of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 or a law amended by title II; an 
indemnity or disease control program under the Animal Health 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) or the Plant Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.); or a commodity program under title 
I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq.), 
excluding the assistance provided to users of cotton under 
sections 1207(c)and 1208 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9037(c), 9038). 
(Section 1707)

                         Title II--Conservation

(1) Extension and enrollment requirements of conservation reserve 
        program
      The House bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 (the 
``'85 Act'') to cap Conservation Reserve Program (``CRP'') 
enrollment at 25 million acres for FY 2019, 26 million acres 
for FY 2020, 27 million acres for FY 2021, 28 million acres for 
FY 2022, and 29 million acres for FY 2023. It requires the 
Secretary of Agriculture (the ``Secretary'') to enroll a 
minimum of 3 million acres of grassland by the end of FY 2023 
and sets maintenance goals for each of those fiscal years. It 
requires the Secretary to reserve remaining acres for a fiscal 
year when the grassland 3 million acre or the applicable 
maintenance goal is not reached. The bill requires the 
Secretary to hold a signup for contracts not available on a 
continuous basis at least once every other year. It also 
directs the Secretary to enroll and maintain acreage in 
accordance with historical State enrollment rates. It maintains 
current law regarding the general contract duration, strikes 
the special rule for certain land (owner specified duration), 
and sets certain continuous contract duration at 15 or 30 
years. The bill caps land to one reenrollment if it is devoted 
to hardwood trees. (Section 2201)
      The Senate amendment strikes the previous farm bill 
reference and inserts the new 2018 short title. It also caps 
enrollment at 25 million acres for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. It reauthorizes the 2-million-acre limitation 
regarding grassland enrollment through FY 2023. It authorizes a 
new clean water initiative and the State Acres for Wildlife 
Enhancement Program. (Section 2101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment. The overall acreage limit is increased to 27 
million by FY 2023, including 8.6 million acres to be devoted 
to continuous practices, and 2 million for grasslands. Contract 
lengths will be between 10 and 15 years, after which the land 
is eligible for reenrollment, with some exceptions. A 
proportional, historic State acreage allocation was included 
for a portion of the acres available for enrollment. The 
Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to continuous enrollment procedure and eligibility, 
including making certain water quality practices eligible. 
(Section 2201)
      The Managers codify the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and 
Rivers Initiative (``CLEAR'') in order to guarantee that it 
remains a priority in CRP. The Managers expect the Farm Service 
Agency (``FSA'') to target CLEAR practices in high priority 
watersheds where they will maximize environmental benefits. The 
Managers expect that at least 40 percent of continuous CRP 
acres will be devoted to CLEAR. The Managers expect USDA to 
take greater steps to report on the water quality benefits from 
these practices through the annual report.
      The Managers recognize the benefits of native vegetation 
to improve water and air quality and enhance soil health. By 
encouraging the adoption of native vegetation seed blends, USDA 
programs are supporting habitat restoration for the northern 
bobwhite, lesser prairie-chicken, greater sage-grouse, other 
upland game birds, songbirds, monarch butterflies and 
pollinators. The Managers encourage the use of native 
vegetation where practicable.
(2) Farmable wetland program
      The House bill amends the '85 Act to strike the buffer 
acreage authority for certain land that enhances a wildlife 
benefit in terms of upland to wetland ratios. It caps overall 
program acreage at 500,000 acres. It also directs the Secretary 
to also consider the submission of bids in the method of 
determination when looking at these offers and amounts of 
rental payments. (Section 2202)
      The Senate amendment extends the reauthorization through 
FY 2023. (Section 2102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 2203)
(3) Duties of owners and operators
      The House bill authorizes management to include the use 
of grazing for limited purpose of management. It authorizes 
thinning and other practices for certain purposes on land 
devoted to hardwood or other trees. It clarifies the 
conservation plan will set forth commercial use of enrolled 
lands. (Section 2203)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 2205)
(4) Duties of the Secretary
      The House bill authorizes the Secretary to make rental 
payments. It expands opportunities for haying, grazing, and 
other management tools. It limits haying to no more frequently 
than that once in every three years with certain parameters. 
The bill further allows for intermittent or seasonal vegetative 
buffer practices incidental to production activity on adjacent 
land, and for program acres to be eligible for grazing when 
livestock assistance program is engaged because of drought. The 
bill gives the Secretary discretion to waive planned mid-
contract management requirements in response to a natural 
disaster or adverse weather it results in the same effect on 
the cover as planned management activity. (Section 2204)
      The Senate amendment authorizes cost-share for fencing 
and other water distribution practices. It provides for managed 
harvesting, grazing, and other commercial use, consistent with 
the conservation of soil, water quality and wildlife habitat, 
management, in exchange for a reduction in the annual rental 
rate of 25 percent. It also provides certain disaster 
designation authority to States. (Section 2103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments. Conservation practices cost-share and soil rental 
rate payments are authorized, as well as haying and grazing, 
with conditions. Natural disasters may fulfill contractual land 
management requirements imposing conditions on haying and 
grazing, including restricting it to non-primary wildlife 
nesting season. (Section 2206)
      The Managers provide greater flexibility for haying and 
grazing on acres enrolled in CRP, with appropriate protections 
to maintain the conservation and wildlife value. The Managers 
direct the Secretary to allow for these specified activities on 
both general and continuous acres, including on acres enrolled 
in practices like CP-25 rare and declining bird habitat.
      Similar to current USDA practice, the Managers intend to 
provide flexibility to allow haying, grazing or other use of 
forage under section 1233(b)(1)(B) with appropriate safeguards 
under section 1233(b)(1)(A) or section 1233(b)(2) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985. The Managers also recognize that the 
impact of haying on some species of wildlife and habitat 
quality may be more significant than grazing (which can be 
adjusted through limits on the stocking rate) and therefore 
intend the FSA to have discretion to set more stringent 
limitations on haying and under what circumstances haying is 
allowed. Specifically as part of the authority for the 
Secretary to allow emergency haying, grazing or other emergency 
use of forage outside the primary nesting season (section 
1233(b)(1)(B)(i)(I)(aa)), the Managers intend for FSA to 
maintain the current procedures where the respective county 
committees have the ability to request such authorization from 
the respective state FSA committee when any part of the county 
is designated as a level ``D2 Drought--Severe'' or worse 
according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
(5) Payments
      The House bill directs the Secretary to pay not more than 
40 percent cost-share and limits cost share for seed of cover. 
It caps incentive payments for installing practices and 
prohibits a cost share payment for mid-contract management. It 
authorizes forest management payments, and limits payments to 
not more than 100 percent of the total cost. It directs the 
Secretary to consider the impact on local farmland rental 
markets when determining annual rental payments. It directs the 
Secretary to limit rental payments for initial enrollment to 
not more than 80 percent of the estimated average county rental 
rate. It also directs the Secretary to limit payments for 
subsequent re-enrollments. It increases the frequency of the 
rental rate estimate survey from every other year to be 
published by September 15 each year. The bill directs the 
Secretary to use estimates derived from the survey to determine 
these rental rates. It limits CREP rental payments to States to 
no more than 50 percent of the cost of activities. (Section 
2205)
      The Senate amendment authorizes incentive payments for 
continuous enrollment contracts under certain circumstances 
based upon prices for major covered commodities. It directs the 
Secretary to prioritize the enrollment of marginal and 
environmentally sensitive land when considering offers. The 
amendment adds a rental rate limitation of 88.5 percent. It 
strikes paragraph (2) of subsection (g) and replaces it with an 
exemption for payments received by rural water districts or 
association for lands enrolled for the purpose of protecting a 
wellhead and conforms subsection (g) to the new paragraph (2). 
(Section 2104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments that limit practice cost-share payments to actual 
cost of practice installation, and 50 percent for the cost of 
seed. Soil rental rates for general and continuous enrollment 
are limited to 85 percent and 90 percent of the county average, 
respectively, with secretarial requirement to account for 
potential impact on local farmland rental market. Incentive 
payments for continuous practices and forest management are 
also authorized. It amends the rental rate calculation methods 
for reenrolled land, to allow for state and Conservation 
Reserve Enhancement Program (``CREP'') partner input, and to 
maintain incentives for specific practices or areas like 
wellhead protection zones. (Section 2207)
      The Managers recognize that rental rates vary 
significantly across the different production regions of the 
country. The Managers direct USDA to use average rental rates 
that are more reflective of local rental rates, including 
offering the opportunity for State FSA and CREP partners to 
recommend alternative rates with supporting information. The 
impact of reducing the rental rates in CRP may be greater on 
dryland production areas where soil conservation is a 
significant resource concern. The Managers encourage USDA to 
work with producers to address soil conservation concerns in 
semi-arid production regions.
      The Managers increased CRP's annual enrollment acreage 
cap and reduced the soil rental rate limits in hopes that CRP 
will more accurately serve one of its fundamental purposes: 
retiring the most sensitive lands without competing with local 
farmland rental markets (which may preclude some farmers from 
having access to prime farmland). By incorporating changes in 
the program that are more market-based, the Managers are 
hopeful that highly productive land will not be taken out of 
production while remaining affordable for those who wish to 
utilize it for production agriculture.
      Furthermore, the Managers are concerned that the 
complexity and expenses associated with seed mixes under CRP 
have led to frustration on the part of landowners, a waste of 
taxpayer dollars, and in some cases inferior cover on the 
ground if the mix fails to take root. The Managers hope that 
USDA will consider the hardiness and suitability of seed 
mixtures when recommending multiple species blends, and 
consider seed mixtures that contain fewer, hardier species and 
provide adequate cover for wildlife and pollinators on sites 
where cover is difficult to establish or maintain.
      The Managers maintained continuous enrollment and 
incentives for continuous practices, including signing 
incentives, incentives to provide additional cost-share, and 
those related to specific practices, such as buffers, and 
wellhead areas, for certain high conservation value practices. 
These continuous practices are typically smaller, more 
targeted, and implemented only on parts of fields or farms with 
higher practice establishment costs, which often require higher 
payment rates.
(6) Conservation reserve enhancement program
      The Senate amendment authorizes CREP in the '85 Act, 
which applies to not less than 20 percent of continuous acres. 
The Secretary is required to provide cost share payments as 
components are completed. The Secretary is also required to 
make incentive payments for a program that includes riparian 
buffers, but not to exceed 100 percent of the management cost. 
(Section 2105)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments limiting eligible partners and requiring a 30 
percent minimum contribution from nongovernmental 
organizations. CREP is expressly authorized, including drought 
and water conservation agreements to address regional drought 
concerns. (Section 2202)
      The Managers encourage USDA to continue the enrollment of 
acres in CREP in all regions of the country. The Managers 
incentivize more enrollment of riparian buffers, including 
forested riparian buffers, in CREP by authorizing the Secretary 
to make-cost share payments for forested riparian buffer 
maintenance throughout the length of the agreement and to cover 
up to 100 percent of the cost incurred by the owner or 
operator.
      The Managers build upon past provisions that increase 
flexibility for harvesting and grazing within CRP by 
authorizing harvesting of products from food-producing woody 
plants on forested riparian buffers, provided that conservation 
benefits are maintained and only native plants are planted 
within 35 feet of the watercourse. The Managers expect USDA to 
make cost-share payments for installing stream fencing, 
crossings, and alternative water development on marginal 
pastureland to reflect the fair market value of the cost of 
installation.
(7) Contracts
      The House bill amends the authority to allow a 1-time 
early termination in fiscal year 2019. It authorizes a 
transition option to beginning farmers and ranchers to prepare 
land for crop use, to provide extended time certification under 
OFPA, and directs the Secretary to provide technical and 
financial assistance to carry out plan requirements. (Section 
2206)
      The Senate amendment strikes early termination authority. 
It authorizes a transition option from contract holders 
beginning 2 years before termination of the contract, includes 
short-term leases in the transition authority, provides for 
certain new priorities and provides for reenrollment for 
grasslands. It provides an authority for owner or operator 
election relating to easements. (Section 2106)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision, 
with an amendment to maintain the current law transition option 
into the Conservation Stewardship Program (``CSP''). It 
reauthorizes a transition option for land that will be prepared 
for organic production or enrolled in CSP or the Environmental 
Quality Incentives Program (``EQIP''). Land under contract may 
simultaneously be enrolled in the Agricultural Conservation 
Easement Program (``ACEP''). (Section 2204)
(8) Conservation reserve easements
      The Senate Amendment defines terms, makes requirements 
for the agreement between the owner and the Secretary, sets out 
the terms and conditions of the easement, addresses violations 
of the easement, and authorizes compatible economic uses in 
certain circumstances. (Section 2107)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute accepts the Senate provision 
with amendment to change the easement authority to a pilot 
program for 30 year contracts for Clean Lakes Estuaries and 
Rivers (CLEAR) practices and to include a Soil Health and 
Income Protection Pilot Program. (Section 2204)
      The Managers require FSA to carry out a pilot to 
incentivize the use of 30-year contracts for the water quality 
practices authorized through the CLEAR initiative. The Managers 
would like producers to be given the opportunity to enroll in 
and capitalize on the benefits of longer-term contracts beyond 
the traditional 10-year contract, while simultaneously 
maximizing environmental benefits associated with the CRP. The 
Managers intend for this pilot to serve as a tool for measuring 
demand for longer-term CRP contracts and to provide insights 
into the conservation benefits associated with long-term 
contracts.
(9) Eligible land; State law requirements
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary, in 
consultation with the State technical committee, to make 
certain land eligible for enrollment through regulation. 
(Section 2108)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute accepts the Senate amendment 
with an amendment to limit the provision to partnerships 
established before 2014. (Section 2209)
(10) Definitions
      The Senate amendment amends the definitions used in 
Subchapter B, the Conservation Stewardship Program, by adding 
more ``conservation activities'' and amends the definition of 
``stewardship threshold'' to direct the Secretary to use 
certain criteria, tools or models, data and other methods. 
(Section 2201)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with technical changes. (Section 2308)
(11) Establishment
      The Senate amendment extends the authority through FY 
2023 and amends the conversion provision to precede enactment 
of the 2018 farm bill. (Section 2202)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with technical changes. (Section 2308)
(12) Stewardship contracts
      The Senate amendment requires environmental benefits be 
part of the measurement concept for types of performance. It 
authorizes contract renewals and requires for renewals a higher 
level of performance with respect to 2 existing priority 
resource concerns in the initial contract. (Section 2203)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with technical changes. (Section 2308)
      The Managers direct the NRCS to ensure that existing and 
future CSP participants are given the opportunity to renew 
expiring contracts before their original 5-year contract is set 
to expire. Given that expiring contracts will no longer be 
eligible for automatic renewals and instead must compete within 
the same pool as applicants applying for a new contract, the 
Managers direct NRCS to ensure that the renewal process begins 
at the beginning of the fifth year of the original contract so 
that contracts are re-enrolled before they expire. The Managers 
expect USDA to rank the renewal offers according to the same 
two primary ranking criteria used for new contracts, in 
addition to including the results from previous contracts.
(13) Duties of Secretary
      The Senate amendment changes the annual program 
enrollment to 8.797 million acres each fiscal year. It directs 
the Secretary to manage the program to achieve a national 
average payment rate. It authorizes payments for cover crop 
activities and advanced grazing management. It authorizes a 1-
time payment to a producer for comprehensive conservation plan. 
The amendment authorizes the Secretary to allocate State 
funding for organic and transition to organic production. It 
requires the Secretary, to the maximum extent feasible, to 
manage the program to enhance soil health. (Section 2204)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with an amendment to strike the annual acreage allocation and 
the national average payment rate. (Section 2308)
      The Managers removed the acre-based funding method and 
the $18 per acre national average payment rate for CSP. The 
Managers intend this change to give NRCS greater flexibility in 
administering the program to maximize the Federal investment to 
achieve higher conservation benefits. This change should allow 
NRCS to further the locally-led mission of addressing local 
concerns by allowing greater investment in local priorities. 
The Managers intend for NRCS to limit contract offers that have 
an exceptionally high per-acre or per-unit cost or that score 
lower for addressing applicable priority resource concerns.
      The Managers support USDA recognizing the use of 
innovative technology such as enhanced efficiency fertilizers. 
Enhanced efficiency fertilizers, which reduce nitrate losses to 
the environment, help protect water quality, and reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions, include slow- and controlled-release 
fertilizers (absorbed, coated, occluded or reacted) and 
stabilized nitrogen fertilizers (nitrification inhibitors and 
nitrogen stabilizers). These tools are recognized in USDA's 
conservation standards and specifications for nutrient 
management and related practices and by State regulators of 
fertilizers.
      The Managers intend for USDA to provide program resources 
for the development of a comprehensive conservation plan. The 
Managers intend that payments for these plans can be prorated 
over the life of the 5 year contract or paid in full the year 
it is completed. The Managers intend for the plan to be 
implemented in a subsequent CSP contract or through a different 
conservation program, like EQIP.
      When determining State funding allocations under CSP for 
organics, the Managers intend for USDA to take into account the 
number of certified organic and transitioning to organic 
operations and the number of acres in certified organic and 
transitioning to organic production in a State. Both criteria 
are important to ensure that States with smaller organic 
operations can compete fairly for funding with States with 
larger organic operations.
      The Managers intend for USDA to encourage States to give 
higher consideration to contracts that include conservation 
activities to improve soil health, where this consideration is 
appropriate and in line with local conservation priorities. 
This can take the form of higher-ranking points or other 
similar prioritization of soil health in producer applications.
      The Managers direct NRCS to report on the payment rates 
for conservation activities offered under CSP in each fiscal 
year and analyze whether payment rates can be reduced for the 
most expensive conservation activities. The Managers encourage 
NRCS to evaluate payment rates to determine the most impactful 
utilization of limited program dollars.
(14) Purposes
      The Senate amendment adds adaption and mitigation 
regarding weather volatility to the practices that sustain food 
and fiber production in program purposes. It also authorizes 
new program purpose authority regarding producer assistance to 
address new or expected resource concerns, including crops and 
drought resistant measures. (Section 2301)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification regarding the program's purpose of 
assisting producers. (Section 2302)
      The Managers added the modifiers ``identified or 
expected'' to resource concerns to help ensure that animal 
agriculture producers who do not yet have livestock in their 
facility, but have a contract for the animals to be delivered 
within a reasonable timeframe, may apply for and be eligible 
for EQIP.
(15) Definitions
      The House bill adds the following new inclusions to the 
term ``practice'': conservation activities, precision 
conservation, management planning, and the use of cover crops 
and resource conserving crop rotations. It defines the term 
``priority resource concern'' and the term ``stewardship 
practice''. (Section 2301)
      The Senate amendment defines the term ``conservation 
planning survey''. It adds an inclusion to the definition of 
``eligible land''. It amends the concept of other agricultural 
land in the definition of the term ``eligible land'' to include 
``identified or expected'' resource concerns. The amendment 
adds 2 new inclusions to the term ``practice'' improvements. It 
adds new inclusions to the term ``practice'' conservation 
activities. It adds a definition of the term ``producer''. 
(Section 2302)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications, defining the terms conservation planning 
assessment, incentive practice, priority resource concern, soil 
remediation and soil testing and amending the definition of 
eligible land. (Section 2303)
      The Managers expand eligible land inclusions for EQIP to 
environmentally sensitive areas. The Managers intend for these 
areas to be limited to associated agricultural land with 
natural resource concerns, such as road-stream crossings that a 
producer would use to access a field. These areas may include 
land that producers use as part of their normal agricultural 
operation, but is not limited to land in active agricultural 
production where the natural resource concern exists. Many of 
these areas are considered eligible by NRCS today, but by 
including it in statute the Managers intend for this to be 
implemented uniformly in all States.
      The Managers recognize that by providing assistance to 
producers to improve soil health on eligible land it may be 
necessary to provide targeted assistance to test not only the 
biological and physiological health of the soil, but also to 
test for contaminants, including heavy metals, volatile organic 
compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Not only 
should the Secretary provide funding to cover the cost for this 
category of targeted soil testing covered under section 1240A, 
but funding should also be provided for conducting 
scientifically based soil remediation practices to be carried 
out by the producer. The Managers do not intend for the 
Secretary to provide assistance that would be covered under 
services provided through the Brownfields Program at the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but do intend that the 
Secretary provide an assessment of soil testing, as well as 
recommendations and technical assistance (as covered under 
section 1242), to improve overall quality and health of soil by 
removing potential contaminants. In the event that the 
expertise for making this assistance is not available at a 
local or regional level, the Secretary may draw upon outside 
expertise and/or provide training to agency staff so that they 
may provide assistance and customer service to producers.
      The Managers direct the Secretary to conduct education 
and outreach to producers regarding the uses of soil and 
methods of addressing soil contamination and soil health 
degradation. This outreach may include the sharing of current 
information regarding soil testing protocols made available by 
the EPA Administrator. Furthermore, on the request of a 
producer, where soil is found to pose an imminent hazard to 
human or animal health, the Secretary may refer the producer to 
the EPA for additional assistance for remediation under section 
104(k) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9604(k)).

(16) Establishment and administration

      The House bill authorizes a wildlife carveout at 5 
percent for each of FYs 2019 through 2023. It amends the 
availability of payments for water conservation or irrigation 
efficiency practice and the list types of practices available 
for water conservation and irrigation efficiency. It makes 
amendments to priorities for payments for water reduction and 
cost-shared practices. It authorizes a new authority for 
stewardship contracts. (Section 2302)
      The Senate amendment authorizes additional term authority 
for wildlife practices. It makes amendments to the advance 
payment authority. The amendment authorizes review and guidance 
for cost share rates, conservation practice standards. The 
amendment authorizes an increase payment for high-priority 
practices. It decreases the livestock carveout from 60 percent 
to 50 percent, including for grazing management practices, and 
increases the wildlife carveout from 5 percent to 10 percent. 
The amendment allows the Secretary to provide water 
conservation and system efficiency payments. It amends organic 
production payment limits to $160,000 during FY 2019 through FY 
2023. It authorizes a micro-EQIP pilot program. (Section 2303)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with several modifications. The amendment moves section 2303(2) 
of the Senate amendment, to section 2304(d) of this bill. It 
modifies the Senate provision on advanced payments for 
beginning farmers by striking the opt out concept, amending it 
to be an assurance of notification to producers. It also moves 
the cost-share provision and practice standards provisions to 
section 1241 of the '85 Act. It also moves high-priority 
practices to section 2304 of the substitute. The amendment 
includes the Senate provision on irrigation, livestock carve-
out and wildlife carve-out, and the House authority on 
stewardship contracts with a technical amendment, but modifies 
the payment limit provision, and does not include the Micro-
EQIP pilot program. (Section 2304)
      The Managers believe that conservation practices adopted 
solely for the benefit of wildlife should be fostered with 
contracts of maximum length allowed by law. Wildlife practices 
often diminish agronomic value on working agricultural lands 
because they have real implementation costs and increase 
operational risks by reducing yield. These practices are 
therefore highly unlikely to be sustained by farmers without 
longer-term, incentives-based partnerships with NRCS. In taking 
this action to encourage longer-term contracts, the Managers 
intend that contracts for the benefit of wildlife should not be 
limited by previous agency interpretation limiting the length 
or term of these contracts to three years or any other term 
less than 10 years.
      The Managers authorize the Secretary to enter into 
expedited contracting arrangements to deliver EQIP surface and 
groundwater cost-share assistance for both on and off farm 
conservation measures. The Managers provide that the expedited 
cost-share assistance authorized by this drought authority is 
specifically limited by project type, and shall only be made 
available by the Secretary for a watershed-wide project that 
will effectively conserve water, provide fish or wildlife 
habitat, or provide for drought-related environmental 
mitigation. The Managers further direct the Secretary to 
prioritize assistance provided under this authority to 
producers participating in efforts to stabilize water resources 
of state or regional significance, and to prioritize cost-share 
practices which improve agricultural drought resiliency and 
productivity. In order to ensure that EQIP cost-share 
assistance made available under this provision does not 
disadvantage other regions and conservation concerns, the 
Managers specifically state that the Secretary is not 
authorized to modify the process for determining the annual 
allocation of EQIP funding to States. Rather these efforts 
should be addressed within each State's locally led priorities 
with input from State Technical Committees. Furthermore, the 
Managers intend that the AGI waiver authority made available 
under this provision apply only to the eligible entity, not to 
individual producers.
      The Managers recognize the broad and significant role of 
EQIP in promoting environmental stewardship. In addressing 
water quality as a resource concern, the Committee believes 
that conservation programs should prioritize funding for 
producers implementing fertilizer management practices that 
incorporate the use of the right fertilizer source, the right 
rate (amount of fertilizer), the right placement of fertilizer 
(including precision application) and the right timing of 
fertilizer applications (making the nutrients available when 
the crop needs them). These practices are recognized by the 
USDA-NRCS Nutrient Management Standard (590) and have been 
proven to help producers optimize production potential and 
protect the environment.
      The Managers intend that conservation programs should 
recognize the use of innovative technology, such as enhanced 
efficiency fertilizers (including slow and controlled-release 
fertilizers, stabilized nitrogen fertilizers). This innovative 
technology can help producers to protect water quality and 
reduce greenhouse emissions. In the case of EQIP applications 
involving manure-to-energy projects, the Managers encourage the 
Secretary to consider whether the projects include an 
integrative approach to addressing nutrient management and 
water quality issues.
      The Managers make changes to the advance payment option 
under EQIP by requiring notification of an advance payment 
option to beginning, limited resource, and socially 
disadvantaged producers. The Managers recognize that the 
historic low utilization rate by these groups is likely due to 
challenges with implementation and outreach, rather than lack 
of interest. Advance payments should be timed so that the 90 
day period to expend all funds commences at the time practice 
installation begins. The Managers encourage USDA to explore 
options to provide assistance to small-scale and limited 
resource agricultural producers to access EQIP to address 
natural resource concerns.
      The Managers believe that states should increase EQIP 
incentives for those practices which are especially effective 
at addressing local or regionalized priority resource concerns. 
The Managers intend for the increased incentives to promote 
further adoption of these highly beneficial practices by 
producers in high priority watersheds. The Managers intend that 
increased payments to producers under this provision shall not 
exceed 90 percent of costs, even in the case of producers who 
would otherwise qualify for increased payments.
      The Managers direct the Secretary to ensure conservation 
practice standards reflect the use of integrated irrigation and 
nutrient management technologies, such as micro-irrigation 
systems (e.g., drip irrigation). Such technology, in addition 
to providing increased water efficiency, can be used to 
distribute fertilizers and other nutrients directly to plant 
roots, improve soil health, both water quantity and quality, 
and reduce nutrient runoff. In the case of EQIP applications 
involving irrigation projects, the Managers encourage the 
Secretary to consider whether the projects include an 
integrative approach to addressing nutrient management and 
water efficiency issues.
      The Managers intend for the new incentive contracts to be 
available to producers for not less than five years, but no 
more than 10 years to receive annual and cost-share payments 
for adoption, installation, required management and maintenance 
of incentive practices that attain increased natural resource 
levels of conservation on the applicable portion of the farm, 
ranch or forest as determined by the producer. The Managers 
anticipate incentive practices with broad resource benefits 
(including, but not limited to, cover crops, transition to 
resource conserving crop rotations, and incorporation of 
precision agriculture technologies into agriculture operations) 
will be available to producers within the program. Similarly, a 
broad suite of incentive practices relating to grazing lands 
and forest lands will be available to incentivize increased 
levels of conservation around locally-established resource 
priorities.

(17) Evaluation of application

      The Senate amendment authorizes application priority for 
the consideration of the most effective practices to address 
natural resource concerns. (Section 2304)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification, moving the priority to section 2503 of the 
substitute, as an implementation provision. (Section 2503)

(18) Duties of the Secretary

      The Senate amendment authorizes the Secretary, to the 
maximum extent feasible, to streamline and coordinate between 
the EQIP plan and CSP and manage the program for soil health. 
(Section 2305)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment in 
section 2304 of the Conference substitute. (Section 2308)

(19) Environmental quality incentives program plan

      The Senate amendment amends the requirement for a CAFO 
plan of operation to include ``progressive'' implementation. 
(Section 2306)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2305)
      The Managers intend for the Comprehensive Nutrient 
Management Plan (``CNMP'') to remain a comprehensive and whole 
farm plan. However, during a particular EQIP contract period, 
it is not necessary for an existing facility with a CNMP to 
achieve every aspect of the CNMP all at once if doing so would 
be practically or economically infeasible. In such instances, 
progressive implementation should include an appropriate and 
realistic timeframe for the remaining implementation factors 
after the end of the contract period, including, if warranted, 
with additional EQIP assistance.

(20) Conservation innovation grants and payments

      The House bill caps conservation innovation grants at not 
more than $25 million for each of FYs 2019 through 2023 and 
increases air quality funding at $37.5 million for each of FYs 
2019 through 2023. The amendment also includes new on farm 
conservation innovation trials. (Section 2304)
      The Senate amendment authorizes new program uses. It 
reauthorizes the funding provision through fiscal year 2023. 
(Section 2308).
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendment. The modifications include a provision specific to 
community colleges and an authorization of partnerships with 
farmers for certain innovative conservation practices, as well 
as edge-of-field, emerging agricultural practices, and other 
monitoring practices. The substitute does not include the House 
cap on conservation innovation grant funds. The amendment 
includes a soil health demonstration trial within the authority 
for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. (Section 2307)
      The Managers intend for the conservation innovation 
grants to promote innovative conservation approaches that 
increase green space, pollinator habitat, stormwater 
management, carbon sequestration, and access to agricultural 
production sites through land tenure agreements and other 
contracts.
      The Managers believe that conservation innovation and 
technological advancement should be farmer-centric and support 
experimentation by farmers. It should harness leading-edge 
technology and data science while also leveraging private 
expertise and capital. Producers are also reluctant to 
introduce new conservation practices across the entire farming 
operation without first testing how they work in practice. 
Current law has focused on innovation of practices but not 
enough on testing and adoption at field scale in partnership 
with farmers. An important component of innovation trials is 
involving the private sector and the Managers intend commercial 
entities to work together with NRCS to test and prove new 
conservation practices.
      The Managers intend that innovation trials take place on 
a variety of operations that reflect the diversity of producers 
and natural resource concerns present across the United States, 
and that payments be made to producers across a range of 
operation sizes. Included in the innovation trials is a Soil 
Health Demonstration Trial, which USDA should implement by 
drawing upon the expertise and resources of outside partners 
(including commodity groups and producers) to mirror and build 
upon existing soil health projects.
      Furthermore, the Managers intend that the conservation 
practice database be a publicly available and continuously 
updated resource that informs the public on USDA conservation 
practice standards and contributes to the conservation efforts 
of partners and producers in the agricultural community.
      The Managers intend for the Secretary to ensure all 
producers in the innovation trials meet EQIP eligibility 
requirements before participation in the program. The explicit 
statutory language requiring the Secretary to enforce adjusted 
gross income requirements for producers shall not preclude or 
impact enforcement of these requirements in other conservation 
programs.

(21) Soil health demonstration pilot project

      The Senate amendment authorizes a soil health 
demonstration pilot project that includes financial incentives 
for producers in appropriate geographic regions, including at 
least 1 drought prone region, and establishes protocols for 
measuring gains in soil health. The amendment also authorizes a 
study on soil health and economic outcomes, report to Congress 
and provides $15 million annually through fiscal year 2023 to 
carry out the pilot. (Section 2309)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications within the authority for On-Farm 
Conservation Innovation Trials. (Section 2307)
(22) Wetland conservation
      The House bill requires the Secretary to identify 
regulatory categorical exemptions within 180 days of enactment 
of the 2018 farm bill as it relates to the minimal effects 
exemption. It further provides $10 million in mandatory funds 
for wetlands mitigation banking beginning in FY 2019, which 
funds shall remain available until expended. It also authorizes 
appropriations of $5 million for each of FYs 2019 through 2023. 
(Sections 2101 and 2102)
      The Senate amendment requires that the requisite on-site 
inspection occur in the presence of the affected person, as 
long as they are available for such inspection. It clarifies 
that no person shall become ineligible if the Secretary 
determines an exemption under section 1222(b) of the '85 Act 
applies to that person. It directs the Secretary, within 1 
year, to identify categorical minimal effect exemptions in 
compliance with certain laws and regulations and in 
consultation with particular groups. The amendment eliminates 
mandatory funding for mitigation banking and instead authorizes 
$5 million in appropriations for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Sections 2401, 2412, and 2413)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment to 
section 1221(d) of the '85 Act with a modification to the 
authority for on-site visits without the affected person 
present. The substitute also deletes the House and Senate 
provisions on minimal effects under 1222(d). (Sections 2101 and 
2102)
(23) Conservation security program
      The House bill repeals the conservation security program 
and conservation stewardship program authorities. It clarifies 
that the amendment does not have an impact on existing 
contracts. It also prohibits the Secretary from renewing 
existing contracts. (Section 2801)
      The Senate amendment repeals subchapter A of chapter 2 of 
subtitle D of the '85 Act. (Section 2402)
      The Conference substitute repeals both conservation 
programs and establishes the subchapter B of chapter 2 
authority in subchapter B of chapter 4 of the '85 Act. It also 
provides transition authority, monetizes the acreage cap, and 
establishes the Grasslands Incentive Program. (Sections 2301 
and 2308)
      With the combination of CSP and EQIP under Chapter 4, the 
Managers intend for the Secretary to implement the programs in 
coordination with each other while also maintaining each 
subchapter as a separate and distinguishable program with a 
distinct purpose. The Managers intend for USDA to continue to 
seek applications and enroll producers in both EQIP and CSP 
each year, and to promote both programs equally among 
producers.
      This reorganization of programs provides an opportunity 
to streamline procedures for both programs so that they 
complement each other and provide a better customer service 
experience for producers, while maximizing the conservation 
potential of this chapter. Streamlining efforts for these 
programs should include applications, contracting, conservation 
planning, conservation practices, and related administrative 
procedures. The Managers encourage USDA to provide outreach and 
technical assistance to producers to assist them in resolving 
priority resource concerns through adaptive management and 
continual improvement through both programs.
      The Managers intend for CSP and EQIP under Chapter 4 to 
provide flexibility at the local level to address issues for 
all production systems, especially those in semi-arid areas 
where there is a need for practices to increase water savings 
and climate resiliency. For example, wheat growers need to be 
able to access the program through conservation practices that 
are specific to local production needs and that includes areas 
with lower rainfall. The Managers believe USDA should provide 
appropriate conservation practice and enhancement options for 
producers that focus on drought mitigation and dryland 
agriculture. The Managers also believe USDA should also provide 
assistance at varying levels of conservation performance, to 
enable all producers to access conservation assistance.
      The Conference substitute establishes a new Grassland 
Conservation Initiative within Subchapter B of the Conservation 
Stewardship Program. The Managers require USDA to establish 
this initiative beginning in fiscal year 2019 and intend the 
first opportunity to enroll be provided in fiscal year 2019 to 
eligible land on a voluntary basis. The Managers expect that 
additional enrollments also be offered in each subsequent 
fiscal year at a time determined appropriate by the Department. 
Regardless of the fiscal year, eligible land, as defined, shall 
be enrolled only once in the program. The Managers expect FSA 
and NRCS to work concurrently to identify and provide program 
information to producers who have eligible acres to enroll in 
the program. The Grassland Conservation Initiative establishes 
a statutory $18 per acre payment rate and payments shall be 
made on an annual basis. The Managers do not intend for the 
Grassland Conservation Initiative to be administered in the 
same exact manner as CSP and have established separate program 
requirements. The Managers do not intend to require that the 
eligible land enrolled has to be in grass at the time of 
enrollment or maintained as grass for the life of the contract 
for purposes of addressing a resource concern. The Managers do 
not intend for the grassland contracts to be subject to CSP 
payment limits. The Managers provide an early termination of 
the contract at any time without penalty to the producer, and 
all land enrolled during a crop year shall be planted or 
considered planted to an agricultural commodity during that 
crop year.
(24) Conservation of private grazing land
      The Senate amendment adds authority for partnerships. 
(Section 2403)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2404)
(25) Soil health and income protection program
      The Senate amendment authorizes the soil health and 
income protection program to assist landowners with conserving 
and improving soil, water and wildlife resources. It allows 
agreements entered under this program to be for 3, 4, or 5 
years. Provides an authorization of appropriations to carry out 
this program. (Section 2404)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification authorizing a pilot program in the 
Conservation Reserve Program. (Section 2204)
(26) Grassroots source water protection program
      The House bill extends this authority through FY 2023. It 
authorizes $5 million in mandatory funding beginning in FY 
2019, to remain available until expended. (Section 2402)
      The Senate amendment authorizes $25 million in 
appropriations for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 2405)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 2405)
(27) Soil testing and remediation assistance
      The Senate amendment authorizes soil testing and 
remediation assistance. It requires the Secretary to work with 
producers to mitigate the presence of contaminants in soil, 
including by establishing a soil testing protocol, providing 
technical assistance for testing and remediation, education, 
outreach. It also authorizes a referral to the Environmental 
Protection Agency if necessary for additional remediation 
assistance. (Section 2406)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications, including to the definition of ``practice'' 
under EQIP authorities. (Section 2303)
(28) Voluntary public access and habitat incentive program
      The House bill authorizes $50 million in mandatory 
funding for the period of FY 2019 through 2023. (Section 2403)
      The Senate amendment merges the conservation innovation 
grant authority with the voluntary public access and habitat 
incentive program authority. It authorizes $40 million of 
mandatory funding from Chapter 5 of the '85 Act for the period 
of FY 2019 through 2023 towards the voluntary public access and 
habitat incentive program. (Section 2407)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. It 
simplifies the current grant application process, increases 
funding in response to increased popularity, and includes 
additional incentives intended to encourage owners of private 
land to allow public recreation on land containing wetland 
reserve easements. (Section 2406)
      The Managers intend the $3 million for enhancing access 
to Wetland Reserve Easements (``WRE'') to be utilized to 
determine the level of interest among States in providing 
public access for hunting, fishing, and other recreational 
activities on WRP/WRE acreage. Because there are legitimate 
concerns about the scarcity of public access and the quality of 
wildlife habitat on wetland easements, landowners who are not 
utilizing or underutilizing enrolled land for personal use 
could potentially be incentivized to open their enrolled land 
to public use. After making a reasonable effort to conduct 
landowner outreach, if the Secretary determines that exchanging 
incentives for public access for recreation on WRE/WRP acreage 
would not be realistic, remaining funds are to be available for 
the other purposes of the program.
(29) Agriculture conservation experienced services program
      The Senate amendment sunsets the ACES authority on 
October 1, 2023. (Section 2408)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(30) Remote telemetry data system
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to encourage 
the use of remote telemetry data systems for irrigation 
scheduling in the environmental quality incentives program. 
(Section 2409)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
      The Managers recommend that USDA recognize as a best 
management practice in conservation programs the use of remote 
telemetry data systems for irrigation scheduling. Remote 
telemetry data systems, as used for irrigation scheduling, 
combine the use of field, weather, crop and soil data, which 
ensures that the precise amount of water is applied to crops to 
promote water and energy efficiency while also increasing crop 
yields. The Managers encourage USDA to incorporate remote 
telemetry data systems as a best management practice under the 
Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
(31) Agricultural conservation easement program
      The House bill clarifies that one of the program purposes 
of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program is to limit 
non-agricultural uses of land that negatively affect the 
agricultural uses and conservation values. It strikes 
``restoring and'' and inserts ``restoring or''. It amends the 
definition of ``eligible land'' to include up to 100 percent of 
the described parcel under certain enrollment circumstances. It 
strikes the consultation requirement with the Department of the 
Interior. The bill defines the term ``monitoring report''. It 
authorizes technical assistance to implement the program. The 
bill allows for other forms of contributions from the eligible 
entities: cash contribution, charitable donation or funding 
from a non-USDA federal source. It continues the same cap for 
grasslands. The bill amends minimum terms and conditions to 
also require those are consistent with the agricultural use of 
the land. The bill further clarifies that the current right of 
enforcement does not extend a right of inspection unless the 
holder of the easement does not provide timely monitoring 
reports. The bill also strikes the Agricultural Land Easement 
``(ALE)'' plan requirements and requires a conservation plan 
for highly erodible cropland. It requires proof of fraud or 
gross negligence to require a refund. The bill authorizes 
additional provisions regarding mineral development and 
environmental services markets. It authorizes within the entity 
certification a process to allow a certified eligible entity to 
use its own terms and conditions. It adds certification 
criteria regarding those accredited by the Land Trust 
Accreditation Commission with certain requirements. The bill 
amends subsection (d) of the '85 Act by amending the technical 
assistance authority to assist in compliance with the terms and 
conditions of easements. It requires the terms and conditions 
of a wetland easement to comply with a grazing management plan 
that is modified at least every 5 years. The bill strikes ``or 
off- site'' in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of the '85 Act 
and the term ``proposed or'', which is replaced with 
``permitted or''. It separates out and provides new 
modification and termination authorities. It prohibits the 
limitation in section 1001D(B)(1) of the '85 Act from applying 
to a landowner with respect to any benefit described in 
paragraph (2)(B) of that section, related to the purchase of 
the easement. (Sections 2601-2605)
      The Senate amendment clarifies that one of the purposes 
of ACEP is to limit non-agricultural uses of land that may 
negatively impact the agricultural uses and conservation 
values. It adds acequias to the list of eligible entities. It 
amends the definition of ``eligible land'' to reflect the 
additional requirements for eligibility of certain land. The 
amendment authorizes buy-protect-sell transactions and 
authorizes technical assistance to implement the program, 
including for the development of a conservation plan. It 
strikes clause (ii) of subsection (b)(2)(B) of the '85 Act 
regarding the source of contribution and replaces it with a 
charitable donation, certain costs related to securing a deed 
and other costs, as determined by the Secretary. The amendment 
requires an applicant to develop an agricultural land easement 
plan. It adds an additional priority for applications that 
maintain agricultural viability. It amends minimum terms and 
conditions to also require those are consistent with the 
agricultural activities to be covered. The amendment strikes 
the ALE plan requirements in clause (iv) of the `85 Act and 
requires in a new subparagraph the terms and conditions exclude 
a right of inspection, unless monitoring reports are not 
provided. It authorizes additional terms and conditions. It 
also adds an additional term and condition authorizing the 
certified eligible entity to use its own terms and conditions 
to account for geographic differences. The amendment adds two 
certification criteria for those accredited by the Land Trust 
Commission with certain different requirements or State 
Departments of Agriculture or other State agencies. It adds 
acequias as an entity that may enroll in a 30-year contract. It 
adds as a consideration the ability of the land to sequester 
carbon. The amendment adds as a priority the improvement of 
water quality. It adds acequias as eligible entities for a 
contract or agreement regarding technical assistance and to 
carry out special wetland reserve enhancements. The amendment 
authorizes the Secretary to establish or restore alternative 
vegetative communities. It provides that subsection (a)(2) of 
the '85 Act (new subparagraph (B)) is subject to the new 
acequia authority. It provides authority for the Secretary to 
acquire land owned by acequias. The amendment authorizes the 
Secretary to terminate or modify a contract under section 
1231(a) of the '85 Act if the land is enrolled in an ALE 
easement under section 1265C(b). It authorizes the Secretary to 
simultaneously enroll land subject to an easement in a CRP 
contract under subchapter B of chapter 1 of the '85 Act. 
(Section 2410)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments. It narrows existing limitation on nonagricultural 
uses to those that negatively affect agricultural and 
conservation values while expanding cost-share and program 
eligibility, including land subject to buy-protect-sell 
transactions, and broadens secretarial authority to set 
application criteria and modifies authority to conduct 
enforcement, subordination, modification, exchange, and 
termination of easements. It also provides additional allowable 
conditions an easement holder may place on the agreement and 
prioritizes water quality improvement on wetland reserve 
easements. It authorizes alternative vegetative communities. 
Land enrolled under ALE may simultaneously be enrolled under a 
CRP contract. (Subtitle F)
      The Managers make amendments to both Agricultural Land 
Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements in order to improve 
program deliverability. The Managers expect the agency to 
prioritize the maintenance and enhancement of the functions and 
values of currently enrolled WRE. While some States have 
effectively achieved increased wetland functions and values, 
including optimum wildlife habitat, more could be done by 
States to achieve these goals. By including these statutory 
changes for WRE, the Managers hope to ensure these wetlands and 
associated upland areas will be managed so the taxpayers 
receive the wildlife habitat and water quality benefits they 
have paid for and deserve.
      The Managers included language on alternative plant 
communities and intend for the agency to eliminate the 30 
percent restriction on restoration of alternative plant 
communities as part of a wetland reserve easement, and to 
provide flexibility in wetland restoration to enhance wetland 
functions and migratory bird habitat values and contribute to 
the goals of state, regional, and local conservation 
initiatives.
      Riparian areas are critical to wildlife conservation and 
water quality, especially in the Southwest where non-contiguous 
riparian habitats constitute a major portion of those States' 
wetlands. These riparian areas in the Southwest that are not 
connected to permanently protected wetlands are eligible for 
WRE, and the Managers urge the Secretary to invest the 
resources needed to make WRE a useful and well-used tool in 
those states where riparian areas are so critical to wildlife, 
including in New Mexico and Arizona.
      The Managers' intent behind allowing flexibility and 
additional options in the non-federal share of cost share 
assistance (matching funds) is to broaden the ability of 
entities to participate in ALE, including for grasslands of 
special environmental significance, across a more diverse 
geography. The intention of the language is to provide better 
access to the program to states where farm and ranchland 
preservation funding is not readily available like South 
Dakota, Texas, and Alabama. The Managers do not believe the 
program should be limited only to entities that can provide 
cash match. It is important to acknowledge other expenses that 
an entity must take on, such as the long-term expense of 
monitoring an easement or other additional upfront costs. The 
Managers believe that the long-term strength of the program is 
derived from making the program available as broadly and 
equitably as possible across diverse regions of the country. 
The Managers do not intend for USDA to reject cash match 
entirely but to broaden the options available to eligible 
entities.
      The Managers have made two main changes to certification 
language in the Conference substitute. The first is to clarify 
the intent of Congress that a certified entity should be able 
to write its own deed terms, subject to minimum deed terms set 
by NRCS. This was the intent in the Agricultural Act of 2014 
and is clarified here. The Department should not put undue 
burden on an entity's ability to write its own deed terms. 
Second, the Managers have provided three pathways for eligible 
entities to be certified. The first is the Agricultural Act of 
2014's retained provision enabling any eligible entity to be 
certified if it demonstrates to the Secretary certain 
capabilities around acquiring, administering and enforcing 
agricultural land easements. Two additional pathways have been 
created one for accredited land trusts, and the other for State 
agencies with statutory authority for farm and ranch land 
protection. In order to become certified, the entity must have 
acquired a certain number of easements through a Federal 
easement program and successfully met program responsibilities 
in doing so.
      The Managers limit the Secretary's authority to the right 
of enforcement under the program and clarify that such right 
only extends to a right of inspection in two cases: (1) where a 
monitoring report is not supplied or (2) when there is 
reasonable evidence of violation of the terms of the easement. 
The Managers intend for entities to be the primary agent for 
enforcement of the deed terms reinforcing Congressional intent 
back to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
      The Managers defined a monitoring report in order to 
provide clarity to NRCS on the documentation required by 
eligible entities. The Managers believe that this clarification 
is needed to ensure that NRCS respects the role of the eligible 
entity and does not pursue an inspection role while the 
eligible entity is fulfilling responsibilities under their 
agreements and providing reports to NRCS.
      The Managers modified the definition of eligible land to 
allow for agricultural land to be owned by an eligible entity 
on a transitional basis to qualify for program participation, 
provided that the land subject to the agricultural land 
easement be transitioned to farmer or rancher ownership within 
3 years. The language provides two pathways for these ``Buy-
Protect-Sell''-type projects, both of which allow an 
application to the program for purchase of an agricultural land 
easement without a pending offer and without identification of 
the farmer or rancher to whom the land will eventually 
transfer.
      The Managers recognize the value of ``Buy-Protect-Sell'' 
projects, which are intended to help farmers and ranchers gain 
access to affordable farmland, and the need for flexibility in 
the program to facilitate their use. The Managers recognize 
that the process of identifying a farmer or rancher to purchase 
the protected land and effecting the sale of that land can take 
time, and that unforeseen circumstances can delay a sale. With 
this in mind, the timeline--and option for extension--laid out 
in this section is intended to provide as much flexibility as 
possible, while at the same time holding eligible entities to 
the terms of their initial application.
      By striking the consultation with the Secretary of the 
Interior, the Managers do not intend to exclude the Department 
of the Interior from involvement in WRE. It is the intent of 
the Managers that the Secretary of Agriculture continue to 
implement the program in close partnership with the Department 
of the Interior at the local level.
      While the Conference substitute removes the requirement 
for an ALE plan as part of the minimum deed terms (except for 
land with highly erodible soil), the Managers encourage USDA 
and eligible entities to work with landowners entering into an 
ALE easement to undertake conservation planning activities on 
their land in order to maximize the environmental value of the 
protected land.
      The Managers recognize the substantial investment 
taxpayers make in easements and understand the importance of 
ensuring taxpayer dollars are wisely spent. However, on limited 
occasions, there may be justifications for changes to 
easements. Entities participating in the ALE program take the 
obligations that come with stewarding perpetual easements very 
seriously. Modifying an easement can be necessary from time to 
time for a variety of reasons. Modifications should be done to 
(1) add acreage; (2) improve conservation values; or (3) 
improve the administration of the easement. Alternative options 
should always be considered before administrative action is 
taken to change or modify the terms of the easement. 
Terminating an easement should only be done in very rare cases 
and the Conference substitute does not weaken the current 
requirements for termination actions. In the case of 
termination actions, the United States should be fully 
compensated, including for any restoration costs. However, the 
Managers understand there needs to be some flexibility and 
straight forward rules in these rare instances of termination. 
The Managers expect that the Department will provide entities 
with the flexibility to properly administer perpetual 
easements, but to be prudent in the use of this flexibility. 
The Managers intend that a contribution shall not fail to be 
considered a qualified contribution under the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 based solely on the termination authority granted 
to the Secretary under this section.
      The Managers include the consideration of agricultural 
viability as a priority for the Secretary in evaluating 
applications under the program. The Managers consider the 
components of agricultural viability to include those that 
enable a producer to productively operate a farm or ranch on 
the protected land; maintain the long-term affordability of the 
protected land; maintain an economically sustainable farm 
business on the protected land; and maintain the protected land 
in a way that enables its agricultural use by future 
generations of farmers and ranchers.
      The Managers intend to provide explicit authorization for 
eligible entities to add deed terms to the agricultural land 
easement that address farmland affordability and keep the 
protected parcel in farmer ownership. The Managers envision 
that these deed terms include those that NRCS has permitted in 
ALE easement purchases in Vermont and Massachusetts, known as 
the Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value, as well as deed 
terms with a similar purpose, such as a Preemptive Purchase 
Right.
      The Managers allow for entities holding an ALE to add 
deed terms that address mineral development. The intent of the 
Managers is to provide statutory clarity to the issue of 
mineral development on easement lands. The Managers have 
determined that instances when the ALE program prohibits 
subsurface mineral development on lands where mineral rights 
have been severed, they are limiting the applicability and 
impact of the program by eliminating otherwise high value 
conservation lands from program eligibility. This provision 
does not negate or supersede any other applicable laws, 
including State laws, which may otherwise apply to any mineral 
development activities. In the event that mineral development 
rights are reserved and exercised under the program, the 
activity should be consistent with the conservation and 
agricultural purposes of the land and all provisions of the 
program. It is not the intention of the Managers to have a 
massive expansion of mineral rights exploration on ALE lands 
but it is intended to provide clarity, especially on lands 
where mineral rights are severed and not owned by the 
landowner. This language is not intended to require States that 
have specific prohibitions against mineral development on eased 
lands to allow mineral rights development on eased lands.
(32) Regional conservation partnership program
      The House bill amends the term ``covered program'' to 
include CRP and the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention 
Act. It amends the term ``eligible activity'' to include 
``resource-conserving crop rotations''. It amends the same term 
to include protection of source waters for drinking water. The 
bill amends the length of the partnership agreements to limit 
an agreement and renewal to 5 years, and one extension up to 12 
months. The bill further authorizes the Secretary to enter into 
a partnership agreement, including a renewal under subsection 
(d)(5) of the '85 Act for longer than 5 years if necessary to 
meet the objectives. It amends subsection (c)(1) (E) of the '85 
Act to include quantification of the project's environmental 
outcomes. It also directs the Secretary to conduct a 
``simplified'' competitive process. The bill authorizes 
applications for renewals for certain purposes. It also amends 
the Adjusted Gross Income (``AGI'') waiver authority under 
section 1001D of the Act to create an exemption to the 
limitation of paragraph (2), as well as any limitations related 
to the covered programs for producers. The bill authorizes 
mandatory funding at $250 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. It directs the Secretary to provide guidance on 
how to quantify and report environmental outcomes and the 
progress being made towards quantifying and reporting the same. 
It eliminates the limitation applying the Small Watershed 
Program to only Critical Conservation Areas (``CCA''). 
(Sections 2701-2706)
      The Senate amendment amends the program to simplify and 
streamline the program. The Senate amendment eliminates the 
requirement for USDA to operate the program through the terms 
and conditions of the covered programs and instead requires 
USDA to operate it as a stand-alone program using a new program 
contract for producers. The Senate bill included new authority 
for renewal of partnership agreements, provided more 
flexibility in the partner funding contributions, eliminated 
and replaced Alternative Funding Arrangement authority with a 
new grant authority limited to 30 percent of annual funding, 
eliminated the national funding pool and created a new 
multistate funding pool, increased mandatory funding to $200 
million per year, retained the 7 percent reservation of funds 
from the covered programs, and revised criteria for CCA 
designations. (Section 2411)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications. The conference report maintains most of the 
Senate bill reforms, with a few amendments. The two Senate bill 
funding pools will be fund equally between states and 
multistate CCAs. The new grant authority from the Senate bill 
is revised to allow USDA to enter into up to 15 grants or 
Alternative Funding Arrangements per year with eligible 
partners. Mandatory funding is increased to $300 million per 
year and the 7 percent reservation of funds is eliminated. 
(Subtitle G)
      The Managers streamline the operation of the Regional 
Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to increase program 
adoption by eligible partners and producers alike. The Managers 
intend for USDA to use the covered programs (as defined in 
statute) as a guide for what conservation activities can be 
done through partnership agreements and contracts with 
producers, but do not intend for USDA to continue to implement 
RCPP through the rules and regulations of the covered programs. 
NRCS shall run RCPP as a stand-alone program, with its own 
rules and regulations, and shall revise the program to focus on 
increasing producer access, improving conservation outcomes, 
and simplifying procedures.
      The Managers do not intend for the change in RCPP's 
eligible activities to, in any way, lessen the prioritization 
of projects that may include drought mitigation, flood 
prevention, water retention or water quantity and groundwater 
recharge activities. The availability of funding to address 
these issues remains of utmost importance in many regions of 
the country.
      The Managers continue to believe that initiatives 
developed at the local level and with local input are critical 
to ensuring the success of this program. Therefore, the 
Managers encourage potential project partners to engage with 
conservation districts within the boundaries of a proposed 
project for input and feedback on the natural resource 
priorities that have been identified. The Managers encourage 
NRCS to include conservation district engagement within its 
ranking criteria.
      The Managers modified the terms in the establishment of 
RCPP to ensure eligible partners entering into agreements can 
be funded through alternative funding arrangements and grant 
agreements through which the eligible partners can implement 
projects and provide financial assistance directly to 
producers. It also modifies the purposes of the program by 
striking the use of covered programs under RCPP and refocuses 
the program on carrying out conservation activities through 
program contracts outside of covered programs. The Managers 
intend for this to change how NRCS carries out RCPP by moving 
away from implementation directly through the covered programs.
      The definition of `covered program' under RCPP is revised 
to be a ``purpose, activity, or agreement'' of EQIP, CSP, ACEP, 
CRP, Healthy Forest Reserve Program, and the Watershed Act. The 
Managers intend this change to mean that a partnership 
agreement must include a purpose, activity or agreement that is 
authorized in one of the covered programs, but not be carried 
out through the covered program.
      The definition of eligible partner is updated to 
specifically include acequias, land trusts and other 
organizations who have authority to hold conservation 
easements, and conservation districts. The Managers note that 
these entities are already considered eligible partners by 
NRCS, but wanted to make that clear in statute so they continue 
to be eligible in the future.
      While the Managers intend to allow a partnership 
agreement longer than 5 years under RCPP, they expect the 
Secretary to only allow longer agreements in select situations, 
like if the longer period is concurrent with a deadline 
established under a State or Federal program that relates 
specifically to the project.
      The Managers emphasize the importance of a partner's duty 
to quantify the environmental outcomes of their RCPP projects, 
and partners are encouraged to assess and report on the 
economic and social outcomes of their projects, as partners may 
be able to encourage increased adoption of conservation 
practices. The Managers expect the Secretary to provide 
guidance to partners on how to quantify and report on the 
outcomes of their projects. This guidance should include 
methods and tools that can be used to quantify outcomes at 
varying scales appropriate to projects (regional, state, 
county, watershed, field, etc.), and for the various natural 
resource concerns addressed by projects. The Managers emphasize 
the importance of presenting the progress of partners and 
participating producers in regular reports to Congress, while 
recognizing that different conservation practices have 
differing timelines for their full effects to be realized.
      The Managers clarified the partner contribution 
requirements to ensure that a partner contribution can be a 
combination of financial or in-kind contributions, and that 
time spent between the announcement of the project award and 
the signing of the partnership agreement can be counted toward 
the partner contribution.
      The Managers intend for NRCS to ensure that there is a 
staff person in every state to serve as an RCPP coordinator. 
This person should be available to assist partners with 
implementing the project and provide reports and other 
information required by the Secretary. While the Managers did 
not include the requirement for modification of conservation 
practice standards from the Senate bill within RCPP, this 
authority was moved to Section 1242 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 so that the modification of conservation practice 
standards can be allowed for all conservation programs.
      The Managers direct USDA to create a simplified 
application process for eligible entities, particularly new 
partners and small organizations.
      The Managers intend NRCS to develop a separate, 
noncompetitive process for renewing successful partnership 
agreements. NRCS should ensure that only the most successful 
projects qualify for renewal, and the Managers do not intend 
for renewals to use a majority of funding available each fiscal 
year. Since the national funding pool is eliminated, the 
Managers intend that any eligible partner that was funded 
through the national funding pool and otherwise meets the 
requirements for renewal of that partnership agreement shall be 
renewed with funding from the applicable State or multiple 
State competitive process.
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to provide all RCPP 
applicants who are not awarded a partnership agreement, 
information and feedback, including written information and 
feedback as appropriate, for improvements that could be made to 
the application to make it more competitive if the partner 
chooses to apply again in the future.
      The Managers provided new authority for the Secretary to 
deliver RCPP through a new program contract with producers that 
is not a contract from a covered program. The Managers intend 
the Secretary to have greater flexibility in setting the terms 
of the program contract and the type of conservation activities 
to be undertaken by producers. New application bundles are 
authorized to give higher priority to projects where a majority 
of producers in a watershed agree to submit applications for 
conservation activities. The Managers intend the Secretary to 
utilize this authority when there would be a greater 
conservation benefit to the watershed.
      The Managers authorize USDA to enter into both 
alternative funding arrangements and grant agreements with 
eligible partners, depending on the specific requirements of 
the project. The alternative funding arrangement or grant 
agreements provision replaces the problematic ``alternative 
funding arrangement'' (AFA) provision in the current law. The 
current AFA provision proved to be time-intensive and difficult 
to contract for multi-producer, irrigation infrastructure 
projects and other watershed scale projects, and only two AFA 
contracts were completed nation-wide under the current law. 
This section addresses the short-comings of the current AFA 
provision by providing new statutory authority for straight-
forward contracting with an eligible partner implementing an 
RCPP project directly with multiple producers, such as a 
project to upgrade water delivery or irrigation infrastructure 
owned by a canal company, ditch company, or irrigation 
district.
      The Conference substitute limits AFA and grant projects 
to no more than 15 projects per year. The Managers encourage 
the Secretary to use discretion to ensure that the project can 
truly be carried out more effectively through the alternative 
funding arrangement or grant than through the traditional 
partnership agreement model. The Managers also intend for the 
eligible partners to ensure that the projects under this 
authority directly benefit and involve producers.
      While the eligible partner will be responsible for 
contracting with producers and making payments to producers, 
the Secretary may provide technical and administrative 
assistance to support the eligible partner. Such assistance 
includes checking producer eligibility requirements, including 
conservation compliance, adjusted gross income, and payment 
limits.
      While the Conference substitute included alternative 
funding arrangements alongside grants within this authority, it 
is the intent of the Managers that the Secretary utilize 
alternative funding arrangements to provide both flexibility in 
implementation and support for eligible partners. The Managers 
recognize that AFAs may provide the Department with more 
administrative flexibility, but intend for these to run very 
similar to a grant agreement. If the eligible partner and the 
Secretary so choose, they may simply enter directly into a 
grant agreement in lieu of an AFA.
      In order to simplify the application process, the 
national funding pool is eliminated. Partners can apply if they 
are in a critical conservation area, or under a new state and 
multistate funding pool. The Managers intend the state and 
multistate funding pool to fund both large and small projects. 
For the multistate authority, the State Conservationist for 
each state involved should agree to fund the project in order 
for it to be awarded.
      There has been considerable frustration among partners 
regarding the use of technical assistance by NRCS in 
implementing the program. The Managers intend NRCS to be 
straightforward and up front with partners about the amount of 
technical assistance that will be needed to implement projects 
and to report publicly on that information. To help further its 
capacity to get conservation on the ground, NRCS should 
increase efforts to engage third-party providers in technical 
assistance for projects.
      The Managers intend for NRCS to continue to apply 
conservation compliance requirements to producers participating 
in projects through RCPP, including through the alternative 
funding arrangement or grant agreement authority.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to work with eligible 
partners to ensure participation in projects by beginning 
farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and limited resource 
farmers and ranchers. Both USDA and eligible partners shall 
conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to 
historically underserved producer groups to ensure that these 
groups actively participate in RCPP projects.
      The Managers intend the current Critical Conservation 
Areas (CCA) to remain in place for the duration of the 2018 
Farm Bill, unless the Secretary can demonstrate the resource 
concerns have been fully addressed for the CCA. In addition, 
some partners believe that some project awards in a CCA were 
not directly addressing the primary resource concerns for the 
respective CCA. The Managers intend for the Secretary to only 
award projects in the CCA directly related to the primary 
resource concerns for a CCA.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to provide guidance to 
partners on how to quantify and report on the outcomes of their 
projects. This guidance should include methods and tools that 
can be used to quantify outcomes at varying scales appropriate 
to projects (regional, state, county, watershed, field, etc.) 
and for the various natural resource concerns addressed by 
projects. The Managers emphasize the importance of presenting 
the progress of partners and participating producers in regular 
reports to Congress, while recognizing that different 
conservation practices have differing times for their effects 
to be realized.
(33) Emergency conservation program
      The House bill restructures section 401 of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (the ``ACA'') into two 
subsections amending existing law to add wildfires and creating 
a new subsection for repair and replacement of fencing with 
option to receive the payment in advance. It adds new section 
402A to the ACA, providing maximum cost-share rate, exceptions 
for Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers, Beginning Farmers 
and Ranchers, or Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, 
and a maximum payment limitation. (Section 2406)
      The Senate amendment amends section 403 of the ACA and 
adds two new sections (authorities). It provides a payment 
limit and establishes a set-aside of program funds for repair 
and restoration of fencing. Section 12614 of the Senate 
amendment is identical to section 2406 of the House bill, with 
the exception of the 25 percent maximum pre-payment limit and 
return of funds requirement. (Section 2414 & 12614)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment. Losses due to wildfire are made eligible. Fencing 
repair and replacement cost-share are authorized for up to 75 
percent of the total cost, with an advance disbursement option 
available to the producer. A payment limit of $500,000 is 
established. (Section 2403)
(34) Watershed protection and flood prevention
      The House bill maintains the current authorization of 
appropriations structure for flood prevention and includes new 
$100 million in mandatory spending for the overall program 
during each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 2404)
      The Senate amendment authorizes $200 million in 
appropriations for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 2415)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House bill with 
amendment. The substitute includes a waiver for the watershed 
plan under certain instances and provides $50 million in 
mandatory funding for each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 
2401)
(35) Small watershed rehabilitation program
      The Senate amendment authorizes the Watershed Protection 
and Flood Prevention Act authorization of appropriations at $20 
million annually through FY 2023. (Section 2416)
      The House bill maintains the current authorization level 
of $85 million through FY 2023. This program is also covered by 
the new mandatory money above.
      The Conference adopts the House provision. (Section 2401)
(36) Repeal of conservation corridor demonstration program
      The Senate amendment repeals the conservation corridor 
demonstration program. (Section 2417)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2811)
(37) Repeal of cranberry acreage reserve program
      The Senate amendment repeals the cranberry acreage 
reserve program. (Section 2418)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2812)
(38) Repeal of National Natural Resources Foundation
      The Senate amendment repeals the National Natural 
Resources Foundation. (Section 2419)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2813)
(39) Repeal of flood risk reduction
      The Senate amendment repeals the flood risk reduction. 
(Section 2420) The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2814)
(40) Repeal of study of land use for expiring contracts and extension 
        of authority
      The Senate amendment repeals the authority. (Section 
2421)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2815)
(41) Repeal of integrated farm management program option
      The Senate amendment repeals the integrated farm 
management program option authority. (Section 2422)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2816)
(42) Repeal of clarification of definition of agricultural lands
      The Senate amendment repeals the authority. (Section 
2423)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2817)
(43) Resource conservation and development program
      The Senate amendment authorizes the program through FY 
2023. (Section 2424)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(44) Wildlife management
      The Senate amendment codifies the working lands for 
wildlife conservation partnership between the Department of 
Agriculture and the Department of Interior and expands the 
authority to the conservation reserve program in the Farm 
Service Agency. It also authorizes the Secretary to assist a 
requesting federal, state or local agency regarding regulatory 
certainty through conservation practices, under certain 
conditions. (Section 2425)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a technical change. (Section 2407)
      The Managers recognize the success of the Working Lands 
for Wildlife model of conservation established between USDA's 
Natural Resource Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Services as a model of effective species conservation 
on private lands that can provide regulatory certainty for 
farmers, ranchers, and landowners. The Managers support the 
regulatory predictability that the model of conservation 
provides to producers who voluntarily implement agreed upon 
conservation practices that promote species recovery. In the 
event that a species is listed as threatened or endangered 
under the Endangered Species Act in the future, producers in 
the Working Lands for Wildlife model of conservation who 
voluntarily implement agreed upon conservation practices are 
able to continue to operate their farms and businesses without 
potential disruptions related to the listing. Protections under 
this initiative include up to 30 years of certainty related to 
protections from incidental take under the Endangered Species 
Act as long as the producer or landowner voluntarily maintains 
the agreed upon conservation practice. The Managers expand the 
Working Lands for Wildlife model of conservation to apply to 
the Farm Service Agency for programs like the Conservation 
Reserve Program and expect the same regulatory certainty to 
apply.
(45) Healthy forests reserve program
      The House bill includes this provision within the 
forestry title. (Section 8107)
      The Senate amendment makes amendments to the Healthy 
Forests Reserve Program and adds as a purpose of the program to 
conserve habitats for candidate, threatened, endangered species 
or species of greatest conservation under State wildlife action 
plans. The provision eliminates the limitation on the use of 
cost-share agreements and easements. It also directs that 
restoration plans under the program include land management 
practices, vegetative treatments, structural practices and 
measure, practices that improve biological diversity, carbon 
sequestration, and other appropriate activities. It strikes 
(e)(2). It authorizes certain practices. (Section 2426)
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment 
and addresses it within Title VIII.
(46) Watershed protection
      The Senate amendment amends the definition of ``works of 
improvement'' in the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention 
Act and authorizes a waiver for the watershed plan under 
certain circumstances. (Section 2427)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications that do not include a change to the 
definition and modify the requirements for a waiver. (Section 
2401)
      The Managers authorize a waiver for watershed plans where 
the Secretary determines that it is unnecessary or duplicative. 
The Managers intend that the Secretary exercise this waiver 
authority in instances where the proposed work of improvement 
would not require the same type of plan or analysis provided 
for in a PL-566 plan if the activity were conducted under other 
USDA conservation program authority, for work which is 
categorically excluded from more significant USDA or other 
Federal agency review, or where adequate planning has already 
been conducted. The watershed plan waiver authority does not 
authorize the Secretary to waive the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) or other federal environmental laws 
applicable to a proposed PL-566 work of improvement. The 
Managers included this waiver to improve the deliverability of 
the program and ensure financial resources are devoted to 
implementing watershed protection measures that benefit 
producers, rural communities, and the environment.
(47) Modifications to conservation easement program
      The Senate amendment provides authority for the Secretary 
to modify or exchange land in a covered program and modify an 
agreement, contract or an easement in a covered program if such 
modifications meet certain requirements and costs are covered 
by the party requesting the modification or exchange. (Section 
2429)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(48) Feral swine eradication and control pilot program
      The House bill provides the Secretary the authority to 
establish a pilot project for eradication and control of feral 
swine. It enumerates the duties of the Secretary in carrying 
out the pilot including assessment, control methods, 
restoration, and the provision for financial assistance to 
producers. It also enumerates the actions for which financial 
assistance will be provided. The bill requires coordination 
between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service with State Technical 
Committees to determine the pilot areas for the project. It 
provides that areas considered for the pilot will demonstrate 
feral swine impacts as a threat to agriculture, native 
ecosystems, or human or animal health. It establishes the cost-
share level of 75 percent and provides for in-kind 
contributions of materials and services. The bill allocates 
$100 million in mandatory funds for the period of 2019 through 
2023 and distributes the funding at 50 percent to each agency 
and the scope of their work. It further limits the use of these 
funds to no more than 10 percent for administrative expenses 
associated with the pilot project. (Section 2405)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment providing $75 million in mandatory funding. 
(Section 2408)
(49) Soil and water resources conservation
      The House bill reauthorizes the Soil and Water Resource 
Conservation Act through FY 2023 and expands USDA's ability to 
assess natural resource concerns through enhanced measurement, 
evaluation, and reporting on conservation program outcomes. 
(Section 2408)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment reauthorizing the authority. (Section 2402)
(50) Funding; Report on program enrollments and assistance
      The House bill amends the '85 Act to extend CRP funding 
under both paragraphs (A) and (B) through FY 2023. It 
authorizes ACEP funding at $500 million for each fiscal year 
2019 through 2023. It conforms this section with CSP repeals. 
The bill retains the current authorization of EQIP funding for 
2018, and authorizes funding at $2 billion for 2019, $2.5 
billion for 2020, $2.75 billion for 2021, $2.935 billion for 
2022 and $3 billion for 2023. It strikes 2 reports due in 2014. 
It also strikes the regional equity authority. The bill extends 
the authority through FY 2023 and conforms paragraph (1) 
regarding the CSP repeal. It strikes paragraph (h)(3) regarding 
an authority to repool acres. It requires a report each FY 2018 
through 2023 by Dec. 15 regarding different activities. 
(Section 2501)
      The Senate amendment amends the funding for section 
1234(c)(1)(A) of the '85 Act to $11 million for the period of 
FY 2019 through 2023 and (B) to $50 million for the period of 
FY 2019 through 2023 to carry out section 1235(f), capping 
outreach and assistance spending at $5 million and conforming 
retiring owners and operators with previous changes to 
``contract holders''. It authorizes ACEP funding at $400 
million for each fiscal year 2019 through 2021, $425 million 
for FY 2022 and $450 million for FY 2023. It authorizes EQIP 
funding at $1.473 billion for 2019, $1.478 billion for 2020, 
$1.541 billion for 2021, $1.571 billion for 2022, and $1.595 
billion for 2023. The amendment strikes a 2012 review. It 
extends the authority through FY 2023. It targets 15 percent of 
funding to assist beginning farmers and ranchers and the same 
for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The amendment 
provides new conservation standards and requirements. It 
strikes certain activities. (Sections 2501 & 2602)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision, 
including funding for various programs, reports, an extension 
of a funding authority for certain farmers and ranchers, and 
provides for interagency coordination on conservation standards 
and requirements. (Section 2501)
      While the Conference substitute does not increase the 
set-aside for beginning farmers or socially disadvantaged 
producers, the Managers recognize the importance of updating 
funding allocations in the conservation programs to better 
reflect the changing demographics among farmers and ranchers 
and encourage USDA to continue to improve enrollment in 
conservation programs by these producers.
(51) Delivery of technical assistance
      The House bill amends the definition of ``eligible 
participant'' to remove eligibility under section 524 of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act. It also defines ``third-party 
provider''. It authorizes a new alternative certification 
process. (Section 2502)
      The Senate amendment defines ``third-party provider''. It 
authorizes a new certification process for third-party 
providers as well as a streamlined process. It strikes the 
current authorization and inserts new authority for the 
expedited revision of conservation practice standards. It also 
requires a report. (Section 2502)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to the certification process and review of 
conservation practice standards, and includes the expedited 
revision of standards provision in the Senate amendment. 
(Section 2502)
      The Managers believe technical service providers are an 
important part of the conservation delivery system. The 
Managers intend for USDA to use the vast technical knowledge 
available in the private sector as a way of complementing NRCS 
reach and expertise. The Conference substitute clarified the 
definition of a TSP to specifically include commercial 
entities. The Conference substitute provides authority for non-
Federal entities to certify technical service providers. The 
Managers intend for USDA to implement this and make this 
available nationwide.
      The Managers encourage NRCS to continue to work with the 
U.S. Forest Service and state forestry agencies to streamline 
and align forest management plan requirements in private 
forestry assistance programs administered by each of these 
agencies. The Managers also encourage NRCS to allow use of 
landscape-wide or area-wide forest management plans to meet the 
requirements of forest management plans in NRCS programs.
(52) Administrative requirements for conservation programs
      The House bill strikes subsection (m) of the '85 Act 
because expanded language related to that exemption is not in 
Title I of this bill and adds a new authority for targeting 
conservation practices for source water protection which 
includes a reservation of funds at not less than 10 percent of 
conservation funds (not including CRP) for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023. (Section 2503)
      The Senate amendment adds Acequias to the authority for 
certain incentives in section 1244 of the '85 Act. It increases 
the cap from 10 percent to 15 percent for cropland in a county 
that can be subject to a wetland reserve easement. It updates 
the calculation authority regarding acreage to reflect 2018 
farm bill enactment. The Senate amendment adds new authority to 
the pollinator authority in subsection (h) of the '85 Act. It 
applies commodity program eligibility to the definition of an 
exempted producer and conforms paragraph (2) of subsection (m) 
of the '85 Act. It directs the Secretary to enter into 
alternative funding arrangements with tribes under certain 
circumstances. The amendment adds an authority for source water 
protection. It authorizes a waiver and contract limitation to 
payments made to acequias. (Sections 2503 & 12613)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications, including deleting subsections (a) and (f) 
of the '85 Act, providing an authority for the review and 
guidance for practice costs and payment rates, amending the 
authority for alternative funding arrangements for Indian 
tribes. The substitute also adopts the House provision on 
source water protection and a modification to its reservation 
of funds, does not include the pollinator authority within this 
title, does not include the regulatory relief provision within 
this title (moved to title I), establishes authority for 
environmental services market, and addresses regulatory 
certainty. (Section 2503)
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to expand upon 
existing work at USDA to encourage the protection of 
pollinators and the enhancement of pollinator habitat through 
adoption of conservation practices. This work may be 
accomplished through the development of area-wide conservation 
plans and strategies to increase the use of integrated pest 
management, as well as providing technical assistance to 
producers relating to background science, promotion, and 
implementation of conservation habitat enhancement for 
beneficial insects. Examples of assistance that USDA could 
provide to producers include, but are not limited to, sharing 
best management practices that integrate natural predators and 
parasites of crop pests into agricultural systems and promoting 
additional practices that enhance natural habitat for these 
insects, providing an alternative to pesticide application on 
farms.
      The Managers intend for the Department to emphasize the 
importance of protecting sources of drinking water throughout 
the title because of the direct public health benefit such 
activities would provide. Protection of sources of drinking 
water not only means emphasizing practices that have a 
significant water quality or water quantity benefit, but also 
focusing those practices in watersheds where source waters can 
be protected or improved. Water quality and quantity practices 
do not address source water protection if those waters are not 
used as water system sources or if they do not address water 
system concerns.
      The Managers understand that some programs do not have 
purposes that directly align with source water, but the 
Managers intend at least ten percent of the total amount of 
conservation title funding go towards source water protection, 
not necessarily from each individual program. For example, this 
could mean EQIP could in practice provide more than its 10 
percent minimum share to satisfy the overall requirement if the 
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program could not. The 
Managers do not intend for this to be a ``check the box'' 
activity of retrospectively accounting for funds that addressed 
protection of source water, but instead represents a clear 
priority for the Department to identify watersheds where 
potable water is at risk and to target those areas for 
conservation implementation.
      The Managers provide authority to incentivize practices 
that have a beneficial environmental impact on protecting 
drinking water. This tool is intended to address practices that 
might have limited adoption because of the cost to the producer 
or because the benefits are largely off-farm. Examples include 
edge of field practices such as saturated buffers, woodchip 
denitrifying bioreactors, or drainage water management.
      The Managers believe that USDA actively seeking 
partnerships to identify targeted areas helps amplify the 
importance of voluntary, incentive-based conservation. One of 
those critical partnerships is with water utilities and the 
Managers expect the Department to work with drinking water 
utilities to identify key areas in each state to focus on 
protecting source water. The Managers intend for this to be 
used in priority areas in each state; not just certain areas of 
the country.
      The Managers believe environmental markets have the 
potential to play a significant role in addressing natural 
resource concerns. Producers enrolled in conservation programs 
under this title should not be precluded from participating in 
those markets as long as the landowner is providing additive 
conservation above and beyond the protections provided under 
the program. This could be an important market for landowners, 
and not allowing them to participate in these markets could 
serve as a disincentive for permanent farmland protection such 
as those provided under ACEP. For instance, landowners could 
undertake management changes that could increase the amount of 
carbon sequestered above and beyond that amount of carbon that 
is sequestered simply by preventing conversion of grassland or 
timberland.
(53) Definition of acequia
      The Senate amendment defines an acequia in the '85 Act. 
(Section 2504)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(54) Authorization of appropriations for water bank program
      The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations at $5 
million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain 
available until expended. It strikes a provision that applied 
through FY 1980. (Section 2505)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(55) Report on land access, tenure, and transition
      The Senate amendment authorizes a report on land access, 
tenure, and transition. (Section 2506)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute addressed the Senate amendment 
in title XII.
(56) Report on small wetlands
      The Senate amendment authorizes a report on small 
wetlands. (Section 2507)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications to the report. (Section 2409)
      The Managers request that USDA, acting through the Chief 
of NRCS, conduct a report on small wetlands to be completed 
within 6 months following enactment. The Managers require that 
the report include the number of small wetlands that have been 
delineated in each of the states during fiscal years 2014 
through 2018. The Managers request that USDA provide additional 
reports that look at years prior to 2014 and that those reports 
be made available by the end of each fiscal year after the 
enactment of this Act. The Managers intend for this report to 
provide information on small wetlands and ensure that NRCS is 
using the same methodology across each of the states identified 
in determining wetlands that are small in nature.
(57) State technical committees
      The House bill adds the State 1862 Institution to the 
State technical committee. (Section 2504)
      The Senate amendment directs State technical committees 
to review technologies and practices and make recommendations 
to the Secretary. It amends section 1261(b)(2) of the '85 Act 
to strike ``under section 1262(b)''. (Sections 2508 & 2604)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to include section 2604 of the Senate amendment 
and the addition of the State cooperative extension and the 
land grant university in the State. (Section 2822)
      The Managers recognize the importance of State Technical 
Committees and how they provide important State input on 
natural resource concerns and the delivery of USDA conservation 
programs. The Managers believe that focusing National programs 
to meet the needs of agricultural producers in each state 
should be done with input from representatives within the State 
and include the diversity of production. State technical 
Committees should balance representation between grower 
representatives, conservation organizations, Tribal, State, 
local government agencies, and other interested organizations 
within the State.
(58) Farmable wetland reform
      The Senate amendment is a technical correction. (Section 
2601)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(59) Drought and water conservation agreements
      The Senate amendment amends 1231A of the '85 Act and 
authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements that address 
regional drought concerns. (Section 12612)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(60 & 61) Repeal of terminal lakes assistance
      The House bill repeals the authority for terminal lakes 
assistance. (Section 2802)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute strikes the authorization of 
appropriations and makes a technical change. (Section 2821)

                            Title III--Trade

(1) Generation and use of currencies by private voluntary organizations 
        and cooperatives
      The House bill allows the generation of proceeds from the 
sale of commodities by private voluntary organizations to be 
used as enumerated in this section. (Section 3004)
      The Senate amendment allows the Administrator of USAID to 
permit private voluntary organizations to sell commodities 
distributed under nonemergency programs under this title to 
generate proceeds to be used as enumerated in this section. 
(Section 3102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 3103)
(2) Food aid consultative group
      The House bill reauthorizes the authority for the group 
through FY 2023. (Section 3006)
      The Senate amendment reduces the consultation period for 
proposed regulations, handbooks, or guidelines concerning this 
title to 30 days. It reauthorizes the Food Aid Consultative 
Group through FY 2023. (Section 3104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 3105)
      The Managers expect that reducing the Food Aid 
Consultative Group (FACG) review period from 45 days to 30 days 
will streamline and expedite the approval of agreements and 
that efforts will be taken to ensure such change does not 
reduce the opportunity for FACG members to provide feedback on 
proposed regulations, handbooks, or guidelines.
      Furthermore, the Managers believe food aid transportation 
efficiency and transparency can be improved and expect the FACG 
to review and recommend any specific changes needed in 
regulations and procedures governing food aid transportation to 
enhance program delivery, maximize program efficiency, and 
improve transparency, including specifically reviewing the 
shipment schedules, and terms and conditions of governing 
contracts and freight solicitations.
(3) Oversight, monitoring, and evaluation
      The House bill amends section 207(f) of the Food for 
Peace Act to allow up to 1.5 percent of the funds made 
available under this section to pay for program oversight, 
monitoring, and evaluation. It extends funding authority for 
the early warning assessments and systems to FY 2023 and 
eliminates requirement that matching funds come from Chapter 1, 
Part 1 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et 
seq.). (Section 3008)
      The Senate Amendment amends section 207(f) of the Food 
for Peace Act to allow the Administrator to use up to 1.5 
percent, but not less than $17,000,000, of appropriated funds 
made available under this section for program oversight, 
monitoring, and evaluation. It extends funding authority for 
the early warning assessments and systems to FY 2023. (Section 
3105)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to eliminate the requirement that matching 
funds come from Chapter 1, Part 1 of the Foreign Assistance Act 
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.). (Section 3107)
      The Managers affirm the importance of the Famine Early 
Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) to effectively and 
efficiently respond to crises around the world. However, the 
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should better 
utilize FEWS NET to provide advance information and inform 
interventions to mitigate the effects of drought in areas where 
livestock production is a critical source of food and income.
(4) Assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation, delivery, and 
        distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged foods
      The House bill extends authority for the appropriation of 
funding for the program through FY 2023. It changes the name of 
the section to ``International Food Relief Partnership''. 
(Section 3009)
      The Senate amendment amends section 208(f) of the Food 
for Peace Act to reauthorize funding for distribution of shelf-
stable prepackaged foods. (Section 3106)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 3108)
(5) Allowance of distribution costs
      The Senate amendment amends section 406(b)(6) of the Food 
for Peace Act to clarify allowable distribution costs, 
including a variety of activities for which costs were paid 
prior to FY 2017. (Section 3107)
      The House bill has no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute incorporates the Senate 
provision with an amendment clarifying that the costs include 
distribution and program implementation costs to use the 
commodities provided under the Food for Peace Act. (Section 
3110)
      The Managers intend for the allowable uses of internal 
transportation, storage and handling (ITSH) funds authorized 
under section 406(b)(6) of the Food for Peace Act to include 
the types of activities for which costs were paid under such 
paragraph prior to fiscal year 2017. Such activities must be 
associated with the use of agricultural commodities. The 
Managers do not intend for the changes made by this provision 
to result in increased levels of annual ITSH spending as 
compared to the average annual ITSH spending levels in recent 
years by dollar value or as a percentage of overall Food for 
Peace funding.
(6) Annual report regarding food aid programs and activities
      The House bill amends section 407(f) of the Food for 
Peace Act to allow the Administrator and Secretary of 
Agriculture to file annual reports relating to their respective 
food aid programs and activities, jointly or separately. It 
requires the Administrator and Secretary to notify Congress if 
their reports will be delayed and provide reasons for the 
delay. The bill requires a detailed account of the funds 
expended for the purposes of 202(e), 406(b)(6) and 
407(c)(1)(B). Additionally, it restructures reporting 
requirements by moving requirements under section 403(m) of the 
Food for Peace Act, so they shall be included within the report 
required under section 407(f). It includes conforming repeal of 
section 403(m). (Section 3012)
      The Senate amendment amends 407(f)(1)(A) of the Food for 
Peace Act to allow USAID Administrator and Secretary of 
Agriculture to file annual reports relating to their respective 
food aid programs and activities, jointly or separately. 
(Section 3109)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to remove the provision requiring Congressional 
notification relating to reasons for delay in production of the 
report. (Section 3112)
      The Managers acknowledge information provided in the 
annual report regarding food assistance programs and activities 
is essential for Congressional and public oversight of these 
programs. The Managers expect the relevant agencies to 
cooperate to ensure that annual reporting of food assistance is 
provided either jointly or separately in a concise, 
transparent, and timely manner. Agencies should promptly 
publish data on food aid programs and activities as available, 
regardless of when full reporting requirements will be met.
(7) Nonemergency Food Assistance
      The House bill amends section 412(e) of the Food for 
Peace Act to provide not less than $365 million of the amounts 
made available to carry out Title II, nor more than 30% of such 
amounts to be expended for nonemergency food assistance 
programs for FY 2019 through FY 2023. It also amends section 
412(e) to allow community development funds appropriated to 
carry out part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that are 
made available through grants or cooperative agreements and 
that assist in implementing certain activities--income-
generating community development, health, nutrition, 
cooperative development, agriculture, and other development--to 
be deemed to have been expended on nonemergency food assistance 
programs for the purposes of this section. (Section 3014)
      The Senate amendment amends section 412(e) of the Food 
for Peace Act to provide not less than $365 million of the 
amounts made available to carry out this title for nonemergency 
food assistance programs for fiscal years through FY 2023. It 
amends section 412(e) of the Food for Peace Act to allow funds 
expended under the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (section 501 of the 
Food for Peace Act) to be considered amounts expended for the 
nonemergency food assistance programs under section 412. The 
amendment also amends section 412(e) of the Food for Peace Act 
to allow funds expended through Part I of the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961 through grants or cooperative agreements 
and consistent with the goals of Title II, to be considered 
amounts expended for nonemergency food assistance programs 
under certain circumstances. (Section 3111)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
a modification to amend section 412(e) to allow funds expended 
under the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (section 501 of the Food for 
Peace Act) to be considered amounts expended for the 
nonemergency food assistance programs under section 412. 
(Section 3114)
      The Managers emphasize the importance of nonemergency 
development assistance to strengthen resiliency and transition 
countries from food aid recipients to trading partners. The 
Managers authorize the Administrator to count Community 
Development Funds (CDF) toward the minimum level of 
nonemergency food assistance. The Managers support the use of 
CDF to complement Title II resources and expect that the 
Administrator will continue to use these funds to provide 
direct funding to Food for Peace Title II nonemergency programs 
through the Office of Food for Peace or its successor. The 
Managers further expect that any reduction in the use of 
commodities in non-emergency programs that result from the use 
of the CDF will be offset by additional commodities used in 
emergency food aid operations.
(8) John Ognowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer program
      The House bill amends section 501 of the Food for Peace 
Act to clarify that assistance provided under the program 
should be ``technical'' in nature. The bill amends section 501 
of the Food for Peace Act to add retired extension staff of 
USDA as able to work in conjunction with agricultural producers 
and farm organizations on a voluntary basis. It also amends 
section 501 to expand the scope of issues the program can focus 
on to include selection of seed varieties and plant stocks, 
knowledge of insecticide and sanitation procedures to prevent 
crop destruction, use and maintenance of agricultural equipment 
and irrigation systems, and selection of fertilizers and 
methods of soils treatment. The bill further amends section 501 
to encourage the fostering of investments in institutional 
capacity-building to allow for longer-term sequenced 
assignments to provide deeper engagement and greater continuity 
of projects. It extends authority for appropriations at 
existing levels for each of FY 2019 through FY 2023. It allows 
for funds used under this section to be counted toward the 
minimum level of non-emergency food assistance under 412(e). 
The bill adds the establishment of geographically defined crop 
yield metrics system, a public database to assess improvements 
in crop yields, and creates a new grant program to facilitate 
new and innovative partnerships and activities. It extends 
authority for appropriations at existing levels for each fiscal 
year FY 2019 through FY 2023. (Section 3016)
      The Senate amendment amends section 501 of the Food for 
Peace Act to allow employees or staff of a State cooperative 
institution as defined by subparagraphs (A) through (D) of 
section 1404(18) of the National Agricultural Research 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to volunteer for the 
purposes enumerated under section 501. It extends authority for 
minimum levels of assistance at existing levels for each fiscal 
year FY 2019 through FY 2023. The amendment extends authority 
for appropriations at existing levels for each fiscal year FY 
2019 through FY 2023. (Section 3113)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that clarifies that the nature of assistance 
should be ``technical,'' expands the scope of issues the 
program can focus on to include selection of seed varieties and 
plant stocks, knowledge of insecticide and sanitation 
procedures to prevent crop destruction, use and maintenance of 
agricultural equipment and irrigation systems, and selection of 
fertilizers and methods of soils treatment, and creates a new 
grant program to facilitate new and innovative partnerships and 
activities. (Section 3116)
      The Managers support the United States' work to advance 
food security in developing countries and open new markets for 
agricultural trade through programs that leverage the unique 
capabilities of Federal departments and agencies and that 
improve coordination between donors, beneficiaries, and the 
private sector. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays an 
important role in establishing trade between the United States 
and other nations and should enhance its role in facilitating 
the transfer of the knowledge, skills, and experience of 
American farmers, land grant universities, and extension 
services through the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-
To-Farmer Program.
      The Managers intend for the Farmer-to-Farmer Program to 
foster appropriate investments in institutional capacity-
building and allow longer-term and sequenced assignments and 
partnerships to provide deeper engagement and greater 
continuity on such projects.
(9) Priority trade promotion, development, and assistance
      Section 3102(a) of the House bill amends section 205 of 
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to create the International 
Market Development Program, a consolidation of the current 
Market Access Program (MAP), the Foreign Market Development 
(FMD), Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC), and the 
E Kika de la Garza programs. Section 3102(b) of the House bill 
amends section 211(c) to provide $255 million in annual 
mandatory funding for the International Market Development 
Program, subject to the allocation of $253.5 million as 
follows: MAP not less than $200 million annually; FMD not less 
than $34.5 million annually; E. (Kika) de la Garza Emerging 
Markets Program (EMP), not more than $10 million annually; TASC 
not more than $9 million annually; and the remaining 
unallocated balance of $1.5 million per year will be available 
for the Secretary to make available for the MAP and/or FMD 
programs. Section 3102(c) of the bill repeals the current law 
authorizations for the MAP, FMD, TASC, and de la Garza 
programs. It also repeals section 1302 of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1993 to eliminate the suggested five-year 
limitation on promotion of a specific branded product in a 
single market, and other administrative guidelines. Section 
3102(d) of the bill makes conforming amendments. (Section 3102)
      The Senate amendment amends Title II of the Agricultural 
Trade Act of 1978 to add a new Subtitle C--Priority Trade 
Promotion, Development, and Assistance. It consolidates the 
MAP, FMD, de la Garza, and TASC programs under subtitle C. The 
Senate amendment provides a total of $259.5 million in annual 
mandatory funding for the Priority Trade Promotion, 
Development, and Assistance program, subject to the allocation 
of $253.5 million as follows: MAP not less than $200 million 
annually; FMD not less than $34.5 million annually; E (Kika) de 
la Garza Agricultural Fellowship Program not more than $10 
million annually; TASC not less than $9 million annually; and 
the remaining balance of $6 million annually will be available 
for use among the four programs, as determined by the Secretary 
under a new Priority Trade Fund. The Senate amendment repeals 
current law authorizations for the MAP, FMD, TASC and de la 
Garza programs, and makes several changes, including: clarifies 
definition of ``emerging market'' to include a ``territory, 
customs union, or other economic market'' in addition to the 
current law ``country'' for the de la Garza Fellowship Program; 
adds section 255(d) to the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to 
authorize the Secretary to provide assistance under TASC to a 
project for longer than a five-year period if the Secretary 
determines it would effectively support the purpose of the 
program; and section 226(d) authorizes the use of funds to 
carry out MAP and FMD in Cuba, consistent with directives under 
the National Security Presidential Memorandum of June 16, 2017 
entitled ``Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward 
Cuba'', during the period in which that memorandum is in 
effect. (Section 3201)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that consolidates the current MAP, FMD, TASC, 
and EMP programs under one Agricultural Trade Promotion and 
Facilitation section in the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978. The 
amendment provides a total of $255 million in annual mandatory 
funding subject to allocation as follows: MAP not less than 
$200 million annually; FMD not less than $34.5 million 
annually; EMP not more than $8 million annually; TASC at $9 
million annually; and the Priority Trade Fund at $3.5 million 
annually to be distributed at the Secretary's discretion. 
Further, the substitute repeals section 1302 of the Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to eliminate the suggested 
five-year limitation on promotion for specific branded product 
in a single market. (Section 3201)
      The Managers intend for the consolidation of the Market 
Access Program, the Foreign Market Development Cooperator 
Program, the Kika de la Garza Emerging Markets Program, and the 
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program under one 
Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation Program to 
establish permanent mandatory funding for agricultural trade 
promotion activities. The Managers intend to maintain the 
unique functions of each program.
      The Managers recognize that specialty crops are uniquely 
challenged by sanitary and phytosanitary barriers and other 
non-tariff barriers to trade, including a lack of international 
harmonization for maximum residue levels (MRLs). While the 
Managers affirm the importance of TASC in addressing these 
barriers, they recognize that the TASC program has been 
underutilized in recent years. The Managers intend for the 
Secretary to consider and, as necessary, make reforms to 
streamline the application, approval, and compliance processes 
and requirements for eligible organizations, particularly for 
smaller grants and shorter-term or time-sensitive projects. The 
Managers direct USDA to have substantial, ongoing engagement 
with specialty crop stakeholders and the Committees in carrying 
out the requirements of this section to improve the program, 
including as USDA reviews program procedures and requirements 
and makes improvements to streamline and facilitate assistance.
      The Managers recognize that expanding trade with Cuba not 
only represents an opportunity for American farmers and 
ranchers, but also a chance to improve engagement with the 
Cuban people in support of democratic ideas and human rights. 
They note that the June 2017 National Security Presidential 
Memorandum toward Cuba affirmatively supports the sale of 
United States agricultural commodities and does not impair or 
otherwise affect the authority otherwise granted by law to an 
executive department or agency. The Managers expect that the 
Secretary will work closely with eligible trade organizations 
to educate them about allowable activities to improve exports 
to Cuba under the Market Access and Foreign Market Development 
Cooperator Programs.
(10) Food for Progress Act of 1985
      The House bill reauthorizes the section through FY 2023, 
and adds colleges and universities as defined by Section 
1404(4) of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103(4)) as eligible entities to furnish commodities or provide 
financial assistance under this section. (Section 3204)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes the section through FY 
2023 and clarifies that the Secretary retains the authority to 
administer the programs applicable to this section. It adds 
land grant colleges and universities as defined by Section 1404 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) as eligible entities to 
furnish commodities or provide financial assistance under this 
section and clarifies that when providing humanitarian or 
developmental aid, ``internal'' transportation costs may be 
considered a covered expense. The section adds paragraph (5) at 
the end of subsection (l) to require a certain amount of 
assistance be provided in direct funds, in the amount of 30 
percent of the funds of the ``transportation cap'', 30 percent 
of existing administrative funds, and $26 million in funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation for each of FY 2019 through FY 
2023, specified to be used to pay for any of the costs in 
paragraph (4). Additionally, the Senate amendment strikes 
existing ``Requirements'' and instructs the Secretary to issue 
regulations and revisions to agency guidance and procedures 
necessary to implement the amendments made to this section 
within 270 days of enactment of this Act. The section instructs 
the Secretary to consult with the Committee on Agriculture and 
the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate relating to agency regulations, 
guidance and procedures that are to be revised within 270 days 
of enactment of this Act. (Section 3301)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment requiring the Secretary to include information on 
the ``rate of return'' for a commodity in the annual report, 
and includes a section authorizing pilot agreements for FY 2019 
through FY 2023 to directly provide financial assistance to 
eligible entities to cover the costs of activities consistent 
with the humanitarian and development purposes listed in 
(l)(4)(A). (Section 3302)
      The Managers affirm the importance of Food for Progress 
in improving agricultural productivity and strengthening food 
security in developing countries by providing training and 
technical assistance to producers, developing extension 
services, increasing access to quality inputs, improving access 
to capital, and numerous other activities.
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to use the pilot 
agreement authority to test and evaluate the effectiveness of 
directly providing funds to eligible entities to implement the 
same types of development activities that are typically funded 
by proceeds from monetization under this program.
(11) Cochran emerging market fellowship program
      The House bill amends section 1543 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to clarify 
that the purpose of the fellowship includes enhancing trade 
linkages involving regulatory systems governing sanitary and 
phytosanitary standards for agricultural products, and permits 
study in foreign colleges or universities that have met certain 
criteria including having sufficient scientific and technical 
facilities, having an established partnership with at least one 
college or university in the United States, and having 
substantial participation by U.S. faculty in the design of the 
fellowship curriculum and classroom instruction under the 
fellowship. (Section 3206)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1543 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to add to the 
purposes of the program the development of agricultural 
extension services and regulatory systems governing sanitary 
and phytosanitary standards for agricultural products. It 
increases the authorization of appropriations for the 3 country 
categories, respectively, to (1) $4 million, (2) $3 million, 
and (3) $6 million. (Section 3304)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that permits study in foreign colleges or 
universities that have sufficient scientific and technical 
facilities, have established a partnership with at least one 
college or university in the United States, and have 
substantial participation by U.S. faculty in the design of the 
fellowship curriculum and classroom instruction under the 
fellowship. (Section 3305)
      The Managers intend to provide the Secretary discretion 
to improve program efficiency by permitting fellowships to 
occur at a college or university located outside the United 
States, subject to certain eligibility requirements, where 
appropriate. The Managers expect the Secretary to work closely 
with Congress in implementing this provision to ensure the 
original intent of the program is preserved.
(12) Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology 
        Fellowship Program--Developing country fellowship recipients
      The House bill amends section 1473G to add a new 
authorization for fellowship recipients from eligible 
developing countries to receive scientific training or study at 
a college or university outside of the United States, subject 
to specific criteria. It authorizes appropriations of $6 
million for the Borlaug fellowship program and requires that 
not less than $2.8 million appropriated be used for 
participants from eligible foreign countries. (Section 3207)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1473G to add the 
development of agricultural extension services in foreign 
countries to the purpose of the program. It requires the 
Secretary to encourage the ongoing engagement of prior 
fellowship recipients to contribute to new or ongoing 
agricultural development projects, with a priority for 
capacity-building projects. (Section 3305)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 3306)
(13) Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology 
        Fellowship Program--Proposed United States fellowships
      The House bill adds a new subsection (a)(3) to section 
1473G of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to establish a new program under 
which the Secretary shall provide U.S. citizens with 
fellowships, to assist eligible countries in developing school-
based agriculture and youth extension programs. It requires 
that the new U.S. citizen fellowships develop globally minded 
U.S. agriculturists with experience living abroad, focus on 
meeting the food and fiber needs of eligible countries, and 
strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible 
countries and the U.S. agricultural industry. The section 
authorizes the Secretary to provide fellowships under 
subsection (a)(3) to U.S. citizens who hold at least a 
bachelor's degree in an agricultural related field of study and 
have an understanding of U.S. school-based agricultural 
education and youth extension programs. It requires the 
Secretary to consult with the National FFA Organization, the 
National 4-H Council, and other entities to identify candidates 
for fellowships. The section requires the Secretary to manage, 
coordinate, evaluate, and monitor the fellowship program, 
either directly or by contract with an outside organization 
with experience in implementing fellowship programs focused on 
building capacity for school-based agricultural education and 
youth extension programs in developing countries. (Section 
3207)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment establishing the International Agricultural 
Education Fellowship Program in the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018 as a new program separate from the Borlaug Fellowship 
Program, and authorizing appropriations for the program. 
(Section 3307)
      The Managers recognize the importance of youth engagement 
in agricultural development and intend for these fellowships to 
provide valuable opportunities to young agriculturalists in 
eligible countries as well as international experience for 
emerging American agricultural leaders.
(14) International food security technical assistance
      The Senate amendment amends the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by adding at the end of 
Title XV, a provision directing the Secretary to compile and 
make available information on the improvement of international 
food security. It authorizes the Secretary to provide technical 
assistance to certain entities to implement programs for the 
improvement of international food security. (Section 3306)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 3308)
(15) McGovern-Dole international food for education and child nutrition 
        program
      The House bill amends the section by requiring, to the 
extent practicable, the assistance provided under this section 
coincide with the start of the school year and is available 
when needed throughout the relevant school year. It authorizes 
appropriations in the existing amount through FY 2023. (Section 
3205)
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
to ensure that assistance provided under this section is 
provided in a timely manner and is made available when needed 
throughout the applicable school year. It authorizes 
appropriations in the existing amount through FY 2023. The 
section allows not more than 10% of available funds to be used 
for commodities produced in and procured from a developing 
country that is a recipient country or developing country 
within the same region of the recipient country and that meet 
nutritional, quality and labeling standards of the recipient 
countries, and allows funding to cover the associated costs of 
transporting those commodities. (Section 3307)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 3309)
      The McGovern-Dole program has successfully addressed 
hunger and malnutrition, improved school attendance, and 
increased literacy and academic achievement for children around 
the world. The Managers expect the Secretary to use the new 
authority authorized in this provision to incorporate locally 
and regionally grown commodities into multi-year McGovern-Dole 
programs, particularly in the final years of a program, to 
support the transition to full local ownership and 
implementation.
      The Managers strongly support the graduation of McGovern-
Dole feeding programs, while also recognizing less-developed 
countries may need additional, longer-term assistance and 
should still be considered for inclusion in the program.
      Additionally, the Managers encourage the Secretary to 
consider extending the length of a project if the Secretary 
determines that a project needs additional time to sustain the 
benefits and such an extension would support the overall 
purposes of the program.
(16) Global Crop Diversity Trust
      The House bill amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 to increase the authorized aggregate contribution 
of U.S. funds to the trust to 33% of the total funds 
contributed from all sources. It authorizes appropriations at 
existing levels through FY 2023. (Section 3208)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 3202 of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 maintaining the 25% 
contribution limit. It authorizes appropriations at existing 
levels through FY 2023. (Section 3308)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment increasing the authorized contribution to 33% of 
total funds contributed from all sources beginning in fiscal 
year 2019 and extending appropriations at existing levels 
through FY 2023, while limiting the annual contribution of 
funds to $5,500,000 for each of FY 2019 through FY 2023. 
(Section 3310)
      The Managers affirm the importance of the Global Crop 
Diversity Trust for ensuring the conservation and availability 
of genetic resources for food security worldwide, while 
recognizing the importance of other international agricultural 
research and development efforts including the Consultative 
Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Feed 
the Future Innovation Labs.
      The Managers applaud the Trust for having raised 
contributions of over $367 million and concessional loans of 
more than $60 million from sources other than the United 
States. The Managers expect the Trust to continue to secure 
substantial new contributions to the endowment from other 
donors.
(17) Local and regional food aid procurement projects
      The House bill reauthorizes appropriations at existing 
levels through FY 2023. (Section 3201)
      The Senate amendment amends section 3206(e)(1) of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to include the 
``Secretary'' as the proper entity to receive appropriations 
and reauthorizes appropriations at existing levels through FY 
2023. (Section 3309)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 3311)
(18) Foreign trade missions
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
to support greater inclusion of Tribal agricultural and food 
products in trade-related activities. (Section 3310)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 3312)
(19) Findings
      The House bill states the United States is the world's 
largest donor of international food assistance, American 
farmers are instrumental in providing commodities, and due to 
the efforts of the maritime industry and private organizations 
commodities have been delivered to millions of people around 
the globe. The section provides the United States should 
continue to use is agricultural productivity to promote foreign 
policy and enhance food security around the world. (Section 
3001)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not include the House 
provision.
      The Managers recognize that the United States has long 
been the world's largest donor of international food 
assistance, and that American farmers have been instrumental in 
the success of United States international food assistance 
programs by providing an affordable, safe, and reliable source 
of nutritious agricultural commodities.
      Furthermore, the Managers commend the efforts of the 
United States maritime industry and private voluntary 
organizations in delivering U.S. agricultural commodities to 
millions of people in need around the globe.
(20) Labeling requirements
      The House bill amends section 202(g) of Food for Peace to 
require agricultural commodities and other assistance provided 
under this title, to the extent practicable, to be clearly 
identified as being furnished by the people of the United 
States. The section provides in the case of other assistance, 
that the identification take place on other printed material 
accompanying the assistance. (Section 3002)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 3101)
      The Managers intend for the Administrator of USAID to 
continue to use discretion in applying this requirement in 
situations where labeling assistance furnished by the United 
States could result in safety or security concerns.
(21) Issuance of regulations
      The House bill amends section 207(c)(1) of the Food for 
Peace Act to strike ``the Agricultural Act of 2014'' and 
inserts the ``Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018'' to require 
regulations be issued within 270 days of enactment. (Section 
3007)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 3106)
(22) Consideration of impact of provision of agricultural commodities 
        and other assistance on local farmers and economy
      The House bill amends section 403 of the Food for Peace 
Act by adding ``food procured outside of the United States, 
food vouchers, or cash transfers for food'' to the list of 
types of assistance subject to market impact analysis prior to 
being provided to a recipient country. It amends the section to 
clarify that consideration of storage facilities is only 
necessary where the provision of an agricultural commodity is 
at issue. It amends the section to include the distribution of 
``agricultural commodity or use of the food procured outside of 
the United States, food vouchers, or cash transfers of food'' 
as considerations in the calculation of whether a substantial 
disincentive to, or interference with, domestic production or 
marketing in that country will take place if that specific type 
of assistance is provided. The section requires that in 
addition to commodities, the Secretary or Administrator shall 
ensure that ``food procured outside of the United States, food 
vouchers, and cash transfers for food'' will not have a 
disruptive impact on the farmers or the local economy within 
the recipient country. (Section 3010)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 3109)

(23) Findings

      The House bill states that U.S. export programs increase 
demand for U.S. agriculture products in foreign markets, 
acknowledges that, comparatively, global competitors are 
outspending the U.S. on export programs, and that preservation 
and streamlining of the U.S. export market programs is 
consistent with USDA reorganization efforts focusing on 
increasing U.S. agricultural trade across the globe. (Section 
3101)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not include the House 
provision.
      United States trade promotion programs leverage federal 
dollars to significantly bolster demand in foreign markets for 
United States agricultural products, which increases 
agricultural export volume and overall net farm income. At the 
same time, our global competitors continue to provide 
substantially more public support for export promotion than is 
provided to our own agricultural exporters. Thus, the Managers 
underscore the critical importance of maintaining support for 
U.S. agricultural trade promotion efforts.
      Finally, the Managers note the preservation and 
streamlining of United States international market development 
programs complements the recent reorganization within USDA by 
ensuring the newly established Under Secretary for Trade and 
Foreign Agricultural Affairs has the tools necessary to enhance 
the competitiveness of the United States agricultural industry 
on the global stage.

(24) Growing American Food Exports Act of 2018

      The House bill amends section 1543A of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to assist with 
the removal of nontariff and other trade barriers to U.S. 
agricultural products produced with biotechnology and other 
agricultural technologies. It removes the restriction of 
section 102 of such Act relating to the definition of 
agricultural commodities and states that ``policy advocacy and 
targeted projects'' should address issues relating to U.S. 
Agricultural commodities produced with the use of biotechnology 
or new agricultural technologies, advocacy for science based 
regulation in foreign markets of biotechnology or new 
agricultural production technologies, and quick-response 
intervention regarding non-tariff barriers to United States 
exports produced through biotechnology or new agricultural 
production technologies. (Section 3209)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute modifies the House provision by 
expanding the existing program to cover projects to address 
quick response interventions involving U.S. agricultural 
commodities produced through new agricultural production 
technologies and authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 for 
each of FY 2019 through FY 2023. (Section 3301)

Additional Report Language

      Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust (Sec 3020)
      The Managers affirm the importance of the Bill Emerson 
Humanitarian Trust as a reserve to meet unanticipated emergency 
food assistance needs and are concerned that the Trust has not 
been utilized since 2014 despite unprecedented food assistance 
needs in recent years and the continued risk of famine in 
multiple countries. The Managers note that the Trust, which 
currently holds over $280 million, can be used to purchase U.S. 
commodities to assist in averting an emergency, responding to 
an emergency, and for recovery and rehabilitation after an 
emergency. They urge USAID and USDA to consider the Trust as a 
significant resource to meet those objectives.

                          Title IV--Nutrition


(1) Definition of certification period

      The Senate amendment amends section 3 of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA) to allow a State agency to extend 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) 
certification period for elderly and disabled households who 
have no earned income at the time of certification to up to 36 
months. (Section 4101)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.

(2) Food distribution program on Indian reservations

      The House bill amends section 4(b) of the FNA by 
reauthorizing the Traditional and Locally-Grown Food Fund in 
the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), 
adding the concept of regionally grown food, eliminating the 
requirement to conduct a survey of traditional foods, and 
authorizing funds made available to carry out FDPIR to remain 
available for obligation for a period of 2 fiscal years. 
(Section 4005)
      The Senate amendment authorizes an 80 percent floor for 
the Federal share of administrative costs and authorizes funds 
made available to carry out FDPIR to remain available for 
obligation by the State agency or tribe for 2 fiscal years. The 
Senate amendment also establishes a demonstration project for 
one or more tribal organizations to enter into a self-
determination contract to purchase agricultural commodities for 
FDPIR. (Section 4102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to authorize an 80 percent floor for the Federal 
share of administrative costs, to specify that funds made 
available to carry out FDPIR remain available for obligation by 
the State agency or tribe for 2 fiscal years, and to establish 
a demonstration project for one or more tribal organizations to 
enter into a self-determination contract to purchase 
agricultural commodities for FDPIR. (Section 4003)
      The Managers intend for tribal organizations to have an 
increased role in procuring and distributing more locally, 
regionally and tribal produced foods under FDPIR. The Managers 
encourage the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the 
Secretary of the Interior and with Indian tribes to establish 
and determine the process and criteria under which tribal 
organizations may participate in demonstration projects to 
purchase agricultural commodities under FDPIR. The Managers 
also encourage the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with the 
Secretary of the Interior regarding the familiarity with self-
determination contracts and with the capacity of tribal 
organizations to successfully administer a demonstration 
project.

(3) Work requirements for supplemental nutrition assistance program

      The House bill amends the FNA by creating a single work 
requirement in section 6(d) that requires SNAP household 
members age 18 to 59 to work, participate in employment and 
training or a work program, or any combination of work, 
participation in employment and training or a work program with 
a minimum of 20 hours per week in fiscal years 2021 through 
2025 and 25 hours per week in fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal 
year thereafter. The House bill strikes the existing general 
work requirement in section 6(d)(1) and the existing able-
bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirement in 
section 6(o). The House bill limits the criteria that States 
may use to request a geographic waiver of the work requirement, 
including requiring the approval of the State's chief executive 
officer, makes changes to the ``15-percent'' exemption 
criteria, and decreases the ``15-percent'' exemption to 12-
percent starting in fiscal year 2026.
      The House bill amends section 6(d)(4) of the FNA to 
require States to offer minimum services in employment and 
training so that every covered individual may meet the new work 
requirements; adds case management to the definition of an 
``employment and training program'' (E&T program); and includes 
supervised job search programs, apprenticeships, subsidized 
employment, family literacy, and financial literacy as 
allowable components of E&T programs.
      Furthermore, the House bill amends section 16(h) of the 
FNA to provide funds for E&T at $90 million for fiscal year 
2019, $250 million for fiscal year 2020, and $1 billion for 
each fiscal year thereafter. The allocation of E&T funding is 
based on current law for fiscal year 2019 and 2020, but for 
fiscal year 2021, and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
allocation of E&T funds is based on the new work requirements 
in 6(d)(1)(B). The House bill strikes the reallocation 
authority and requires the return of unused E&T funds to the 
Treasury. The House bill also increases the minimum allocation 
of E&T funds from $50,000 to $100,000. (Section 4015)
      The Senate amendment retains the SNAP work requirements 
under current law but consolidates those work requirements in 
the FNA by moving the ABAWD work requirement from section 6(o) 
to section 6(d)(2). Section 6(d)(4) is amended to require a 
State agency consult with the state workforce development 
board, private employers or organizations in designing its E&T 
program and to require that its E&T program meet state or local 
workforce needs. The Senate amendment adds a new requirement 
that an E&T program containing a job search component contain 
at least 1 additional component, and expands the definition of 
an E&T program to include any E&T pilot activities under 
16(h)(1)(F) that are determined effective at increasing 
employment or earnings for participants. The Senate bill also 
authorizes workforce partnerships, which are programs operated 
by private employers or non-profits that would provide 
participants with at least 20 hours per week of training, work, 
or experience. The Senate amendment requires the State agency 
to refer individuals determined to be ill-suited for an E&T 
component to an appropriate E&T component or workforce 
partnership, to reassess the mental and physical fitness of the 
individual, or to the maximum extent practicable, to coordinate 
with other programs to identify work opportunities or 
assistance for the individual.
      The Senate amendment amends section 16(h) to authorize 
additional funds for E&T pilot projects, $92.5 million for each 
of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, to remain available until 
expended. The Senate bill authorizes 8 or more additional pilot 
projects, prioritizing projects that target certain 
individuals, including those over age 50; formerly incarcerated 
individuals; those in substance abuse treatment; and homeless, 
disabled, and other individuals with significant barriers to 
employment; and projects that are integrated and family-focused 
in providing supportive services. The Senate amendment also 
adds an option for states to report data from workforce 
partnerships and includes new reporting requirements to ensure 
that the E&T components are responsive to State or local 
workforce needs. (Section 4103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments. The amendments retain the general work requirement 
and ABAWD work requirement in current law; strike modifications 
to the criteria that States may use to request a geographic 
waiver of the work requirement; specify that the State's 
request for a geographic waiver have the support of the State's 
chief executive officer; strike the changes to the ``15-
percent'' exemption criteria; and decrease the ``15-percent'' 
exemption to 12-percent starting in fiscal year 2020.
      The amendments require State agency consultation with the 
state workforce development board or private employers or 
organizations in designing its E&T program and for the E&T 
program to meet state or local workforce needs. Additionally, 
the amendments expand the definition of an E&T program to 
include supervised job search programs, apprenticeships, 
subsidized employment, and any E&T pilot activities under 
section 16(h)(1)(F) that are determined effective at increasing 
employment or earnings for participants. The amendments also 
authorize workforce partnerships operated by private employers 
or non-profits that would provide participants with at least 20 
hours per week of training, work, or experience. The amendments 
require the State agency to refer individuals who have been 
determined to be ill-suited to an E&T component to an 
appropriate E&T component or workforce partnership, to reassess 
the mental and physical fitness of the individual, or to 
coordinate with other programs to identify work opportunities 
or assistance for the individual. The amendments also add an 
option for States to report data from workforce partnerships.
      The Conference substitute provides for an increase in 
funding for E&T under section 16(h)(1) of the FNA from $90 
million to $103.9 million for each fiscal year and prioritizes 
the reallocation of unused E&T funding in the following manner: 
not less than 50 percent for E&T programs and activities 
currently being piloted under section 16(h)(1)(F) that have the 
most demonstrable impact on the ability of participants to find 
and retain employment; not less than 30 percent for E&T 
programs and activities under section 6(d)(4)(B)(i) that have 
the most demonstrable impact on the ability of participants to 
find and retain employment and that are targeted to those 50 
years of age or over; formerly incarcerated individuals; those 
in substance abuse treatment; homeless, disabled, and other 
individuals with significant barriers to employment; and 
households facing multi-generational poverty; and any remaining 
funds for E&T programs and activities under section 
6(d)(4)(B)(i) that have the most demonstrable impact on the 
ability of participants to find and retain employment. (Section 
4005)
      The Managers acknowledge that neither the Department nor 
Congress can enumerate every ABAWD's situation as it relates to 
possible exemption from the time limit, and subsequently, the 
work requirement. States will maintain the ability to exempt up 
to 12% of their SNAP population subject to ABAWD work 
requirements, down from 15%, and continue to accrue exemptions 
and retain any carryover exemptions from previous years, 
consistent with current law. These exemptions are meant to 
excuse individuals who need short-term reprieve from 
requirements or for those specific populations the State 
determines should be excluded.
      The Managers also acknowledge that waivers from the ABAWD 
time limit are necessary in times of recession and in areas 
with labor surpluses or higher rates of unemployment. The 
Managers intend to maintain the practice that bestows authority 
on the State agency responsible for administering SNAP to 
determine when and how waiver requests for ABAWDs are 
submitted. In response to concerns that have been raised by 
some Members that State agencies have not fully communicated to 
the chief executive their intent to request a waiver under 
section 6(o), the Managers have included a provision to 
encourage communication between the State agency and the chief 
executive officer of the State. The Managers agree that State 
agencies should have the support of these officials in their 
application for waiver, ensuring maximum State coordination. It 
is not the Managers' intent that USDA undertake any new 
rulemaking in order to facilitate support for requests from 
State agencies, nor should the language result in any 
additional paperwork or administrative steps under the waiver 
process.
      The Managers recognize the importance of E&T as a means 
to improve SNAP participants' ability to gain and retain 
employment and reduce reliance on public assistance. The 
Managers expect USDA and State agencies to review and bolster 
the quality and accountability of State E&T programs for SNAP 
participants.
      The Managers revamped current E&T programming to include 
evidence-based components that have proven to assist 
individuals in obtaining education credentials, and gaining and 
retaining employment. Case management, including, but not 
limited to, comprehensive intake assessments, individualized 
service plans, progress monitoring, or coordination with 
service providers, is now a required component of all State E&T 
programs. This is neither meant to be an impediment to the 
State nor the individual. States should have options as to how 
to best serve their participants and ensure there is an 
increased level of engagement and accountability for both the 
State and individual. The Managers expect such case management 
activities by State agencies to be included in State plan 
reporting requirements under section 11(e) of the FNA. 
Additionally, the Managers agreed to allow supervised job 
search programs, subsidized employment, and apprenticeships as 
additional E&T components. The Managers note that unsupervised 
job search may be a subsidiary component for the purposes of 
meeting a work requirement, only as long as such component is 
less than half the requirement. The Managers also encourage 
States to establish a process for referral or reassessment of 
individuals subject to an E&T requirement who were determined 
to be ill-suited to the E&T component to which they had been 
referred.
      The Managers expect State agencies to engage SNAP 
households, specifically those without earned income at their 
point of recertification, to be aware of and promote 
participation in available E&T options. The Managers 
acknowledge that earnings have the potential to significantly 
improve the economic stability of households without earned 
income, and expect States to leverage every opportunity to 
provide households with a pathway forward.
      The Managers encourage USDA and State agencies to 
continue pursuing effective methods for SNAP participants to 
attain sustainable employment. To encourage continued 
innovation by State agencies and incentivize result-driven 
activities, the Managers amended the process for reallocation 
of unused E&T funds to go toward State programs and activities 
that have demonstrated success in participants finding and 
retaining employment and reducing reliance on public 
assistance. The Managers intend for the reallocated funds to 
fund programs developed by the pilots authorized under the 
Agricultural Act of 2014, new E&T activities, and programs that 
build upon effective E&T components. The Managers encourage 
USDA to continually prioritize projects and activities that 
focus on certain populations facing employment barriers, such 
as those older than 50 years old; formerly incarcerated, 
disabled, or homeless individuals; and those recovering from 
substance abuse. USDA should also prioritize projects with 
family-focused approaches. The Managers intend to focus these 
reallocated resources on programs and activities that are most 
effective, as measured by independent evaluations, and that 
demonstrate upfront how these activities are sustainable and 
can be transitioned into or adopted as part of currently 
allowable employment and training components.
      The Managers included Department of Labor and Department 
of Veterans Affairs E&T programs as part of the programs 
eligible to satisfy the SNAP work requirement, in order to 
provide additional options to SNAP participants and encourage 
coordination among federal E&T programs.
      The Managers also encourage State E&T programs to 
increase coordination with State Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act (WIOA) workforce boards and local employers 
when establishing and evaluating programs to increase program 
accountability and maximize the ability for SNAP participants 
to meet any work requirements. The Managers strongly encourage 
State agencies to engage and seek input from local employers 
when designing and selecting E&T programs to ensure the skills 
being offered are those that are needed and match the local 
workforce needs.
      The Managers expect workforce partnerships (WFPs) to 
serve as an option for individuals to fulfill work requirements 
under SNAP. The Managers intend for WFPs to provide a non-
government option for E&T programming, through nonprofit or 
private organizations to supplement--not supplant--Federal and 
State E&T programs for SNAP participants.
      The Managers intend to allow private employers, 
organizations of private employers, or non-profit organizations 
that provide quality, work-relevant skills, training, or 
experience to qualify as a WFP, which will fulfill work or 
training requirements for SNAP participants.
      While enrollment by SNAP participants is voluntary, the 
Managers expect participation in WFPs to fulfill either 
mandatory or voluntary work requirements. WFPs are intended to 
allow businesses to provide more industry-specific training or 
soft skills workforce preparation for individuals. WFPs are 
also intended to allow non-profit organizations that provide 
quality, work-related training to qualify as E&T programs.
      The Managers expect that an organization may establish or 
have an ongoing training program certified as a WFP by a State 
or USDA if the program:
      (A) provides work-related training or experience of 20 or 
more hours per week;
      (B) will serve as a reference for the participant 
fulfilling work requirements or for future employment; and
      (C) is otherwise following applicable employment and 
labor laws. Once certified, a WFP's reporting should be limited 
to notifying a State agency when a SNAP participant enters or 
leaves the program or is no longer meeting the program's 
requirements. While State agencies may refer applicants to a 
WFP, a WFP should be allowed to maintain an independent 
application and screening process.
      The Managers intend for WFP providers to be allowed to 
receive grants or funding through other sources and partner 
with non-profit organizations, community or technical colleges, 
a consortium of private employers, or industry and trade 
associations.

(4) Improvements to electronic benefit transfer system

      The House bill amends section 7(h)(2) of the FNA to 
require the Secretary to review and modify regulations related 
to evolving electronic benefit transfer (EBT) technology and to 
develop standards using risk-based measures to maximize the 
security, ease of use, and effectiveness of the technology. 
(Section 4016)
      The House bill amends section 7(h)(14) by requiring that 
before the Secretary authorizes use of mobile technologies to 
access SNAP benefits in all States, the Secretary shall approve 
no more than five demonstration projects that will pilot the 
use of mobile technologies, while maintaining recipient 
protections and access. (Section 4017)
      The House bill amends section 7(h)(13) to prohibit 
States, and agents, contractors, and subcontractors of the 
State from imposing fees for switching or routing EBT 
transactions. (Section 4018)
      The House bill amends section 7(d) of the FNA to expand 
the entities over which the Secretary shall implement controls 
related to the delivery of benefits. Section 9(c) is amended to 
authorize the Secretary to require that applicant retailers 
submit contracts for EBT services and equipment and records 
necessary to validate the FNS authorization number to accept 
and redeem benefits. (Section 4022)
      The House bill amends section 7(h)(8) of the FNA to 
require the head of household to review program rights and 
responsibilities after two or more lost cards in a 12-month 
period. (Section 4019)
      Finally, the House bill amends section 7(h)(12) to: (1) 
require a State to establish a procedure for the recovery of 
benefits due to the death of all members of the household; (2) 
modify the time period for benefit storage from 6 months to 3 
months for inactivity; and (3) modify the time period for 
expunging benefits from 12 months to 6 months or upon 
verification all members of the household are deceased. 
(Section 4020)
      The Senate amendment: (1) amends section 7(h) by 
inserting a new authority regarding prohibited fees, effective 
through fiscal year 2022; (2) adds a new authority to section 
7(f) to allow a farmers market or direct marketing farmer to 
operate a point of sale device at more than one location if 
certain requirements are met; (3) directs GAO to study the 
state EBT systems and evaluate fees, outages, emerging entities 
and technologies, and entities that participate in the EBT 
system, and submit findings to Congress; (4) requires the 
Secretary to conduct a review of EBT systems and issue guidance 
or regulation based on the findings of the GAO study and the 
Secretary's review; and (5) allows the Secretary to require 
applicant retailers to submit EBT equipment information and 
requires that the Secretary also consider information about the 
ability of an applicant retailer's EBT equipment and service 
provider to provide sufficient EBT data to minimize fraudulent 
transactions. (Section 4104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments (1) prohibiting the imposition of fees for switching 
and routing EBT transactions through fiscal year 2023; (2) 
striking the House expansion of the parties for which the 
Secretary shall implement controls over related to the delivery 
of benefits; (3) striking the House requirement that the head 
of household review program rights and responsibilities after 
two or more lost cards in a 12-month period; (4) allowing a 
farmers market or direct marketing farmer to operate a point of 
sale device at more than one location if certain requirements 
are met; (5) allowing the Secretary to require applicant 
retailers to submit EBT equipment information; (6) requiring 
that the Secretary consider information about the ability of an 
applicant retailer's EBT equipment and service provider to 
provide sufficient EBT data to minimize fraudulent 
transactions; and (7) making other technical changes. (Section 
4006)
      The Managers recognize that the acceptance of SNAP 
benefits at farmers markets has increased participants' access 
to fresh, healthy food while improving sales for local farmers. 
In 2017, over $22.4 million in SNAP benefits were redeemed by 
farmers markets or direct marketing farmers. While this 
represents a significant expansion over previous years, these 
transactions remain a small percentage of total SNAP 
transactions.
      A persistent challenge to increasing SNAP acceptance at 
farmers markets has been the cost and availability of wireless 
EBT point-of-sale equipment. This barrier has been compounded 
by the recent announcement that a major provider of mobile EBT 
technology plans to discontinue service. The Managers direct 
the Secretary to take appropriate action to ensure that EBT 
service is not disrupted and SNAP customers maintain the 
ability to use their benefits at farmers markets.
      Another challenge is the requirement for each farmers 
market location to obtain its own EBT authorization and 
equipment, even if the locations are operated and managed by a 
single organization. The Managers intend for the Secretary to 
allow a farmers market or direct-marketing farmer to operate an 
individual point-of-sale device at more than one location under 
the same SNAP authorization, while maintaining appropriate 
safeguards to ensure program integrity.
      The Managers are aware that some State-contracted EBT 
processors are charging switching or routing fees in connection 
with the routing of SNAP benefits. These fees require retailers 
and/or those routing transactions on behalf of retailers (often 
referred to as third party processors) to pay for switching or 
routing EBT transactions to the State EBT processor that 
handles the client EBT account. These fees may seek to offset 
artificially low cost-per-case-month fees that are bid as part 
of State contracts, and therefore, adversely affect competition 
among existing or new EBT processors. So, for the next five 
years, in the interest of maintaining competitiveness for EBT 
transaction routing, the Managers extend existing statutory 
prohibitions against the charging of fees by State-contracted 
EBT processors in connection with the redemption of SNAP 
benefits to include the charging of gateway switching or 
routing fees to SNAP authorized retailers or their third party 
processors. This five-year prohibition will provide interim 
certainty while allowing stakeholders to coordinate and find 
practical compromise.
      The Managers recognize USDA has existing authority to 
review State EBT systems, as well as fees, outages, emerging 
entities and technologies, and the participating entities 
within the EBT system. The Managers also understand the 
Secretary has begun a feasibility study related to a potential 
national gateway system. In addition to the gateway study, the 
Managers strongly encourage the Secretary to review other 
components within the EBT system, including, but not limited 
to, security, use of innovative technology, and improved 
monitoring.
      The marketplace continues to develop innovative 
technologies, such as third-party mobile applications, which 
can assist SNAP participants with managing their benefits. The 
Managers encourage USDA to use existing authority to review the 
effectiveness of third-party mobile applications for SNAP EBT 
cards and to inform States on how to ensure these new 
technologies have a secure system in place to protect personal 
account information; do not sell, distribute or make available 
personal account information for commercial marketing purposes; 
and that participants have consistent access to information 
that would otherwise be made available to that household 
member.
      Although the Managers agreed to reduce the time limit 
before benefits are stored and expunged, the intent is for SNAP 
participants to be provided appropriate opportunity to restore 
benefits after they have been stored and before they are 
expunged. Further, when determining whether clients have used 
their benefits within the required timeframes, the Managers 
direct States to track account activity using the ``first in, 
first out'' method.

(5) Requirements for online acceptance of benefits

      The House bill amends section 3(o)(1) of the FNA to 
include online entities within the definition of retail food 
store. It also amends section 7(k) to strike the required 
report to Congress and require the nationwide implementation of 
the online acceptance of benefits post-pilot. (Section 4021)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 4001)
      The Managers recognize the importance of modernizing SNAP 
to improve the efficiency of the program through online 
redemption of benefits. While the online pilots at USDA have 
yet to begin, in spite of the deadline established by the 
Agricultural Act of 2014, the Managers encourage the Secretary 
to promptly implement those pilots and adopt online acceptance 
nationwide following completion of such pilots. In order to 
expedite nationwide implementation, the Managers agreed to 
remove the reporting requirement from the online pilots. The 
Managers expect USDA to continue to incorporate appropriate 
protections and monitoring to ensure program integrity.

(6) National gateway

      The House bill requires the Secretary to create a 
national gateway through which to route all SNAP EBT 
transactions. Prior to implementing the national gateway in all 
States, the Secretary is required to conduct a feasibility 
study. The House bill authorizes $10.5 million for fiscal year 
2019 and $9.5 million for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
2023, and requires benefit issuers and third-party processors 
to pay fees, proportionate to the number of transactions and 
operating costs, to the gateway operator. (Section 4022)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.

(7) Supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit transfer 
        transaction data report

      The House bill amends section 9 of the FNA by authorizing 
the Secretary to collect a statistically significant sample of 
SNAP retailer transaction data, including the cost and 
description of food purchased with SNAP, to the extent 
practicable. The House bill also exempts certain transaction 
data from the Freedom of Information Act disclosure 
requirements. (Section 4026)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.

(8) Required action on data match information

      The Senate amendment requires State agencies to contact 
the household to clarify or verify, if applicable, certain 
information relating to household circumstances received from 
data matches for the purpose of ensuring an accurate 
eligibility and benefit determination. (Section 4106)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 4009)
      Procedures for required action on data matches have been 
established through regulation at 7 CFR 273.12(c)(3). The 
Managers do not intend for the Department to change or 
reconsider this regulation. Rather, this provision is intended 
to codify existing regulation and make a conforming change to 
address the establishment of the National Accuracy 
Clearinghouse.
(9) Transitional benefits
      The House bill requires State agencies to provide 
transitional SNAP benefits to households that cease to receive 
cash assistance through TANF or to households with children 
that cease to receive cash assistance through a State-funded 
public assistance program, for 5 months after the date on which 
cash assistance is terminated. (Section 4024)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(10) Incentivizing technology modernization
      The House bill modifies the eligibility for grants under 
section 11(t) to limit grants to projects to develop and 
implement SNAP simplified application and eligibility 
determination systems. (Section 4025)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment making technical changes. (Section 4010)
(11) Interstate data matching to prevent multiple issuances
      The House bill requires an interstate database or system 
of databases to prevent participants from receiving duplicative 
benefits in multiple States, and includes state data collection 
and requirements to submit uniform data to USDA, including for 
each member of a participating household: social security 
number, employment status, amount of income, the member's 
portion of the household monthly allotment, and portion of 
household assets attributed to that member. (Section 4001)
      The Senate amendment requires data matching through an 
interstate data system to prevent simultaneous issuance of 
benefits to an individual by more than one State. (Section 
4109)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments that include parts of the Senate amendment to 
protect participant privacy and that make technical changes. 
(Section 4011)
      The amendments also modify the House provision that 
requires state data collection by instead requiring the 
Secretary to approve the establishment of longitudinal 
databases for research purposes that include, if available, 
household demographic characteristics, income and financial 
resources, employment status, household circumstances such as 
deductible expenses, and the monthly SNAP allotment amount, 
while protecting participant privacy. To award grants to States 
to establish and maintain the longitudinal databases, the 
Secretary is provided $20 million for fiscal year 2019 to 
remain available through fiscal year 2021 and $5 million for 
fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 
4015)
      The Managers intend to build upon the successful pilot 
program authorized under the Agricultural Act of 2014 to 
prevent duplicate, simultaneous receipt of SNAP benefits in two 
or more States. The Managers recognize that certification in 
more than one State is frequently due to a household moving 
between States and the State failing to properly close or 
adjust benefits as a result of household relocation, not a 
household committing fraud. The Managers expect the expansion 
of the National Accuracy Clearinghouse will create efficiencies 
in the process by which States address this issue. However, the 
Managers do not intend for this data matching to impede access 
to SNAP or delay certification of eligible households. The 
Managers provide discretion to the Secretary to determine the 
most effective system and vendor (s) to carry out this section. 
The Managers expect State agencies to participate in and take 
action on data matching that indicates multiple benefit 
issuances, consistent with required action on data match 
information (Section 4009) in the conference substitute 
agreement.
      The Managers intend for longitudinal databases to better 
assess households' participation in SNAP and SNAP program 
operations, and to improve SNAP program design and 
effectiveness. The Managers intend for the creation of State-
based longitudinal databases to improve research on 
participation in the program, including duration of 
participation in SNAP. Longitudinal data can serve as an 
important measurement of program impact and success, and can be 
used by States and the Secretary to improve program 
administration. This provision directs the Secretary to 
establish a database framework to maximize potential 
consistency among States and, in addition to administrative 
cost share, incentivize States to develop and maintain 
databases through grant allocation. The Managers recognize that 
State computer systems and certification processes may vary 
between States and some variations will need to be 
accommodated.
      The Managers also ask that, to the maximum extent 
practicable, States strive to include all households in the 
datasets. While ensuring minimal burden on States and program 
participants is paramount, robust sets of data are important in 
informing future policy. However, this is not intended to 
preclude the funding of longitudinal databases in States that 
are not able to include all households or participants within 
the State. The Managers expect that all States that have an 
interest in creating a database will be given an opportunity to 
participate, even if the State is not able to include all SNAP 
households or faces higher data management costs due to 
population size. The Managers intend for longitudinal databases 
to be established on the initiative of the State, and encourage 
States that establish longitudinal databases to do so in a 
thoughtful, deliberate manner, with adequate consideration of 
potential data uses and needed security practices.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to direct and States to 
ensure personally identifiable information is not used or 
stored in longitudinal databases of SNAP participants. Further, 
the Managers urge the Secretary to adopt the highest practical 
privacy and data security standards for any approved data to be 
used in any longitudinal database storage systems operated by 
States or using Department funds. The Managers encourage the 
Department to consult with other Federal agencies, such as the 
Census Bureau and the Treasury Department about how those 
agencies have protected the identity of individuals whose 
information is contained in Federal databases.
      The Secretary should allow for the sharing of aggregated 
information not including personally identifiable information 
by States from a longitudinal database to researchers who are 
qualified and have the capacity to protect such data. However, 
the Managers intend for the data stored in longitudinal 
databases to be subject to neither Federal nor State Freedom of 
Information Act requests.
      The Managers do not intend for this section to restrict 
States that have already or will in the future establish their 
own longitudinal databases in accordance with other provisions 
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. Further, the Managers 
encourage the Secretary and States establishing new 
longitudinal databases to utilize the lessons learned by States 
that have already established longitudinal databases.
(12) Income verification
      The Senate amendment requires pilot projects in up to 8 
states to test strategies to improve the accuracy or efficiency 
of the income verification process, and fund projects at $10 
million total. (Section 4107)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(13) Retail incentives
      The House bill amends the FNA to establish a pilot 
project through which authorized retail food stores may provide 
bonuses to participating SNAP households based on household 
purchases of fruits, vegetables, and fluid milk. Retail food 
stores participating in the pilot project may be reimbursed in 
an amount not to exceed 25 percent of the dollar value of 
bonuses earned by households and used to purchase SNAP-eligible 
foods. The House bill provides the Secretary with not more than 
$120 million each fiscal year for such reimbursements. (Section 
4002)
      The Senate amendment amends section 9 of the FNA to 
direct the Secretary to promulgate regulations to clarify the 
process by which retailers may seek a waiver to offer an 
incentive for the purchase of certain foods recommended for 
increased consumption by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 
(Section 4105)
      The Senate amendment also amends section 17 of the FNA to 
establish pilot projects to increase the purchase of fluid milk 
in a manner consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for 
Americans, and authorizes appropriations of $20 million to 
remain available until expended. (Section 4108)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to strike (1) the reimbursement to retail food 
stores participating in pilot projects for not more than 25 
percent of the dollar value of bonuses earned by household and 
used to purchase SNAP-eligible food and (2) the $120 million 
funding authority. The amendments authorize fluid milk 
incentive projects to increase the purchase of fluid milk; 
specify that the Secretary shall issue guidance to clarify the 
process by which retail food stores may seek waivers to offer 
an incentive for the purchase of fruits, vegetables, whole 
grains, or dairy (or products thereof) that are staple foods 
identified for increased consumption consistent with the most 
recent dietary recommendations; and make other technical 
changes. (Sections 4008 and 4208)
      The Managers recognize the necessity of the public-
private partnership between USDA and retail food stores to 
implement SNAP, and encourage retailers to offer incentives for 
the purchase of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy 
staple foods with SNAP benefits. While the Managers understand 
that USDA currently allows retail food stores to offer 
incentives under a waiver, the waiver requests are not widely 
understood or utilized. The Managers encourage USDA to develop 
a more formal process to engage a variety of retailers, and 
provide incentive options to a broader SNAP population. This 
provision is not intended to permit retailers to waive any 
other aspects of SNAP equal treatment.
(14) Adjustment to percentage of recovered funds retained by states
      The House bill amends section 16(a) of the FNA to allow 
States to retain 50 percent of recovered funds, instead of 35 
percent, and limits the use of such funds to carrying out SNAP, 
including technology investments, improvements in 
administration and distribution, and fraud prevention. (Section 
4027)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(15) Quality control
      The House bill amends section 11(a)(3) of the FNA to 
require that State agencies provide the Secretary with access 
to entire state information systems containing SNAP-related 
records for inspection and audit, subject to data and security 
protocols agreed to by the State agency and Secretary. The 
provision amends section 16(c) to require State agencies to 
provide the Secretary with the records and access to the entire 
information systems in which such records are contained 
necessary to determine the State's payment error rate. The 
House bill also amends section 16(g) to add to the list of 
criteria for receiving federal administrative cost-share for 
the planning, design, development, installation, and operation 
of state information systems, a requirement that the Secretary 
be provided with access to the entirety of such system. 
(Section 4023)
      The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the 
House bill, but without the requirement that data and security 
protocols be agreed to by the State agency and Secretary, 
without the amendment to section 16(c) to require access to 
entire information systems necessary to determine the State's 
payment error rate, and with technical differences. (Section 
4110)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments making technical changes. (Section 4013(a), (c), and 
(e))
      The Managers recognize the oversight and administration 
problems with the quality control (QC) process identified over 
the last several years, both at the Federal and State level, 
which resulted in a multi-year gap in publication of SNAP error 
rates. The Managers acknowledge the Office of Inspector General 
audit of the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and State QC 
processes for fiscal year 2011 and fiscal year 2012, as well as 
the subsequent Department of Justice investigation of the use 
of a third-party contractor in 20 States.
      The Managers recognize the updates and improvements to 
the QC process made by FNS through clarified guidance, 
corrective action plans with States, and the publication of a 
fiscal year 2017 error rate. The Managers intend to reinforce 
these efforts to obtain statistically-valid data, and intend 
for States to cooperate in the QC process by making data 
available to FNS when requested.
      The federal government has a responsibility to evaluate 
SNAP for program improvement, program access and program 
integrity. In order to do so, USDA needs sufficient access, in 
accordance with agreements with States, to State systems and 
records. In particular, this allows for more transparency and a 
greater ability to detect and reduce errors and fraud. The 
Managers direct USDA to access records and information systems 
and, as appropriate, to better manage the program in this 
regard.
(16) Quality control
      The House bill amends section 16(c) of the FNA by 
reducing the tolerance level for payment errors from $37 to $0 
and by changing the criteria for when the State is held liable 
for its payment error rates. (Section 4028)
      The House bill amends section 16(d) by eliminating the 
$48 million performance bonuses beginning in fiscal year 2019 
while retaining requirements regarding performance criteria 
including actions taken to correct payment errors, reduce error 
rates, and improve eligibility determinations. (Section 4029)
      The Senate amendment amends section 16(c) by providing 
authority regarding quality control system integrity, including 
directing the Secretary to issue interim final regulations 
within 180 days and requiring the Secretary to debar any person 
who knowingly submits or causes to be submitted false 
information to the Secretary. The Senate amendment also 
requires that starting for fiscal year 2018 performance, $48 
million in performance bonuses be reduced to $6 million for 
each fiscal year for application processing timeliness. 
(Section 4110)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments that strike the changes to the tolerance level for 
payment error, that strike the changes to when States are held 
liable for payment error rates, that include authority 
regarding quality control system integrity, that specifies 
performance bonuses are eliminated starting for fiscal year 
2018 performance, and that make other technical changes. 
(Section 4013(b) and (d))
      The Managers also recognize the role that performance 
bonuses have historically played in motivating States to pursue 
low error rates, but acknowledge that some States have 
implemented problematic practices in recent years. As a result, 
the Managers chose to eliminate bonuses awarded based on error 
rates. States will continue to be held responsible for 
administering SNAP, and legally bound to processing 
applications in a timely manner, ensuring households receive 
the accurate amount of SNAP benefits, and making certain the 
program is administered in the most effective and efficient 
manner. The Managers intend State performance indicators to 
include case and procedural error rates (CAPERs) and metrics on 
timeliness of application processing and program access.
(17) Requirement of live-production environments for certain pilot 
        projects relating to cost sharing for computerization
      The Senate amendment amends section 16 of the FNA to 
require that State agencies test the automatic data processing 
and information retrieval systems in a live production 
environment prior to implementation. (Section 4111)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 4012)
      The Managers intend to provide cost-sharing funds for 
State agencies to test changes to state SNAP systems through 
the use of ``live'' pilots and receive approval from the 
Secretary prior to fully implementing changes to state SNAP 
systems. The Managers intend for this testing and approval to 
address concerns with recent cases of State agencies adopting 
changes or implementing integrated eligibility systems that 
have resulted in errors in benefits issuances.
(18) Public-private partnerships
      The House bill amends section 17 of the FNA to allow the 
Secretary to conduct pilot projects to support public-private 
partnerships that address food insecurity and poverty, and 
authorizes appropriations of $5 million to carry out such 
projects. (Section 4030)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to require an independent evaluation of the public-
private partnership pilot projects and to make other technical 
changes. (Section 4021)
      SNAP, by design, is a partnership between public and 
private entities, with the goal of reducing food insecurity. 
The Secretary may permit not more than 10 eligible entities to 
carry out pilot projects that support these necessary 
cooperative arrangements. The Managers agree that any and all 
of these pilots must address food insecurity and poverty by 
improving the coordination of programs that promote 
independence, develop contextualized solutions to poverty, and 
strengthen the capacity for regions/communities to address and 
mitigate food insecurity and poverty. Additionally, the 
Managers expect independent evaluations of these projects to 
ensure a robust and impartial assessment of activities, best 
practices, and overall effectiveness of the pilots.
(19) Assistance for community food projects
      The Senate amendment provides $5 million for fiscal year 
2019 and each fiscal year thereafter for Community Food 
Projects. (Section 4113)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 4017)
(20) Nutrition education state plans
      The House bill amends section 28 of the FNA: (1) to 
require that the Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in 
consultation with the FNS Administrator, implement a nutrition 
education and obesity prevention program; (2) to provide annual 
funding to 1862 and 1890 institutions to deliver nutrition 
education services that, to the extent practicable, provide for 
the employment and training of professional and 
paraprofessional aides to engage in direct nutrition education, 
and to partner with other public and private entities to 
optimize program delivery; (3) to allow State agencies to use 
SNAP 50/50 administrative funds to prepare state plans on 
nutrition education and to notify eligible participants about 
the availability of the program; (4) to increase mandatory 
funding for the program to $485 million beginning in fiscal 
year 2019, indexed to inflation; (5) to allow for reallocation 
of unexpended funds to other eligible institutions during the 
fiscal year or subsequent fiscal year; (6) to authorize 
additional appropriations for the program of $65 million for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023; (7) to update the 
allocation of funds so that, beginning in fiscal year 2019, 
funds are allocated based solely on States' SNAP populations; 
and (8) to limit administrative costs for eligible institutions 
to 10 percent.
      The House provision also amends section 18 to reflect the 
repeal of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program 
(EFNEP) by section 7110 of the House bill. (Section 4033)
      The Senate amendment: (1) requires that the state plan 
describe how the State agency will use an electronic reporting 
system to evaluate SNAP-Ed projects; (2) requires increased 
coordination with the expanded food and nutrition education 
program and additional consultation with the Director of NIFA; 
and (3) requires the State agency to submit an annual 
evaluation report. (Section 4114)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments to (1) require that the electronic reporting 
system used to evaluate SNAP-Ed projects also be used to 
account for State agency administrative costs; (2) establish an 
information clearinghouse to share best practices ensuring that 
SNAP-Ed projects are appropriate for the target population; (3) 
require the Secretary to provide technical assistance to State 
agencies in developing and implementing a SNAP-Ed state plan; 
(4) require an annual State report to the Secretary; (5) 
require an annual federal report to Congress that includes an 
evaluation of the level of coordination between SNAP-Ed, EFNEP, 
and other USDA nutrition education programs; and (6) make other 
technical changes. (Section 4019)
      The Managers recognize the importance of offering 
nutrition education, especially in conjunction with SNAP 
benefits. The Managers also recognize the role of partner 
organizations who implement nutrition education programs. The 
Managers note that SNAP-Ed programs are not evaluated in a 
standardized manner across States or partner organizations. 
However, the Managers expect both States and partner 
organizations to make improvements to the evaluation process of 
their SNAP-Ed programs and to leverage evaluation results to 
deliver nutrition education in the most effective manner. When 
appropriate, partners are encouraged to share longitudinal 
data, especially for multiyear projects. The Managers intend 
for States to use the Information Clearinghouse to share best 
practices in planning, implementing, and evaluating SNAP-Ed 
programs. The Managers encourage nonprofit partners to work 
with research-capable organizations to improve program 
evaluations.
      The Managers recognize the role of land grant colleges 
and universities in implementing, evaluating, and improving 
nutrition education, whether through SNAP-Ed or EFNEP. The 
Managers expect those implementing SNAP-Ed and EFNEP to 
coordinate programming, as appropriate, to efficiently serve 
target populations without duplicating efforts.
      The Managers also expect that States provide an 
accounting of allowable State agency administrative costs. This 
is necessary to ensure all program funds are used in the most 
appropriate manner and that beneficiaries of nutrition 
education receive the most effective programming and services. 
The Managers expect USDA to work with States to provide 
appropriate aggregated data in a way that does not increase the 
administrative burden related to reporting.
(21) Emergency food assistance
      The House bill amends section 27 of the FNA by increasing 
the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) entitlement 
commodity funding. The House bill extends funding authority at 
$250 million per year, adjusted for Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) 
changes, through fiscal year 2023, in addition to $60 million 
in funds starting in fiscal year 2019, the total of which is 
adjusted by changes from the June 2018 TFP in subsequent fiscal 
years. The House bill also establishes a Farm-to-Food-Bank 
fund, which authorizes $20 million to be distributed to States 
to procure, or to enter into agreements with food banks to 
procure, excess fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the State 
or surrounding region to be provided to eligible recipient 
agencies under section 201A(3) of the Emergency Food Assistance 
Act of 1983. (Section 4032)
      The Senate amendment increases the TEFAP entitlement 
commodity funding by extending funding authority at $250 
million per year, adjusted for TFP changes, through fiscal year 
2023, added to the following: for fiscal year 2019, $23 million 
and for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, $35 million. 
Funding for fiscal year 2024 and each subsequent fiscal year 
will be indexed from the fiscal year 2023 funding level.
      The Senate amendment amends the Emergency Food Assistance 
Act of 1983 to provide $4 million per year in mandatory funding 
through fiscal year 2023 for State agencies to partner with 
emergency feeding organizations to establish projects to 
harvest, process, or package unharvested, unprocessed, or 
unpackaged commodities that are donated by agricultural 
producers, processors, or distributors and to pay for up to 50 
percent of the cost of such projects. It also provides 
emergency feeding organizations and eligible recipient agencies 
the opportunity to provide input on the commodity needs and 
preferences of those entities. Additionally, the Senate 
amendment requires the Secretary to issue guidance outlining 
best practices to minimize food waste of donated commodities 
and reauthorizes TEFAP infrastructure funding through fiscal 
year 2023. (Section 4115)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment specifying that projects to harvest, process, 
or package unharvested, unprocessed, or unpackaged donated 
commodities also include the transportation of such 
commodities. (Section 4018)
      The Managers support State efforts to channel unused, raw 
agricultural commodities or food from commercial sources into 
food donations and to minimize food waste in the food donation 
process. The Managers intend for funding provided for such 
efforts to be used to convert raw commodities, unprocessed 
foods, or other foods that are not in a consumable or shelf-
stable form to be used or stored by emergency feeding 
organizations. The funds for such projects are not intended to 
be used for food or commodity purchases, since such funds are 
already provided through separate funding for TEFAP. The 
Managers intend for any funds provided for transportation under 
subsection (d) to be used to support a project under this 
subsection, not for transportation related to other activities 
within TEFAP.
      The Managers expect the guidance to include best 
practices to minimize food waste within the procurement, 
processing, and distribution of food donations to State 
agencies and emergency feeding organizations.
      The Managers encourage State agencies to engage 
stakeholders, including emergency feeding organizations and 
eligible recipient agencies, in the development of the State 
plan, especially when determining selection of USDA 
commodities, in order to best meet State and local needs.
(22) Retail food store and recipient trafficking
      The House bill amends section 29 of the FNA by extending 
to fiscal year 2023 the authorization of appropriations for 
tracking and preventing SNAP trafficking using data mining 
technologies. (Section 4034)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 4020)
(23) Technical and conforming amendments
      The House bill provides technical corrections. (Section 
4035)
      The Senate amendment provides technical corrections. 
(Section 4116)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 4022)
(24) Re-evaluation of thrifty food plan
      The House bill amends section 3(u) of the FNA to, by 
2022, and at five-year intervals, require a re-evaluation and 
publication of the TFP based on current food prices, food 
composition data, and consumption patterns. (Section 4004)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment specifying that the re-evaluation of the TFP also 
be based on dietary guidance. (Section 4002)
      SNAP benefits are based on USDA calculations of the cost 
of food. However, SNAP benefits can become out-of-date based on 
inconsistent review of the TFP. The Managers require that the 
TFP be re-evaluated every five years to ensure it reflects 
current eating habits of Americans, including patterns of food 
preparation, and the items most often purchased by consumers.
(25) Update to categorical eligibility
      The House bill amends section 5(a) and 5(j) of the FNA 
such that categorical eligibility may only be used in instances 
where a beneficiary is receiving either cash assistance or 
ongoing and substantial services such as transportation, 
childcare, counseling, or other services funded under part A of 
title IV of the Social Security Act with an income eligibility 
limit of not more than 130 percent (200 percent for elderly or 
disabled) of the poverty line. (Section 4006)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(26) Basic allowance for housing
      The House bill amends section 5(d) of the FNA to exclude 
up to $500 of a housing allowance received under section 403 of 
title 37 of the United States Code from the calculation of 
income when determining SNAP eligibility, and amends section 
5(e)(6)(A) of the FNA so a household that receives an allowance 
under section 403 of title 37 of the United States Code can 
only claim expenses in excess of that allowance when 
determining the household's expenses for the excess shelter 
deduction. (Section 4007)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(27) Earned income deduction
      The House bill amends section 5(e)(2)(B) of the FNA to 
increase from 20 to 22, the percentage of a household's earned 
income that may be deducted for purposes of calculating income 
when determining SNAP eligibility. (Section 4008)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(28) Simplified homeless housing costs
      The House bill amends section 5(e)(6)(D) of the FNA to 
require that States provide a simplified homeless housing 
deduction of $143, adjusted for inflation, for homeless 
households who are not receiving free housing during the month 
and not claiming an excess shelter expense deduction under 
section 5(e)(6)(A). (Section 4009)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 4004)
      In order to ensure equal treatment across States, the 
Managers agree that homeless households that are not receiving 
free shelter throughout the month should receive a standardized 
deduction of $143.
(29) Availability of standard utility allowances based on receipt of 
        energy assistance
      The House bill amends section 5(e)(6)(C) of the FNA by 
limiting the availability of the standard utility allowance for 
heating and cooling costs to those households consisting of an 
elderly or disabled member and amends section 5(k)(4) of the 
FNA so that third party energy assistance payments are 
considered money payable directly to households without an 
elderly or disabled member for purposes of calculating 
exclusions to income, and are no longer considered out-of-
pocket expenses for such households for determination of the 
excess shelter expense deduction. (Section 4010)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(30) Child support; cooperation with child support agencies
      The House bill amends section 5(e) of the FNA by striking 
the State option to provide a deduction from income for child 
support payments, therefore requiring all States to provide an 
exclusion for child support payments. It amends sections 6(l) 
and 6(m) of the FNA, striking the State option to require child 
support cooperation for custodial and noncustodial parents, 
thus requiring cooperation. The House bill also strikes section 
6(n), eliminating the State option to disqualify SNAP 
participants for child support arrears, thus not allowing 
States the option to disqualify SNAP participants for child 
support arrears. (Section 4011)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to strike the changes to the State options in 
section 5(e) and sections 6(l) through 6(n) and to require that 
the Secretary conduct an independent evaluation that includes, 
among other things: (1) an assessment of the impact of the 
eligibility requirements in sections 6(l) through (n) in States 
that have formerly implemented or continue to implement those 
requirements, and of the feasibility of implementing those 
requirements in other States; (2) an assessment of the factors 
that contributed to the decision of States that formerly 
implemented those requirements to cease such implementation; 
and (3) a review of alternatives to those requirements that are 
used by other States to assist SNAP participants to make or 
receive child support payments and the effectiveness of such 
alternatives. (Section 4014)
      The Managers agreed to include an evaluation of child 
support enforcement cooperation requirements. The Managers 
intend for this study to evaluate a representative sample of 
States of the types indicated in subparagraph (A), including 
those that have implemented, those that formerly implemented, 
and those that have not implemented State options on 
eligibility related to child support enforcement. The Managers 
also intend for USDA to assess the impact of mandatory child 
support cooperation on food security, including reviewing 
relevant data about individuals who choose not to participate 
in SNAP due to mandated child support cooperation.
(31) Adjustment to asset limitations
      The House bill amends section 5(g)(1) of the FNA by 
increasing from $2,000 to $7,000 the maximum allowable value of 
assets for participating households, and from $3,000 to $12,000 
for households including an elderly or disabled member, and 
adjusts such values for inflation for each fiscal year starting 
on October 1, 2019. (Section 4012)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(32) Updated vehicle allowance
      The House bill amends section 5(g) of the FNA to require 
all States to exclude $12,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) 
of the value of one vehicle per licensed driver from household 
asset calculations, and strikes the alternative vehicle 
allowance. (Section 4013)
      The Senate bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(33) Savings excluded from assets
      The House bill amends section 5(g) of the FNA to exclude 
up to $2,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in savings from 
household assets in determining SNAP eligibility. (Section 
4014)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(34) Implementation funds
      The House bill provides $150 million under section 18(a) 
of the FNA for fiscal year 2019 to remain available until 
expended to implement the amendments made by subtitle A of 
Title IV of the House bill. (Section 4036)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(35) Multivitamin-mineral dietary supplements eligible for purchase 
        with supplemental nutrition assistance benefits
      The House bill amends section 3(k) of the FNA to allow 
certain ``multivitamin-mineral dietary supplements'' to qualify 
as a food item that may be purchased with SNAP benefits. 
(Section 4037)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(36) Review of supplemental nutrition assistance program operations
      The House bill amends section 9 of the FNA by adding a 
new subsection to require the Secretary to review and report on 
a representative sample of certain types of authorized group-
living facilities to determine whether SNAP benefits are 
properly being used by households residing in such facilities 
and requiring reports to Congress within 3 years. The House 
bill also specifies that nothing in section 9 authorizes the 
Secretary to deny an application for authorization, including 
continued authorization, or a request to withdraw the 
authorization of such group-living facilities based on a 
determination that the residents of those facilities are 
residents of an institution prior to the submission of the 
report or 3 years after the date of enactment, whichever is 
earlier. (Section 4038)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments that make technical changes and specify that nothing 
in the new subsection authorizes the Secretary to deny an 
application for authorization, including continued 
authorization, or a request to withdraw the authorization of 
such group-living facilities based on a determination that the 
residents of those facilities are residents of an institution 
prior to 18 months after the date of enactment. (Section 4007)
      The Managers expect the Secretary to review and conduct 
oversight of authorized facilities to prevent the issuance of 
duplicative benefits for food and ensure program integrity of 
SNAP. In addition, the Managers intend for the Secretary to 
review the procurement of benefits on behalf of SNAP eligible 
individuals by residential drug and alcohol treatment 
facilities, and conduct oversight as necessary.
(37) Disqualification of certain convicted felons
      The House bill amends section 6 of the FNA to disqualify 
certain convicted felons from participating in SNAP. (Section 
4039)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(38) Determination of amount of block grant payable to Puerto Rico
      The House bill requires the Secretary to study the 
feasibility and impact of using a TFP exclusive to Puerto Rico 
in calculating the amount of the block grant for Puerto Rico, 
and authorizes such sums as necessary to be appropriated to 
carry out the study. (Section 4040)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(39) Service of traditional foods in public facilities
      The House bill amends section 4033 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 to expand the public facilities eligible for the 
service of traditional foods under that section. (Section 4041)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to amend 4033(d)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 to limit the liability of States, counties or county 
equivalents, local education agencies, and other entities 
authorized to facilitate the donation, storage, preparation, or 
serving of traditional food. (Section 4203)
      The Managers intend to update the liability protection 
for the donation or serving of traditional foods to include 
States, counties or county equivalents, local educational 
agencies, entities, and persons authorized by the operator of a 
food service program.
(40) Extension of study on comparable access to supplemental nutrition 
        assistance for Puerto Rico
      The House bill amends section 4142 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to renew an authorization 
for a study on the feasibility of including the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico in the SNAP program, in lieu of providing Puerto 
Rico with a block grant. (Section 4042)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(41) Administrative flexibility for States
      The House bill amends section 11(e)(6)(B) of the FNA to 
allow, at the option of the State agency, non-State agency 
employees to undertake certification or carry out any other 
function of the State agency under SNAP. (Section 4043)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
      The Managers determined, after reviewing USDA's December 
2017 guidance, that certification and eligibility functions 
must be performed by public, merit system employees. The 
Managers encourage the Secretary to consult with States about 
the efficiency and effectiveness of SNAP certification systems 
and believe States should continue to improve customer service 
through methods that neither affect privacy nor eligibility 
determinations. The Managers determined a statutory change to 
this system was unwarranted. However, the Managers encourage 
the Secretary to continue to work with States to find the 
appropriate balance to protect SNAP integrity and access and 
address requests for flexibility through the existing process 
in a timely fashion.
(42) Commodity supplemental food program
      The House bill authorizes a minimum certification period 
of one year, which at the request of the State, can be extended 
based on certain criteria. (Section 4103)
      The Senate amendment authorizes a certification period of 
not less than one year, and subject to the approval of the 
Secretary, a certification period of more than 1 year, but not 
more than 3 years, and temporary certification. (Section 4202)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment making technical changes. (Section 4102)
      The Managers understand the importance of providing 
nutritious food to low-income seniors. The Managers intend to 
extend the certification period to up to three years for 
seniors, with an annual contact to confirm continued 
eligibility information and interest in the program. The 
Managers also intend to allow temporary certification of an 
individual for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. The 
Managers made these changes to reduce administrative burden for 
participants and implementers, and to make the most efficient 
use of program funds.
(43) Health food financing initiative
      The House bill amends the authorization of appropriations 
by striking ``until expended'' and instead authorizing the 
funds to remain available until Oct. 1, 2023. (Section 4203)
      The Senate amendment authorizes ``enterprises'' for 
program loans, grants and funding projects and limits 
eligibility to projects that accept SNAP benefits, as 
applicable. (Section 12409)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 4204)
      The Managers recognize that access to healthy food may 
require a variety of retail settings in some areas, 
particularly in rural areas and Tribal communities. To 
encompass a broader variety of Healthy Food Financing 
Initiative (HFFI) projects that will increase the supply of and 
demand for healthy foods in underserved communities, the bill 
expands eligible projects to include healthy food enterprises. 
These enterprises could include food hubs, mobile markets, 
direct to consumer markets, or food business incubators. As 
healthy food enterprises do not necessarily involve the direct 
sale of food to low-income consumers, the Managers intend to 
clarify that direct acceptance of SNAP benefits should be 
required if applicable to the project's structure. The Managers 
also seek to clarify that HFFI should provide equal 
consideration to projects regardless of whether they intend to 
serve an urban or a rural community.
(44) The Gus Schumacher food insecurity nutrition incentive
      The House bill amends section 4405 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 by (1) renaming the 
program the Gus Schumacher Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive 
Program; (2) limiting program incentives to financial 
incentives; (3) striking the independent evaluation requirement 
and requiring instead that projects have adequate plans to 
collect data for reporting and agree to participate in a 
program evaluation; (4) updating program priorities to include, 
among other priorities, prioritizing projects that coordinate 
with multiple stakeholders; and (5) requiring the Secretary to 
consult with the Director of NIFA to establish a training, 
evaluation, and information center for use by program grantees 
and for generating an annual report to Congress on grant 
outcomes based on program data from grantees.
      The House bill authorizes mandatory funds at $45 million 
for fiscal year 2019, $50 million for fiscal year 2020, $55 
million for fiscal year 2021, $60 million for fiscal year 2022, 
and $65 million for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year 
thereafter. Of the mandatory funds made available, the House 
provision provides the training, evaluation, and information 
center $2 million for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020, and 
$1 million each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 4003)
      The Senate amendment amends section 4405 by (1) renaming 
the program the Gus Schumacher Food Insecurity Nutrition 
Incentive; (2) making certain definition changes, including 
amending the definition of ``supplemental nutrition assistance 
program'' to include programs for nutrition assistance under 
section 19 of the FNA; (3) specifying that grantees may partner 
with or make subgrants to public, private, nonprofit, or for-
profit entities; (4) providing authority to the Secretary to 
allow a tribal agency to use certain types of federal funds for 
the non-federal program match; (5) requiring that projects must 
increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP 
participants by providing an incentive for the purchase of 
fruits and vegetables at the point of purchase to a household 
purchasing food with SNAP benefits, and that projects 
(excepting those receiving $100,000 or less) measure the 
purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants; (6) 
striking the independent evaluation requirement and requiring 
projects have adequate plans to collect data for reporting and 
share information with the Training and Technical Assistance 
Centers and Information and Evaluation Centers; (7) updating 
program priorities; (8) authorizing Training and Technical 
Assistance Centers to assist grantees and subgrantees, 
including entities applying for a grant or subgrant; and (9) 
authorizing Information and Evaluation Centers to collect 
program data and prepare an annual report with project outcomes 
to submit to the Secretary.
      The Senate amendment authorizes $50 million of mandatory 
funds for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter. Of 
the mandatory funds made available, the Senate provision 
authorizes a cost cap of 15 percent for carrying out the 
Training and Technical Assistance Centers and the Information 
and Evaluation Centers and program administrative costs. 
(Section 4303)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments that (1) rename the program ``The Gus Schumacher 
Nutrition Incentive Program''; (2) make certain definition 
changes, including amending the definition of ``supplemental 
nutrition assistance program'' to include programs for 
nutrition assistance under section 19 of the FNA; (3) specify 
that grantees may partner with or make subgrants to public, 
private, nonprofit, or for-profit entities; (4) provide 
authority to the Secretary to allow a tribal agency to use 
certain types of federal funds for the non-federal program 
match; (5) strike the limitation of program incentives to 
financial incentives, and require instead that projects must 
increase purchase of fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants 
by providing an incentive for the purchase of fruits and 
vegetables at point of purchase to a household purchasing food 
with SNAP benefits, and that projects (excepting those 
receiving $100,000 or less over 1 year) measure the purchase of 
fruits and vegetables by SNAP participants; (6) strike the 
independent evaluation requirement and require that projects 
have adequate plans to collect data for reporting and share 
information with the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, 
Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers; (7) 
require the Secretary to consult with the Director of NIFA to 
establish 1 or more Nutrition Incentive Program Training, 
Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers to 
assist grantees and applicants, and to collect project data and 
generate an annual report with grant outcomes to submit to 
Congress; (8) establish a produce prescription program to 
improve dietary health through increased consumption of fruits 
and vegetables; (9) provide mandatory funding of $45,000,000 
for fiscal year 2019, $48,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 
and 2021, $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, and $56,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter; (10) set a 
cost cap of $17,000,000 total for fiscal years 2019 and 2020 
and $7,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 for the 
Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, 
Evaluation, and Information Centers; and (11) of the annual 
funding provided for fiscal years 2019 through 2023, limit 
funds to not more than 10 percent for produce prescriptions and 
8 percent for administration. (Section 4205)
      The Managers note the success of the Food Insecurity 
Nutrition Incentive (FINI) program established by the 
Agricultural Act of 2014. Building on that success, the 
Managers establish permanent funding and authority for FINI. 
This section also establishes one or more training, evaluation, 
and information centers to provide information and support as 
FINI continues to expand.
      The Managers believe it is important that information and 
results of FINI-funded programs be made available to Congress, 
USDA agencies, researchers, grantees and the public. Collecting 
information should not, however, be duplicative or place such 
an administrative burden on grantees that it interferes with 
their ability to effectively implement SNAP produce incentive 
programs. The Managers intend for the Information and 
Evaluation Center/s to collect standard data from FINI 
grantees, facilitate grantees' production of NIFA annual 
reports, and create a website on which program information is 
easily searchable. This should be done in a manner that also 
protects the privacy of SNAP participants and retail food 
stores. The Managers encourage the Secretary to consult with 
past FINI program managers on the data to collect, collection 
instruments, and website design.
      The Managers also intend for the Training and Technical 
Assistance (T&TA) Center/s to develop best practices and ensure 
that information and supportive services are available to all 
regions and types of communities, including areas that are 
geographically remote or lack strong public or private 
institutional infrastructure upon which grantees can rely for 
technical support.
      The Managers are aware that software and point of sale 
equipment to facilitate incentive transactions can be costly. 
The Managers encourage T&TA Center/s to cooperate with FNS and 
grocery, farm, and electronic payment groups to develop or 
adapt existing systems/technology and make options available to 
current and future FINI grantees.
      The Managers also agree the FINI and Produce Prescription 
should be renamed the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive 
Program, in recognition of Mr. Schumacher's role in the 
establishment of nutrition incentives nationwide. Mr. 
Schumacher was a magnificent advocate for farmers and families 
and saw the importance in building access and affordability 
through incentive programs.
(45) Harvesting health pilot projects
      The Senate amendment provides $4 million of mandatory 
funds for each fiscal year 2019 through 2023 to establish a 
pilot project for nonprofit organizations or State or local 
agencies to partner with healthcare providers to prescribe 
fresh fruits and vegetables or provide to certain low-income 
individuals that suffer from, or are at-risk of developing a 
diet-related health conditions. (Section 4304)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments to (1) establish a produce prescription program 
instead of a pilot project; (2) require eligible entities 
participating in the produce prescription program to agree to 
share information with the Nutrition Incentive Program 
Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information 
Centers; (3) allow not more than 10 percent of funds made 
available for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to 
carry out the produce prescription program; (4) make technical 
changes; and (5) incorporate language for this provision into a 
single section as part of the Gus Schumacher Nutrition 
Incentive Program. (Section 4205)
      Previously, produce prescription projects have been 
eligible for funding through the FINI program. While similar in 
concept, these programs are often different in implementation 
and goals. The Managers chose to establish a separate produce 
prescription program with dedicated funding to increase 
coordination with the healthcare community and better evaluate 
the impact of these types of projects on dietary health, food 
security, and health care use and costs. Because produce 
prescription programs do not always require a purchase, the 
Managers do not intend that the procedure established by the 
Secretary to screen and verify eligibility for members to 
participate in a prescription project will require that a 
healthcare partner verify that an individual has an active SNAP 
balance.
(46) Amendments to the fruit and vegetable program
      The House bill amends section 19 of the Richard B. 
Russell National School Lunch Act to provide grants to purchase 
all forms (fresh, canned, dried, frozen, or pureed) of fruit 
and vegetable snacks. (Section 4204)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(47) Review and revision of certain nutrition regulations
      The House bill requires the Secretary to review certain 
nutrition final regulations published by the Department of 
Agriculture, and revise and finalize new regulations that are 
based on research specific to school-age children, do not have 
additional costs beyond reimbursements required by current law, 
and maintain healthy meals for students. (Section 4205)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(48) Study of marketplace fraud of traditional foods and tribal seeds
      The Senate amendment requires the Comptroller General of 
the United States to conduct a study on the impact of 
fraudulent foods that mimic traditional foods or Tribal seeds 
that are available in the commercial marketplace. (Section 
12518)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
(49) Food donation standards
      The Senate amendment amends the Emergency Food Assistance 
Act of 1983 to require the Secretary to issue guidance to 
promote awareness of food donations protected under section 
22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. (Section 12615)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 4104)
      The Managers expect the Secretary to provide guidance and 
stakeholder outreach to increase donations of unused food from 
retail food stores, restaurants, caterers, and foodservice 
facilities who may need additional guidance regarding the types 
of foods that may be donated and covered under liability 
protections provided under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food 
Donation Act.
(50) Micro-grants for food security
      The Senate amendment amends the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 to require the Secretary to distribute funds 
to Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, 
Puerto Rico, Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Palau, and 
U.S. Virgin Islands for the purpose of providing subgrants to 
eligible entities to promote small-scale gardening, herding, 
and livestock operations. (Section 12616)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment making technical changes. (Section 4206)
      The Managers intend for this program to operate as a 
funding-match program, but provide discretion on the level of 
matching to the Secretary for eligible entities who may not be 
financially capable of providing such matching requirements.
(51) Buy American requirements
      The Senate Amendment requires the Secretary to enforce 
compliance of the Buy American provisions applicable to 
domestic food assistance programs administered by FNS, 
including for the purchase of fish or fish products. (Section 
12622)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment specifying that the Secretary shall enforce 
full compliance with the requirements of section 12(n) of the 
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act for purchases of 
agricultural commodities including fish, meats, vegetables, and 
fruits, and the products thereof, and making technical changes. 
(Section 4207)
      The Managers encourage USDA to ensure State agencies and 
school food authorities are fully aware of their respective 
responsibilities to enforce Buy American requirements in 
accordance with section 12(n) of the Richard B. Russell 
National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. 1760(n), and to submit to 
Congress a report that demonstrates the actions the Secretary 
has taken to increase awareness of and compliance with Buy 
American requirements.

                            Title V--Credit

(1) Modification of the 3-Year Experience Requirement for Purposes of 
        Eligibility for Farm Ownership Loans
      The House bill amends section 302(b) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the reduction of 
the 3-year experience requirement for qualified beginning 
farmers or ranchers to: (1) 2 years if the farmer has certain 
educational, management, or mentor-based experience, or was 
honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United 
States; (2) 1 year if the farmer or rancher has military 
leadership or management experience from having completed an 
acceptable military leadership course; and (3) waive the 
requirement with certain combinations of experiences in items 
(1) and (2). (Section 5101)
      The Senate amendment amends section 302(b) to authorize 
the Secretary to: (1) reduce the 3-year experience requirement 
to 2 years or less if the farmer or rancher has certain farm 
labor or mentor-based experience; and (2) waive the requirement 
if the farmer or rancher has 1 year of management 
responsibilities as a hired farm laborer and has a mentor 
relationship with a farmer in an approved program. (Section 
5101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment. The conference substitute amends section 302(b) 
to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with authority to 
reduce the 3-year experience requirement for qualified 
beginning farmers or ranchers to 1 or 2 years if the farmer or 
rancher has met specified education, business, management, loan 
repayment, or experience requirements; or to waive the 3-year 
requirement altogether if the farmer or rancher has at least 1 
year of experience as hired farm labor with substantial 
management responsibilities and a specified established mentee 
relationship. (Section 5101)
(2) Conservation Loan and Loan Guarantee
      The House bill amends section 304(h) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) extend the authorization 
of appropriations for the program to 2023; and (2) reduce the 
authorization level from $150,000,000 to $75,000,000. (Section 
5102)
      The Senate amendment amends section 304(h) to extend the 
authorization of appropriations to 2023. (Section 5102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5102)
(3) Farm Ownership Loan Limits
      The House bill amends section 305(a) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) increase the 
indebtedness limit for guaranteed ownership loans from $700,000 
to $1,750,000; and (2) change the baseline date for the 
inflation adjuster from 2000 to 2019. (Section 5103)
      The Senate amendment amends section 305 to increase the 
indebtedness limit for: (1) direct ownership loans from 
$300,000 to $600,000 for FYs 2019 through 2023; and (2) 
guaranteed ownership loans from $700,000 to $1,750,000 for FYs 
2019 through 2023. The Senate amendment bill also strikes the 
increase in the guaranteed ownership loan limit based on an 
inflation adjuster. (Section 5103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to continue and clarify the application of 
the inflation adjuster. (Section 5103)
(4) Limitations on Amounts of Operating Loans
      The House bill amends section 313(a)(1) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the 
indebtedness limit for guaranteed operating loans from $700,000 
to $1,750,000 and to change the baseline date for the inflation 
adjuster from 2000 to 2019. (Section 5201)
      The Senate amendment amends section 313(a)(1) to increase 
the indebtedness limit for direct operating loans from $300,000 
to $400,000 for FYs 2019 through 2023 and for guaranteed 
operating loans from $700,000 to $1,750,000 for FYs 2010 
through 2023. The Senate amendment strikes the increase in the 
guaranteed operating loan limit based on an inflation adjuster. 
(Section 5201)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to continue and clarify the application of 
the inflation adjuster. (Section 5201)
(5) Microloans; Limitations
      The House bill amends section 313(c)(2) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to strike the 
reference to ``title'' and insert ``subsection'', thus limiting 
the total principal microloan indebtedness outstanding to any 1 
borrower to $50,000, only for the purposes of section 313(c). 
(Section 5202)
      The Senate amendment has no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 5202)
(6) Microloans; Cooperative Pilot
      The Senate amendment amends section 313(c)(4)A) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to extend the 
microloan cooperative lending pilot project until 2023. 
(Section 5202)
      The House bill has no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5203)
(7) Loans to purchasers of Land with Undivided Interest and No 
        Administrative Authority
      The Senate amendment extends the authorization of the 
pilot in section 333B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act pilot for one additional year (through FY2024). 
The amendment enacts a new section 333E authorizing the 
Secretary to conduct pilot projects under the real estate, 
operating, emergency, and rural development authorities of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act that may improve 
the efficiency and effectiveness of those programs. It also 
enacts a new section 3101 that authorized the Secretary to make 
or guarantee loans to cooperatives, credit unions and nonprofit 
organizations to relend to individuals and entities to assist 
heirs with undivided ownership interests to resolve ownership 
and succession on farmland that has multiple owners. 
Furthermore, it establishes loan terms and conditions, and 
preferences for certain eligible entities. (Section 12624)
      The House bill has no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment. The substitute amends the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act by adding a new section 3101 that 
authorizes the Secretary to make loans to cooperatives, credit 
unions and nonprofit organizations to relend for projects that 
assist heirs with undivided ownership interests to resolve 
ownership and succession on farmland that has multiple owners. 
The substitute establishes loan terms and conditions, 
preferences for certain eligible entities, and requires a 
report to Congress describing the operation and outcomes of the 
program and providing recommendations on how to strengthen the 
program. The substitute authorizes appropriations of $10 
million annually for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 5104)
      The Managers encourage USDA to conduct pilot projects of 
limited scope and duration consistent with subtitles A, B, C 
and D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 
U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) to evaluate processes and techniques that 
may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs 
carried out under these subtitles. It is the intent of the 
Managers that the Department consult with stakeholder groups 
when determining regulations and procedures to define entities 
eligible for loans provided under section 5104 of this Act.
(8) Loan Authorization Levels
      The House bill amends section 346(b)(1) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to extend the 
authorization for subtitle A (ownership) and B (operating) Farm 
Loan Program loans through 2023. (Section 5302)
      The Senate amendment amends section 346(b)(1) by 
increasing the overall loan authorization level for subtitles A 
and B Farm Loan Program loans from $4.226 billion to $12 
billion for each of FYs 2019 through 2023. The provision also 
increases the specific loan limits for direct loans from $1.2 
billion to $4 billion, with $2 billion for farm ownership loans 
and $2 billion for farm operating loans. The provision also 
increases the specific loan limitations for guaranteed loans 
from $3.026 billion to $8 billion, with $4 billion for farm 
ownership loan guarantees and $4 billion for farm operating 
loan guarantees. (Section 5302)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with an amendment to increase the overall loan authorization 
level for subtitles A and B Farm Loan Program loans from $4.226 
billion to $10 billion for each of FYs 2019 through 2023; to 
increase the specific loan limits for direct loans from $1.2 
billion to $3 billion, with $1.5 billion for farm ownership 
loans and $1.5 billion for farm operating loans; and to 
increase the specific loan limitations for guaranteed loans 
from $3.026 billion to $7 billion, with $3.5 billion for farm 
ownership loan guarantees and $3.5 billion for farm operating 
loan guarantees. (Section 5302)
(9) Use of Additional Funds for Direct Operating Microloans Under 
        Certain Conditions
      The Senate Amendment amends section 346(b) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to add a new 
paragraph (5) requiring the Secretary to make available up to 
$5 million in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for farm 
operating microloans if the Secretary determines the amount of 
funds otherwise available for operating loans for the fiscal 
year is insufficient. The Secretary must notify Congress not 
later than 15 days before using this authority. (Section 12617)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to strike the provision of mandatory funding 
and to authorize appropriations of $5 million each year to 
carry out new section 346(b)(5). (Section 5304)
(10) Equitable Relief
      The Senate amendment amends the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act by adding a new section 366 that 
authorizes the Secretary to provide equitable relief to farm 
loan program borrowers based on good faith actions of a 
borrower who relied on the actions or advice of an authorized 
representative of the Secretary. The amendment provides that 
administrative determinations are final and not subject to 
administrative appeal or judicial review. (Section 5304)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5305)
(11) Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers; Qualified Beginning 
        Farmers and Ranchers
      The Senate amendment amends the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act by adding a new section 367 that requires 
the Secretary to waive the guarantee fee of 1.5% and provide a 
95% guarantee for guaranteed loans to a socially disadvantaged 
farmer or rancher or a qualified beginning farmer or rancher. 
(Section 5305)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to authorize the Secretary to provide a 95% 
guarantee for guaranteed loans to a socially disadvantaged 
farmer or rancher or a qualified beginning farmer or rancher. 
(Section 5306)
(12) Emergency Loan Eligibility
      The Senate amendment amends section 373(b)(2)(B) to 
exempt write-downs and restructurings under section 353 from 
what is considered ``debt forgiveness'' for the purposes of 
applying the debt forgiveness loan eligibility limitations. 
(Section 5306)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5307)
(13) Technical Corrections
      The House bill includes a series of technical corrections 
to correct errors to provisions in sections 310E(d)(3), 321(a), 
331D(e), 333A(f)(1)(A), 339(d)(3), 343(a)(11)(C), 343(b), and 
346(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. 
(Section 5401)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to exclude the amendment to paragraph (3) of 
section 310E(d) as this paragraph is substantively amended in 
section 12306, obviating the need for this correction. (Section 
5401)
(14) State Agricultural Mediation Programs
      The House bill amends section 506 of the Agricultural 
Credit Act of 1987 to extend the authorization of 
appropriations for the State Mediation Programs through 2023. 
(Section 5601)
      The Senate amendment amends section 506 to extend the 
authorization of appropriations to 2023. The Senate amendment 
also amends Section 501 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 
to: (1) eliminate the requirement that issues that may be 
mediated be tied to the jurisdiction of USDA; (2) include 
issues under the national organics program (Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990), land & equipment lease issues, family 
farm transition issues, and farmer-neighbor disputes; (3) 
authorize the use of Program funds for credit counseling either 
prior to any mediation involving USDA or for issues unrelated 
to any dispute or mediation involving USDA; (4) expand the 
participants in mediation to include other parties to issues 
addressed in the mediation; and (5) ensure USDA receives 
adequate notice of issues in mediation. The Senate Amendment 
amends section 505 to require a report to Congress from the 
Secretary regarding State mediation programs within 2 years. 
(Section 5401)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to clarify that the list of persons eligible 
for mediation is expanded to include any other persons involved 
in an issue for which mediation services are provided by a 
mediation program described under section 501(c)(1)(B) of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. (Section 5402)
      The Conference substitute allow state mediation programs 
to cover additional agriculture mediation services, including: 
organic disputes, land and equipment lease issues, family farm 
transition, farmer to neighbor disputes and provides credit 
counseling, through State mediation programs. The Managers 
recognize the importance of agriculture mediation services 
provided to farmers and support these efforts to mitigate 
potential financial and legal disputes.
(15) Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
      The Senate amendment amends section 4.19 of the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 by adding socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers to the Farm Credit System's Young, Beginning, and 
Small Farmers Program, and makes a conforming amendment to 
section 5.17. (Section 5402)
      The House bill contains no comparable provisions.
      The Conference substitute requires the Comptroller 
General of the United States to conduct a study to assess the 
credit and related services provided by agricultural credit 
providers to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; 
review the overall participation of socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers in such services; and identify barriers 
that limit the availability of agricultural credit to socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The Conference substitute 
also requires the Comptroller General to provide 
recommendations on how agricultural credit providers may 
improve outreach to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers 
relating to the availability of credit and related services. 
The Comptroller General must report to Congress within 120 days 
on the findings and recommendations of the study. (Section 
5416)
(16) Quarters and Facilities for the Farm Credit Administration
      The House bill amends section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act 
of 1971 to require the headquarters of the Farm Credit 
Administration to be the Washington DC metro area. (Section 
5503)
      The Senate amendment amends section 5.16 of the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 to the same effect. (Section 5407(28))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 5405)
(17) Removal and Prohibition Authority; Industry-Wide Prohibition
      The Senate amendment adds section 5.29A to the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 to require that a person removed or 
suspended at a Farm Credit System Institution, or prohibited 
from serving at a System institution for a period of time, 
shall not serve at FCA or any other Federal financial regulator 
or the institutions that they regulate, with limited exception 
authority. (Section 5404)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5406)
(18) Expansion of Acreage Exception to Loan Amount Limitations
      The House bill amends section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 to increase the acreage exception to the 
loan amount limitation under section 8.8(c)(1) from 1,000 to 
2,000 acres. The effective date of this provision is one year 
after the submission to the Committees on Agriculture of the 
Congress of the study required to be conducted by the Farm 
Credit Administration pursuant to section 5602 of the House 
bill. (Section 5507)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
a conforming amendment to reflect the updated section number of 
the study required under Section 5414 of the conference 
substitute. (Section 5410)
(19) Compensation of Bank Directors
      The House bill repeals section 4.21 of the Farm Credit 
Act of 1971 placing a below market limitation on compensation 
of System Bank directors. (Section 5508)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 5403)
      The Managers intent for repealing section 4.21 of the 
Farm Credit Act of 1971 is to remove the statutory limitation 
on the compensation of the members of the boards of directors 
of Farm Credit System Banks. However, it is not the intent of 
the Managers to prevent the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) 
from examining, and taking actions regarding, the 
reasonableness of the compensation of directors of Farm Credit 
System Banks in carrying out FCA's obligations to regulate and 
supervise Farm Credit System Banks.
(20) Prohibition on Use of Funds
      The House bill amends section 5.65 of the Farm Credit Act 
of 1971 to prohibit the use of funds of the Farm Credit System 
Insurance Fund or administrative funds to provide assistance to 
the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation. (Section 5509)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 5409)
(21) Elimination or Repeal of Obsolete References; Technical 
        Corrections & Conforming Repeals
      The House bill makes a number of corrections to the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 to remove references to entities that no 
longer exist and authorities that have expired, and makes 
conforming repeals. The House bill repeals Subtitle A of Title 
VI of the 1971 Act, which established the Farm Credit System 
Financial Assistance Board. (Sections 5501 & 5502)
      The Senate amendment makes nearly all of the same 
corrections and repeals as found in the House provisions, and 
more. The Senate Amendment repeals Title VI of the 1971 Act in 
its entirety, including (1) Subtitle A, which established the 
Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Board; and (2) Subtitle 
B, which established the Farm Credit System Financial 
Assistance Corporation. (Section 5407)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with a few minor conforming amendments to reflect amendments 
made elsewhere in the bill, including the adoption of section 
5503 of the House bill as described in item (16) above. 
(Section 5411)
(22) Corporation as Conservator or Receiver; Certain Other Powers
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 5.61C to the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 that clarifies and establishes updated 
authorities for the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation 
(FCSIC) and the handling of claims in the event that FCSIC is 
appointed as a conservator or receiver of a System Institution 
pursuant to section 4.12 of the Act. The amendment provides 
express statutory receivership and conservatorship authorities 
comparable to those of other Federal financial regulators, 
including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, National 
Credit Union Administration, and the Federal Housing Finance 
Agency. The provision clarifies FCSIC's treatment of 
``qualified financial contracts'' (including securities 
contracts, commodity contracts, swap agreements, and 
derivatives) in its role as receiver, and authorizes FCSIC and 
the Farm Credit Administration to create a bridge bank to 
assist in addressing a situation where one or more System banks 
are in default or are anticipated to go into default. (Section 
5408)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5412)
      The Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended by adding a new 
section that clarifies and establishes statutory authorities 
for the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation and the 
handling of claims in the case of the Corporation being 
appointed as a conservator or receiver of a System institution. 
The Managers intend for the authorities of the Corporation to 
be functionally equivalent to the parallel authorities of the 
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(23) Reporting
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary of 
Agriculture to prepare an annual report to Congress that 
identifies certain characteristics with respect to borrowers of 
farm loans made and guaranteed, the borrowers' operations, and 
other data, for each State and county in the United States. It 
also requires that the Secretary prepare a comprehensive review 
of these annual reports to Congress every 5 years. (Section 
5409)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 5413)
(24) Sense of the Senate
      The Senate amendment declares that it is the Sense of the 
Senate that all participants of the Farm Service Agency loan 
programs should strive to encourage beginning farmers and 
ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers to use Farm Service 
Agency loans. (Section 5410)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate provision.
      It is the sense of the Managers that all participants of 
the Farm Service Agency loan programs should strive to 
encourage beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
disadvantaged farmers to use Farm Service Agency loans.

(25) Study on Loan Risk

      The House bill requires the Farm Credit Administration to 
conduct a study that: (1) analyzes and compares the financial 
risks of Farm Credit banks, associations, and the Federal 
Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, and how these risks are 
required to be capitalized; and (2) assesses the feasibility of 
increasing the acreage exception in section 8.8(c)(2) of the 
Farm Credit Act of 1971 to 2,000 acres. The report is due 180 
days after the date of enactment. (Section 5602)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 5414)
      As a part of its study, the Managers are interested in 
the opinion of the FCA on alternatives--other than the current 
acreage limitation--to adequately address any safety and 
soundness issues.

(26) GAO Report on Ability of the Farm Credit System to Meet the 
        Agricultural Credit Needs of Indian Tribes and Their Members

      The House bill requires the GAO to study the agricultural 
credit needs of farms, ranches, and related businesses owned or 
operated by Indian tribes or tribal members, and whether the 
Farm Credit System has the authority and resources to meet such 
needs. The report is due within 90 days after the date of 
enactment. If the Comptroller General finds that the System 
lacks the authority or resources to meet the stated needs, the 
report shall include recommendations to meet the needs. 
(Section 5603)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 5415)

                      Title VI--Rural Development

(1) Prioritizing Projects to Meet Health Crises in Rural America/
        Distance Learning and Telemedicine; Community Facilities Direct 
        Loans and Grants for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services; 
        Rural Health and Safety Education Programs
      The House bill amends Title VI of the Rural Development 
Act of 1972 to include a new section which provides the 
Secretary with the authority to announce a renewable, one-year, 
temporary reprioritization for certain USDA Rural Development 
(``RD'') loan and grant applications to assist rural 
communities in responding to a specific rural health emergency. 
It requires the Secretary of Agriculture (``Secretary'') to 
issue an announcement that specifies the emergency, and to 
provide notice to the relevant Congressional committees and the 
Secretary of Health and Human services. The bill also amends 
Section 2333(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 to provide that, pursuant to an announcement 
under subsection (a), at least 10% of Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine Programs funds are reserved for projects that 
address the rural health emergency.
      The House bill amends Section 306(a) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that, pursuant to an 
announcement under subsection (a), Community Facilities Program 
funds may be prioritized for projects that address the rural 
health emergency, including facilities that provide prevention, 
treatment, and recovery services.
      The House bill also amends Section 502(i) of the Rural 
Development Act to provide that, pursuant to an announcement 
under subsection (a), Rural Health and Safety Education Program 
funds may be prioritized for projects that address the rural 
health emergency. (Section 6001)
      The Senate amendment amends section 2333(c) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to set aside 
20% of Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant funding for 
applications related to substance use disorder treatment 
services.
      The Senate amendment amends section 306(a) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that in 
selecting recipients of loans or grants for the development of 
essential community facilities, the Secretary shall give 
priority to entities to develop facilities to provide substance 
use disorder (including opioids) prevention, treatment, and 
recovery services; and that employ staff trained to identify 
and treat individuals with substance use disorders.
      The Senate amendment amends section 502(i) of the Rural 
Development Act to require the Secretary, in making grants 
under the Rural Health and Safety Education Program, to give 
priority to an applicant that will use the grant for substance 
use disorder education, prevention, or treatment. (Sections 
6301(a), 6105, and 6303)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that prioritizes funding through the year 2025 for 
Community Facility, Distance Learning and Telemedicine and 
Rural Health and Safety Education Programs that provide 
substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery services. 
The substitute also authorizes the Secretary to make temporary 
prioritizations for certain Rural Development programs on a 
regional or state basis for other public health disruptions. 
(Section 6101)
(2) Distance Learning and Telemedicine
      The House bill reauthorizes the program through FY2023; 
and increases the authorization of appropriations to 
$82,000.000 per fiscal year. (Section 6002)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes the program through 
2023. (Section 6301(b)-(c))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6102)
(3) Supporting Agricultural Association Health Plans
      The House bill establishes a new loan and grant program 
to assist in the establishment of agricultural association 
health plans. The House bill provides the Secretary with the 
authority to make not more than 10 loans for the purposes of 
establishing agricultural association health plans and provides 
for the terms of such loans. The House bill provides the 
Secretary with the authority to make grants for the purposes of 
providing technical assistance in establishing agricultural 
association health plans. The House bill authorizes a one-time 
appropriation of $65 million to be available until expended 
during FYs 2019 through 2022. (Section 6004)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not include the House 
provision.
(4) Refinancing of Certain Rural Hospital Debt
      The House bill authorizes assistance for a community 
facility under section 306(a) for a business, non-profit or any 
other entity under section 310B to include the refinancing of a 
debt obligation of a rural hospital as an eligible loan or loan 
guarantee purpose if the assistance would help preserve access 
to health service in a rural community and meaningfully improve 
the financial position of the hospital. (Section 6005)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that requires hospitals seeking refinancing to 
meet USDA's financial feasibility and adequacy of security 
requirements. (Section 6103)
      The Managers emphasize the necessity that USDA work with 
rural hospitals to improve their financial health as a part of 
a refinancing agreement. The Managers also encourage USDA to 
build on its current technical assistance efforts to improve 
the long-term operations of rural hospitals in order to 
continue providing vital services to rural communities.
(5) Requiring Loans, Guaranteed Loans, and Grants for Rural Broadband
      The House bill amends section 601(c)(1) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to require that the Secretary 
``shall make loans and shall guarantee loans'' to finance rural 
broadband projects. (Section 6103)
      The Senate amendment amends subsections (a) and (c) of 
section 601 to require that the Secretary ``shall make grants 
and make or guarantee loans'' to finance rural broadband 
projects and makes several conforming amendments throughout 
section 601. (Section 6206(1)-(2))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to clarify that the Secretary is required to 
make grants, make loans, and guarantee loans to finance rural 
broadband projects. (Section 6201)
      In implementing the Guaranteed Loan Program to help 
expand broadband access in rural areas, the Managers encourage 
RUS to consider development of a certified lender program that 
will encourage public-private partnerships and expedite 
investment into rural broadband infrastructure.
(6) Simplified Application Window
      The House bill amends section 601(c)(2)(A) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
establish 1 evaluation period per year for broadband loan 
program applications. (Section 6108)
      The Senate amendment rewrites section 601(c)(2) in its 
entirety and deletes any requirement regarding the number of 
application evaluation periods each year. (Section 6206(2))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6201)
(7) Elimination of Requirement to Give Priority to Certain Applicants
      The House bill amends section 601(c)(2) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to strike the subparagraph (D) 
priority category. (Section 6109)
      The Senate amendment rewrites section 601(c)(2) in its 
entirety and deletes the same subparagraph (D) priority 
category. (Section 6206(2))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment clarifying that the most unserved communities 
are those without residential broadband service of at least 10 
Mbps downstream transmission capacity and 1 Mbps upstream 
transmission capacity. (Section 6201)
(8) Fees for Guaranteed Broadband Loans
      The House bill amends section 601(c) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to collect 
fees on loan guarantees in amounts that when combined with any 
appropriated funds equal the subsidy on such guarantees. 
(Section 6203(b))
      The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the 
House bill. The Senate amendment amends section 601(c) to 
require the Secretary to charge lenders of guaranteed loans a 
fee to offset subsidy costs. (Section 6117(b))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to require the Secretary to charge and 
collect fees from lenders in such amounts as to bring down the 
cost of subsidies for guaranteed loans, but that do not act as 
a bar to participation in the program. (Section 6201)
(9) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas; 
        Broadband Standards; Grants
      The House bill amends section 601(d)(1)(A)(i) to require 
broadband loan or loan guarantee applicants to demonstrate the 
ability to furnish or improve service in order to meet the new 
broadband service standards established under section 6101 of 
the House Bill in all or part of an unserved or underserved 
rural area. (Section 6101(a)(1))
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(1)(A) to make 
it applicable to grants as well as loans and loan guarantees; 
conforming amendments to section 601 run throughout section 
6206. (Section 6206(3)(A)(i) & (3)(C) through (G))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6201)
(10) Modification of Buildout Requirement
      The House bill amends section 601(d)(1)(A)(iii) of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to provide 5 years for 
applicants to complete the buildout of broadband infrastructure 
financed under this section. (Section 6110)
      The Senate amendment is the same as the House bill, with 
a conforming amendment to clarify that it applies to grants as 
well as loans. (Section 6206(3)(A)(i))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
technical amendments. (Section 6201)
(11) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas; 
        Unserved Area, Incumbent Service Providers
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(2)(A) of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) increase from 15 
percent to 90 percent the share of households in a proposed 
service area that must be unserved or have service levels below 
the minimum acceptable service level of fixed broadband 
service, whether terrestrial or wireless; and (2) reduce from 3 
to 2 the number of incumbent service providers in any part of 
the proposed service area that would make the area ineligible 
for financing. (Section 6206(3)(B))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment increasing from 15 percent to 90 percent the 
share of households in a proposed service area that must be 
unserved for broadband projects funded by grants, loan/grant 
combinations, loans with subsidized interest rates, and payment 
assistance loans. The amendment increases from 15 percent to 50 
percent the share of households in a proposed service area that 
must be unserved for broadband projects funded by loans or loan 
guarantees. The amendment does not adopt the Senate provision 
decreasing the number of incumbent service providers. (Section 
6201)
(12) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas; 
        Application Process
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(7) to: (1) 
require the Secretary to provide feedback and decisions on 
funding to an applicant of a grant, loan, or loan guarantee in 
a timely manner; (2) clarify that in addition to a 
determination of area eligibility prior to preparing a loan 
application, a prospective applicant may also submit to the 
Secretary a proposal for a project on which the Secretary shall 
provide feedback regarding how the proposal could be changed to 
improve the likelihood that the Secretary would approve the 
application. (Section 6206(3)(H)-(I))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that specifies that only applicants proposing 
to serve communities without residential broadband service of 
at least 10 Mbps downstream transmission capacity and 1 Mbps 
upstream transmission capacity are eligible for technical 
assistance and training. (Section 6201)
(13) Elimination of Unnecessary Reporting Requirements
      The House bill: amends section 601(d)(8)(A)(ii) to 
eliminate reporting requirements with respect to: (1) the 
location of residences and businesses that will receive 
broadband service; and (2) changes in broadband service 
adoption rates. (Section 6112)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provisions.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment creating new reporting requirements for all USDA 
broadband projects. (Section 6207)
(14) Establishing Forward-Looking Broadband Standards/Access to 
        Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas
      The House bill amends Section 601(e) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
establish broadband service standards for rural areas that 
provide for: (1) speed to be at least 25 megabits per second 
(Mbps) downstream transmission capacity and 3 Mbps upstream 
transmission capacity; and (2) projections of minimum 
acceptable standards of service for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 years 
into the future. The amendment further prohibits the Secretary 
from making any loan to finance a project that the Secretary 
determines cannot meet the projected minimum acceptable 
standard of service at any time while the loan or loan 
guarantee is outstanding. The amendment allows the Secretary 
and the applicant to agree to substitute standards if the 
standards are cost-prohibitive to meet.
      The House bill also provides that, to the extent 
possible, the loan terms and conditions require for the 
lifetime of the loan that the project will be capable of 
meeting either the minimum standard currently in effect or the 
projected standard in place at the time the loan was agreed to. 
(Section 6101(a)(2)-(3))
      The Senate amendment amends Section 601(e) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to codify USDA's current definition 
of minimum acceptable broadband service of 25 Mbps downstream 
transmission capacity and 3Mbps upstream transmission capacity. 
(Section 6206(4))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment modifying the broadband buildout requirements that 
the Secretary shall establish for projects with agreement 
lengths of 5 to 10 years, 11 to 15 years, 16 to 20 years, and 
more than 20 years. (Section 6201)
      The Managers are acutely aware of the challenges created 
by the ever-increasing bandwidth needs of applications running 
over the Internet. These bandwidth needs mean that the 
expectation for ``broadband-quality service'' in urban, 
suburban, and rural communities increases over time. While 
protecting project areas provided assistance from a competing 
USDA-assisted project is essential for program integrity, such 
protections can result in a lack of further investment in rural 
broadband systems and rural residents receiving levels of 
service which degrade relative to expectations over time.
      In establishing the broadband buildout speeds, the 
Managers intend the Secretary establish requirements for 
applicants to build systems capable of providing higher quality 
broadband service as the term of assistance lengthens, to help 
to ensure that USDA-financed broadband systems are able to meet 
the connectivity needs of rural residents for the entirety of 
the length of time such system is protected from overbuilding 
under USDA's broadband programs.
(15) Improving Access by Providing Certainty to Broadband Borrowers
      The House bill amends title II of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to permit the Secretary to 
obligate, but not disperse, funds under section 601 to approved 
applications while conditioning the disbursement of funds on 
the successful completion of environmental, historic, or other 
reviews. Further, it permits the Secretary to de-obligate funds 
if the reviews cannot be completed in a reasonable amount of 
time.
      The House bill amends section 601(d) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to permit the Secretary to 
obligate, but not disperse, funds under section 601 to approved 
applications while conditioning the disbursement of funds on 
the successful completion of environmental, historic, or other 
reviews. Further, it permits the Secretary to de-obligate funds 
if the reviews cannot be completed in a reasonable amount of 
time. (Section 6107)
      The Senate amendment amends section 601 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary to 
obligate, but not disperse, funds under this Act before the 
completion of otherwise required environmental, historical, or 
other types of reviews if the Secretary determines that a 
subsequent site-specific review shall be adequate and easily 
accomplished for the location of towers, poles, or other 
broadband facilities in the service area of the borrower 
without compromising the project or the required reviews.
      The Senate Amendment also amends section 601 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to require, as a condition of 
receiving a grant, loan, or loan guarantee, a recipient of 
assistance to provide to the Secretary complete, reliable, and 
precise geolocation that indicates the location of new 
broadband service that is being provided or upgraded within the 
service territory supported by the grant, loan, or loan 
guarantee at specified times. (Section 6206(8))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that moves the language dealing with 
geolocation data to the new section requiring public notice, 
assessments, and reporting. (Sections 6207 and 6208)
(16) Improving Borrower Refinancing Options/Refinancing of Broadband
      The House bill amends section 601(i) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to permit the Broadband Loan 
Program to refinance telecommunications loans other than those 
made under the Act. (Section 6111(b))
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(i) of the rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to provide RUS the authority to 
refinance telephone and broadband loans other than those made 
under the Act. (Section 6209(b))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision as 
a new section 703 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
(Section 6209)
(17) Unified Broadband Reporting Requirements
      The House bill amends section 601(j) and (k)(2) of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
submit a single report to Congress describing all the broadband 
financing activities administered by the Secretary including 
the loans, loan guarantees, and grants applied for and provided 
under the programs. (Section 6106)
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(j) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to add grants to the reporting 
requirements (Section 6206(6))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision 
(Section 6207).
      In adopting a substitute amendment, the Managers have 
established a single process for reporting across multiple USDA 
broadband programs. The amendment will ensure that applicants 
will be reporting similar, comparable data to the Secretary. 
The amendment similarly requires the Secretary to combine that 
data into a single report to Congress which covers the entirety 
of the Department's broadband assistance activities.
      In addition, the substitute amendment combines in a 
single section these reporting requirements with the amended 
notice and assessment requirements. The Managers recognize that 
these two processes--one pre-application and one post-
application--are interrelated and each are essential to 
promoting program integrity. The Managers intend for the 
Secretary to establish requirements which are complementary, 
wherever possible, both to facilitate implementation and to 
ease compliance for applicants and existing providers.
      Finally, the Managers recognize the importance of 
oversight and integrity within the broadband programs, as well 
as the significant work entailed in verifying the eligibility 
of unserved communities. To that end, the Conference report 
provides significant resources to the Secretary to carry out 
oversight of the broadband programs. These funds shall be 
utilized without distinction to provide oversight across all of 
the broadband programs that the Secretary administers.
(18) Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas
      The House bill amends section 601(k) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 by increasing the authorization of 
appropriations to $150 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023 and reauthorizing the program through fiscal year 
2023.
      The House bill also amends section 601(l) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to extend the termination of 
authority to make loans and loan guarantees until September 30, 
2023. (Section 6113)
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(m) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (as redesignated) to: (1) increase 
the authorization of appropriations to $150,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and reauthorizing the 
program through fiscal year 2023 (same as the House Bill); and 
(2) require the Secretary, from amounts made available each 
fiscal year, to set aside at least 1 percent to be used for 
conducting oversight and implementing accountability measures.
      The Senate amendment also amends section 601(n) of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 as redesignated) to extend 
the termination of authority to make grants, loans, and loan 
guarantees until September 30, 2023. (Section 6206(9)-(10))
      The Conference substitute provides an amendment 
increasing the authorization of appropriations to $350 million 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 and sets aside 
between 3 and 5 percent of program level amounts for conducting 
oversight and implementing accountability measures for the Farm 
Bill Broadband Program and Community Connect projects. 
(Sections 6201 and 6207)
(19) Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure
      The House bill amends section 601 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize loans to eligible 
entities for the development of ``middle-mile'' broadband 
infrastructure, defined as infrastructure that does not 
directly connect to end user locations, including interoffice 
transport, backhaul, Internet connectivity, data centers, or 
special access transport to rural areas. Loans and loan 
guarantees for middle-mile infrastructure are limited to no 
more than 20% of the amounts made available under section 601. 
(Section 6114)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to amend section 602 of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to use grant funding as 
well as loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the 
construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle-mile 
infrastructure to serve rural areas, and to require that at 
least 75 percent of the interconnection points of a project 
serve eligible rural areas. The amendment also authorizes 
appropriations of $10 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 6202)
(20) Establishing Forward-Looking Broadband Standards: Report to 
        Congress
      The House bill requires the Administrator of the Rural 
Utilities Service, within 12 months after the date of the 
enactment, to submit to the House and Senate Agriculture 
Committees a report on the effectiveness of RUS loan and loan 
guarantee programs at expanding broadband to rural areas, 
including administrative and legislative options for 
incentivizing private investment. (Section 6101(b))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(21) Smart Utility Authority/Single Application for Broadband
      The House bill amends section 331 of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to allow a recipient of certain 
grants, loans, or loan guarantees to use not more than 10 
percent of the amount for rural broadband infrastructure 
projects, including both retail and non-retail activities, 
except for a recipient who is seeking to provide retail 
broadband service in any area where retail broadband service is 
available at the minimum broadband speeds.
      The House bill also amends Title I of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to allow a recipient of certain 
grants, loans or loan guarantees to set aside not more than 10 
percent of the amount for retail broadband service, for use 
only in an area that is not being provided with the minimum 
acceptable level of broadband service. (Section 6104)
      The Senate amendment amends section 331 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to allow for no 
more than 10% of any Rural Development grant, loan, or loan 
guarantee to be used to fund broadband facilities and service, 
provided that the funding will not result in competitive harm 
to any existing grant, loan, or loan guarantee. (Section 6116)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment requiring that the funding not result in 
competitive harm to any existing grant, loan, or loan guarantee 
under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, under certain 
circumstances. (Section 6210)
      The Managers intend that USDA not authorize funding for 
the construction of any retail broadband project that would 
result in competitive harm to any USDA grant, loan, or loan 
guarantee.
(22) Modifications to the Rural Gigabit Program
      The House bill amends section 603 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to amend the Rural Gigabit Network 
Pilot Program and replace it with the Innovative Broadband 
Advancement Program to provide grants, loans or both to 
eligible entities for the purpose of demonstrating innovative 
broadband technologies or methods of broadband technologies or 
methods of broadband deployment that significantly reduce the 
cost of broadband deployment and substantially increase 
broadband service to not less than the 20-year broadband speed 
established by the Rural Utilities Service. (Section 6105)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment requiring projects to provide broadband speeds of 
at least the maximum broadband buildout requirements 
established under section 601(e)(4) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936, as amended. (Section 6203)
(23) Incentives for Hard to Reach Communities
      The House bill amends Title VI of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to add a new section 604 of the 
Rural Electrification Act to create a grant program for 
borrowers under Title I, II, or VI of the Rural Electrification 
Act who are financing rural broadband projects that provide 
retail service.
      The House bill also establishes a method for calculating 
service points per road mile as a density measure. Eligible 
applicants are those areas with a density of 12 or fewer homes, 
businesses, or institutions per mile of road in a proposed 
service area. The bill also authorizes appropriations of $350 
million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 
6102)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to apply the new density requirements to grants 
authorized under Section 6201 and modifies the number of 
persons per square mile when determining what percent of a 
project's development costs may be funded using grant money. 
The substitute does not adopt the House provision's 
authorization of appropriations. (Section 6201)
      The Conference report includes significant new authority 
for the Secretary to provide grants to applicants to extend 
broadband service deeper into rural communities. The Managers 
are mindful of past broadband grant programs which have 
occasionally resulted in grants to providers who fail to meet 
their obligations under their grant agreements. The Managers 
recognize the work that the Department has undertaken in an 
attempt to recover taxpayer dollars in those instances and to 
continue to improve the ability for the department to hold 
grantees accountable for the entirety of their obligations. To 
further this work, the Managers intend that any agreements the 
Secretary executes with grant applicants include terms which:
      1. Require that the project meet all statutory and 
regulatory service requirements agreed to as part of the 
application process, including the broadband buildout 
requirements, if applicable;
      2. Require the repayment of the grant if the project is 
sold or transferred without agency approval during the term of 
the grant; and
      3. Provide the government a first lien on the grant 
assets during the term of the grant and thereafter comply with 
the applicable federal regulations under the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit 
Requirements For Federal Awards, codified in 2 C.F.R. 200.
(24) Community Connect Program
      The Senate amendment amends title VI of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to codify the existing Community 
Connect Program, while authorizing the program at $50,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6207)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6204)
(25) Outdated Broadband Systems
      The House bill adds a new section 605 to the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to provide that beginning October 
1, 2020, the Secretary shall consider as unserved for the 
purposes of all broadband loan programs under this Act any 
portion of a service territory subject to an outstanding grant 
agreement with a broadband provider if the broadband service 
provided is not at least 10 megabits per second download and at 
least 1 megabit per second upload, unless the broadband 
provider has constructed or begun to construct broadband 
facilities in the service territory that meet the minimum 
acceptable standard of service established under section 
601(e)(1). (Section 6115)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision as a 
new section 604 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
(Section 6204)
(26) Refinancing of Broadband and Telephone Loans
      The House bill amends section 201 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to clarify that the Secretary, 
through the RUS telephone loan program, may refinance broadband 
loans made under section 601 of the Act. (Section 6111(a))
      The Senate amendment amends Section 201 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to clarify that the Secretary, 
through the RUS telephone loan program, may refinance loans of 
persons furnishing telephone service in rural areas, including 
indebtedness of recipients on another telecommunications loan 
made under the Act.
      The Senate amendment also strikes the current law 
limitation that the refinancing may not constitute more than 
40% of a loan made under Title II of the Act. (Section 6209(a))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6211)
      The Managers intend for Section 6211, refinancing of 
loans, that an existing loan may be refinanced using the 
Substantially Underserved Trust Area program when it is 
determined to be appropriate. The recipients of these loans are 
serving the most difficult, and highest cost areas of the 
country, and allowing for the refinancing of higher interest 
loans will provide the ability for these telecommunications 
carriers to continue to build high-speed broadband networks.
      The Managers expect that the new refinancing authority 
gives the Department the ability to issue a new loan with new 
terms with the proceeds being used to repay or pre- pay an 
existing loan. These transactions should be not be considered 
loan modifications.
      Within 90 days of enactment, USDA should publish a notice 
detailing implementation of the re-financing provisions in 
Section 6211.
(27) Federal Broadband Program Coordination
      The House bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to 
coordinate with the Assistant Secretary of the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration for 
assessment and mapping capabilities. The Secretary will consult 
with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before making 
a broadband loan or grant for a project to serve an area in 
which another entity is receiving Connect America Fund or 
Mobility Fund support under the federal universal service 
support mechanism. The Chairman of the FCC shall consult with 
the Secretary before providing support in an area where an 
entity has received assistance from USDA. The Secretary, FCC, 
and the Assistant Secretary shall submit a report to the 
Congressional committees assessing its abilities to meet 
various objectives regarding long-term broadband service needs 
of rural residents. (Section 6116)
      The Senate amendment amends section 601(d)(1) of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to 
coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure 
that any grants, loans, or loan guarantees made under this 
section complement and do not conflict with universal service 
high-cost support. (Section 6206(3)(A)(ii))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6212)
(28) Effective Date
      The House bill provides that amendments made by subtitle 
B of the House Bill shall not take effect until the Secretary 
of Agriculture has issued final regulations to implement the 
amendments.
      The House bill also requires that within 90 days of the 
enactment the Secretary shall prescribe final regulations to 
implement the amendments made by sections 6101 (broadband 
standards) and 6102 (incentives for hard to reach communities). 
(Section 6117)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment giving the Secretary one year to issue a final 
rule implementing the amendments made to Section 601 of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936. (Section 6213)
(29) Strategic Economic and Community Development
      The House bill amends section 379H in its entirety to 
require the Secretary to: (1) give priority to applications for 
programs that support implementation of a strategic community 
investment plan; (2) reserve a portion of funds for projects 
that support the implementation of a strategic community 
investment plan; and (3) set forth the requirements for such 
plans. The bill requires the Secretary to provide technical 
assistance to communities in developing strategic community 
investment plans and authorizes appropriations of $5 million 
for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2023 to provide the 
technical assistance. (Section 6201)
      The Senate amendment amends section 379H in its entirety 
to require the Secretary to: (1) give priority to applications 
for programs that support implementation of a strategic 
community investment plan; (2) reserve not more than 10 percent 
of funds for projects that support the implementation of a 
strategic community investment plan; and (3) set forth the 
requirements for such plans. The amendment also requires the 
Secretary to provide technical assistance to communities in 
developing strategic community investment plans and authorizes 
appropriations of $5 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023 to provide the technical assistance. (Section 
6123)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment increasing the reserve to not more than 15 
percent of funds for projects. (Section 6401)
(30) Expanding Access to Credit for Rural Communities
      The House bill amends the definition of ``rural and 
``rural area'' under section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that a city or town 
that has a population of up to 50,000 inhabitants is eligible 
for loan guarantees for water, wastewater, and essential 
community facilities.
      The bill also amends the definition of ``rural area'' in 
section 601(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 to provide that a city or town that has a population of up 
to 50,000 inhabitants is eligible for guaranteed loans in the 
rural broadband program. (Section 6202)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to reserve funding for Community Facilities 
applications for projects in communities with populations of 
20,000 people or less, and to prioritize Water and Wastewater 
Facility applications for projects in communities with 
populations of 10,000 people or less. (Section 6402)
      The Conference report expands the size of rural 
communities eligible to seek assistance under the guaranteed 
lending authorities of the Community Facilities and Water and 
Waste Disposal programs. In order to meet the needs of the 
enlarged class of borrowers under these programs, the Managers 
believe it is important to make commensurate increases in the 
program levels of these programs, where appropriate.
      The Secretary should utilize the authority provided under 
Section 6418 to charge fees to lenders to reduce the subsidy 
cost of operating these programs in order to provide additional 
assistance to rural communities at a reduced cost to the 
taxpayer. The Managers encourage the Secretary to work closely 
with rural communities, rural lenders, and the relevant 
committees in Congress as the Department utilizes the new 
guaranteed lending authorities provided in this bill.
      In addition, as the volume of lending increases under the 
guaranteed lending programs, the Managers recognize the need 
for the Department to streamline the approval process. The 
Managers encourage the Secretary to find ways to make 
application reviews more efficient and more standardized. In 
addition to technology, process, and regionalization 
improvements that can be made, the Managers also believe that 
utilizing the authorities of Sec 364 of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) to develop 
certified lender programs will encourage public-private 
partnerships and expedite investment into rural infrastructure.
(31) Guaranteed Loan Fees
      The House bill amends section 333 of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act to require the Secretary to 
collect fees on insured or guaranteed loans in amounts that 
when combined with any appropriated funds equal the subsidy on 
such loans. (Section 6203(a))
      The Senate amendment amends section 333 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to require the 
Secretary to charge lenders of guaranteed loans a fee to offset 
subsidy costs. (Section 6117(a))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to provide that the Secretary charge and collect 
from the lender fees in such amounts as to bring down the costs 
of subsidies for the insured or guaranteed loan, except that 
the fees shall not act as a bar to participation in the 
programs nor be inconsistent with current practices in the 
marketplace. (Section 6418)
      Guaranteed lending programs are important to meeting 
credit needs of rural borrowers who are unable to qualify for 
conventional credit. The Managers believe a modest increase in 
fees in the Community Facilities and Water and Waste Disposal 
programs can achieve a zero-subsidy rate and potentially 
minimize or eliminate the need for future appropriations while 
increasing the volume of loans extended to rural communities. 
However, the Managers are also mindful that guaranteed lending 
under these programs serves a public policy purpose and 
encourages the Secretary to work with the Committees on 
Appropriations to establish a fee structure, annual 
appropriations amount, and program level appropriate to achieve 
that purpose.
      To assist in determining the appropriate fee structure 
and to examine the potential to reduce subsidy rates under 
other guaranteed lending programs, the Managers direct the 
Secretary to conduct a study of several guaranteed lending 
programs to clarify the extent of necessary fee increases; the 
impact on loan volume; whether fee increases could be 
structured to minimize impact on smaller lenders and borrowers; 
and how to better enhance credit terms for future borrowers, 
lenders and secondary market participants. In conducting the 
study, the Secretary shall consult with a range of stakeholders 
utilizing each program from across the rural lending community, 
including: rural community leaders, borrowers, rural banking 
institutions, rural credit unions, Farm Credit institutions, 
secondary market participants, and other interested 
stakeholders.
      No later than September 30, 2019, the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and 
Forestry of the Senate a report analyzing guaranteed lending 
under the Community Facilities, Water and Waste Disposal, 
Broadband Access, Business and Industry, and Rural Energy for 
America programs to determine:
      1. The level to which the origination fee and annual 
renewal fees would need to be raised in order to:
            a. achieve a zero-subsidy level
            b. reduce the subsidy rate to a level which will 
        not act as a bar to participation in the programs nor 
        be inconsistent with current practices in the 
        marketplace;
      2. The projected loan volume and the projected 
appropriations amount necessary to support that program level 
for each program under the fee structures described in 1.
      3. Whether such fees would prevent participation by 
smaller lenders and borrowers.
      4. Whether participation under a zero-subsidy structure 
could be increased by charging higher fees for larger loans and 
lower fees for smaller loans and, if so, what level of fees and 
loan sizes would achieve higher participation.
      5. How subsidy rates are formulated for individual 
guaranteed lending programs and how to enhance subsidy rate 
formulation to reflect performance of each program.
      6. Differences between USDA and SBA loan processes and 
whether USDA could expedite loan processing and ensure 
consistency between area service centers, states and national 
offices.
      7. Whether a transition period is necessary to shift 
USDA's guaranteed programs to a zero-subsidy structure without 
diminishing existing loan volume.
      8. Other actions the department could take to reduce the 
subsidy cost of running guaranteed lending programs, besides 
increasing fees, including a quantification of the estimated 
effects of such changes.
(32) Water, Waste Disposal, and Wastewater Facility Grants
      The House bill amends section 306(a)(2)(B) to increase 
the maximum amount of financing an eligible entity can receive 
from a revolving fund from $100,000 to $200,000. The bill 
reauthorizes the program for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
The bill also decreases the authorization of appropriations 
from $30 million to $15 million per fiscal year. (Section 6204)
      The Senate amendment is similar to the House bill and 
reauthorizes the program through fiscal year 2023. (Section 
6101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6403)
(33) Rural Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance and Training 
        Programs
      The House bill amends section 306(a)(14)(A) to permit the 
Secretary to provide grants to entities which assist eligible 
rural water systems with long term sustainability planning. The 
bill also amends section 306(a)(14)(C) to increase the set-
aside of funds for technical assistance to 3 to 5 percent of 
funds appropriated for rural water and waste grants under 
section 306(a)(2), unless applications qualifying for grants 
received by the Secretary from eligible nonprofit organizations 
for the fiscal year total less than 1% of those funds. (Section 
6205)
      The Senate amendment is the same as the House bill. The 
amendment also amends Section 306(a)(14)(B) to add a priority 
for rural water technical assistance and training to 
communities affected by emerging contaminants detected in 
drinking water and surface water supplies.
      The Senate amendment amends section 306(a)(14)(C) to 
increase the set-aside of funds for technical assistance up to 
3-to-5 percent of funds appropriated for rural water and waste 
grants under section 306(a)(2), unless applications qualifying 
for grants received by the Secretary from eligible nonprofit 
organizations for the fiscal year total less than 3% of those 
funds. (Section 6102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to change the priority to an eligible 
activity under the technical assistance program. (Section 6404)
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to allow for 
national applications without restrictions or award caps for 
funding under the Essential Community Facilities Technical 
Assistance and Training Program from qualified national non-
profit organizations for the sole purpose of providing on-site 
training and technical assistance on a national or multi-State 
regional basis. The Managers note there are no restrictions on 
funding awards prescribed in the authorizing statute of the 
program (Sec. 6006 of the Agricultural Act of 2014) (P.L. 113-
79). The Managers modeled the program after the Water and Waste 
Disposal Technical Assistance and Training Program (306)(a)(14) 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)(14)), which does not prescribe any caps or restrictions 
on funding. The Managers intend that applications not be 
limited to $150,000 for national and multi-state non-profit 
applications, but rather be considered for an amount of no less 
than $500,000 to provide community facilities technical 
assistance and training on a national or multi-state basis.
      The Managers recognize that the scientific understanding 
of the wide variety of emerging contaminants, including the 
broad category of substances identified as per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is continuing to develop and 
not yet mature. The Department and technical assistance 
providers should utilize the best available science and rely on 
the determinations produced by the Environmental Protection 
Agency when advising eligible water systems about emerging 
contaminants under this section.
(34) Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program
      The House bill amends section 306(a)(22)(B) to increase 
the authorization of appropriations to $25 million for FY2018 
and each FY thereafter. (Section 6206)
      The Senate bill amends section 306(a)(22)(B) to increase 
the authorization of appropriations to $25 million for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6405)
(35) Tribal college and University Essential Community Facilities
      The House bill amends section 306(a)(25)(C) to decrease 
the authorization of appropriations to $5,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6207)
      The Senate Amendment reauthorizes the Tribal College and 
University Essential Community Facilities Program through 
fiscal year 2023. (Section 6104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6406)
(36) Business Innovation Services Essential Community Facilities
      The Senate amendment amends section 306(a) to authorize 
the Secretary to make grants and loans for essential community 
facilities for business and innovation services, such as 
incubators, co-working spaces, makerspaces, and residential 
entrepreneur and innovation centers. (Section 12618)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
provision.
      The Managers recognize the need for additional financial 
support for community facilities that support rural businesses 
and innovation, and make clear that the Secretary may use 
programs authorized under 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) to make loans, loan 
guarantees, and grants for essential community facilities for 
business and innovation services, such as incubators, co-
working spaces, makerspaces, and residential entrepreneur and 
innovation centers.
(37) Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant Program 
        (ECWAG)
      The House bill amends section 306A to (1) authorize the 
Secretary to extend the reservation of funds for an additional 
120 days in order to provide potable water to protect public 
health, in the event of a natural disaster (including drought); 
and (2) authorize appropriations of $27 million for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6208)
      The Senate amendment amends Section 306A of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) increase 
the amount of funds reserved for ECWAG grants to between 5 
percent and 7 percent of the funds provided for water and 
wastewater grants under section 306(a)(2); (2) authorize 
appropriations of $50 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023; (3) prioritize funding of projects that address 
water contamination posing a threat to human health of the 
environment; (4) increase the maximum amount of a grant to 
address water quality or quantity decline from $500,000 to $1 
million, and: (5) create an interagency task force to study 
drinking water and surface water contamination in rural 
communities and submit its findings to Congress. (Section 6106)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to authorize the Secretary to extend the 
reservation of funds for an additional 120 days in order to 
provide potable water to protect public health. (Section 6407)
      In implementing the amendment made by this section, the 
Managers remind the Department that the Environmental 
Protection Agency is the lead federal agency charged with the 
scientific assessment of potential drinking water contaminants 
and regulating treated drinking water. In making awards under 
(b)(1)(A), the Department should continue to utilize the 
Agency's determinations, or those of relevant state and local 
regulators, of what poses a threat to human health or the 
environment, as required by Sections 306(a)(9) and (10) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
      Additionally, the Department should provide in its 
regulations implementing this program that any entities 
responsible for fouling a drinking water supply are not 
eligible to be the recipients of an award under this program.
(38) Water Systems for Rural and Native Villages in Alaska
      The House bill reauthorizes the program through FY 2023. 
(Section 6209)
      The Senate amendment amends section 306D to reauthorize 
the program through FY 2023, and to: (1) clarify that a 
consortium of Alaska Native Villages are eligible recipients of 
these grants; and (2) provide that up to 2% of the funds 
appropriated for a fiscal year may be used by a consortium for 
training and technical assistance programs. (Section 6107)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6408)
(39) Household Water Well Systems
      The House bill reauthorizes the program through FY 2023 
(Section 6210)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes the program through FY 
2023, increases the authorization of appropriations to $40 
million annually, reduces the eligibility threshold for 
households to those whose income is not more than 60 percent of 
the median nonmetropolitan household income for the State, 
allows for individually owned household decentralized water and 
wastewater systems to qualify, and provides that loans made 
with grants/funds shall have an interest rate of 1 percent with 
a term not to exceed 20 years and cannot exceed $15,000.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision, 
with an amendment to increase the authorization of 
appropriations from $5 million to $20 million for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6409)
      The Managers intend that the Secretary give priority and 
work closely with non- profits having substantial experience in 
providing direct technical assistance to low-income homeowners 
dealing with decentralized water system issues.
      In implementing the amendment made by this section, the 
Managers remind the Department that the Environmental 
Protection Agency is the lead federal agency charged with the 
scientific assessment of potential drinking water contaminants 
and regulating treated drinking water. In making awards under 
(4) for ground water well contamination, the Department should 
continue to utilize the Agency's determinations, or those of 
relevant state and local regulators, of what substances are 
considered contaminants and pose a threat to human health or 
the environment, as required by Sections 306(a)(9) and (10) of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1926(a)).
      Additionally, the Department should provide in its 
regulations implementing this program that any entities 
responsible for fouling a drinking water supply are not 
eligible to be the recipients of an award under this program.
(40) Rural Cooperative Development Grants
      The House bill amends section 310B to reauthorize the 
program through fiscal year 2023. (Section 6213)
      The Senate amendment amends section 310B to: (1) 
reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2023; and (2) 
clarify that research conducted under the cooperative research 
program may include that based on data from the latest 
available Economic Census conducted by the Bureau of the 
Census. (Section 6111)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6412)
(41) Intermediary Relending Program
      The House bill amends section 310H to: (1) reauthorize 
the program through FY 2023; and (2) reduce the authorization 
of appropriations to $10 million per year. (Section 6217)
      The Senate amendment amends section 310H to: (1) 
reauthorize the program through FY 2023; (2) increase to 
$400,000 the maximum loan amount an intermediary may lend to a 
qualified project; (3) reduce the matching amounts for 
preferred lenders; and (4) allow for return of equity to an 
intermediary consistent with loan amortization schedules. 
(Section 6115)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6416)
(42) Exclusion of Prison Populations from Definition of Rural Area
      The House bill amends section 343(a)(13) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act by excluding 
incarcerated prison populations from inclusion in the 
determination of whether an area is ``rural'' or a ``rural 
area.'' (Section 6218)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment clarifying that the exemption applies to 
populations incarcerated on a long-term or regional basis. 
(Section 6301)
(43) Rural Business-Cooperative Service Programs Technical Assistance 
        and Training
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 368 to the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act authorizing the 
Secretary to make grants for technical assistance and training 
to assist rural communities in accessing programs offered 
through Rural Business and Cooperative Services, with a 
priority for grants serving persistent poverty counties and 
high poverty communities. (Section 6118)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to provide that any amounts authorized to be 
appropriated for any fiscal year that are not appropriated for 
that fiscal year may be appropriated for the immediately 
succeeding fiscal year. (Section 6419)
(44) Establishment of Technical Assistance Program
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to establish 
a technical assistance program to improve access by Tribal 
entities to rural development programs. (Section 12514)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6302)
(45) Rural Microentrepreneur
      The House bill reauthorizes appropriations for the 
program of $4 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023. (Section 6221)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations for the 
program of $20 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.
      The Senate amendment establishes the minimum funding 
level an eligible microenterprise development organization can 
receive in technical assistance grants in an amount equal to 
not less than 20% of the total outstanding balance of 
microloans made by the microenterprise development 
organization, subject to satisfactory performance and the 
availability of funding. (Section 6121)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment capping the maximum funding level an eligible 
microenterprise development organization can receive in 
technical assistance grants to not more than 25 percent of the 
total outstanding balance of microloans made. (Section 6422)
(46) Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grant Program
      The Senate amendment amends Subtitle D of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish a 
competitive grant program to establish job accelerators to 
improve the ability of distressed rural communities to create 
high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and 
help rural communities identify and maximize local assets. 
Grants for job accelerators will be provided in not fewer than 
25 states. (Section 12619)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment. (Section 6424)
      The Managers recognize the importance of a broad 
coalition of stakeholders for implementation of a rural jobs 
accelerator partnership funded through this program. For this 
reason, beyond the criteria already described in the Conference 
substitute for the working group that makes up a rural jobs 
accelerator partnership, the Managers intend an applicant may 
consider including one or more representatives of an economic 
development or other community or labor organization; a 
financial institution, including a community development 
financial institution (as defined in section 103 of the 
Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 
1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702); a philanthropic organization; or a rural 
cooperative, if the cooperative is organized as a nonprofit 
organization.
      The Managers intend that in addition to the selection 
criteria stipulated in the Conference substitute, an applicant 
may also be asked to indicate the speed of available broadband 
service or how the jobs accelerator plans to improve access to 
high-speed broadband service, if necessary, and leverage that 
broadband service for programs of the jobs accelerator. To be 
selected for a grant through this program, an applicant should 
provide details on the identified industry cluster in their 
application, including a description of data showing the 
existence of emergence of an industry cluster; the importance 
of the industry cluster to economic growth in the identified 
region; the unique assets the identified region has to support 
the industry cluster and to have a competitive advantage in 
that industry cluster; evidence of a concentration of firms or 
concentration of employees in the industry cluster; and 
available industry-specific infrastructure that supports the 
industry cluster. The applicant should also provide a 
description of how the rural jobs accelerator partnership would 
improve the competitiveness of the identified region, the 
ability to repatriate United States jobs, the fostering of 
high-wage job creation, the support of innovation and 
entrepreneurship, and the promotion of private investment in 
the identified regional economy.
      The Managers believe the flexible use of funds through 
this program is important to successful rural jobs accelerator 
partnerships. The innovation center that may be funded through 
this program may function as or be used for housing for 
business owners or workers; co-working space, which may include 
space for remote work; space for businesses to utilize with a 
focus on entrepreneurs and small and disadvantaged businesses 
but that may include collaboration with companies of all sizes; 
job training programs; and efforts to utilize the innovation 
center as part of the development of a community downtown, 
among other uses deemed appropriate by the Secretary. Support 
programs that may be funded through this program may include 
integrating small businesses into a supply chain; creating or 
expanding commercialization activities for new business 
formation; identifying and building assets in rural communities 
that are crucial to supporting regional economies; facilitating 
the repatriation of high-wage jobs to the United States; 
supporting the development of innovative processes, 
technologies, and products; enhancing the capacity of small 
businesses in regional industry clusters, including small and 
disadvantaged business; and increasing United States exports 
and business interaction with international buyers and 
suppliers.
      The Managers recognize the need for federal interagency 
support of rural jobs accelerator partnerships. Beyond the 
Secretary of Commerce (or a designee) and the Secretary of 
Agriculture (or a designee) co-chairing the task force to 
oversee this program, this task force should also include the 
Secretary of Education (or a designee); the Secretary of Energy 
(or a designee); the Secretary of Health and Human Services (or 
a designee); the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (or 
a designee); the Secretary of Labor (or a designee); the 
Secretary of Transportation (or a designee); the Secretary of 
the Treasury (or a designee); the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency (or a designee); the 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration (or a 
designee); the Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional 
Commission (or a designee); the Federal Co-Chairman of the 
Board of the Delta Regional Authority (or a designee); the 
Federal Co-Chair of the Northern Border Regional Commission (or 
a designee); national and local organizations that have 
relevant programs and interests that could serve the needs of 
the jobs accelerators; representatives of State and local 
governments or State and local economic development agencies; 
representatives of institutions of higher education, including 
land-grant universities; and such other heads of Federal 
agencies and non-Federal partners as determined appropriate by 
the co-chairs of the task force.
(47) Northern Great Plains Regional Authority
      The House bill amends section 383N(a) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act by extending and reducing the 
authorization of appropriations to $2 million for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6224)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(48) Rural Business Investment Program
      The Senate amendment amends Subtitle H of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) change the 
definition of capital for purposes of the program from 
``venture capital'' to ``equity capital''; (2) remove the $500 
cap on guarantee fees the Secretary may charge; (3) increase 
the limitation on rural business investment companies 
controlled by Farm Credit System institutions from 25% to 50% 
before the rural business investment company is prohibited from 
providing equity investments to companies that are not 
otherwise eligible to receive financing from the Farm Credit 
System; and (4) prohibit the Secretary from requiring an entity 
applying to become a certified rural business investment 
company provide investment or capital that is not required of 
other companies eligible to apply to operate as a rural 
business investment company. (Section 12626)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6426)
(49) Electric Loan Refinancing
      The Senate amendment amends section 2(a) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary 
refinance electric and telephone loans made by the Rural 
Utilities Service. (Section 6201)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6501)
      The Managers expect that all affected federal agencies 
will work together to expeditiously implement the new authority 
to refinance Rural Utilities Service and Federal Financing Bank 
loans. Within 90 days USDA should publish a notice detailing 
implementation of the re-financing provisions.
      The Managers expect that the new refinancing authority 
gives the agency the ability to issue a new loan with new terms 
with the proceeds being used to repay or pre-pay an existing 
loan. These transactions should not be considered loan 
modifications. The Managers do not expect any additional budget 
authority to be necessary to implement these provisions.
(50) Technical Assistance for Rural Electrification Loans
      The Senate amendment amends section 2 to require the 
Secretary to enter into an MOU with the Department of Energy 
under which the Secretary of Energy shall provide technical 
assistance to the Rural Utilities Service on loans to be made 
for electrification loans. (Section 6202)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment clarifying that the Department of Energy 
provides technical assistance to Rural Utilities Service and 
not individual borrowers. (Section 6501(b))
(51) Loans for Telephone Service
      The Senate amendment amends Section 201 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 by making technical changes to 
remove obsolete provisions. (Section 6203)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6502)
(52) Cushion of Credit Payments Program/Extension
      The House bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 to: (1) authorize appropriations of $10 million for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 for the Rural Economic 
Development Loan and Grant Program; and (2) add a new section 
313B to consolidate and specifically authorize the statutory 
provisions governing the Rural Economic Development Loan and 
Grant Program. (Section 6304)
      The Senate amendment amends the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 to: (1) authorize appropriations of $5 million for each 
of fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for the Rural Economic 
Development Loan and Grant Program; (2) provide mandatory CCC 
funding of $5 million for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023; 
(3) provide for the continuation of the Rural Economic 
Development Loan and Grant Program beyond the current expected 
cessation of the Program with the expiration of the final 
certificate of beneficial ownership in FY2021; (4) cease 
additional deposits into the Cushion of Credit beginning 
October 1, 2018; and (5) modify the fixed interest rate and 5 
percent paid on Cushion of Credit deposits to the rate used to 
make payments on the 5-year Treasury note, not to exceed 5%. 
(Section 6204)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to cease additional deposits into the Cushion 
of Credit beginning on the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018; and to modify the interest paid on 
Cushion of Credit deposits from a fixed interest rate of 5 
percent currently paid on Cushion of Credit deposits to 4 
percent in fiscal year 2021, and to an amount equal to the 1-
year Treasury rate thereafter. In addition, beginning on the 
date of enactment through September 30, 2020, a borrower may 
reduce the balance of its Cushion of Credit account if the 
amount obtained from the reduction is used to prepay loans made 
or guaranteed under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. No 
prepayment premium will be imposed or collected with respect to 
that portion of a loan that is prepaid by a borrower under this 
limited prepayment authority. (Section 6503 & 6504)
      The managers expect that all affected federal agencies 
will work together to expeditiously implement the new authority 
to prepay Rural Utilities Service and Federal Financing Bank 
loans without penalty under this section. Within 90 days of 
enactment, USDA should publish a notice detailing 
implementation of the Cushion of Credit provisions. The 
Managers do not expect any additional budget authority to be 
necessary to implement these provisions.
      In providing the authority for depositors to prepay loans 
with balances in the Cushion of Credit account, it is the 
Managers' intention that each depositor be able to apply funds 
to individual loans of the depositor's choosing.
(53) Guarantees for Bonds and Notes Issued for Electrification for 
        Telephone Purposes
      The House bill amends section 313A of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) strike the requirement that 
loans be made solely for the purpose of electrification or 
telephone purposes under the Act, and instead allow that 
utility infrastructure loans be made to, or refinanced for, 
eligible borrowers under the Rural Electrification Act; (2) 
prescribe terms of the guarantees, including to require that 
the term of each guarantee must be 35 years; and (3) require 
that the Secretary carry out section 313A, as amended, under a 
notice of Solicitation of Applications until all necessary 
regulations are fully implemented. (Section 6301 & 6303)
      The Senate amendment amends section 313A of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to: (1) same as House bill; (2) 
prescribe terms of the guarantees, including to provide that 
the term of a guarantee, by agreement between the Secretary and 
the borrower, may be for a term of 30 years (or another term of 
years that the Secretary determines is appropriate); (3) 
substantially similar to the House bill; (4) extend the 
termination date until September 30, 2023; and (5) strikes the 
prohibition against the Secretary guaranteeing payment on a 
bond or note issued by a lender, the proceeds of which are used 
for the generation of electricity. (Section 6205)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6505)
      The Managers have included language to streamline the 
Guaranteed Underwriter Program. The Managers intend that this 
program will continue to guarantee loans or refinance bonds or 
notes issued by cooperative lenders for the purposes of 
assisting utilities in improving their infrastructure. These 
electric and telecommunications utilities include any former 
RUS borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or 
guaranteed loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, or 
any utility that is eligible to receive an insured or direct 
loan under such Act.
(54) Expansion of 911 Access
      The House bill reauthorizes section 315 of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 through 2023. (Section 6302)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6506)
(55) Transparency in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan Program
      The Senate amendment amends Title VI of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Secretary to publish 
and make available to the public a fully searchable database 
related to the Telecommunications Infrastructure Loan and Loan 
Guarantee Program, including: (1) a notice and specified 
details of each application; (2) a notice and specified details 
of each borrower receiving assistance; and (3) other 
information sufficient to allow the public to understand the 
assistance provided.
      The Senate amendment also requires the Secretary to 
provide an opportunity for the public to submit information 
concerning the service the borrower is offering in the census 
blocks proposed in an application. (Section 6208)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to expand the transparency and reporting 
requirements to all broadband infrastructure programs 
administered by USDA, remove references to census blocks, and 
moves some existing reporting language from Section 601 of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to a new Section 701. 
(Section 6207)
      In adopting a substitute amendment, the Managers have 
established a single process for providing notice and 
assessments of proposed service territories across multiple 
USDA broadband programs. The amendment will ensure that the 
Secretary will be required to follow the same process for 
making information about applicants for retail broadband 
assistance publicly available, regardless of which program the 
assistance is provided through. Similarly, existing broadband 
providers will have a single source of information about 
proposed projects in which they might be considered incumbent 
providers.
      The amendment also seeks to move the Department away from 
the inaccurate, census-block approach to determining the 
existing service within a proposed service territory. Census-
block level data has long been identified as a significant 
stumbling block to gaining an accurate map of broadband 
deployment in rural areas. The amendment requires existing 
service providers to provide data on their operations only 
within the borders of the proposed service territory. The 
Managers intend that the Secretary implement this section by 
requiring applicants and existing providers to each provide 
service point-level data when submitting data under this 
section, as appropriate.
(56) Cybersecurity and Grid Security Improvements
      The Senate amendment amends Title III of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 by adding at the end a new section 
authorizing the Secretary to make or guarantee electric loans 
for cybersecurity and grid security improvements. (Section 
6210)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6507)
(57) Rural Energy Savings Program
      The House bill amends section 6407 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) require the Secretary 
to not include any debt incurred under the Rural Energy Savings 
Program incurred in the calculation of a borrower's debt equity 
ratio for the purposes of determining eligibility for loans 
under the Rural Electrification Act; (2) require the Secretary 
to streamline accounting requirements imposed on borrowers 
while maintaining adequate assurances of loan repayment; (3) 
increase the interest rate that a borrower may charge when 
relending programs funds from 3% to 5%; (4) require the 
Secretary to submit a report to Congressional authorizing 
committees on program administration; and (5) reauthorize the 
program through 2023. (Section 6401)
      The Senate amendment amends Section 6407 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) very similar 
provision; (2) very similar provision; (3) increase the 
interest rate that a borrower may charge when relending program 
funds from 3% to 6%; (4) very similar provision; (5) 
reauthorized the program through 2023; and (6) amend the 
definition of ``energy efficiency measures'' eligible for 
financing to specifically include cost-effective on- or off- 
grid renewable energy or energy storage systems. (Section 6302)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to increase the interest rate a borrower may 
charge when relending program funds from 3 percent to 5 
percent. (Section 6303)
(58) Regional Economic and Infrastructure Development Commissions/
        Northern Border Regional Commission
      The House bill amends 40 U.S.C. 15751 to reauthorize the 
Commissions through fiscal year 2023. (Section 6503)
      The Senate amendment amends Section 15751 (a) of title 
40, United States Code, to reauthorize the Northern Border 
Regional Commission, the Southwest Border Regional Commission, 
and Southeast Crescent Regional Commission through 2023.
      The Senate amendment also establishes a State capacity 
building grant program to provide grants to Commission States 
to carry out several stated purposes, including to better 
support business retention and expansion in eligible counties 
and to implement new or innovative economic development 
practices. The amendment also adds 2 counties in New Hampshire 
and 8 in Vermont to region of the Northern Border Regional 
Commission. It provides several administrative provisions 
governing the grant program and authorizes such sums as may be 
necessary to provide up to $5 million per fiscal year to carry 
out the grant program. (Section 6304)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment adding additional New York counties and 
authorizes appropriations of $33 million for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023. (Section 6304)
(59) Definition of Rural Area for Purposes of the Housing Act of 1949
      The House bill amends section 520 of the Housing Act of 
1949 to update the census years for the purposes of defining 
``rural'' and ``rural area.'' The provision maintains the 
35,000 population threshold for areas rural in character and 
with a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-
income families. (Section 6504)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6305)
(60) Limited Exclusion of Military Base Populations from Definition of 
        Rural Area
      The House bill amends section 313(a)(13) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that the 
first 1,500 individuals who reside in housing located on a 
military base shall not be included in determining whether an 
area is ``rural'' or a ``rural area.''
      The House bill amends section 601(b) to provide that the 
first 1,500 individuals who reside in housing located on a 
military base shall not be included in determining whether an 
area is a ``rural area.''
      The House bill also amends section 2332 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to define 
``rural area'' for purposes of the Distance Learning and 
Telemedicine program. (Section 6505)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6301)
(61) Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development
      The Senate Amendment establishes a Council on Rural 
Community Innovation and Economic Development to enhance the 
efforts of the Federal Government to address the needs of rural 
areas through enhanced use of coordination, innovation, and 
investment to promote rural economic prosperity. (Section 6305)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 6306)
      Sec. 6306(h)(3)(A)(ii)(I): Report by the Rural Smart 
Communities Working Group--The report to be submitted to 
Congress not later than one year after the establishment of the 
Rural Smart Communities Working Group shall describe efforts 
that communities in rural areas can undertake to integrate 
`smart' technology into their communities to solve challenges 
relating to governance, economic development, quality of life, 
or other relevant issues, as determined by the Secretary. Other 
such issues the Working Group shall describe when considering 
challenges faced by rural communities should include, but are 
not limited to, energy delivery and reliability, 
transportation, public health, healthcare, law enforcement and 
public safety, housing, and other vital public functions.
      In addressing the aforementioned challenges, the report 
shall include a description of efforts of rural communities to 
apply innovative and advanced technologies and related 
mechanisms, to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness 
of related civic operations and services, and to create a more 
sustainable and resilient community. Furthermore, the report 
shall include an analysis on efforts to integrate `smart' 
technology into rural communities, the barriers and challenges 
faced by rural areas to integrate such technology into their 
communities, what Federal resources can be utilized to assist 
rural communities in this regard, as well as including 
recommendations on how best to deploy Federal resources to 
assist rural areas in integrating such technologies and 
resources in their communities and how rural communities can 
better leverage private sector resources to integrate such 
technologies and resources.
      Sec. 6306(h)(3)(A)(ii)(II): Rural Smart Community 
Resource Guide--The resource guide to be created, published, 
and maintained for rural communities to develop and implement 
rural smart community programs may include a compilation of 
existing related Federal and non-Federal programs available for 
rural communities to provide such resources that may include 
technical assistance, education and training, funding 
opportunities, or other programs. The resource guide may also 
include examples of rural community engagement with private-
sector entities to implement smart community solutions, 
examples of best practices and successful methods rural 
communities have undertaken to facilitate integration of smart 
technologies, and other such relevant topics that further 
assist rural communities obtain necessary information when 
developing and implementing rural smart community programs.
      In creating the Rural Smart Community Resource Guide, the 
Rural Smart Communities Working Group shall seek appropriate 
information from States and local governments in the creation 
and maintenance of the resource guide, and shall conduct 
outreach to States, counties, communities, and other relevant 
entities to provide interested stakeholders with the published 
Rural Smart Community Resource Guide, and subsequent 
iterations.
      The Working Group shall periodically update and 
distribute the Rural Smart Community Resource Guide, as 
relevant and necessary.
      Separately, the Managers recognize that existing programs 
within the Rural Development Title may be used to support 
outdoor recreation investments that meet the applicable program 
requirements. To increase the impact of these programs on the 
outdoor recreation economy, the Managers expect the Secretary 
to identify and support opportunities for outdoor recreation-
related investments that result in rural economic growth, 
including outdoor recreation businesses, facilities, 
infrastructure, planning, and marketing. The Managers also 
expect the Secretary to encourage coordination between Rural 
Development and U.S. Forest Service staff to identify 
opportunities to cooperate and leverage resources and 
investments.
(62) Elimination of Unfunded Programs
      The House bill repeals sections 306(a)(23), 310B(f), 379, 
379A, 379C, 379D, 379F, and Subtitle I of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act, and makes conforming amendments.
      The House bill also repeals sections 314 and 602 of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and makes conforming 
amendments. (Section 6601)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6601)
(63) Repeal of Rural Telephone Bank
      The House bill repeals Title IV of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 and makes conforming amendments. 
(Section 6602)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6602)
(64) Amendments to the Local TV Act
      The House bill amends the Launching Our Communities' 
Access to Local Television Act of 2000 by retitling it and 
repealing sections 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 
1009, 1010, 1011, and 1012. (Section 6603)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6603)
(65) Corrections Relating to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
        Development Act
      The House bill provides technical corrections to the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. (Section 6701)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6701)
(66) Corrections Relating to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
      The House bill provides technical corrections to the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936. (Section 6702)
      The Senate Amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 6702)

                          Title VII--Research

      The Managers recognize that Federal investment in public 
agricultural research has been trending downward in real 
dollars since 2003. This comes at a time when farmers are 
struggling to make ends meet and are in desperate need of new 
tools to cut costs, combat crop disease, and protect against 
flood and drought. Furthermore, the demands of a growing and 
hungry world population require that American agricultural 
research again take the lead in advancing innovation in food 
production.
      The Managers recognize that the U.S. has been second to 
China in total public agricultural research funding since 2008, 
and China's spending on public agricultural research and 
development is now nearly double that of the United States. We 
are at a critical juncture and must reverse this trend to 
reassert our nation's global leadership in agricultural 
research.
(1) Purposes of agricultural research, extension, and education; 
        International agriculture research
      The House bill amends section 1402 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (``NARETPA'') to add the purpose of supporting 
international scientific collaboration that leverages resources 
and advances the food and agricultural interests of the United 
States. (Section 7101)
      The Senate amendment is substantially identical to the 
House bill, except that it also provides a list of illustrative 
examples. (Section 7101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7101)
(2) Matters relating to certain school designations and declarations
      The House bill amends the definition of ``NLGCA 
Institution'' and ``non-land-grant college of agriculture'' in 
section 1404(14) of NARETPA to mean a public college or 
university offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the 
study of agricultural sciences, forestry, or both, which is any 
of the 32 specified areas of study. The House provision 
establishes a process of review within 90 days of enactment of 
each NLGCA to ensure compliance with the revised definition and 
to propose revocation of the designated NLGCA for 
noncompliance. The House provision also extends until fiscal 
year 2023 the current law authority for cooperating forestry 
schools and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges to no longer 
be designated as such institutions. (Section 7102)
      The Senate amendment amends the section 1404(14) 
definition of an NLGCA to mean a public college or university 
offering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the study of 
agricultural sciences, forestry, or both, which may include any 
of same 32 specific areas of study specified in the House bill 
and any other area determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
Similar to the House bill, the Senate amendment establishes a 
process of review within 90 days of enactment of each NLGCA to 
ensure compliance with the revised definition and to propose 
revocation of the designated NLGCA for noncompliance. (Section 
7102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision, 
with an amendment that specifies in the definition of NLGCA 
that the study of agricultural sciences, forestry, or both is 
any of the 32 specified areas of study or any other area 
determined appropriate by the Secretary. (Section 7102)
      The Managers expect the Secretary to rigorously 
scrutinize any other area of study beyond those specifically 
enumerated in statute before determining such area of study to 
be appropriate for the purposes of designating an NLGCA 
institution. Such area of study should be closely related to 
the core areas of agricultural sciences and forestry that are 
listed in the definition.
(3) National agricultural research, extension, education, and economics 
        advisory board
      The House bill amends section 1408 of NARETPA to 
reauthorize the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board. It amends the 
membership composition of the Advisory Board and directs the 
Advisory Board to make recommendations and to address long- and 
short-term national priorities consistent with various 
priorities of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative and 
NARETPA. (Section 7103)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1408 to reauthorize 
the Advisory Board. (Section 7103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to the membership composition of the Advisory 
Board to include a national association of agricultural 
economists. (Section 7103)
(4) Specialty crop committee; Citrus disease subcommittee
      The House bill amends section 1408A of NARETPA to extend 
the citrus disease subcommittee of the specialty crops 
committee through September 30, 2023. It increases the 
membership of the citrus disease subcommittee from 9 to 11 
members and increases from 3 to 5 the number of members who 
represent Arizona or California. (Section 7104)
      The Senate amendment extends the citrus disease 
subcommittee of the specialty crops committee through September 
30, 2023. (Section 7104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7104)
(5) Renewable energy committee
      The House bill discontinues the Renewable Energy 
Committee by repealing section 1408B of NARETPA. (Section 7105)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7105)
(6) Veterinary services grant program
      The Senate amendment amends section 1415B of NARETPA to 
sunset the authorization for the Veterinary Services Grant 
Program in fiscal year 2023, to require that not less than two-
thirds of the funds made available under section 1415B be 
awarded to qualified entities with a focus on food animal 
medicine, and to add to the preference for selecting grant 
recipients, qualified entities exposing students in grades 11 
and 12 to education and career opportunities in food animal 
medicine. (Section 7105)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments to remove the authorization sunset, to require 
the Secretary to prioritize grant awards for programs or 
activities focused on the practice of food animal medicine, and 
to specify that a qualified entity may use grant funds to 
expose students in grades 11 and 12 to education and career 
opportunities in food animal medicine. (Section 7106)
      The Managers intend to enhance the Veterinary Services 
Grant Program (VSGP), which was developed to relieve veterinary 
shortage situations and support veterinary services. To 
increase the number of food animal veterinarians, the Managers 
intend to recruit high school students and provide work 
experience to expose them to veterinary career opportunities. 
According to data from the Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
approximately 15 percent of veterinarians specialize in food 
animal or mixed animal practice while two-thirds practice 
exclusively on companion animals. Prioritizing food animal 
medicine in the VSGP will allow for additional grants to 
develop, implement, and sustain food animal veterinary services 
through education, training, recruitment, placement, and 
retention of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and 
students of veterinary medicine and technology, and to 
establish or expand veterinary practices in rural areas.
(7) Research equipment grants
      The House bill adds a new section 1462A of NARETPA to 
establish a competitive grants program for the acquisition of 
research equipment for use in food and agricultural sciences 
programs. Further, it stipulates grant amounts may not exceed 
$500,000 to an eligible institution and authorizes $5 million 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. Additionally, the 
House bill defines ``eligible institution'' to mean a ``college 
or university'' or a State cooperative institution. (Section 
7121)
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 1419 to establish 
a competitive grants program that is substantially similar to 
the House bill, with the exception that the Senate amendment 
defines ``eligible institution'' to mean ``an institution of 
higher education as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965'' or a State cooperative institution. 
(Section 7107)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7125)
(8) Next generation agriculture technology challenge
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 1419C to NARETPA 
to establish a next generation agriculture technology challenge 
competition to incentivize the development of innovative mobile 
technology that removes barriers to entry in the marketplace 
for beginning farmers and ranchers. The Senate amendment 
provides that the Secretary may award not more than $1,000,000 
in the aggregate to 1 or more winners of the competition. 
(Section 7110)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7110)
      The Managers recognize that there are many barriers to 
entry for new and beginning farmers and ranchers. One of the 
major challenges includes the lack of innovative mobile 
technology to help new and beginning farmers and ranchers start 
farming. The Managers intend that this authority be used to 
stimulate new advancements to bridge gaps in technology and 
better serve new and beginning farmers and ranchers.
(9) Nutrition education program
      The House bill strikes section 1425 in NARETPA to 
discontinue the nutrition education program and to strike 
funding for the expanded food and nutrition education program. 
(Section 7110)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1425 to extend the 
authorization of appropriations for the nutrition education 
program and the expanded food and nutrition education program 
through fiscal year 2023. (Section 7111)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to allow the expanded food and nutrition 
education program to coordinate with the nutrition education 
and obesity prevention grant program under section 28 of the 
Food and Nutrition Act or another health promotion or nutrition 
improvement strategy. (Section 7112)
(10) Extension carryover at 1890 land-grant colleges, including 
        Tuskegee University
      The House bill amends section 1444(a) of NARETPA to allow 
1890 colleges to carry forward to the succeeding fiscal year 
more than 20 percent of the funds they receive in a given 
fiscal year, effective October 1, 2018. (Section 7112)
      The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the 
House bill but does not specify an effective date of October 1, 
2018. It also requires an annual report to Congress describing 
allocations made to, and matching funds received by, 1890 
colleges and 1862 land-grant colleges for extension. (Section 
7114)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment striking the annual report requirement and 
moves it to section 7116. (Section 7114)
      The Managers encourage USDA to allow extension funding to 
carry over at 1890 institutions in a similar manner to 1862 
institutions.
(11) Report on allocations and matching funds for 1890 Institutions
      The House bill directs the Secretary to transmit to 
Congress annually a report on the allocations made to, and 
matching funds received by, institutions pursuant to sections 
1444 and 1445 of NARETPA. (Section 7106)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1445 to require an 
annual report to Congress describing allocations made to, and 
matching funds received by, institutions under section 1445 and 
institutions designated under the Act of July 2, 1862. (Section 
7115)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments to include allocations and matching funds 
received by institutions under section 1444 of NARETPA, 
subsections (b) and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act, 
and the Hatch Act of 1887. (Section 7116)
      The Managers recognize the important role that land-grant 
colleges have throughout the country, particularly in 
agricultural research and extension. It will benefit farmers, 
producers, and other community stakeholders if state 
governments match the federal government's funding level 
commitments at both 1890 and 1862 land-grant colleges. The 
Managers expect that the Secretary's annual report on the 
efforts made by States to match dollar-for-dollar federal 
funding will provide additional information to Congress for 
future policy decisions, help land-grant colleges better serve 
their communities, and encourage States to provide additional 
support for agricultural research.
(12) New beginning for tribal students
      The House bill amends section 309(b) of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to require the 
Secretary, within a year of the date of enactment, to establish 
a ``New Beginnings Initiative'' in consultation with the Office 
of Tribal Relations, under which the Secretary shall provide 
funds to a land-grant college or university in an amount equal 
to the funds such college or university expends for providing 
Indians educational programs and services, or tuition at such 
college or university. (Section 11204)
      The Senate amendment adds a new section, 1450, to NARETPA 
authorizing the Secretary to award competitive grants to land-
grant colleges or universities to provide identifiable support 
specifically targeted for Tribal students. A land-grant college 
or university that receives a grant under this section shall 
provide matching funds toward the cost of carrying out the 
support in an amount equal to not less than 100 percent of the 
grant award. The Senate amendment provides that no State shall 
receive more than $500,000 per year through grants under this 
program. Additionally, it requires that the Secretary provide a 
report on the type of grants awarded, the amounts awarded, and 
the graduation rate of student awardees and authorizes 
appropriations in the amount of $5 million for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7118)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments specifying that the term ``land-grant college 
or university'' includes a 1994 Institution and other technical 
changes. (Section 7120)
(13) Binational agricultural research and development (BARD)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1458 of NARETPA to 
provide that activities under the BARD Fund to promote and 
support agricultural research and development that are of 
mutual benefit to the United States and Israel shall be carried 
out in a manner consistent with the section and to accelerate 
the demonstration, development, and application of agricultural 
solutions resulting from or relating to BARD Fund programs. 
(Section 7120)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment striking that the activities be carried out 
in a manner consistent with the section. (Section 7122)
      The Managers acknowledge the strong research and 
development partnership between the United States of America 
and the Government of Israel, carried out through activities 
under the Binational Agricultural Research and Development 
(BARD) Fund. The Managers encourage the Secretary to promote, 
support, and expand agricultural research and development that 
are of mutual benefit to the United States and Israel.
      In addition, the Managers intend for USDA, in 
coordination with the Government of Israel, to pursue the 
expansion of activities under BARD to accelerate the 
demonstration, development, and application of agricultural 
solutions resulting from or relating to BARD Fund programs. The 
broader BARD areas of interest for collaborative priorities 
include:
            (A) increased efficiency of agricultural production 
        including sustainable development, efficient use of 
        resources, economic evaluation of policies and 
        regulatory issues, and crops that yield higher value 
        per unit;
            (B) protection of plants and animals against biotic 
        stress, including pest genetics in biological 
        environments, invasive species, and emerging diseases;
            (C) agricultural production challenges in 
        increasing marginal conditions, such as tolerance to 
        drought, salinity, high temperature and nutrient 
        stresses;
            (D) food quality, safety and security including 
        improved assessment and detection methods, food 
        nutritive value in relation to human health, functional 
        foods, reliable supply, and postharvest treatments;
            (E) water quality and quantity including efficient 
        use of low quality water, improved economic return for 
        water in agriculture, crop response to soil and water 
        quality and its constituents, impact of nutrients on 
        water quality;
            (F) functional genomics and proteomics that deal 
        with important agricultural issues including production 
        and protection traits, genetic optimization, and 
        increased yield;
            (G) sensors and robotics linking biological 
        phenomena with sensors or otherwise bridging into the 
        field of bioengineering, nano-technology, precision 
        agriculture, and labor reduction; and
            (H) sustainable bio-energy systems, including 
        biofuel production systems, and those that reduce 
        energy costs, leverage renewable resources, reduce 
        greenhouse gases, and help to diversify the farm 
        economy.
(14) Partnerships to build capacity in international agricultural 
        research, extension, and teaching
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 1458A to NARETPA 
to promote building capacity and improving performance among 
1862, 1890, 1994, NLGCA, Hispanic-serving agricultural 
colleges, and cooperating forestry schools, and similar 
institutions in developing countries, to strengthen 
agricultural research, teaching, and extension institutions. 
The section authorizes $10 million for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023. (Section 7121)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments defining ``developing country'' and 
``international partner institutions'' and other technical 
changes. (Section 7123)
      The Managers understand that global food production must 
continue to increase to meet the world's growing population. 
The Managers intent is to build capacity and improve the 
performance of covered institutions and agricultural higher 
education institutions in developing countries performing, or 
desiring to perform, activities substantially similar to 
agricultural research, extension, and teaching activities in 
order to solve food, health, nutrition, rural income, and 
environmental challenges, especially among chronically food 
insecure populations.
(15) Limitation on indirect costs for agricultural research, education, 
        and extension
      The House bill amends section 1462 of NARETPA to allow 
indirect cost recovery charged against any agricultural 
research, education, or extension grant awarded to increase 
from 22 percent to 30 percent of total federal funds received, 
unless otherwise provided in law. It clarifies that the 
limitation on indirect costs applies to both the initial grant 
award and any subgrant, so that the total of all indirect costs 
charged against the total of the Federal funds provided does 
not exceed the 30 percent limitation. (Section 7120)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7125)
(16) Supplemental and alternative crops
      The House bill amends section 1473D of NARETPA to 
reauthorize appropriations through fiscal year 2023 for the 
competitive grants program to develop supplemental and 
alternative crops. It amends the program to include canola and 
alternative crops ``for agronomic rotational purposes and for 
use as a habitat for honey bees and other pollinators''. 
(Section 7124)
      The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the 
House bill and also provides that the Secretary may award 
grants and enter into agreement or other arrangements to 
conduct research related to the development of industrial hemp 
as well as the development of new and emerging commercial 
products derived from hemp. (Section 7125)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to increase the authorization of 
appropriations to $2 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 7129)
(17) New era rural technology program
      The Senate amendment amends section 1473E of NARETPA to 
reauthorize the New Era Rural Technology Program for fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023 and adds precision agriculture to the 
areas of technology development, applied research, and training 
supported under the program. (Section 7126)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7130)
(18) Agriculture advanced research and development authority pilot 
        (AGARDA)
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 1473H to NARETPA 
to establish the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
Authority (AGARDA) under the Office of Chief Scientist. 
``Advanced research and development'' is defined as activities 
to overcome long-term and high-risk research challenges in 
agriculture and food through acceleration of innovative 
agricultural research or the development of qualified products 
and projects or agricultural technologies. The Senate amendment 
directs the Secretary to develop a strategic plan for AGARDA 
and disseminate the information in the plan to those who can 
best contribute to the activities described in the strategic 
plan. It permits the Secretary to use ``other transaction 
authority'' to expedite awarding grants and entering into 
contracts. The provision permits the Secretary to appoint 
highly qualified individuals without regard to certain sections 
of the U.S. Code governing appointments in the competitive 
service and without regard to the General Schedule pay rates 
and authorizes establishment of the AGARDA Fund in the U.S. 
Treasury administered by the Chief Scientist to carry out this 
section. The provision permits the Secretary to accept and 
deposit monies received from cost recovery or contribution into 
the AGARDA Fund. The authority under this new section 
terminates on September 30, 2023. (Section 7128)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments that (1) broaden the definition of ``advanced 
research and development'', (2) specify that one of the goals 
of AGARDA is to undertake advanced research and development in 
areas that industry is unlikely to undertake because of 
technological or financial uncertainty; (3) add royalty 
payments as monies that the Secretary may accept and deposit 
into the AGARDA Fund and allow amounts deposited into the Fund 
to remain available until expended; and (4) modify the 
termination of effectiveness to 5 years after the date of 
enactment and provide exceptions to such termination for 
certain provisions of the section. (Section 7132)
      The Managers recognize the need to address high risk and 
long-term challenges that threaten the stability and economic 
viability of agriculture in the United States. To do this 
effectively, the Managers intend to complement existing 
research efforts by providing new authority to spur innovation. 
As such, the conference substitute establishes the Agriculture 
Advanced Research and Development Authority pilot program to 
carry out advanced research and development of qualified 
products and projects, agricultural technologies, and research 
tools.
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to establish a 
robust strategic plan for AGARDA that implements a new approach 
to problem solving that considers and learns from the successes 
and experiences of other advanced research and development 
authorities, such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects 
Agency (DARPA), the Biomedical Advanced Research and 
Development Authority (BARDA), and the Advanced Research 
Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
      The Managers intend that the Secretary of Agriculture use 
the other transaction authority, when appropriate, in a 
creative manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as 
afforded to the Secretary of Defense under DARPA, including 
that the other transaction authority may be used when a 
standard contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is not 
feasible or appropriate.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to prioritize projects 
during the pilot program to meet challenges related to the 
discovery of solutions to plant and animal disease threats, 
including those with the highest risk of emerging or moving 
transboundary, and the discovery of mechanization solutions 
that will provide viable alternatives for labor intensive 
aspects of specialty crop production.
      The projects funded through this pilot program should 
address barriers in research and development that support 
transformative advances that industry by itself is not likely 
to undertake because of technological or financial uncertainty.
      The Managers encourage USDA to partner and collaborate 
with agencies, relevant industries, academia, and other 
stakeholders to conduct advanced research and development. The 
Managers do not intend for USDA to change how other authorized 
agricultural research programs are funded and implemented due 
to the establishment of AGARDA.
(19) Rangeland research programs
      The House bill amends section 1483 of NARETPA to 
reauthorize appropriations for rangeland research through 
fiscal year 2023. (Section 7127)
      The Senate amendment repeals subtitle M of NARETPA to 
eliminate the rangeland research program. (Section 7130)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7134)
(20) Special authorization for biosecurity planning and response
      The House bill amends section 1484 of NARETPA to increase 
authorization of appropriations to $30 million for each fiscal 
year 2019 through 2023. The House bill authorizes the Secretary 
to use the funding to enter into cooperative agreements, in 
addition to awarding competitive grants. It adds that the 
Secretary shall, in addition to other stated activities, use 
the funds to coordinate tactical science activities of USDA's 
Research, Education, and Economics mission area to protect the 
American agricultural system against biosecurity threats from 
pests, diseases, contaminants, and disasters. (Section 7128)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations of $20 
million for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2023. (Section 
7131)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7135)
(21) Land-grant designation
      The House bill adds a new section to Subtitle C of 
NARETPA to prohibit the designation of additional entities as 
eligible to receive funds under a list of ``covered programs'', 
including the Hatch Act, the Smith-Lever Act (sections 3(b), 
(c), and (d)), McIntire-Stennis Act, and programs funding 
research, extension, and facilities at 1890 land-grant 
colleges. It also prohibits the increase of the amount of 
funding a state can receive under a covered program as a result 
of a state's designation of additional entities as eligible to 
receive funds under a covered program. The House bill specifies 
that this new section does not limit eligibility for capacity 
and infrastructure programs specified in section 251(f)(1)(C) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
that are not covered programs. (Section 7118)
      The Senate amendment adds a new section to Subtitle P of 
NARETPA to prohibit the designation of additional entities as 
eligible to receive funds under a list of ``capacity 
programs'', including the Smith-Lever Act (sections 3(b) and 
(c)), the Hatch Act, McIntire-Stennis Act, and programs funding 
research, extension, and facilities at 1890 land-grant 
colleges, and other agricultural research, extension, or 
education programs relating to capacity and infrastructure. It 
provides exceptions from the prohibition against new 
designations for 1994 institutions under the McIntire-Stennis 
Act, and in extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the 
Secretary. Additionally, the section prohibits the increase of 
the amount of funding a state can receive under a capacity 
program as a result of the designation of additional entities 
as eligible to receive funds under a capacity program. (Section 
7133)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments that provide exceptions from the prohibition against 
new designations for 1994 institutions and in extraordinary 
circumstances and that make technical changes. (Section 7111)
      The Managers support the continuing mission of the U.S. 
land-grant university system to address local, State, and 
national priorities concerning food and agricultural sciences. 
Formula funds provided by USDA support capacity and 
infrastructure for research, education, and extension programs 
related to food and agricultural sciences.
      Funds allocated to States for agricultural research 
programs under the Hatch Act and agricultural extension 
programs pursuant to the Smith-Lever Act are based on 
individual formulas that take into account rural population and 
farm numbers. Urban population and State land area are not 
considered. The efficiencies gained through central 
administration of research, extension, and education 
programming within the States reduce costs while maximizing 
resources devoted to local, State, and national priorities.
      The Managers recognize the budgetary limitations facing 
the land-grant system of colleges and universities and all 
other public-sector entities.
      Efforts to divide existing land-grant universities under 
the guise of local control of extension programing would 
establish separate, distinct administrative units with the 
effect of duplicating administrative costs and burdens, while 
significantly disrupting the ability to provide programming on 
high-priority local, State, and national issues.
      The Managers address this concern by prohibiting USDA 
from providing capacity funding to institutions not previously 
designated as land-grant universities, thereby preserving the 
capability of the system to address our nation's priorities 
within the budgetary constraints that currently exist.
(22) Scholarships for students at 1890 institutions
      The House bill adds a new section to Subtitle G of 
NARETPA to require the Secretary to award a grant to each 1890 
institution to provide scholarships for students who have been 
accepted for admission and will, within one year, be enrolled 
at the institution, and who intend to pursue a career in food 
and agricultural sciences, including a career in: agribusiness; 
energy and renewable fuels; and financial management. It 
authorizes appropriations of $19 million for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023 and requires that each grant be made in 
the amount of $1 million. (Section 7114)
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to award a 
grant to each 1890 institution to provide scholarships for 
students who seek to attend the institution and intend to 
pursue a career in food and agricultural sciences, including 
agribusiness; food production, distribution, and retailing; the 
clothing industries; energy and renewable fuels; and farming 
marketing, finance, and distribution. It authorizes 
appropriations of $19 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023 and requires the Secretary to allocate $1 million 
for a fiscal year to each of the 19 eligible institutions. The 
Senate amendment also establishes findings and purposes related 
to the program. (Section 7134)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to limit grants to 1890 institutions that have 
established a competitive scholarship awards process for this 
scholarship program and restricts the Secretary from using more 
than $10 million in mandatory funds to award grants for each 
academic year from July 1, 2020 through July 1, 2023. The 
substitute provides that each grant be made in an amount not 
less than $500,000. The substitute provides $40 million in 
mandatory funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation 
(``CCC'') on October 1, 2019 to remain available until expended 
and $10 million in discretionary funding for each of fiscal 
years 2020 through 2023, with a 4 percent administrative 
expense cap. The substitute also requires that the Secretary 
submit a report to Congress every 2 years. (Section 7117)
(23) National strategic germplasm and cultivar collection assessment 
        and utilization plan
      The Senate amendment amends section 1632 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (``FACT Act'') 
to require the Secretary to develop, publish, and implement a 
national strategic germplasm and cultivar collections 
assessment and utilization plan. It amends section 1633 to 
require the Secretary to make such a plan publicly available 
upon completion. (Section 7205)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7205)
      The Managers recognize that food security and 
productivity across growing conditions depend on regionally-
adapted cultivars and the maintenance of a robust strategic 
germplasm, and therefore direct the Secretary to implement an 
updated assessment of the national strategic germplasm and 
cultivar collection, as well as the research, education, and 
capacity updates necessary to meet current and future needs of 
American farmers and U.S. consumers. The Managers intend the 
Secretary to make progress on the development of publicly 
available cultivars, building on direction provided in the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, and expect an 
acceleration in progress on delivering regionally-adapted 
cultivars that can be used to improve farm productivity, crop 
marketability, and efficient nutrient use.

(24) National genetics resources program

      The House bill amends section 1635 of FACT Act to 
reauthorize the National Genetics Resources Program through 
fiscal year 2023. (Section 7205)
      The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the 
House bill and also amends the organization of the Advisory 
Council by adding 4 members and changing the appointment of 
members, and by adding membership from 1862, 1890, and 1994 
institutions and certain other institutions of higher 
education. The section also instructs the Advisory Council to 
include recommendations, including on the state of public 
cultivar development and on the training and resources needed 
to meet future breeding challenges, research gaps relating to 
cultivar development. (Section 7206)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 7206)

(25) Agricultural genome initiative

      The House bill amends section 1671 of FACT Act by 
including phenome, in addition to genome, within the 
Agriculture Genome Initiative. The House bill outlines the 
research initiative goals to expand knowledge concerning 
genomes and phenomes of crops important to the agriculture 
sector of the United States. It authorizes appropriations of 
$30 million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 7207)
      The Senate amendment similarly amends section 1671 to 
include phenome, in addition to genome, within the Agriculture 
Genome Initiative. The Senate amendment also incorporates 
animals of importance to the agriculture sector of the United 
States to the research initiative goals and purposes. It 
authorizes appropriations of $30 million for fiscal year 2019 
through 2023. (Section 7208)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment authorizing appropriations of $40 million for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7208)
      The Managers acknowledge the enormous challenge of 
efficiently and sustainably producing a safe, dependable food 
supply for a growing population. Meeting this challenge 
requires the development and management of crop varieties that 
will perform well despite increased weather variability. 
Significant progress has been made by the crop industry in 
sequencing numerous plant genomes. This genomic knowledge will 
increase the ability to predict crop performance in diverse 
environments, enhancing the capability to develop new varieties 
and to better manage the effects of weather variability on crop 
productivity. The Managers support a large-scale, inter-
disciplinary network of researchers dedicated to producing and 
analyzing very large datasets of phenotypes to better predict 
crop yields.
      The Managers recognize the importance of animal genomics 
research conducted and supported by USDA and strongly supports 
increased efforts in genomics research on agriculturally 
important animals to address critical goals including: (1) 
understanding how environment and production systems impact the 
growth and productivity of livestock, poultry, and aquaculture 
to help predict and improve performance under variable 
conditions; (2) leveraging livestock, poultry, and aquaculture 
genomic information with phenotypic and environmental data to 
assist in selection of superior genetics and improved 
management; (3) understanding gene function in production 
environments to improve livestock, poultry, and aquaculture 
performance; and (4) developing improved data analytics to 
enhance understanding of the biological function of genome 
sequences in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. The Managers 
commend the university community, the private-sector, and USDA 
for its work to advance animal genomics research and encourages 
additional focus on these efforts in the future.

(26) High-priority research and extension

      The House bill amends section 1672 of FACT Act to change 
the alfalfa and forage research program to the alfalfa seed and 
alfalfa forage systems research program. It adds the following 
to the list of high-priority research areas: macadamia tree 
health, turfgrass, fertilizer management, cattle fever ticks, 
laying hen and turkey production, chronic wasting disease, and 
algae. (Section 7208)
      The Senate amendment adds the following to the list of 
high-priority research areas: macadamia tree health, turfgrass, 
nutrient management, and chronic wasting disease. Additionally, 
the Senate amendment establishes the Pollinator Health Task 
Force and amends the provisions governing the coordination of 
pollinator and honeybee research under section 1672(g). 
(Sections 7209 & 12620)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to include nutrient management, dryland farming 
agricultural systems, and hop plants. The substitute also 
provides for the enhanced coordination of honeybee and 
pollinator research by the USDA Chief Scientist and requires 
that to the maximum extent practicable, the Chief Scientist 
shall make such research results publicly available. (Section 
7209)
      The Managers are aware that pollinators are responsible 
for the production of one-third of the U.S. food supply, but 
that managed honey bees continue to die off in alarming 
numbers, resulting in steady annual input cost increases to 
maintain sufficient managed colony numbers to pollinate 
America's crops. Because of the importance of pollinators in 
the production of the nation's food supply and their impact on 
the stability of our agricultural economy, the Managers have 
included additional honeybee and pollinator research 
requirements. Specifically, the Managers have included 
provisions to facilitate coordination of honeybee and 
pollinator research efforts USDA-wide and ensure adequate input 
from the pollinator, beekeeper, grower, and scientific 
communities.
      To further address the protection of pollinators, the 
Managers encourage the continuation of government-wide 
collaboration and policy development through the Pollinator 
Health Task Force.

(27) Organic agriculture research and extension initiative

      The House bill amends section 1672B of FACT Act to add 
the examination of optimal soil health outcomes relating to 
organically produced agricultural products to the purposes for 
which grants may support activities under the program. It 
reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2023, and 
increases mandatory CCC funding to $30 million for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7209)
      The Senate amendment is similar to the House bill except 
it increases mandatory CCC funding to: $40 million in each of 
fiscal years 2019 and 2020; $45 million for fiscal year 2021; 
and $50 million for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year 
thereafter. (Section 7210)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment making technical changes and providing 
mandatory CCC funding of $20 million in each of fiscal years 
2019 and 2020, $25 million for fiscal year 2021, $30 million 
for fiscal year 2022, and $50 million for fiscal year 2023 and 
each fiscal year thereafter. (Section 7210)
      The Managers recognize that strong investment in organic 
research, education, and extension has led to growth in the 
organic industry and the discovery of new research that 
benefits all farmers, and therefore the conference substitute 
includes $395 million in mandatory funding to support organic 
research. The Managers have provided permanent funding for this 
program to ensure that the program has baseline funding 
hereafter. The Managers encourage research funding to be used 
to continue development of organic solutions for pest and 
disease management, seed breeding, nutrient management, and 
improvements in soil health. Organic research is important for 
developing plant varieties and animal breeds suitable for 
organic farming, advancing ecosystem services and environmental 
benefits, creating tools to aid with organic transition, and 
addressing other needs to advance organic production. The 
Managers acknowledge that research funding is one of the 
primary forms of support for organics in the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 so the conference substitute increases 
funding beyond the levels in the Agricultural Act of 2014 to 
continue development of the organic market.
      The Managers also recognize that Aerated Static Pile 
(ASP) composting with energy recovery is an emerging technology 
for transforming organic wastes into a stable soil amendment, 
while also producing sufficient heat energy for on-site hot 
water heating needs. The Managers encourage USDA to continue to 
support emerging organic waste management practices.

(28) Farm business management

      The House bill amends section 1672D of FACT Act to 
reauthorize the program through fiscal year 2023 and clarify 
that grants may be made to expand a national farm financial 
management database. The House bill also amends the selection 
criteria to include prioritization of applications that 
collaborate with educational programs, and those that 
contribute data to the national farm financial management 
database. (Section 7210)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes the program through FY 
2023. (Section 7211)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7211)

(29) Urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production research, 
        education, and extension initiative

      The Senate amendment authorizes competitive research and 
extension grants to support research, education, and extension 
activities for the purposes of enhancing urban, indoor, and 
other emerging agricultural production. Priority may be given 
to grant proposals that involve the cooperation of multiple 
entities, or States or regions with a high concentration of or 
significant interest in urban farms, rooftop farms, and indoor 
production facilities. The Senate amendment provides $4 million 
in mandatory CCC funds for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023 and authorizes appropriations of an additional $10 million 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. It requires the 
Secretary to conduct a census of urban, indoor, and other 
emerging agricultural production and provides a separate 
authorization of an additional $14 million for the period of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2021 to carry out this census. 
(Section 7212)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments striking the inclusion of assessment of 
shipping and transportation impacts on nutritional values for 
research under the competitive research and extension grants, 
providing $10 million in mandatory CCC funds for fiscal year 
2019 to remain available until expended, and making other 
technical changes. (Section 7212)
      The Managers recognize that methods of agricultural 
production are changing and evolving across the country. For 
example, agricultural production occurs on vacant land in urban 
areas, contributing to economic recovery and creating 
opportunities for new farmers. Highly-efficient indoor farms 
grow fresh produce in areas near consumers to increase access 
to their products year-round. Rooftop agriculture produces 
local food and creates new entrepreneurial opportunities in 
urban, suburban, and rural areas. The Managers recognize that 
these and other emerging agriculture production methods bring a 
new generation of farmers and connect consumers to agriculture. 
The Managers intend for the Secretary to fund research, 
education, and extension that support these efforts and address 
the specific research needs and challenges faced by urban, 
indoor and other emerging agricultural production methods.
(30) Centers of excellence at 1890 institutions
      The Senate amendment amends section 1673 of FACT Act to 
require the Secretary to establish at least three centers of 
excellence, each led by an 1890 institution, to focus on one or 
more of the following: student success and workforce 
development; nutrition, health, wellness, and quality of life; 
farming systems and rural prosperity; global food security and 
defense; natural resources, energy and the environment; and 
emerging technologies. It requires the Secretary to submit a 
report to Congress on the resources invested in and work being 
done by those centers of excellence and authorizes $10 million 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7213)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments specifying that the Secretary shall recognize 
at least three centers of excellence and making technical 
changes. (Section 7213)
      The Managers encourage the Secretary, through the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, to consider the 
views of the 1890 universities, the 1890 Universities 
Foundation, and the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture's (NIFA) peer review systems in determining the 
appropriate criteria for recognizing 1890s Centers of 
Excellence. The process should ensure that both smaller and 
larger 1890 universities have an opportunity to participate in 
authorized center of excellence program activities. Funding 
should be restricted to programmatic activities, and not 
include construction activities.
(31) Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities
      The House bill reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal 
year 2023 for demonstration grants to provide agricultural 
education and assistance to individuals with disabilities 
engaged in farming or farm-related occupations. It adds 
language to clarify that the provision applies to veterans 
engaged in farming or farm-related occupations, or who are 
pursuing new farming opportunities. (Section 7211)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations for the 
demonstration grants through fiscal year 2023. (Section 7214)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7214)
(32) National food safety training
      The House bill amends section 405 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
(``AREERA'') to reauthorize appropriations of such sums as 
necessary for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The House bill 
strikes the prohibition on funding that restricts USDA from 
providing additional grant funding once an entity has received 
three years of grant funding. (Sections 7300 and 7301)
      The Senate amendment amends section 405 by striking 
``such sums as necessary'' and specifying an authorization of 
appropriations of $10 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 7301)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to authorize appropriations of $10 million for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7301)
(33) Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale, and 
        barley caused by fusarium graminearum or by tilletia indica
      The House bill reauthorizes appropriations of $10 million 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7303)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations at an 
increased level of $15 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 7303)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment restricting grant recipients from using more 
than 10 percent of the grant funds for indirect costs. (Section 
7303)
(34) Specialty crop research initiative
      The House bill expands the specialty crop research and 
extension initiative to include research of ``size-controlling 
rootstock systems for perennial crops,'' ``emerging and 
invasive species,'' and ``threats to specialty crop 
pollinators,'' among other production practices and 
technologies. It reauthorizes appropriations of $100 million 
annually through fiscal year 2023. Additionally, the House bill 
extends reservation of mandatory funding for the emergency 
citrus disease research and extension program and reauthorizes 
discretionary funding through fiscal year 2023. (Section 7305)
      Similar to the House bill, the Senate amendment expands 
the specialty crop research and extension initiative to include 
additional production practices and technologies. (Section 
7305)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7305)
      The Managers recognize that the funding for research 
programs for specialty crops should generally be made available 
to all specialty crops and not include carve-outs or set-asides 
for any one particular specialty crop. The Managers also 
acknowledge the unique challenges presently facing the citrus 
industry in the United States with respect to HLB and the Asian 
Citrus Psyllid vector. In direct response to a joint request 
from the leadership of the citrus industry and other specialty 
crop stakeholders, the Managers have agreed to establish a 
Citrus Trust Fund to support the Emergency Citrus Disease 
Research and Extension Program for one additional five-year 
period. The Managers intend for this program to address this 
challenge at this particular time and do not intend for such 
program to continue in perpetuity.
      The Managers are aware of concerns that prioritizing 
grants that are multi-state, multi-institutional, or multi-
disciplinary disproportionately impacts the funding success of 
projects for certain commodities grown only in one state. The 
Managers encourage the Secretary to take appropriate steps to 
ensure that meritorious proposals are not denied solely because 
they lack one of the enumerated priorities.
(35) Critical agricultural materials act
      The House bill reauthorizes appropriations for fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7501)
      The Senate amendment specifies that hemp, as defined in 
section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, is 
eligible for funding under the Critical Agricultural Materials 
Act. The Secretary shall conduct, sponsor, promote, and 
coordinate basic and applied research for the development of 
critical agricultural materials from agricultural crops having 
strategic and industrial importance, including for hemp. The 
Senate amendment also reauthorizes appropriations for fiscal 
years 2019 through FY 2023. (Section 7401)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7501)
(36) Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994
      The House bill amends section 532 of the Equity in 
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 to add to and update 
the defined list of 36 tribal colleges as ``1994 
Institutions.'' The House bill reauthorizes endowment funding, 
capacity-building grants, and research grants for the 36 tribal 
colleges for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7502)
      The Senate amendment is substantially similar to the 
House bill with technical differences.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment specifying that the effective date for the updated 
list shall be the date of enactment. (Section 7502)
(37) Research Facilities Act
      The House bill amends the Research Facilities Act by: (1) 
amending the definition of ``agricultural research facility'' 
to strike ``a college, university, or nonprofit institution'' 
and inserting ``an entity eligible to receive funds under a 
capacity and infrastructure program as defined in Section 
251(f)(1)(C) of the 1994 Agriculture Reorganization Act''; (2) 
requiring proposals to demonstrate that the recipient entity 
has the ability and commitment to support the long-term, 
ongoing maintenance costs of the facility; and (3) establishing 
a program to make competitive grants to assist in the 
construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, 
renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research facilities.
      The House bill also reauthorizes appropriations under the 
Research Facilities Act through fiscal year 2023 and provides 
that funds appropriated remain available until expended. The 
House bill prohibits more than 25 percent of the funds under 
the Act for a fiscal year to be made available to any single 
agricultural research facility and limits an eligible entity to 
receiving funds for only one project at a time under the Act. 
(Section 7503)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations under 
the Research Facilities Act through fiscal year 2023. (Section 
7403)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7503)
(38) Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (AFRI)
      The House bill amends the Competitive, Special, and 
Facilities Research Grant Act by adding to the priority 
research areas of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative 
the following: (1) soil health; (2) tools that accelerate 
research in the use of automation or mechanization for labor-
intensive tasks in crop production and distribution; and (3) 
barriers to entry for young, beginning, socially disadvantaged, 
veteran, and immigrant farmers and ranchers. The House bill 
also makes several amendments to relieve or impose matching 
fund requirements for various research purposes, reauthorizes 
appropriations through fiscal year 2023, and increases to 5 
percent the amount of appropriated funds that the Secretary may 
retain for administrative costs. (Section 7504)
      The Senate amendment adds the following to the priority 
research areas: soil health and automation or mechanization in 
the production and distribution of specialty crops, with a 
focus on labor-intensive tasks. The Senate amendment authorizes 
the Secretary to provide grants to carry out collaboration in 
biomedical and agricultural research using existing research 
models and reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal year 
2023. (Section 7404)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment striking the changes to matching funds 
requirements for various research purposes, which are made in 
section 7614, and authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to 
carry out collaboration in biomedical and agricultural research 
using existing research models. (Section 7504)
      The Managers understand in July 2018, the National 
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 
released its ``Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and 
Agricultural Research by 2030'' consensus report which 
identifies five priority research areas essential to developing 
a more efficient, resilient, sustainable, and competitive U.S. 
agricultural system. The Managers urge the Secretary to utilize 
this report to identify opportunities for additional 
agricultural research investments directed towards the 
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), NIFA's 
flagship competitive research program, which sets the standard 
for scientific innovation in these fields.
      The Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit: Research in 
Biomedicine and Agriculture Using Agriculturally Important 
Domestic Species is an interagency partnership grants program 
funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
Development (NICHD) and the USDA. Both the USDA and the 
National Institute of Health (NIH) should be commended for 
developing this important interagency program. The Managers 
strongly urge continuation of this partnership given the 
sponsors use of farm animals as dual purpose models to better 
understand developmental origins of disease, fat regulation and 
obesity, stem cell biology, assisted reproductive technologies, 
and infectious diseases, all of which directly benefit both 
agriculture and biomedicine. This program also strengthens ties 
between human medicine, veterinary medicine, and animal 
sciences, which is key to success of the One Health Initiative.
(39) Extension design and demonstration initiative
      The Senate amendment amends the Competitive, Special, and 
Facilities Research Grant Act to establish a competitive grant 
program to encourage the design of adaptive prototype systems 
for extension and education. Eligible entities for the grant 
are State agricultural experiment stations and land-grant 
colleges and universities. There is an authorization of 
appropriations of $5 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 7405)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment specifying that the Secretary shall award 
grants each fiscal year and that eligible entities also include 
a cooperative extension service and making technical changes. 
(Section 7505)
(40) Repeal of review of agricultural research service
      The Senate amendment repeals section 7404 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 that required the 
one-time review of the Agricultural Research Service. (Section 
7408)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7506)
(41) Biomass research and development
      The House bill amends section 9008 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by reauthorizing 
appropriations for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 7509)
      The Senate amendment amends the definition of ``biobased 
product'' to include carbon dioxide intended for permanent 
sequestration that is a byproduct of certain commercial and 
industrial products. It adds an expert in carbon dioxide 
capture, utilization, and sequestration to the membership of 
the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory 
Committee. In addition to reauthorizing appropriations for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the Senate amendment 
provides $3 million in mandatory CCC funds for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7409)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment striking the $3 million in mandatory CCC 
funding for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7507)
(42) Reinstatement of District of Columbia Matching Requirement--
        Extension
      The House bill amends section 209 of the District of 
Columbia Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act to 
reinstate the D.C. land-grant matching requirement. The 
effective date of this provision is October 1, 2018. (Section 
7603)
      The Senate amendment also reinstates the D.C. land-grant 
matching requirement, with technical differences from the House 
bill. (Section 7410)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7508)
(43) Enhanced use lease authority program
      The House bill amends section 308 of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 to transition the lease authority program out of 
``pilot'' status, to specify a June 18, 2023 termination date 
for the program, and to require periodic reports not later than 
June 18, 2019, June 18, 2021, and June 18, 2023. The House bill 
also clarifies that the prohibition against public retail 
development applies to onsite public retail development. 
(Section 7601)
      The Senate amendment extends the lease authority to 
terminate on a date that is 15 years after the date of 
enactment of section 308, and to require a report not later 
than 13 years after the date of enactment of section 308. 
(Section 7411)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment striking the clarification for the prohibition 
against onsite public retail development, establishing 
September 30, 2023 as the termination date of the program, and 
requiring a report not later than September 30, 2021. (Section 
7601)
      The Managers intend that the enhanced use lease authority 
prohibit retail sales on Agricultural Research Service (ARS) 
property that generate foot traffic including, but not limited 
to, food and clothing stores where customers physically visit 
retailers for an exchange of goods and services.
(44) Transfer of administrative jurisdiction, portion of Henry A. 
        Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, 
        Maryland
      The House bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to 
transfer a parcel of real property at the Henry A. Wallace 
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center to the administrative 
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose 
of establishment of Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities 
on the parcel and specifies the conditions of the transfer, 
including requiring an appraisal by Secretary of Treasury to 
determine the fair market value of the parcel. (Section 7605)
      The Senate amendment provides the Secretary of 
Agriculture with authority to transfer the same parcel of 
property to the Secretary of the Treasury as the House bill. 
The Senate amendment also specifies the conditions of the 
transfer, but does not include an appraisal requirement. 
(Section 7412)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment requiring that the Secretary of Agriculture 
enter into a binding memorandum of agreement with the Secretary 
of Treasury in regard to the responsibilities of each party for 
evaluating and, if necessary, remediating any hazardous 
materials found at the parcel. (Section 7602)
(45) Foundation for food and agriculture research
      The Senate amendment amends section 7601 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Board of Directors for 
the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to actively 
solicit and accept any funds, gifts, grants, devises, or 
bequests of real or personal property made to the Foundation, 
including from private entities. It also requires that the 
Foundation post its annual report online and publish an annual 
stakeholder notice with a description of agricultural research 
priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the 
Senate amendment directs the Foundation to submit to Congress a 
strategic plan describing a path for the Foundation to be self-
sustaining. The Senate amendment requires the Secretary, on the 
date of enactment, to transfer $200 million of funds from the 
CCC to the Foundation, to remain available until expended. 
(Section 7413)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment. The amendment specifies that the 
Foundation's coordination of activities with Federal research 
and development programs avoids conflicts at the Department of 
Agriculture and requires that the Foundation document its 
consultation process with the Secretary and include a summary 
in the Foundation's annual report. The substitute provides that 
the strategic plan should include a detailed plan for 
soliciting additional resources and managing and leveraging 
such resources. The Secretary is to transfer $185 million of 
funds from the CCC to the Foundation on the date that the 
Foundation submits its strategic plan. (Section 7603)
      The Managers recognize the work done by the Foundation 
for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) to leverage private 
funding, matched with federal dollars to support public 
agricultural research. It is the Managers' intent that FFAR 
continue to plan for long-term self-sustainability through 
comprehensive strategic planning, ongoing public outreach, and 
donor solicitation.
      The Managers intend for the FFAR to foster public-private 
partnerships among the agricultural research community, 
including federal agencies, academia, non-profit organizations, 
corporations and individual donors to identify and prioritize 
the most pressing needs facing agriculture.
      The Managers are aware that FFAR is organized and 
operated exclusively for charitable, educational, and 
scientific purposes as a nonprofit corporation consistent with 
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, no 
substantial part of its activities may be to attempt to 
influence legislation.
      FFAR has received funding provided by the Federal 
Government. The Managers direct that FFAR have in place 
management and recordkeeping systems to ensure that no Federal 
funds are used to carry out any activity to attempt to 
influence legislation. The Managers expect that FFAR will 
provide any such records to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives or the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, upon request.
(46) Assistance for forestry research under the McIntire-Stennis 
        Cooperative Forestry Act
      The Senate amendment amends section 2 of the McIntire-
Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act to include 1994 
Institutions that offer an associate's degree or a 
baccalaureate degree in forestry to be eligible for assistance 
for forestry research. (Section 7414)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7604)
(47) Legitimacy of industrial hemp research
      The Senate amendment amends section 7606 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 to require the Secretary to conduct a 
study on the hemp research pilot program that includes a review 
of the economic viability of the domestic production and sale 
of industrial hemp and hemp products, and to submit a report 
describing the study to Congress within 120 days. The provision 
also repeals the hemp research pilot programs one year after 
the Secretary publishes a final regulation allowing for full-
scale commercial production of hemp as provided in section 297C 
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. (Section 7415)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that requires the Secretary to submit a 
report describing the study not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment. (Section 7605)
(48) Collection of data relating to barley area planted and harvested
      The Senate amendment directs the National Agricultural 
Statistics Service to include New York in the states surveyed 
for the table entitled ``Barley Area Planted and Harvested'' in 
certain reports. (Section 7416)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7606)
(49) Collection of data relating to the size and location of dairy 
        farms
      The Senate amendment requires the Administrator of the 
Economic Research Service (ERS) to update the report entitled 
``Changes in the Size and Location of US Dairy Farms'' 
published in September 2007. As part of the update, it requires 
that the Secretary include an expanded Table 2 containing the 
full range of herd sizes detailed in Table 1. The report shall 
be updated no later than 120 days after the date of enactment. 
(Section 7417)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment specifying that the report shall be updated 
not later than 60 days after the 2017 Census of Agriculture is 
released. Instead of requiring an expanded Table 2, the 
substitute directs that the Secretary, to the maximum extent 
practicable, use the same reporting measurement of the full 
range of herd sizes in Tables 1 and 2 while protecting the 
confidentiality of individual producers. (Section 7607)
(50) Agriculture innovation center demonstration program
      The House bill reauthorizes appropriations for the 
Agriculture Innovation Center Demonstration Program through 
fiscal year 2023. (Section 6502)
      The Senate amendment strikes subsection (g) of section 
6402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to 
eliminate the requirement for the Secretary to use $300,000 to 
support research on the effects of projects for value-added 
agricultural commodities on agricultural producers and 
commodity markets. It also authorizes such sums as necessary to 
carry out the program. (Section 7418)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment specifying that the Board of Directors for 
each Agriculture Innovation Center be composed of a diverse 
group of representatives from public and private entities, 
including four entities representing commodities produced in 
the State and may include a State legislator. The substitute 
also strikes the report to Congress and authorizes the 
appropriation of $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 7608)
(51) Smith-Lever community extension program
      The Senate amendment amends the Smith-Lever Act to permit 
the Secretary to provide competitive grant funding to: (1) 1890 
colleges and Tuskegee University; and (2) 1994 Institutions for 
the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk program and the 
Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program. The Senate 
amendment provides that the exception to the matching funds 
shall not apply to the competitive grant funding awarded to a 
1994 Institution for the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk 
program and the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program. 
(Section 7419)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments making technical changes and striking the 
changes made to the matching funds exception for 1994 
Institutions. (Section 7609)
(52) Grazing lands research laboratory
      The House bill amends section 7502 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend from 10 to 15 
years, the prohibition on declaring Federal land and facilities 
at El Reno, Oklahoma as excess or surplus property or conveying 
or transferring such land and facilities. (Section 7411)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 7411)
(53) Farm and stress assistance network
      The House bill amends section 7522 of the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to reauthorize such sums 
as necessary for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The 
House bill requires ``consultation'' as opposed to 
``coordination'' with the Secretary of Health and Human 
Service, clarifies that grants may be used to train individuals 
who may assist farmers in crisis, makes Indian tribes eligible 
for grants, and requires a review of the program within two 
years after the first grant is awarded. (Section 6003)
      The Senate amendment authorizes the appropriation of $10 
million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. It 
clarifies that grants may be used for training programs and 
workshops for advocates and other individuals who may assist 
farmers in crisis. The Senate amendment authorizes grants to be 
used to enter into contracts with community-based, direct-
service organizations to initiate, expand, or sustain programs 
and not later than one year after the date of enactment, 
requires a report by the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
describing the state of behavioral and mental health in farmers 
and ranchers. (Section 7511)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment making Indian tribes eligible for grants. 
(Section 7412)
      The Managers recognize with the inclusion of this 
provision that farmers and individuals who work in agriculture 
face highly stressful working conditions, which can contribute 
to serious behavioral health concerns, especially during 
downturns in the farming economy. Historically, there have been 
efforts to address these concerns, including through programs 
characteristic of the 1980s farm crisis and recognition of this 
issue in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
      The Managers recognize that in the absence of federal 
support for such efforts, state and local organizations have 
worked to address behavioral health concerns among those who 
work in agriculture. The Managers emphasize the importance of 
moving quickly to get the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance 
Network operating effectively, given current conditions in the 
farming economy. The Managers intend that priority be given to 
grantees with demonstrated experience and those that intend to 
collaborate with organizations focused on behavioral health 
concerns, including non-profit organizations.
      The Managers intend for this provision to facilitate the 
development and positive impact of a nationwide network 
accessible to all farmers and individuals who work in 
agriculture and that priority be given to grantees with this 
capability, including the State cooperative extension services.
      The Managers direct that USDA and the Department of 
Health and Human Services examine the problem of occupational 
stress among farmers and individuals who work in agriculture to 
develop a long-term strategy and response.
(54) Mechanization and automation for specialty crops
      The Senate amendment requires that not later than 180 
days after the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018, the Secretary conduct a review of programs at the 
Department of Agriculture that affect the production or 
processing of specialty crops, and develop and implement a 
strategy to accelerate the development and use of automation 
and mechanization in the production or processing of specialty 
crops. (Section 7514)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7610)
      The Managers note that labor availability is one of the 
most critical challenges facing the labor-intensive specialty 
crop sector both in the short and long term. Committee hearings 
in Washington, D.C. and field hearings around the country have 
documented the need for proper solutions for mechanization 
challenges. The Managers therefore request the research 
agencies in the USDA more vigorously fund this vital research 
priority through their respective programs.
(55) Experienced services program
      The Senate amendment amends section 1252 of the Food 
Security of 1985 to rename the ACES program the Experienced 
Services Program. It expands the program to include technical, 
professional, and administrative services for the research, 
education, and economics mission area at USDA. (Section 12305) 
The Senate amendment also terminates the authority in section 
1252 effective on October 1, 2023. (Section 2408)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provisions 
with an amendment making technical changes. (Section 7611)
(56) Functions and duties of the Under Secretary for Research, 
        Education, and Economics
      The House bill amends section 251 of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to add to the functions 
of the Under Secretary for research, education, and economics 
the requirement to ensure that agricultural economics and 
statistical programs are effectively coordinated and integrated 
and that such programs, along with agricultural research, 
education, and extension programs, address the priority 
research areas of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. 
(Section 7602)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(57) Farmland tenure, transition, and entry data initiative
      The House bill directs the Secretary to collect and 
report annually data and analysis on farmland ownership, 
tenure, transition, and entry of beginning farmers or ranchers. 
It authorizes appropriations of $2 million each fiscal year for 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 7604)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(58) Simplified plan of work
      The House bill amends the requirements for the submission 
of plans of work by land-grant institutions with respect to the 
use of formula funds and state matching funds under the Hatch 
Act, Smith-Lever Act, and similar formula funds provided to the 
1890 land-grant universities. It provides that the procedures 
of such plans of work are not subject to audits to determine 
their sufficiency. (Section 7606)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that strikes the changes with respect to audits. 
(Section 7612)
      The Managers expect that implementation of this section 
will result in a more streamlined, concise, and less burdensome 
plan of work. The Managers encourage the Secretary to engage 
land-grant institutions in the implementation of this section.
(59) Time and effort reporting exemption
      The House bill exempts entities receiving certain funds 
from time and effort reporting requirements under part 200 of 
title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations with respect to the 
use of such funds. (Section 7607)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments requiring that the Secretary consult with the Office 
of Management and Budget in reviewing and revising the time and 
effort reporting requirements and that such revisions reduce 
the amount of paperwork and time required under the current 
reporting requirements. (Section 7613)
      The Managers are concerned that administratively, land-
grant capacity funds have burdensome reporting requirements. 
Land-grant capacity funding, provided via a statutory formula, 
requires matching funds from the states and is further 
supported by local funding, enabling institutions to sustain 
research capabilities and extension operations in a manner that 
reflects the direct input of local constituencies. The Managers 
note that recipients of capacity funds operate under various 
levels of oversight and accountability, including state and 
local governments, leadership within the colleges of 
agriculture, leadership within the university institutions, and 
most importantly, the local constituencies they serve. The 
Managers encourage USDA to consider these factors while 
reviewing and revising current reporting requirements.
      The Managers encourage the administration to consider 
granting an exemption as outlined in 2 CFR 200.102 to land-
grant capacity funds. The Managers direct the Administration to 
work with the land-grant entities who receive capacity funds, 
including representatives of 1862, 1890, and Cooperative 
Forestry Institutions, in the implementation of this section.
(60) Public education on biotechnology in food and agriculture sectors
      The House bill requires the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary 
of Education, and other appropriate persons and organizations, 
to develop and carry out a national science-based education 
campaign to increase public awareness regarding the use of 
technology in food and agriculture production. (Section 7608)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(61) Matching funds requirement
      The House bill amends section 1492 of NARETPA by removing 
competitive grants awarded under the Competitive, Special, and 
Facilities Research Grant Act from among those covered by the 
matching requirements under section 1492. (Section 7130)
      The Senate amendment repeals section 1492 and reinstates 
the matching requirements in place prior to the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 for competitive grants awarded by the Secretary 
under: (1) NARETPA; (2) Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (3) the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998; (4) Part 
III of subtitle E of title VII of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008; or (5) the Competitive, Special, and 
Facilities Research Grant Act. (Section 7601)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 7614)
      The Managers intend to remove the universal matching 
requirement for competitive grants established in the 
Agricultural Act of 2014.
(62) Research and extension funding equity for recently designated 1890 
        institutions
      The House bill amends section 1444 and 1445 of NARETPA to 
provide that any institution designated as an eligible 1890 
institution on or after September 30, 1999 shall be deemed to 
have been designated as an eligible institution on or before 
September 30, 1978, and thus eligible for a proportional share 
of the 1890 extension and research formula funds allocated 
among institutions designated as such prior to September 30, 
1978. (Section 7113)
      The Senate amendment amends section 1444 of NARETPA to 
add a new subsection (a)(5) authorizing additional 
appropriations for one of fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021, or 
2022 to ensure that an eligible institution receiving a 
distribution of funds under this section for that fiscal year 
receives not less than the amount of funds received by that 
eligible institution under this section for the preceding 
fiscal year. It also requires that for 1 of fiscal years 2019, 
2020, 2021, or 2022, if the 1890 formula would result in a 
distribution of less than $3,000,000 to an eligible institution 
that first received funds under this section after the date of 
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 for a fiscal year, 
that institution shall receive a distribution of $3,000,000 for 
that fiscal year; however, it provides that this requirement 
only applies if additional amounts are appropriated under the 
new subsection (a)(5) for the prior fiscal year. The Senate 
amendment amends section 1445 of NARETPA in a similar manner. 
(Section 7602)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments. The amendments establish a minimum additional 
funding amount for eligible entities in the fiscal years 
following certain eligible entities' qualification for $3 
million. If there are insufficient funds appropriated for 
section 1444 or section 1445 to continue the minimum additional 
funding amounts for eligible institutions, the substitute 
provides for a reduction in allocations made to eligible 
institutions. (Section 7115)
Additional Report Language
      The Managers recognize the importance of the aerial 
application of pest control tools. These tools are useful not 
only to ensure overall food safety and food security, but also 
to promote public health through improved mosquito control 
techniques. The ARS Aerial Application Technology Program 
conducts innovative research making aerial applications more 
efficient, effective, and precise. This program has yielded 
more effective public health control programs, as well as 
increased efficiencies and greater crop production. Research 
for aerial application serves the public interest as a vital 
tool for the future.
      The Managers recognize the statutory intent of the Food 
and Agriculture Service Learning Program is to fund projects 
that deliver experiential learning on food, agriculture, and 
nutrition education that require significant investments in 
human capital and evidence-based programming. As such, the 
Managers encourage NIFA to maximize grant size to ensure 
meaningful outcomes and robust evaluation. The Managers 
recognize the importance of community service partnerships for 
developing and implementing experiential food, nutrition, and 
farm-to-school curricula. The Managers encourage NIFA to 
coordinate with other federal agencies engaged in national 
community service programs when administering the Food and 
Agriculture Service Learning Program.
      USDA is the federal government's primary agency charged 
with promoting good nutrition and the delivery of food 
assistance to Americans of all ages. There is strong evidence 
that nutrition plays a vital role in how a person ages. The 
U.S. has a rapidly aging population. Research into nutrition 
benefits aging Americans by keeping them active longer, 
delaying or reducing the effects of chronic illnesses and 
obesity, and reducing health care costs for such diseases. The 
ARS provides critical support for human nutrition research 
through its nutrition research centers. The Managers support 
the investment in human nutrition research, especially as it 
affects the aging population, and expects ARS to continue 
strong support for nutrition research and existing centers.

                          Title VIII--Forestry

(1) State and private forest landscape-scale restoration program
      The House bill subsection (a) of the new program 
enumerates the purpose of the program as supporting activities 
that result in improvements to public benefits derived from 
State and private forest land; subsection (b) provides for the 
relevant definitions; subsection (c) establishes the program 
that provides financial and technical assistance for projects 
that maintain or improve benefits to trees and forests on land; 
subsection (d) enumerates the requirements under the program; 
subsection (e) requires the Secretary to establish a 
measurement tool to quantify the results of projects; 
subsection (f) allocates funding for projects equally between a 
national competitive process and to States; subsection (g) 
requires that the allocation through the competitive process 
maximize the achievement of the objects of the program as well 
as requires the submission of proposals to the Secretary to be 
considered for the competitive process and subsection (h) 
requires the Secretary to submit a report to Congress. 
Subsection (i) authorizes $10,000,000 to carry out the program 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available 
until expended. (Section 8104)
      The Senate amendment establishes a competitive grant 
program for financial and technical assistance to encourage 
collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest 
landscapes. The program requires collaboration and consultation 
regarding the identification of other applicable resources 
towards landscape-scale restoration. The provision authorizes 
$20 million to be appropriated toward these grants each fiscal 
year through 2023, to remain available until expended, 
deposited in the ``State and Private Forest Landscape-Scale 
Restoration Fund''. (Section 8101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8101)
      The Managers include reforms to the Landscape Scale 
Restoration program. The Managers direct the U.S. Forest 
Service to administer this program as a competitively awarded 
grant program to carry out science based, landscape-scale 
restoration work. The Managers recognize the importance of 
conducting landscape-scale restoration on both state and 
private land in cross boundary work. The Managers also 
encourage the U.S. Forest Service to coordinate with the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Foresters, and 
other stakeholders on an ongoing basis regarding the 
administration and identification of other applicable resources 
for landscape-scale restoration.
(2) Repeal of recycling research
      The Senate amendment repeals the wood fiber recycling 
research program. (Section 8201)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8201)
(3) Repeal of forestry student grant program
      The Senate amendment repeals the forestry student grant 
program. (Section 8202)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8202)
(4) Repeals
      The Senate amendment repeals the study on reforestation 
and improved management in section 2410 of the Global Climate 
Change Prevention Act of 1990. (Section 8301)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8301)
(5) Promoting cross-boundary wildfire mitigation
      The House bill authorizes cross-boundary wildfire 
mitigation under certain circumstances, authorizes the 
Secretary to use other related authorities for projects, 
directs interagency cooperation and encourages the Secretary to 
use certain excess funds towards these projects, including 
through grants to state foresters, capped at the greater of 
either 20 per cent of the excess or $20 million. The bill 
provides that only laws and regulations that apply to non-
federal land apply to a project. (Section 8332)
      The Senate amendment authorizes cross-boundary hazardous 
fuel projects, defines certain terms, authorizes grants to 
state foresters, authorizes the Secretary to use other related 
authorities for grant projects, directs interagency cooperation 
and authorizes $20 million in appropriations for each of FY 
2019 through 2023. (Section 8401)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8401)
      The Managers recognize the risks of catastrophic wildfire 
to life, property, and infrastructure and have consequently 
provided several new authorities, including this authority to 
promote cross-boundary wildfire mitigation, to the Forest 
Service to address the threat of wildfire and promote 
restoration of Federal and non-Federal land. The Managers 
expect the Department of Agriculture to utilize this and other 
new authorities in an expeditious manner in order to ensure the 
restoration of Federal and non-Federal land and to address the 
threat of catastrophic wildfire.
(6) Authorization of appropriations for hazardous fuel reduction on 
        federal land
      The Senate amendment amends section 108 of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and reauthorizes the hazardous 
fuel reduction on Federal land program at $660 million annually 
through FY 2023. (Section 8402)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8402)
(7) Repeal of biomass commercial utilization grant program
      The Senate amendment amends section 203 of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to repeal the Biomass 
Commercial Utilization Grant program. (Section 8403)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8403)
(8) Water source protection program
      The Senate amendment establishes the Water Source 
Protection Program to carry out forest restoration projects at 
watershed levels on National Forest System (NFS) land. It 
authorizes the use of partnership agreements with non-Federal 
partners to carry out activities and provides an authorization 
of appropriations of $10 million annually through FY2023. 
(Section 8404)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8404)
(9) Watershed condition framework
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary of 
Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to 
establish and maintain a watershed condition framework for NFS 
land. (Section 8405)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification that authorizes the Secretary to establish 
and maintain a watershed condition framework. (Section 8405)
(10) Authorization of appropriations to combat insect infestations and 
        related diseases
      The Senate amendment makes various modifications to 
section 406 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and 
provides a termination of effectiveness on Oct. 1, 2023. 
(Section 8406)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8406)
(11) Authorization of appropriations for designation of treatment areas
      The Senate amendment amends section 602 of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 and eliminates the 
authorization of appropriations for insect and disease 
treatment areas. (Section 8408)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8408)
(12) Administrative review of collaborative restoration projects
      The House bill directs the Secretary to initiate a 
rulemaking to clarify that the following project 
characteristics do not need to be examined as part of 
determining whether extraordinary circumstances preclude a 
Categorical Exclusion (CE) under National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA); whether a project is within a proposed wilderness 
area; whether a project impacts a Forest Service sensitive 
species; the cumulative impact of a project when added to other 
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions; 
whether a project may affect, but is not likely to adversely 
affect, a listed species or designated critical habitat; and 
whether a project may affect, and is likely to adversely 
affect, a listed species or designated critical habitat, if the 
project is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the 
biological opinion. It eliminates the requirement to perform an 
environmental impact statement for all projects that would 
substantially alter a potential wilderness area. The bill 
requires that the rulemaking be completed within 120 days of 
enactment. (Section 8503)
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to apply 
extraordinary circumstances to section 603 of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003. (Section 8409)
      The Conference substitute deletes both provisions.
(13) Repeal of revision of strategic plan for forest inventory and 
        analysis
      The Senate amendment amends section 8301 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 and repeals the authority that 
provided for a one-time revision of strategic plan for forest 
inventory and analysis. (Section 8501)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8501)
(14) Semiarid agroforestry research center
      The Senate amendment amends section 1243(d) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and extends 
the authority for the semiarid agroforestry research center 
through 2023. (Section 8502)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8502)
(15) Conveyance of forest service administrative sites
      The Senate amendment amends section 503(f) of the Forest 
Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act of 2005 and 
reauthorizes the authority for the Forest Service to convey 
administrative sites through 2023. (Section 8504)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8504)
(16) Definitions
      The House bill defines certain terms. (Section 8301)
      The Senate amendment defines the terms ``National Forest 
System'' and ``public land''. (Section 8601)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House definition of 
``National Forest System''. (Section 8601)
      The Managers intend that forest management activities 
means that a project carried out by the Secretary of 
Agriculture or the Secretary of Interior on National Forest 
System lands or public lands be conducted consistent with 
applicable land management plans, including any applicable 
Roadless Area Management Rules (36 CFR 294).
(17) Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer 
        habitat
      The Senate amendment authorizes the development and use 
of a categorical exclusion (CE) for both the Secretary of 
Agriculture, with respect to NFS land, and the Secretary of the 
Interior, with respect to public land, for certain forest 
management activities with the primary purpose of protecting, 
restoring, or improving habitat for the greater sage-grouse or 
mule deer. Projects through this authority must be developed 
and implemented through a collaborative process and based on 
the best available scientific information. The authority 
establishes a cap of 3,000 acres for projects utilizing the 
categorical exclusion. (Section 8611)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification to raise the acreage cap to 4,500 acres. 
(Section 8611)
(18) Additional authority for sale or exchange of small parcels of 
        national forest system land
      The Senate amendment renews authority to the Forest 
Service to dispose of small parcels of land in a manner to 
enhance the respective National Forest through new recreational 
access or acquisitions. It authorizes funds derived from any 
sale or exchange under this authority to be expended for, among 
other purposes, the acquisition of land or interest in the 
state from which the sale originated. (Section 8621)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8621)
(19) Forest service participation in aces program
      The Senate amendment amends section 8302 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 and provides a termination of 
effectiveness for the use of the authority in 2023. (Section 
8622)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8622)
(20) Authorization for lease of forest service sites
      The Senate amendment expands authority to allow the 
Forest Service to lease unused administrative sites. (Section 
8623)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications that do not include authority for cash 
consideration and a prohibition on certain cash payments. 
(Section 8623)
(21) Good neighbor authority
      The House bill authorizes counties and Indian Tribes to 
enter into good neighbor agreements. (Section 8331(2))
      The Senate amendment authorizes to tribes and counties to 
enter into good neighbor agreements, and exempts payments made 
by counties from being considered as made by the Forest Service 
or Bureau of Land Management lands. (Section 8624(2))
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment regarding the treatment of timber sale revenue. 
(Section 8624)
      The Managers expanded Good Neighbor Authority to 
authorize Indian tribes and counties to participate. As 
required by the underlying authority, the Managers expect that 
the non-Federal entity--whether it be a Governor, County, or 
tribe--participating in future Good Neighbor agreements 
undertake restoration activities on non-Federal land in 
addition to ``similar and complementary'' restoration 
activities on Federal land under the program.
(22) Wildland-urban interface
      The Senate amendment prioritizes the use of funds for 
hazardous fuels reduction projects within the wildland-urban 
interface. (Section 8625)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(23) Chattahoochee-Oconee national forest land adjustment
      The Senate amendment authorizes USDA to sell or exchange 
any or all interest of the United States in 30 tracts NFS land 
in Georgia totaling approximately 3,841 acres. (Section 8626)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8625)
(24) Tennessee wilderness
      The Senate amendment designates specified federal lands 
in the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee as wilderness and 
as additions to the National Wilderness Preservation System. 
(Section 8627)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8626)
(25) Additions to Rough Mountain and Rich Hole wildernesses
      The Senate amendment designates specified lands in the 
George Washington National Forest in Virginia as part of the 
Rough Mountain Wilderness area, and the Rich Hole Wilderness 
area and adds those lands to the National Wilderness 
Preservation System. (Section 8628)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(26) Kisatchie national forest land conveyance
      The Senate amendment authorizes USDA to sell specified 
federal land in Winn Parish, Louisiana and requires USDA to 
sell a portion of that land to Collins Camp Properties for the 
Collins Campsites. (Section 8629)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8627)
(27) Purchase of natural resources conservation service property, 
        Riverside County, California
      The Senate amendment directs USDA to sell and quitclaim 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a 
parcel of real property located in Riverside, California, 
administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to 
the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District. (Section 
8630).
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8628)
(28) Collaborative forest landscape restoration program
      The House bill authorizes the Secretary to waive the 10-
year eligibility requirement for a restoration proposal when 
selecting proposals. The bill strikes the time limit of 10 
fiscal years regarding expenditures from the fund for any 1 
proposal. It also authorizes appropriations at $40 million for 
each fiscal year 2018 through 2023. (Section 8509)
      The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations at $80 
million for each fiscal year 2018 through 2023. The amendment 
adds the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to the 
reporting requirement. (Section 8631)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification that authorizes both a waiver authority and 
waiver limitation. (Section 8629)
      Following enactment of this Act, the Managers expect the 
Secretary to initiate the process to receive new nominations 
and select new projects under this reauthorized authority with 
the expanded authorization for appropriations. With the advice 
of the advisory panel, as required in section 4003 of Public 
Law 111-11, the Managers expect that the additional $40 million 
made available through this section should enable the Secretary 
to select and fund not less than 10 new projects under the 
program.
(29) Utility infrastructure rights-of-way vegetation management pilot 
        program
      The House bill requires the Secretary to establish a 
limited, voluntary pilot program to conduct vegetation 
management projects on NFS land adjacent to or near rights-of-
way. (Section 8502)
      The Senate amendment authorizes the Secretary to 
establish a limited, voluntary pilot program to conduct 
vegetation management projects on NFS land adjacent to or near 
rights-of-way and changes the liability standard to which 
utilities are held when operating on NFS lands. (Section 8632)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications to the establishment of the pilot program, 
including the authorization for vegetative management projects, 
liability, a clarification regarding compliance with other 
existing laws and requiring a report to relevant Congressional 
committees. (Section 8630)
(30) Okhissa lake rural economic development land conveyance
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture 
to convey 150 acres within the Homochitto National Forest in 
Mississippi for the purpose of rural economic development. 
(Section 8633)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8631)
(31) Prairie dogs
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary of 
Agriculture to conduct a report on the impact of prairie dogs 
on grazing allotments and requires the Forest Service to take 
appropriate actions based upon the report within 1 year. 
(Section 8634)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(32) Wood innovation grant program
      The House bill requires the Secretary to establish a 
competitive grant program, the ``Community Wood Energy and Wood 
Innovation Program''. It authorizes $25 million in 
appropriations for each fiscal year 2019 through 2023. (Section 
8106)
      The Senate amendment provides direction to the Secretary 
regarding the wood innovation grant program described in the 
notice 80 Fed. Reg. 63498 (Oct. 20, 2015). (Section 8643)
      The Conference substitute adopts both the Senate 
amendment and the House provision with an amendment that 
modifies the definition of a community wood energy system, and 
adds selection criteria as well as a priority component. 
(Sections 8643 and 8644)
(33) Remote sensing technologies
      The Senate amendment requires the Chief of the Forest 
Service to find efficiencies in the operations of the forest 
inventory and analysis program through the use and integration 
of advanced remote sensing technologies to provide estimates 
for state and national level inventories. (Section 12621)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 8632)
      The Managers urge the Forest Service to continue to find 
efficiencies in program operations through the use of remote 
sensing technologies where appropriate, as well as partnering 
with states and other interested stakeholders to deliver 
programs.
(34) Support for state assessments and strategies for forest resources
      The House bill amends section 2A(f)(1) of the Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 by reauthorizing the funding 
for the required state assessment through 2023. (Section 8101)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 8101)
      The Managers are concerned about the projected loss of 
private forestland in the United States, as detailed in the 
Resources Planning Act Assessment and regional analyses such as 
the Northern and Southern Forest Futures Reports, and 
associated loss of societal benefits such as clean air and 
water, wildlife habitat, jobs and forest products, and more. 
The Managers direct the Secretary, working through the Forest 
Resource Coordinating Committee, to develop a National 
Reforestation Initiative that addresses the threats to private 
forest retention. Within 24 months from the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Managers urge the Forest Resource Coordinating 
Committee to generate a strategic plan for the initiative to 
include relevant USDA programs that promote ``Keeping Forests 
as Forests'' and incentivize reforestation within priority 
areas identified in the Forest Service Resources Planning Act 
and Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies.
(35) Forest legacy program
      The House bill amends section 7 of the Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 by removing the authorization 
of appropriations of ``such sums as necessary'' and authorizing 
$35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 8102)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(36) Community forest and open space conservation program
      The House bill amends section 7A of the Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 by removing the authorization 
of appropriations of ``such sums as necessary'' and authorizing 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 
8103)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(37) Rural revitalization technologies
      The House bill amends section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to reauthorize 
the Rural Revitalization Technologies Program at the current 
level of $5,000,000 through FY 2023. (Section 8105)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 8701)
(38) Healthy forests restoration act of 2003 amendments
      The House bill authorizes an additional program purpose. 
It requires that land be private forest land or private land 
being restored to forest land in its eligibility requirements. 
It adds a species deemed to be of greatest conservation need by 
a State wildlife action plan. The bill adds an additional 
enrollment consideration. It strikes limitations on funds used 
for easements and cost-share agreements. It authorizes 
permanent easements to be used separately or in combination 
with other enrollment options. The bill adds species of 
greatest conservation need, as identified in State wildlife 
action plans, to the Secretary's list of enrollment priority 
considerations in Section 502(f) of the Statute. It requires 
the restoration plan to require specific practices and measures 
to restore and enhance habitat for species described in section 
502(b) in the statute. It authorizes the Secretary to carry out 
priority projects to reduce insect or disease infestation or 
hazardous fuels. It strikes the public notice date limitation. 
The bill requires a project to be conducted in accordance with 
section 602(d)(1). It limits project size to 6,000 acres. It 
subjects the use of monies to paragraph (3)(A) in the statute. 
The bill provides that in-kind resources not be considered 
monies received from the NFS or the public lands, but payments 
made by a contractor shall be considered monies received from 
the NFS or the public lands. (Section 8107)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that authorizes a new purpose for the Healthy 
Forests Reserve Program, amends eligibility for enrollment, 
authorizes a new enrollment consideration, strikes a limitation 
on the use of an easement, provides new authorities for the 
enrollment of acreage owned by Indian Tribes, provides for new 
enrollment priorities, and amends the requirements for 
restoration plan practices. The amendment also extends the 
authority for insect and disease infestation and authorizes the 
reduction of hazardous fuels as a purpose. (Section 8407)
      The Managers make improvements to the Healthy Forests 
Reserve Program. The Managers were concerned that duplicative 
approval requirements outside of initial approval and annual 
monitoring for management practices in the Healthy Forests 
Reserve Program may be impeding the ability of landowners to 
successful use the program to its fullest environmental 
benefit. The Managers direct the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service to work with landowners to streamline the process 
around management practices, ensuring that landowners 
participating in the program are not required to seek approval 
for individual actions taken under their NRCS-approved 
restoration plans.
      Additionally, the Managers intend that when designing 
restoration projects using the Healthy Forests Restoration Act 
of 2003 or under other authorities authorized in the Forestry 
title, the Secretary consider opportunities to restore 
sustainable recreational infrastructure or access, or to 
accomplish other recreation outcomes, where such opportunities 
are compatible with the primary restoration purpose(s) of the 
project.
(39) Inclusion of invasive vegetation in designated treatment areas
      The House bill amends section 602 of the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 by including in the designation of 
treatment areas forests that experience invasive vegetation. 
(Section 8109)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(40) Use of reserved funds for title II projects on federal land and 
        certain non-federal land
      The House bill amends section 204(f) of the Secure Rural 
Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to require 
50% of Title II funds be spent on projects which include sale 
of forest products and meet land management objectives. 
(Section 8201)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(41) Resource advisory committees
      The House bill amends section 205(a)(4) of the Secure 
Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to 
extend Title II Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) functions, 
membership through fiscal year 2023. It amends section 205(d) 
of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination 
Act of 2000 to reduce the membership of RACs from 15 to 9 and 
to reduce the members that are representative of community 
interests from 5 to 3. The bill adds a requirement for members 
of the RAC to reside in the county or adjacent county where the 
RAC has jurisdiction. It allows for a designee of the Secretary 
to perform certain functions. (Section 8202)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
modifications authorizing RAC waiver authority and creating a 
Regional Appointment Pilot Program. (Section 8702)
      The Managers addressed membership challenges facing 
Resource Advisory Committees (RACs) by bringing requirements 
more in line with achievable benchmarks. The Managers note that 
RACs are under-utilized across the country and encourage the 
Forest Service to highlight the new requirements in outreach to 
interested communities. In addition, the Managers intend for 
the Forest Service to proceed with the RAC re-charter process 
and member nominations immediately so they will be fully 
functioning when reauthorized.
(42) Program for Title II self-sustaining resource advisory committee 
        projects
      The House bill amends Title II of the Secure Rural 
Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 by 
authorizing the Chief of the Forest Service to choose ten RACs 
that may retain revenue from projects to fund future projects 
that accomplish forest management objectives. (Section 8203)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(43) Rule of application for national forest system lands and public 
        lands
      The House bill is a rule of application, limiting the 
application of the authorities provided by subtitle C to NFS or 
public lands that are not in the National Wilderness 
Preservation System, within an inventoried roadless area 
(unless the forest management activity is consistent with the 
applicable forest plan or allowed under the applicable roadless 
rule), or land on which timber harvest is prohibited by Federal 
law. (Section 8302)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(44) Consultation under the endangered species act
      The House bill removes the requirement for consultation 
under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for a project 
carried out by the Forest Service if the project is found not 
likely to adversely affect a listed species. It allows for an 
expedited consultation where the projects conducted under a CE 
for which a section 7 consultation is required, the action is 
deemed to have complied with the requirements of Section 7 
after 90 days. (Section 8303)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(45) Secretarial discretion in the case of two or more categorical 
        exclusions
      The House bill clarifies that if a forest management 
activity might fall under more than one of the categorical 
exclusions, the Secretary has full discretion in determining 
which categorical exclusion to apply. (Section 8304)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(46) Categorical exclusion to expedite certain critical response 
        actions
      The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for addressing 
insect and disease infestation, reducing hazardous fuel loads, 
protecting municipal water sources, improving or enhancing 
critical habitat, and increasing water yield. It provides for 
the availability of CEs under this section. The bill limits the 
size of the CEs to 6,000 acres. (Section 8311)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(47) Categorical exclusion to expedite salvage operations in response 
        to catastrophic events
      The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for specific 
salvage operations carried out by the Secretary. It provides 
for the availability of CEs under this section. The bill limits 
the size of the CE to 6,000 acres. It requires that salvage 
operations covered by a CE under this section protect streams 
and stream buffers as provided in the forest plan. The bill 
further requires the development of a reforestation plan as 
part of the salvage operation. (Section 8312)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(48) Categorical exclusion to meet forest plan goals for early 
        successional forests
      The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for the 
modification, improvement, enhancement, or creation of early 
successional forests for wildlife habitat improvement. It 
provides for the availability of the CE under this section. It 
directs the Secretary to maximize production and regeneration 
of priority species in the development of a forest management 
activity conducted under this section. The bill limits the size 
of the CEs to 6,000 acres. (Section 8313)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(49) Categorical exclusion for hazard trees
      The House bill authorizes the use of CEs in order to 
remove hazardous trees and salvage timber to protect public 
safety, a public water supply, or public infrastructure. 
(Section 8314)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(50) Categorical exclusion to improve or restore national forest system 
        lands or public land or reduce the risk of wildfire
      The House bill authorizes the use of CEs for certain 
activities when the purpose of those activities is to improve, 
restore, or reduce the risk of wildfire on NFS or public lands. 
It provides for the availability of CEs under this section. The 
bill limits the size of the CEs to 6,000 acres. It provides the 
pertinent definitions. (Section 8315)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(51) Categorical exclusion for forest restoration
      The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
management activities on NFS lands, including timber harvest, 
hazardous fuel reduction, and prescribed burning. It provides 
for the availability of CEs under this section. The bill limits 
the size of the CEs to 6,000 acres. It provides for limitations 
on the building of permanent and temporary roads under this CE. 
(Section 8316)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(52) Categorical exclusion for infrastructure forest management 
        activities
      The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
management activities related to infrastructure on NFS land, 
including activities related to roads, bridges, dams, and other 
facilities. (Section 8317)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(53) Categorical exclusion for developed recreation sites
      The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
management activities on NFS lands related to the operation, 
maintenance, modification, reconstruction or decommissioning of 
existing recreation sites. (Section 8318)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(54) Categorical exclusion for administrative sites
      The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
management activities on NFS lands related to the construction, 
maintenance, decommissioning, relocation, and disposal of 
administrative sites. It provides for the availability of CEs 
under this section. The bill provides for a limitation on roads 
and pesticide use. It provides a definition for administrative 
site. (Section 8319)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(55) Categorical exclusion for special use authorizations
      The House bill establishes a CE for certain forest 
management activities on NFS lands related to special use 
authorizations. It provides for the availability of CEs under 
this section. The bill requires the preparation of certain 
documents in order to use the CE. (Section 8320)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(56) Clarification of existing categorical exclusion authority related 
        to insect and disease infestation
      The House bill amends section 603(c)(2)(B) of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to include Fire Regime IV and V 
(Lodgepole pine) in the Insect & Disease Categorical Exclusion 
included in the 2014 Farm Bill. (Section 8321)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(57) Regulations regarding designation or dead or dying trees of 
        certain tree species on national forest system lands in 
        California as exempt from prohibition on export of unprocessed 
        timber originating from federal lands
      The House bill directs the Secretary to issue rulemaking 
to determine that unprocessed timber from NFS lands in 
California is considered surplus to domestic needs and is 
therefore exempt from export prohibitions. It requires the 
Secretary to consult with representatives of sawmills in 
California and make a reasonable effort to avoid adverse 
impacts to the industry. It allows the Secretary to adjust 
contract provisions in region 5 of the NFS to carry out this 
section. The bill exempts timber harvested under this section 
from the limitation of substitution of unprocessed Federal 
timber. It provides authority to hire additional staff to 
implement the regulations issued under subsection (a). It 
requires the regulations to remain in effect for 10 years with 
periodic review. The bill provides relevant definitions for 
this section. (Section 8333)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(58) Salvage and reforestation in response to catastrophic events
      The House bill provides that an environmental assessment 
for a salvage operation or reforestation activity on NFS lands 
must be completed within 60 days of a catastrophic event and at 
least 75 percent of the impacted land must be reforested within 
a 5-year period. The Secretary must also allow for public 
comment and objection before implementing a reforestation 
activity or salvage operation. Salvage and reforestation 
activities must be consistent with the applicable forest plan. 
Courts are also prohibited from issuing preliminary injunctions 
with respect to salvage or reforestation activities in response 
to large scale catastrophic events. (Section 8334)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(59) Analysis of only two alternatives (action versus no action) in 
        proposed collaborative forest management activities
      The House bill provides 5 requirements for environmental 
assessments or impact statements pursuant to NEPA with respect 
to forest management activities and requires they only consider 
the forest management activity and the no action alternative. 
(Section 8335)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(60) Injunctive relief
      The House bill requires courts to balance the impact of 
the effect of forest management activity or agency action 
against the effects of no action and provides that any 
preliminary injunction, or stay pending appeal, of a forest 
management activity shall not exceed 60 days. Courts may issue 
renewals of any preliminary injunction pending appeal. (Section 
8336)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(61) Application of roadless area conservation rule
      The House bill provides that 36 CFR 294, or successor 
regulations, do not apply to any NFS land in Alaska. (Section 
8337)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(62) Vacant grazing allotments made available to certain grazing permit 
        holders
      The House bill requires the Secretary to make vacant 
grazing allotments available to a holder of a grazing permit or 
lease if the lands covered by the permit or lease are unusable 
because of natural disaster, court-issued injunction, or 
conflict with wildlife. Courts may not issue any order 
enjoining the use of any allotment where a permit or lease has 
been issued unless the Secretary can make a vacant grazing 
allotment available to the holder of the permit or lease and 
makes the allotment subject to a CE. (Section 8338)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(63) Pilot project for forest health, watershed improvement, and 
        habitat restoration in New Mexico
      The House bill establishes a pilot program within the 
Lincoln National Forest, Cibola national Forest, and Gila 
National Forest to analyze and demonstrate the effectiveness of 
various tools and techniques to address concerns on thinning, 
watershed improvement, and habitat restoration. The authority 
to carry out the program terminates 7 years after the date of 
enactment. (Section 8339)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(64) Protection of tribal forest assets through use of stewardship end-
        result contracting and other authorities
      The House bill provides authority for action by the 
Secretary not later than 120 days after the date on which the 
Secretary receives a Tribal request. It amends section 2(b) of 
the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 by providing Federal 
land management agencies up to 120 days to respond to Tribal 
request for forest management on agency lands and two years to 
complete the analysis. The bill includes conforming amendments. 
(Section 8401)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(65) Tribal forest management demonstration project
      The House bill gives authority to Indian Tribes to 
request to conduct forest management activities on Federal 
lands where they have a Tribal interest. (Section 8402)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that authorizes demonstration projects by which 
Indian Tribes may contract to perform certain functions of 
programs. (Section 8703)
      The Managers authorized the Secretary of Agriculture and 
Secretary of the Interior to carry out demonstration projects 
by which Federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal 
organizations may contract to perform functions of the Tribal 
Forest Protection Act (25 U.S.C. 3115a et seq.). The Managers 
expect these demonstration projects to be evaluated under the 
criteria defined in section (c) of that Act (23 U.S5C. 
3115a(c)).
(66) No loss of funds for wildfire suppression
      The House bill clarifies that nothing in this title or 
the amendments made by this title may be construed to limit 
from the availability of funds or other resources for wildfire 
suppression. (Section 8504)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(67) Technical corrections
      The House bill contains technical amendments to the 
Wildfire Suppression Funding and Forest Management Activities 
Act. (Section 8505)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 8704)
(68) Conveyance of land and improvements to the village of Santa Clara, 
        New Mexico
      The House bill requires the Secretary to convey right, 
title, and interest in approximately 1,520 acres of NFS land to 
Santa Clara. (Section 8506)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(69) Streamlining the forest service process for consideration of 
        communications facility location applications
      The House bill requires the Secretary to issue 
regulations to streamline the process for considering 
applications to locate communications facilities on covered 
land, ensure the process is uniform, and require consideration 
of the applications be neutral. The Secretary must consider how 
discrete reviews can be conducted simultaneously and how to 
eliminate overlapping requirements among the organizational 
units of the Forest Service with respect to the location or 
modification of a communications facility. The bill also 
requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a special 
account for the Forest Service for fees collected under this 
section for communications use authorizations. The account must 
be available to cover the costs incurred by the Forest Service 
as provided in appropriation acts. (Section 8507)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that does not include all the requirements for the 
regulations in the original provision. (Section 8507)
(70) Report on wildfire, insect infestation, and disease prevention on 
        federal land
      The House bill requires the Secretaries of Agriculture 
and the Interior to submit an annual report to the House 
Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Senate 
Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Energy 
and Natural Resources on the number of acres treated for 
wildfire, insect infestation, or disease prevention, the number 
of acres categorized as high risk, total timber production, 
average fire intensity of wildfires and federal response time 
for each fire greater than 25,000 acres. (Section 8508)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that authorizes several more data points and 
information for the report. (Section 8706)
(71) West Fork fire station
      The House bill requires the Secretary to convey the West 
Fork Fire Station to Dolores County, Colorado without 
consideration and any conveyance costs are to be paid by the 
County. The section also requires the land be used only for a 
fire station and related infrastructure or the land will revert 
to the United States. (Section 8510)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 8707)
(72) Competitive forestry, natural resources, and environmental grants 
        program
      The House bill amends section 1232 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 by authorizing 
the Secretary to award grants for forest restoration, 
prioritizing applicants who will use grants for specific 
research projects. The bill also includes mandatory criteria 
for forest restoration grants as well as criteria the Secretary 
must consider when awarding such grants. (Section 8511)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 8708)

                            Title IX--Energy

(1) Definitions
      The Senate amendment expands the definition of ``biobased 
product'' to include ``renewable chemicals,'' and expands the 
definition of the term ``biorefinery'' to include facilities 
that convert renewable biomass into renewable chemicals, or an 
intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass into 
any one or more, or a combination of biofuels, renewable 
chemicals, or biobased products. Further, it amends the term 
``Renewable Energy System'' to include systems that produce 
usable energy from a renewable energy source including 
distribution components necessary to move energy produced by a 
system to the initial point of sale, and other ancillary 
infrastructure of a system such as storage systems. (Section 
9101)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 9001)
(2) Biobased markets program
      The House bill prohibits federal agencies from placing 
limitations on the procurement of wood and wood-based products 
greater than espoused in this section, authorizes to be 
appropriated $2 million annually for fiscal year 2014 through 
fiscal year 2023, and eliminates the mandatory funding 
provision. (Section 6402)
      The Senate amendment transfers the program from 
Departmental Management to the Office of Rural Development. It 
instructs the Secretary to update the eligibility criteria used 
to determine which renewable chemicals qualify to receive the 
``USDA Certified Biobased Product'' label within 90 days of 
enactment, establish guidelines for an integrated and expedited 
process by which biobased products can be determined eligible 
for Federal Procurement preference and approved for the ``USDA 
Certified Biobased Product'' label, and work with the Secretary 
of the Department of Commerce to develop North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for renewable 
chemical manufacturers and producers of biobased products. 
Additionally, the amendment limits other agencies from imposing 
procurement limitations more restrictive than the regulations 
contained within this section. It instructs USDA to develop 
education and outreach efforts to assist stakeholders in 
navigating the federal procurement and voluntary labeling 
programs found under this section, authorizes $3 million in 
appropriations for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023, 
and reauthorizes mandatory funding at $3 million for each year 
2019 through 2023. (Section 9102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that extends the amount of time the Secretary 
has to update the criteria for determining which renewable 
chemicals may qualify to receive the ``USDA Certified Biobased 
Product'' label from ``90'' to ``180'' days and strikes 
instructions to USDA to perform education and outreach efforts. 
(Section 9002)
      The Managers support elevating the Biobased Market 
Program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and believe 
this program is consistent with the mission of Rural 
Development. The Managers urge USDA to establish and promote 
public-private partnership frameworks for Biobased Market 
Program activities to increase U.S. purchasing of biobased 
products that is necessary to growth of the biobased sector. 
Allocating funding to support public-private partnerships would 
allow biobased manufacturers and allied stakeholders to 
identify potential customers--ranging from military bases to 
private-sector fleets and facilities--to design and implement 
effective outreach. The Managers also encourage USDA to further 
promote and give a preference to the procurement of 
agricultural biobased products within USDA Rural Development, 
including rural housing and rural electrification.
      The Managers intend for USDA's implementation of the 
integrated qualification process that USDA evaluate within the 
year additional standards available for the use of renewable 
agricultural resources through standard setting bodies, 
including international standards. The Managers intend that 
USDA recognize feedstock inputs produced using biobased mass 
balance methods, which USDA may accomplish through the creation 
of a Biopreferred process label specifying the percentage of 
biobased feedstock used.
      The Managers intend that USDA continue to develop and 
implement education and outreach efforts to assist stakeholders 
in navigating the federal procurement and voluntary labeling 
programs.
      Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a biobased content 
methodology for products produced using biologically recycled 
carbon that provides full credit for carbon content from 
biological processing of carbon captured from an industrial 
source that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
      The Managers intend for the Biobased Markets Program to 
better function through increased transparency, that the 
Secretary periodically update Congress on product procurement 
trends of federal agencies and their contractors to help ensure 
the program is accomplishing its mission.
      The Managers believe the Secretary could best implement 
the Biobased Markets Program through collaborating with the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Administrator on the Safer 
Choice label program to provide agency procurement officials 
with data on products that are certified biobased and have a 
reduced impact on human and environmental health.
(3) Biorefinery assistance
      The House bill expands the eligibility of technologies to 
those being adopted in a viable commercial-scale operation of a 
biorefinery that produces an advanced biofuel or technologies 
not previously described that has been demonstrated to have 
technical and economic potential for commercial application in 
a biorefinery that produces an advanced biofuel. It maintains 
authorization of appropriations at $75 million annually for 
fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2023 and eliminates the 
mandatory funding provision and biobased product manufacturing 
set aside provision. (Section 6403)
      The Senate amendment expands the definition of ``eligible 
technologies'' to technologies that produce any one or more or 
a combination of advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals or 
biobased products. It maintains discretionary funding at $75 
million for fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2023 and 
reauthorizes mandatory funding at $100 million for 2019 and $50 
million for 2020. (Section 9103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that provides $50,000,000 in mandatory 
funding for 2019 and $25,000,000 for 2020 and maintains an 
authorization of appropriations of $75,000,000 through fiscal 
year 2023. (Section 9003)
      The Managers intend that the program entitled 
``Biorefinery Assistance'', which provides loan guarantees for 
the construction and retrofitting of biorefineries, be 
available to advanced biofuel, renewable chemical, or biobased 
product manufacturing facilities.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to implement Section 
9003, Biorefinery Assistance as soon as possible in fiscal year 
2019. The Managers intend that the Office of Management and 
Budget completes the review of all loan proposals within 30 
days of receipt.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to ensure that all 
biobutanol manufacturers can qualify for the biorefinery 
assistance program as an advanced biofuel, regardless of their 
feedstock.
(4) Repowering assistance program
      The House bill authorizes to be appropriated $10 million 
annually for fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2023 and 
eliminates the mandatory funding provision. (Section 6404)
      The Senate amendment repeals section 9004 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. (Section 9104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 9004)
(5) Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels
      The House bill modifies the equitable distribution 
portion of the program by limiting the amount of payments for 
advanced biofuel produced from a single eligible commodity to 
not exceed one-third of the total program funding available in 
a fiscal year. It authorizes to be appropriated $50 million 
annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
eliminates the mandatory funding provision. (Section 6405)
      The Senate amendment amends discretionary funding, 
providing $15 million for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 
2023. It provides for mandatory funding at $15 million for each 
year fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. (Section 9105)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that authorizes $7,000,000 in mandatory funding 
for fiscal years 2018 through 2023 and maintains an 
authorization of appropriations in the amount of $20,000,000 
for fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 9005)
      The Managers urge USDA to utilize the Bioenergy Program 
for Advanced Biofuels to make payments equally on all eligible 
advanced bioenergy production, replacing the current structure 
that provides separate payments for base and incremental 
production. Public comments received during the previous 
rulemaking process for this program indicated the current 
structure creates unnecessary and burdensome record- keeping 
requirements. USDA never issued a final rule and the program 
continues to operate under an interim final rule with the 
existing base and incremental payment structure.
(6) Biodiesel fuel education program
      The House bill authorizes to be appropriated $2 million 
annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
eliminates mandatory funding for the program. (Section 6406)
      The Senate amendment authorizes to be appropriated $2 
million annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. 
(Section 9106)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 9006)
      The Managers encourage USDA to continue to fund 
competitively awarded Biodiesel Education Program grants 
through existing annual budgetary accounts.

(7) Rural energy for America program

      The House bill maintains an appropriated level of $20 
million annually for fiscal year 2014 through fiscal year 2023. 
It limits mandatory funding to fiscal year 2014 through fiscal 
year 2018 and provides a categorical exclusion for electric 
generating facilities with a capacity of 10 megawatts or less 
in the program from having to prepare environmental assessments 
or an environmental impact statement. (Sections 6407 & 6408)
      The Senate amendment allows for the purchase and 
installation of efficient energy equipment or systems to 
qualify for loan guarantees and grants provided under this 
section. It strikes the reporting provision enacted in the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Additionally, the 
Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations at $50 million for 
fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and maintains 
mandatory baseline funding of $50 million per year. (Section 
9107)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment clarifying that agricultural producers are 
eligible for loan guarantees for the purchase and installation 
of energy efficient equipment or systems for agricultural 
production or processing, clarifying limitations on the loan 
guarantees for energy efficient equipment, and establishing 
that total funding for these systems shall not exceed 15% of 
the funds available to the program. (Section 9007)
      The Managers intend that for loan guarantees made under 
Section 9007 (c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107), those loans shall be 
made to achieve additional energy efficiency beyond what the 
producer would otherwise need to install. If the producer is 
building a new structure for production purposes, the 
additional efficiency should come on top of what would already 
be required to make a business case for the project to be 
successful. Through guaranteed loans made under (c)(1)(A)(ii), 
the purpose and goals of the Rural Energy for America Program 
shall be maintained by requiring additional efficiency above a 
baseline determined by the requirements under (c)(1)(A)(ii).
      The Managers intend for USDA's determination of 
applicability under (c)(1)(B) that USDA compare only such 
equipment and systems that perform the same agricultural 
production function.
      When determining the applicability of (c)(1)(B), the 
Managers intend that USDA consider the availability of energy 
efficient equipment or systems that could be used in general 
for the same purpose. For example, several options exist for 
high efficiency lighting equipment that may be used in 
agricultural production. However, if an eligible producer 
wishes to apply for the loan guarantee to purchase or install 
proprietary high efficiency lighting equipment that may also be 
used to grow agricultural products, the Secretary shall 
consider the proprietary equipment as meeting the obligation of 
more than one type of equipment being available.
      The Managers recognize that the assorted methods of 
renewable electricity generation that qualify for financial 
assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) 
are treated differently regarding whether or not a given 
project may qualify for a categorical exclusion from the need 
to provide additional documentation under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Under current regulations 
solar, wind, biomass, and various distributed technologies have 
different standards.
      The Managers suggest that, in order to harmonize these 
regulations and facilitate additional deployment of renewable 
energy systems that do not have a significant impact on the 
environment, the Secretary consider an update of the relevant 
regulations to allow any solar, wind, or biomass project that 
has a rating of 10 megawatts or less, and which has undergone 
an extraordinary circumstances analysis and submitted an 
environmental report the Secretary finds acceptable to fulfill 
the necessary requirements under NEPA, to be designated as 
being categorically excluded from any requirement to prepare or 
publish a ``Notice of Availability of the EA'' or participate 
in a public review and comment period. Additionally, the 
Managers suggest the Secretary consider a similar harmonization 
and update of the relevant regulations regarding the 
availability of a categorical exclusion for small scale 
renewable and distributed energy projects that involve no or 
minimal alterations in the physical environment and typically 
occur on previously disturbed land.

(8) Biomass crop assistance program

      The House bill authorizes to be appropriated $25 million 
annually for fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
eliminates the mandatory funding provision. (Section 6411)
      The Senate amendment adds algae as an eligible material 
and clarifies material harvested for the purpose of hazardous 
woody fuel reduction qualifies for matching payments. It 
authorizes appropriations of $20 million annually for fiscal 
year 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and reauthorizes the program 
with $25 million of mandatory funding for each annual fiscal 
year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. (Section 9110)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that adds algae as an eligible material under the 
program. (Section 9010)

(9) Biogas research and adoption of biogas systems

      The Senate amendment inserts a new section after section 
9011 of title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002, establishing an Interagency Biogas Opportunities Task 
Force to coordinate policies and programs to accelerate biogas 
research and investment in biogas systems. It also authorizes a 
study on advancing biogas markets and analyzing data related to 
biogas systems. (Section 9111)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
provision.
      The Managers intend that USDA coordinate policies and 
programs to accelerate biogas research and investment in biogas 
systems, while also studying ways to advance biogas markets and 
analyze data related to these systems.
      Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary in 
coordination with the Secretary of Energy and the EPA 
Administrator shall establish an Interagency Biogas 
Opportunities Task Force building upon the existing Biogas 
Opportunities Working Group. The Task Force will coordinate 
policies, programs, and research to accelerate biogas research 
and investment in cost-effective biogas systems. The Task Force 
shall be composed of the head of each Federal office 
responsible for biogas research or biogas system financing, 
including a representative from the Department of Agriculture, 
the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The Task Force will 
also have representation of 1 or more representatives of State 
or local governments, 1 or more nongovernmental or industry 
stakeholders, and a community stakeholder.
      The Task Force shall evaluate and improve the 
coordination of loan and grant programs of the Federal agencies 
represented on the Task Force to broaden the financing options 
available for biogas systems. It will also explore how to 
enhance opportunities for private financing of biogas systems; 
review Federal procurement guidelines to ensure that products 
of biogas systems are eligible for and promoted by applicable 
procurement programs of the Federal Government; evaluate the 
development of North American Industry Classification System 
and North American Product Classification System codes for 
biogas and biogas system products; review opportunities and 
develop strategies to overcome barriers to integrating biogas 
into electricity and renewable natural gas markets; develop 
tools to broaden the market for non-energy biogas system 
products; provide information on the ability of biogas system 
products to participate in markets that provide environmental 
benefits; identify and investigate research gaps in biogas and 
anaerobic digestion technology; including research gaps in 
environmental benefits, market assessment; and performance 
standards; assess the most cost-effective voluntary investments 
in biogas to reduce waste and methane emissions; and identify 
and advance additional priorities, as determined by the Task 
Force.
      Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
establishment of the Task Force, the Task Force shall submit to 
Congress a report that identifies whether it was able to carry 
out the duties outlined above and include recommendations on 
how Congress should prioritize policies and technological 
opportunities, aimed at expanding the biogas industry. The 
report shall also consider recommendations on how to eliminate 
barriers to investment in biogas systems in the landfill, 
livestock, wastewater, and other relevant sectors; and to 
enhance opportunities for private and public sector 
partnerships to finance biogas systems. Two years after the 
establishment of the Task Force it shall identify, collect, and 
analyze environmental, technical, and economic performance data 
relating to biogas systems, including the production of energy 
of biogas systems, co-products, greenhouse gas and other 
emissions, water quality benefits, and other data necessary to 
develop markets for biogas and biogas system co-products. This 
data shall be made public.

(10) Community wood energy program

      The House bill expands the program to provide financial 
assistance for the installation of public or private wood 
energy systems and the construction of manufacturing or 
processing plants that use or produce innovative wood products. 
It changes the name to the ``Community Wood Energy and Wood 
Innovation Program'' and authorizes appropriations of $25 
million annually from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 
2023. (Section 8106)
      The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations of $5 
million annually from fiscal year 2019 through fiscal year 
2023. (Section 9112)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment establishing priorities for grant awards, and 
relocates the section to the Forestry title. (Section 8106)

(11) Carbon utilization and biogas education program

      The Senate amendment adds a new section authorizing the 
Secretary to provide grants to eligible entities for educating 
the public and biogas producers about the benefits of carbon 
sequestration. It authorizes appropriations of $2 million 
annually for fiscal 2019 through fiscal year 2023 and 
authorizes $2 million in mandatory funding for each year fiscal 
year 2019 through fiscal year 2023. (Section 9113)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that clarifies the objective of the public 
education should be about the benefits and opportunities to 
rural businesses, communities, and utilities serving rural 
communities. Further, the amendment clarifies that eligible 
entities shall also provide education to agricultural producers 
and other stakeholders. Lastly, the amendment strikes the 
inclusion of the mandatory funding provision. (Section 9011)
      The Managers intend that grants made under Section 9014 
shall be made to agricultural producers and other rural 
entities.

                         Title X--Horticulture

(1) Local agriculture market program
      The House bill eliminates Commodity Credit Corporation 
(``CCC'') funding for the Value-Added Agricultural Producer 
Grant (``VAPG'') program. It also increases the authorization 
of appropriations level for VAPG to $50 million for each of FY 
2019-2023. Additionally, the House bill eliminates CCC funding 
for both the Local Food Promotion Program (``LFPP'') and 
Farmers Market Promotion Program (``FMPP''). It authorizes 
appropriations LFPP and FMPP of $30 million for each of FY 
2019-2023. (Sections 9002 & 6501)
      The Senate amendment combines the purposes and 
coordinates the functions of the FMPP and LFPP established 
under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act 
of 1976 and the VAPG grants under section 231(b) of the 
Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. It directs the 
Secretary to streamline and simplify the program, as well as to 
connect producers with local food markets and value-added 
agricultural product opportunities. There is additional 
authority for grants to support partnerships. Section 210(i)(1) 
provides $60 million in CCC funds for FY 2019 and each fiscal 
year thereafter. Section 210(i)(3) requires 47% of available 
funds to be used for farmers' market and local food promotion 
grants. (Section 10102)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that provides separate requirements to be 
considered as an eligible entity for value-added producer 
grants from the farmers' markets and local food promotion 
program. The substitute also provides for several program 
purposes specific to the previous authority for the value-added 
producer grants. Finally, the amendment provides for $50 
million in CCC funds for FY2019 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, to remain available until expended. (Section 10102)
      The Managers recognize the increasing demand for local 
food and value added production, so the Conference Substitute 
includes $500 million in mandatory funding for the Local 
Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), which combines the Value 
Added Producer Grant program (VAPG) and the Farmers Market 
Promotion Program (FMPP) and the Local Food Promotion Program 
(LFPP). The Managers have provided permanent funding for this 
program to ensure that the program have baseline funding 
hereafter. The Managers have agreed to form the LAMP to 
encourage USDA to utilize administrative efficiencies and 
increase coordination between Rural Development (RD) and 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) particularly through state 
and regional USDA offices, with producers who are eligible for 
these programs while preserving each program's core functions 
and constituencies. The Managers intend for each program's 
statutory authority, mission, grant priorities and activities 
to be retained as before. In addition to administrative 
efficiency and increased coordination, combining these programs 
will provide additional support for local and regional food 
system infrastructure, regional supply chain coordination, and 
new food and agricultural products.
      The combined program includes a new focus on regional 
partnerships to encourage a multi-stakeholder approach to local 
food system development, while leveraging additional funds and 
providing technical assistance to eligible entities. The 
Managers intend that grants awarded to partnerships be received 
and managed by either an eligible entity or entities or partner 
or partners depending on the terms of the partnership agreement 
or the application submitted to USDA. One of the goals of a 
partnership is to alleviate unnecessary administrative and 
technical barriers for any applicant participating in a 
partnership. The Conference Substitute includes provisions 
regarding education, outreach, and application assistance 
duties for partners, which the Managers view as an important 
component for developing local and regional food systems in 
low-income and underserved communities.
      The Managers intend that eligible entities for the 
farmers market and local food grants, who participate in 
regional partnerships, may apply for funding for both the 
partnership and grant program in a single application.
      The Managers are aware of past stakeholder confusion 
regarding the definition of direct producer sales that do not 
involve an intermediary such as a food hub. It is the Managers 
intent to support the development, coordination, and expansion 
of direct producer-to-retail, direct producer-to-restaurants 
and direct producer-to-institutional marketing as part of 
supporting the development, coordination and expansion of 
direct producer-to-consumer marketing through LAMP.
      The Managers recognize that farmer cooperatives 
efficiently spread the benefits of the VAPG, including within 
LAMP, among a large number of producers in the aggregate. 
Cooperatives by their nature bring many producers together who 
individually do not have the size, expertise and resources to 
take advantage of the value chain beyond the farm gate, and 
they give them the opportunity to profit from those down-stream 
activities. Therefore, funds invested and the benefits of 
projects generated by cooperatives through the VAPG are 
distributed to a wide number of producers. Likewise, by 
investing in initiatives of cooperatives, such projects lower 
the overall costs to the government in program administration 
per individual farmer that benefits. Therefore, the Managers 
direct USDA to continue to treat cooperatives as a priority in 
administering the VAPG of LAMP.
(2) Organic certification
      The House bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the 
``Secretary'') to issue regulations to limit the type of 
organic operations that are excluded from certification. The 
bill further requires the Secretary to modernize trade tracking 
and data collection systems, including full traceability, as 
well as a report to Congress regarding investigations and 
compliance actions. It authorizes the Secretary to oversee and 
approve a certifying agent in a foreign country and provides 
for annual certification.
      The House bill also directs the Secretary to establish 
expedited and emergency procedures related to food, crop, or 
human safety for placing a substance on the National List. The 
provision allows for an employee of an owner or operator of an 
organic farming operation to represent the owner or operator on 
the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and allows for the 
convening of a task force to consult with the Food and Drug 
Administration (``FDA'') or Environmental Protection Agency 
(``EPA'') when deciding if a substance that has been determined 
safe within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act, or determined by the EPA to not be harmful, should be 
included on the National List.
      The House bill authorizes sharing of certain information 
during an investigation. It also authorizes a certifying agent 
to require additional information from a producer and handler 
under certain circumstances, and authorizes access to cross 
border documentation systems. The section requires the $5 
million of CCC funds provided be available for modernization of 
trade and data collection and to maintain current database and 
technology upgrades. (Section 9006)
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to issue 
regulations to limit the type of organic operations that are 
excluded from certification, amends the definition of 
``certifying agent'', and defines the term ``national organic 
program import certificate''. The amendment requires an import 
certification for imports represented as organic in the U.S. It 
further requires the Secretary to establish a tracking system, 
modernize trade tracking and data collection systems, including 
full traceability, and provide a report to Congress on organic 
imports. It authorizes the Secretary to oversee a certifying 
agent in a foreign country and provides the certification be 
for a period of time consistent with the certification of a 
domestic certifying agent.
      The provision also requires that a vote on an amendment 
to the National List receives 2/3 of the votes when a quorum is 
present.
      The Senate amendment authorizes sharing of certain 
information during an investigation and for the review of an 
accreditation of an agent in a foreign country and provides 
access to cross border documentation systems. It authorizes an 
organic agricultural product imports interagency working group. 
The section requires $5 million of CCC funds be provided for 
data collection. Finally, the section requires certain 
provisions be carried out in a manner consistent with all trade 
obligations. (Section 10104)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment providing for the oversight of foreign and 
domestic certifying offices as well as notice and process 
regarding new and suspended certifications. The amendment also 
adopts the House provision regarding additional documentation 
and verification.
      The amendment adopts the House provision regarding 
employees of an owner or operator of an organic farming 
operation to represent the owner or operator on the NOSB. 
(Section 10104)
      The Managers recognize that fraudulent organic imports 
have the potential to unfairly damage the reputation of the 
National Organic Program's (NOP) organic certification system 
and undercut domestic sales of certified organic products. 
Therefore, the Managers agreed to provisions from both the 
House-passed bill and Senate Amendment that are intended to 
provide the Secretary with better data, information-sharing and 
clarity of authority to identify and prevent known compliance 
risks to the NOP, particularly those imported from certifiers, 
handlers, or producers not accredited or certified by USDA or 
covered under an organic equivalency agreement. The Managers 
intend for these measures to be consistent for all products 
covered under the NOP. The Managers adopted and are applying a 
trade savings provision to ensure USDA implementation does not 
inhibit trade in organic agricultural products that are 
otherwise certified and following NOP standards, as well as 
other trade protocols.
      The Managers encourage improved coordination between 
Federal agencies that oversee import protocols and agencies 
responsible for organic certification and enforcement in order 
to ensure information sharing and response in cases of 
potential fraud. Since the NOP is a marketing and process-
oriented program, the Managers provide funding for the 
Secretary to establish and utilize more modern systems and 
method to share data with other agencies both within USDA, 
between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 
AMS, and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), as well as outside 
of USDA, particularly U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 
addition, the Conference Substitute adopts a provision 
authorizing the Secretary to require producers and handlers of 
imported organic products, in cases of a known NOP compliance 
risk, to provide additional documentation, including an NOP 
import certificate, as long as this additional information is 
not more than is otherwise required under an equivalency 
agreement negotiated between the United States and the foreign 
government. The Managers codified the oversight authority of 
the Secretary to accredit certifying agents operating in a 
foreign country as well as certifying offices and foreign 
operations located within the United States. The Managers 
intend for the Secretary to implement these measures to be 
consistent with such standards and information as are required 
for domestic producers and handlers within the NOP.
      The Managers appreciate the role of the National Organic 
Standards Board (NOSB) as an advisory board that is governed by 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and works with the 
AMS to consider and offer recommendations on a wide range of 
issues involving the production, handling, and processing of 
organic products. The Managers expect the Board and AMS to be 
transparent and adhere to the best science and technical 
assistance available, including from other science agencies, to 
provide certainty and predictability to the agricultural 
community and consumers.
      The Managers codified USDA measures and NOSB procedures, 
currently in practice, to provide certainty to producers and 
users of the NOP. The Conference Substitute adopts subsection 
(e) of Sec. 10104 of the Senate Amendment to require 2/3 of the 
votes cast at an NOSB meeting at which a quorum is present to 
be a decisive vote regarding changes made to the organic 
``National List''. The Conference Substitute adopts Subsection 
(c) of section 9006 of the House bill to allow for an employee 
of an organic farming operation to represent the owner or 
operator on the NOSB. An employee of an organic farming 
operation, organic handling operation, or organic retail 
establishment, as designated by the owner or company, may be 
any employee, including a farmworker or minimum wage employee.
      The Managers expect the NOSB, when reviewing potential 
amendments to the National List, to consider the findings, 
supporting data, and technical assistance made available by the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the safety and 
consumer health effects of pesticides registered for use, and 
consider the findings, supporting data, and technical 
assistance made available by the U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration to evaluate the safety and consumer health of 
food additives. Given the continued urgency in producer 
implementation of food safety standards and requirements, the 
Managers encourage the NOSB, while following the material 
review requirements established in the Organic Foods Production 
Act, to establish procedures for timely consideration and 
review of materials directly related to food safety compliance 
for inclusion on the national list.
(3) National organic certification cost-share program
      The Senate amendment strikes the directed delegation 
clause to the AMS and authorizes $11.5 million of CCC funds for 
each of FY 2019-23, to remain available until expended. There 
is no authorization of appropriations. (Section 10105)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that provides $24 million of CCC funds for FY 
2019-2023. (Section 10105)
      The Managers recognize that organic cost-share assistance 
is an important resource for farmers desiring to transition 
into organic production or to obtain organic certification. In 
FY2017, the USDA transferred administration of the National 
Organic Certification Cost Share Program from the Agriculture 
Marketing Service to the Farm Service Agency. During this 
transfer, USDA obligated a fraction of the mandatory funding 
made available for organic cost-share assistance. The Managers 
direct the Secretary to expend all carryover funding that was 
made available for the National Organic Certification Cost 
Share Program, from fiscal years 2014 through 2018, during 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. The Managers also direct the 
Secretary to develop and implement an outreach plan to reach 
organic farmers interested in organic cost-share assistance.
(4) Specialty crop block grants
      The House bill amends the administrative requirements of 
the program to include and develop (in consultation with the 
Secretary) an evaluation of performance through cooperative 
agreements with State Departments of Agriculture and 
stakeholders to periodically evaluate the program. It 
authorizes the Secretary to use $5 million each fiscal year 
2018-23 towards multistate projects and adds new grant 
purposes. (Section 9004)
      The Senate amendment provision amends state plan 
requirements to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops 
at the national, regional and local levels. It also includes 
performance measures in the state plan developed by the State 
department of agriculture, in consultation with stakeholders. 
The Senate amendment requires the state plan to identify best 
practices for methods to enhance the competitiveness of 
specialty crops, requires an application meet the state plan 
requirements, adds an annual evaluation requirement regarding 
performance measures for States receiving a grant, and 
increases the cap on administrative expenses to 4 and 9 percent 
for the Secretary and States respectively. The section also 
requires the Secretary to provide guidance to States regarding 
best practices and priorities prior to the submission of State 
plans each year. It requires stakeholder input be used to 
develop priorities and considered by the Secretary as States 
develop a plan under eligibility requirements, clarifies the 
Administrator shall administer funds of approved multistate 
projects, and authorizes the Secretary to use $5 million each 
fiscal year thereafter towards multistate projects. (Section 
10107)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that clarifies the Secretary may directly 
administer multistate projects for applicants in a 
nonparticipating-State and provides for the evaluation of the 
grant program. (Section 10107)
      The Managers intend for the Specialty Crop Block Grant 
Program to be a state-driven program that improves the 
competitiveness and meets the priorities of specialty crop 
producers. The Managers are cognizant of the reporting 
challenges imposed at the Federal level on States administering 
Specialty Crop Block Grants and have therefore elaborated on 
those crop priorities to guide, in a cooperative manner, grant 
applicants, state departments of agriculture, and USDA on the 
state plan requirements, performance measures and evaluations 
needed to properly allocate resources. To broaden specialty 
crop stakeholder access to multi-state projects, the Managers 
adopted a modification to allow USDA to directly administer all 
aspects of multi-state projects for applicants in a 
nonparticipating state.
(5) Plant variety protection
      The House bill defines the term ``asexually reproduced'', 
adds asexual multiplication as an act constituting infringement 
of plant variety protection, and protects asexual reproducible 
plant material from certain acts in connection with sale, 
offering for sale or advertising. (Section 9005)
      The Senate amendment is identical to section 9005(b) of 
the House bill. (Section 10108)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 10108)
      The Managers recognize the importance of expanding the 
scope of the Plant Variety Protection Act to provide the same 
rights and protections provided to breeders of asexually 
propagated plants. The Managers expect the Department of 
Agriculture to promulgate the necessary rules and guidance to 
implement these amendments to the Plant Variety Protection Act 
no later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
(6) Multiple crop and pesticide use survey
      The Senate amendment authorizes a multiple crop and 
pesticide use survey. (Section 10109)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modification to include $500,000 of CCC funding for FY 
2019, to remain available until expended. (Section 10109)
      The Managers recognize the importance of crop protection 
tools as crucial technologies for helping farmers prevent, 
manage, and eradicate pests and plant diseases that threaten 
crop production yields. The Managers intend for the Secretary 
of Agriculture, acting through the Office of Pest Management 
Policy, to conduct crop and pesticide use surveys for a variety 
of crops for the use of risk assessment modeling and mitigation 
for active ingredients. The Managers intend for the multiple 
crop and pesticide use surveys to be conducted frequently and 
in a timely manner to allow the Office of Pest Management 
Policy sufficient time to respond to the Environmental 
Protection Agency's 60-day comment periods related to pesticide 
registrations. The Managers direct the Secretary of Agriculture 
to work with the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) to gain 
approval of a generic clearance for the purposes of this 
provision to meet the requirements of information collection 
review under the Paperwork Reduction Act (and as outlined in an 
April 7, 2010, OMB Memorandum for the Heads of Executive 
Departments and Agencies, and Independent Regulatory Agencies 
regarding information collection under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act). The generic clearance is necessary for the Department of 
Agriculture to gather and accurately communicate to the 
Environmental Protection Agency information regarding the 
agricultural community's actual use patterns and mitigations in 
order for the Environmental Protection Agency's final decisions 
to be more probabilistic and therefore more accurate and data 
based.
(7) Clarification of use of funds for technical assistance
      The Senate amendment excludes technical assistance under 
this title of the 2018 farm bill from section 111 CCC cap. 
(Section 10110)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 10112)
(8) Hemp production
      The Senate amendment provision amends the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946 to allow States to regulate hemp 
production based on a state or tribal plan. The amendment 
requires that such plan includes information on locations of 
hemp production, testing for THC concentration, disposal of 
plants that are out of compliance, and negligence or other 
violations of the state or tribal plan. It requires the 
Secretary to establish a plan, in consultation with the U.S. 
Attorney General, for States and tribes without USDA approved 
plans to monitor and regulate hemp production. The section 
clarifies that nothing in this subtitle affects or modifies the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or authorities of the HHS 
Secretary and FDA Commissioner and clarifies that nothing in 
this title authorizes interference with the interstate commerce 
of hemp. (Sections 10111 & 10112)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendment, including auditing authority and a grandfather 
clause regarding program participation. (Sections 10113 and 
10114)
      In Sec. 297A, the Managers intend to clarify, within the 
hemp production subtitle, that hemp is defined as the plant 
cannabis sativa L, or any part of that plant, including seeds, 
derivatives, and extracts, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol 
(THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry 
weight basis.
      In Sec. 297B, the Managers intend to authorize states and 
tribal governments to submit a state plan to the Secretary for 
approval to have primary regulatory authority over the growing 
and production of hemp. The Managers do not intend to limit 
what states and tribal governments include in their state or 
tribal plan, as long as it is consistent with this subtitle. 
For example, states and tribal governments are authorized to 
put more restrictive parameters on the production of hemp, but 
are not authorized to alter the definition of hemp or put in 
place policies that are less restrictive than this title.
      Within 60 days of receiving a state or tribal plan, the 
Secretary must approve or deny the plan. The Secretary is 
required to consult with the Attorney General regarding the 
approval or denial of state plans, but the Managers intend for 
the final decision to be made by the Secretary. The 
consultation with the Attorney General should not alter the 60 
day requirement to approve or deny a plan.
      The Managers authorized the Secretary to audit state and 
tribal compliance with an approved plan and take corrective 
action, including revoking approval, based on a state or tribal 
government's noncompliance, as appropriate. The Managers intend 
to allow state and tribal governments to appeal decisions by 
the Secretary pertaining to a state or tribal plan for hemp 
production and do not intend to preclude a state or tribal 
government from resubmitting a new state or tribal plan for 
consideration at a later date. If a state or tribal plan is 
denied or revoked, the Managers intend for hemp production in 
that state or tribal area to fall under the Secretary's 
jurisdiction as authorized in section 297C.
      The Secretary is authorized to provide technical 
assistance to states and Indian tribes to aid in the 
development of a state or tribal plan.
      The Managers define negligent and other types of producer 
violations that require enforcement under a state or tribal 
plan. The Managers also set limits on who may participate in 
state or tribal plans. Any person convicted of a felony 
relating to a controlled substance shall be ineligible to 
participate under the state or tribal plan for a 10-year period 
following the date of the conviction. However, this prohibition 
shall not apply to producers who have been lawfully 
participating in a state hemp pilot program as authorized by 
the Agricultural Act of 2014, prior to enactment of this 
subtitle. Subsequent felony convictions after the date of 
enactment of this subtitle will trigger a 10-year 
nonparticipation period regardless of whether the producer 
participated in the pilot program authorized in 2014. 
Additionally, anyone who materially falsifies any information 
in their application to participate in hemp production through 
a state, tribal, or USDA plan shall be ineligible.
      In Sec. 297C, the Managers intend to require the 
Secretary to develop a USDA plan or plans to be implemented in 
states and tribal territories that forego developing and 
submitting a state or tribal hemp production plan. The Managers 
expect the USDA plan or plans to meet the same content 
requirements as state and tribal plans in Sec. 297B. The USDA 
plan may contain, as determined by the Secretary, additional 
practices and procedures that are otherwise consistent with 
this subtitle. It is the Managers intent that the Secretary 
have discretion regarding the appropriate number of plans, one 
or more than one, needed to implement Sec. 297C.
      The Managers require the Secretary to collect, maintain, 
and make accessible to Federal, state, territorial, and local 
law enforcement, real-time information regarding the status of 
a license or other authorization for all hemp producers, 
whether participating under a state, tribal, or USDA plan. The 
Managers encourage the Secretary to develop a memorandum of 
understanding with Federal law enforcement agencies to define 
the parameters of this system and to potentially share the 
costs of such information sharing system.
      In Sec. 297D, the Managers clarify that the Secretary has 
the sole authority to issue guidelines and regulations 
regarding the production of hemp. However, nothing in this 
subtitle shall affect or modify the authority granted to the 
Food and Drug Administration and the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act 
(21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) or section 351 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262), including for hemp-derived 
products. The Secretary is required to consult with the 
Attorney General on the promulgation of regulations, but 
ultimately, the regulations shall only be issued by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. To ensure that the Secretary moves 
forward with issuing regulations in as timely a fashion as 
possible, the Secretary shall periodically report to Congress 
with updates regarding implementation of this title.
      While states and Indian tribes may limit the production 
and sale of hemp and hemp products within their borders, the 
Managers, in Sec. 10112, agreed to not allow such states and 
Indian tribes to limit the transportation or shipment of hemp 
or hemp products through the state or Indian territory.
(9) Recognition and role of State lead agencies
      The House bill amends section 2(aa) of the Federal 
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (``FIFRA'') to 
include a definition of ``State lead agency'' for the purposes 
of FIFRA. It amends section 22(b) of FIFRA by limiting 
regulations to those promulgated by the EPA or within the 
authority of a State lead agency. The subsection further amends 
section 23(a)(1) of FIFRA to authorize States or Tribes to 
establish and maintain uniform regulation of pesticide through 
cooperative agreement with the Administrator of the EPA 
(``Administrator''). The section further amends section 24(a) 
of the FIFRA to restrict the authority of a political 
subdivision of a State to regulate a pesticide beyond the 
Federal limits. Additionally the House bill amends section 
25(a)(2) of FIFRA by requiring the Administrator to publish any 
comments regarding prescribed regulations promulgated pursuant 
to FIFRA from the Secretary or any State lead agency in the 
Federal Register, including any response to the comments, if 
such comments are received within 30 days of receipt of a copy 
of any such regulation. The section further allows for the 
Secretary or a State lead agency to request that any comments 
sent to the Administrator regarding prescribed regulations 
promulgated pursuant to FIFRA within 15 days of receipt of a 
copy of the regulation, including any responses to the 
comments, be published in the Federal Register. (Section 9101)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(10) Pesticide registration and use
      The House bill amends section 3(c)(5) of the FIFRA to 
require the Administrator of the EPA to register a pesticide if 
the Administrator determines that the pesticide, when used in 
accordance with widespread and commonly recognized practices, 
is not likely to jeopardize the survival of a federally listed 
threatened or endangered species or to alter habitat critical 
for the survival or recovery of such species. It further amends 
section 3 to require the Administrator to use the best 
scientific and commercial information available, which may 
include species and habitat information from the Secretary of 
Interior or Secretary of Commerce, and consider all 
restrictions on use when considering the criteria for the 
registration of a pesticide. The Administrator shall not be 
required to consult or communicate with the Secretary of the 
Interior or the Secretary of Commerce under the authority of 
any other statute when making such determination, unless 
otherwise petitioned by the registrant of the pesticide. The 
House bill amends section 3(c)(7) of FIFRA to require the 
Administrator to conditionally register or amend the 
registration of a pesticide under special circumstances if the 
Administrator determines that the pesticide, when used in 
accordance with widespread and commonly recognized practices, 
is not likely to jeopardize the survival of a federally listed 
threatened or endangered species or to alter habitat critical 
for the survival or recovery of such species. The House bill 
amends section 3(g)(1)(A) of FIFRA to require the Administrator 
to complete the determination, and subsequent periodic reviews, 
that a pesticide, when used in accordance with widespread and 
commonly recognized practices, is not likely to jeopardize the 
survival of a federally listed threatened or endangered species 
or to alter habitat critical for the survival or recovery of 
such species, over the following schedule: by October 1, 2026 
for an active ingredient first registered on or before October 
1, 2007; by October 1, 2033 for an active ingredient first 
registered between October 1, 2007 and the day before 
enactment; and not later than 48 months after the effective 
date of registration for an active ingredient registered on or 
after the date of enactment. The House bill amends section 5(a) 
of FIFRA to require the Administrator, when issuing an 
experimental use permit for a pesticide, to determine that the 
pesticide, when used in accordance with widespread and commonly 
recognized practices, is not likely to jeopardize the survival 
of a federally listed threatened or endangered species or to 
alter habitat critical for the survival or recovery of such 
species. The House bill amends section 6(b) of FIFRA to require 
the Administrator, when issuing a notice to cancel or change 
the classification of a pesticide, to determine that the 
pesticide, when used in accordance with widespread and commonly 
recognized practices, is not likely to jeopardize the survival 
of a federally listed threatened or endangered species or to 
alter habitat critical for the survival or recovery of such 
species. The House bill amends section 12 of FIFRA to clarify 
that any taking of a federally listed threatened or endangered 
species resulting from the lawful use of a pesticide determined 
by the Administrator to meet the criteria specified in section 
3(c)(5)(A)(v) is not considered unlawful. The House bill amends 
section 24(c) of FIFRA to require the Administrator, when 
denying a State pesticide registration, to determine that the 
pesticide, when used in accordance with widespread and commonly 
recognized practices, is not likely to jeopardize the survival 
of a federally listed threatened or endangered species or to 
alter habitat critical for the survival or recovery of such 
species. The House bill directs the Administrator to publish 
and continue to review a work plan for completing required 
determinations and implementing and enforcing registration 
standards. (Sections 9111, 9112, 9113, 9114, 9115 & 9116)
      The Senate amendment contain no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that establishes an interagency working group and 
requires certain reports in section 3 of FIFRA. (Section 10115)
(11) Use of authorized pesticides; Discharge of pesticides
      The House bill amends section 3(f) of FIFRA to direct the 
Administrator or a State to not require a permit under the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act for a discharge from a 
point source into navigable waters. It also amends section 402 
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by adding new 
subsection(s) to prevent the Administrator or a State from 
requiring a permit for a discharge into navigable waters of a 
pesticide authorized under FIFRA except under listed 
circumstances. (Sections 9117 and 9118)
      The Senate amendment contain no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(12) Enactment of Pesticide Registration Improvement Enhancement Act of 
        2017
      The House bill enacts H.R. 1029. (Section 9119)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(13) Methyl bromide
      The House bill amends section 419 of the Plant Protection 
Act to clarify the authorized uses of methyl bromide. It allows 
the Secretary of Agriculture or a State, local, or Tribal 
authority to authorize the qualified use of methyl bromide in 
response to an emergency event. Subsection (a) also requires 
that any State, local, or Tribal authority that authorizes such 
use notify the Secretary within 5 days of such determination. A 
State, local, or Tribal authority may not authorize the use of 
methyl bromide if the Secretary objects to the use within 5 
days of the notification. The House bill requires that a 
notification by any State, local, or Tribal government contain 
a certification of the authorization to use methyl bromide in 
response to an emergency event, a description of the emergency 
event and the economic loss that would result from such event, 
contact information for a designated responsible individual of 
the authority, the location of the emergency event including 
the total acreage of the event, the identity of the pests to be 
controlled, the total volume of methyl bromide to be used, and 
the anticipated date of such use. It allows the Secretary to 
object to an authorization of use within 5 days of receipt of 
notification by a State, local, or Tribal authority. The 
Secretary shall provide notification of the objection in 
writing, including reasons for such objection and any 
additional information that the Secretary would require to 
withdraw the objection. The Secretary may object to an 
authorization if the Secretary determines the notification does 
not contain all the information required, does not demonstrate 
the existence of an emergency event, or the qualified use does 
not comply with the enumerated limitations on use. Subsection 
(c) also allows the Secretary to withdraw an objection if, 
within 14 days of the transmission of the notification for 
authorized use, the State, local, or Tribal government submits 
additional information to the satisfaction of the Secretary. 
Upon issuance of the withdrawal, the State, local, or Tribal 
authority may authorize the use of methyl bromide subject to 
the limitations of qualified use. The House bill deems the 
production, distribution, sale, shipment, application, or use 
of a pesticide containing methyl bromide pursuant to an 
authorization under this section to also be authorized under 
FIFRA, regardless of whether the use is registered under FIFRA, 
and included on the approved label for the product. The section 
limits the amount of methyl bromide that may be used per 
specific location of an emergency to 20 metric tons. Further, 
the aggregate amount of methyl bromide that may be used in the 
U.S. in a calendar year shall not exceed the total amount 
authorized by the Montreal Protocol on Substances the Deplete 
the Ozone Layer for critical use in the U.S. in calendar year 
2011. It allows for the production or importation of methyl 
bromide in response to an emergency event notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, gives the Secretary exclusive authority 
for determining which species are considered quarantine pests, 
and includes definitions of relevant terms such as ``emergency 
event,'' ``pests,'' and ``qualified use''. (Section 9121)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that requires a study on methyl bromide use in 
response to an emergency event. (Section 10116)
      The Managers intend that the Secretary of Agriculture 
engage substantively with the Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency throughout 
the planning and conduct of the study, and in formulating any 
recommendations resulting from the study. The Managers intend 
that the definition of ``emergency event'' in this section only 
apply for the purposes, and the duration, of the study.
(14) Preventing the arrival in the United State of forest pests through 
        restrictions on the importation of certain plants for planting
      The House bill addresses cooperation between the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Forest Service to 
intercept tree and wood pests and would require a report on the 
interception of forest pests. (Section 9122)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that authorizes a report on forest pests. (Section 
10110)
(15) Report on regulation of plant biostimulants
      The House bill authorizes a report on plant biostimulant 
products and defines the term ``plant biostimulant''. (Section 
9201)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendment authorizing a study including authority for the 
Secretary to modify the description of plant biostimulant. 
(Section 10111)
      The Managers recognize the importance of plant 
biostimulants as an emerging technology for production 
agriculture. The Managers intend for the Secretary of 
Agriculture, in consultation with Administrator of the EPA, 
States, and relevant stakeholders, to provide a report to 
Congress that identifies any potential regulatory, non- 
regulatory, and legislative recommendations, including the 
appropriateness of any definitions for plant biostimulants. The 
Managers intend for this report to facilitate the regulatory 
framework for plant biostimulant products and ensure the 
efficient and appropriate review, approval, uniform national 
labeling, and availability of these products to agricultural 
producers.

                        Title XI--Crop Insurance

(1) Definitions
      The Senate amendment defines ``cover crop termination'' 
and ``hemp'' as used in the Federal Crop Insurance Act (the 
``Act''). (Section 11101)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11101)
(2) Data collection
      The Senate amendment amends section 506(h)(2) of the Act 
to require appropriate data collected by the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and through the 
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) be provided 
to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The data must 
be provided in an aggregate form. (Section 11102)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11102)
      The Managers intend that any additional information made 
available from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) related to NAP 
records, which could assist with new product development, be 
shared with the applicants under section 11103.
(3) Sharing of records
      The Senate amendment amends section 506(h)(3) of the Act 
to require the Secretary to share records with private 
developers of crop insurance products who have received payment 
under section 522(b)(2)(E) related to crop insurance policy 
research and development costs. (Section 11103)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11103)
      The Managers intend that the sharing of records be 
limited to policies directly being developed by the applicants.
(4) Use of resources
      The Senate amendment amends section 507(f) of the Act to 
update the resources, data, boards, and the committees the 
Board should use within the Department, including sharing 
information to support the transition of crops from NAP to crop 
insurance. (Section 11104)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications that add board discretion and remove certain 
assessment requirements. (Section 11104)
      The Managers recognize that the Risk Management Agency 
(RMA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and FSA 
serve a significant number of common program participants. The 
Managers expect the agencies to coordinate to avoid 
duplication, streamline or create common processes, and make 
participants aware of opportunities even if the participants 
are outside that particular agency. For example, a producer may 
have some crops that are eligible for Federal Crop Insurance 
and others that are eligible for FSA's NAP. The Managers 
encourage USDA to establish procedures in both agencies to make 
sure producers are informed of all of their options for 
coverage without regard to which agency the producers interact 
with first.
(5) Specialty crops coordinator
      The Senate amendment amends section 507(g) of the Act to 
require the Specialty Crops Coordinator to designate a 
Specialty Crop Liaison in each regional field office, and to 
establish a website focused on the efforts of the FCIC to 
provide and expand crop insurance for specialty crop producers. 
(Section 11105(a))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification to remove specific requirements for the 
website. (Section 11105)
      The Managers intend for the website required under new 
section 507(g)(5) of the Act to include an online mechanism to 
provide comments relating to specialty crops and a calendar 
publishing opportunities to provide comments at specialty crop 
events or public forums. The Managers also encourage the 
Specialty Crops Coordinator to publish on the website a plan, 
with projected completion dates, for expanding existing 
policies or plans of insurance for specialty crops to new 
crops, new areas, and by adding new revenue options or 
endorsements.
(6) Addition of specialty crops and other value-added crops
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(a)(6) of the Act 
to require the manager of the FCIC to annually prepare, to the 
maximum extent practicable, at least 2 of each of the 
following: (1) research and development for a policy or plan of 
insurance for a new crop; (2) expansion of an existing policy 
or plan of insurance to additional counties or states 
(including malting barley); and (3) research and development 
for a policy or plan of insurance, or endorsement, for crops 
with existing policies or plans of insurance, such as dollar 
plans. (Section 1105(b))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a technical modification replacing a description and an 
amendment to decrease the number of required actions from 2 of 
each to 1 of each. (Section 11105)
      The Managers intend for this provision to be implemented 
in coordination with other changes that improve data sharing 
between FSA and RMA. The Managers intend for NAP data to be 
used to support expanding Federal Crop Insurance to additional 
crops and, for existing insurable crops, to additional 
counties. The Managers recognize that Federal Crop Insurance 
provides significantly better risk protection for producers and 
expect the combination of these changes with the annual review 
under this section to act as an ``on-ramp'' for producers to 
more robust risk management options.
(7) Insurance period
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(a)(2) of the Act 
to add hemp. (Section 11106)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11106)
(8) Cover crops
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(a)(3) of the Act 
to include a conservation activity or enhancement (including 
cover crops) that is approved by the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service or an agricultural expert. Requires that 
voluntary good farming practices be considered a good farming 
practice only if the insured crop may be expected to make 
normal progress toward maturity under typical growing 
conditions. It also provides standards for cover crop 
termination and summer fallow in relation to insurability. 
(Section 11107)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications to clarify termination guidelines and 
provides that an exception can be recommended by the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service or an agricultural expert, as 
determined by the Corporation, unless the exception is 
determined to be unreasonable by the Corporation. (Section 
11107)
      The Managers note that producers considering voluntary 
conservation practices like cover crops, whether directly 
through a USDA conservation program or informally according to 
USDA's recommended procedures, should have confidence that 
following the program guidance, procedures or advice will not 
impact their insurability or protection under Federal Crop 
Insurance. The Managers expect USDA to coordinate internally 
and provide clear guidance to farmers, agents and loss 
adjustors to ensure that guidance, procedures, or advice 
regarding voluntary conservation practices from one part of 
USDA does not potentially put other USDA benefits at risk.
(9) Underserved producers
      The Senate amendment modifies section 508(a)(7) of the 
Act to: (1) clarify that the definition of ``adequately 
served'' applies ``by crop''; (2) add a definition of the term 
``underserved producer'' to mean ``a beginning farmer or 
rancher, a veteran farmer or rancher, or a socially 
disadvantaged farmer or rancher''; (3) include a review of the 
types of production common among underserved producers and 
types of production, such as diversified production for local 
markets; and (4) require a report every 3 years to include 
recommendations to increase participation in states and among 
underserved producers that are not adequately served by crop 
insurance. (Section 11108)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification to add Tribes and Tribal Members to the 
definition of underserved producers. (Section 11108)
      The Managers recognize that while underserved producers 
are involved in a wide variety of agricultural production and 
crops, many of these producers are concentrated in certain 
types of production. Therefore, the Managers intend for the 
Board to examine types of production common among underserved 
producers, including diversified production for local markets.
(10) Administrative basic fee
      The House bill increases the basic administrative fee to 
$500 per crop per county. (Section 10002)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
modifications to set the basic administrative fee at $655 per 
crop per county. (Section 11110)
(11) Prevention of duplicate coverage
      The House bill amends section 508(c)(1) of the Act to 
provide that crops for which the producer has elected 
Agriculture Risk Coverage, or that are enrolled in the Stacked 
Income Protection Plan, are ineligible for coverage based on an 
area yield and loss basis or supplemental coverage. It also 
makes certain conforming amendments. (Section 10003)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(12) Performance-based discount
      The House bill amends section 508(d) of the Act to repeal 
the authority for performance-based discounts for producers. It 
also makes certain conforming amendments. (Section 10004)
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(d)(3) of the Act 
to allow the FCIC to offer premium discounts for practices that 
can be demonstrated to reduce risk, considering precision 
irrigation, fertilization, crop rotations, cover crops, and 
other appropriate practices. (Section 11109)
      The Conference substitute deletes both provisions.
      The Managers note that Federal Crop Insurance must be 
made available to all producers at rates and prices set by the 
RMA. Rebating is strictly prohibited by the Act, with specific 
limited exceptions. This prohibition against rebating, whether 
in the form of discounts, incentives, or other inducements, 
ensures fair treatment for all producers. The Managers commend 
RMA for taking the rebating prohibition seriously and carrying 
out section 508(a)(9)(B)(iii) in a manner that is consistent 
with Congressional intent and current law.
(13) Enterprise units
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(e)(5) of the Act 
to allow a producer to establish a single enterprise unit by 
combining across county lines: (1) enterprise units; or (2) all 
basic units and all optional units. (Section 11110)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11111)
      The Managers do not intend for the new section 
508(e)(5)(E) of the Act to mandate enterprise units that would 
cross state boundaries. Further, the Managers do not intend to 
change the Corporation's authority to offer enterprise units, 
beyond the authority to combine enterprise units as provided in 
new section 508(e)(5)(E).
(14) Treatment of forage and grazing
      The House bill amends section 508(b)(1) of the Act to 
strike the exception that provides that catastrophic risk 
protection plans shall not be available for crops and grasses 
used for grazing. It also adds a new section 508D, which 
permits separate crop insurance policies, including a 
catastrophic risk protection plan under which crops that can be 
both grazed and mechanically harvested on the same acres during 
the same growing season are eligible. Provides that such 
separate policies can be independently indemnified for each 
intended use. Additionally, the House bill amends section 
508(n) of the Act to specifically except coverage under the new 
section 508D from the section 508(n) limitations. (Section 
10001)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
technical modifications to clarify the provision allows 
producers to purchase separate policies for each intended use, 
as determined by the FCIC, and any indemnity paid under those 
policies for each intended use shall not be considered to be 
for the same loss for the purposes of section 508(n) of the 
Act. (Section 11109)
      The Managers note there are a suite of programs 
administered by FSA or offered by RMA that address risks faced 
by livestock owners and forage producers. The Managers believe 
the Secretary should take into consideration the different 
causes of loss covered by these programs when carrying out the 
limitation on multiple benefits for the same loss.
(15) Pasture, rangeland, and forage policy for members of Indian tribes
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(e)(7) of the Act 
to provide premium subsidy at the rate of 90 percent for a 
member of an Indian tribe for the first purchase of Pasture, 
Rangeland, and Forage insurance. (Section 11111)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(16) Continued authority
      The House bill amends section 508(g) to require FCIC to 
establish: (1) underwriting rules to provide producers with an 
election to limit the decrease in actual production history 
(APH) to not more than 10 percent of the prior crop year's APH, 
provided that the production decline was the result of drought, 
flood, natural disaster, or other insurable loss; and (2) 
actuarially sound premiums to cover the additional risk. 
(Section 10005)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 11112)
      The Managers note that RMA has a long history of offering 
producers protection from a decrease of more than 10% in their 
APH. The Managers intend for RMA to continue offering this 
option to producers in conjunction with other APH adjustments 
in statute.
(17) Submission of policies and materials to the board
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(h) of the Act to 
authorize the FCIC Board, in the case of a policy, pilot 
program, and other materials relating to the production of 
hemp, to waive the viability and marketability requirements 
under section 508(h). (Section 11112)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11113)
(18) Whole farm revenue agent incentives
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(k) of the Act to 
provide an additional reimbursement to an agent that sells a 
Whole Farm Revenue Policy. (Section 11113)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(19) Crop production on native sod
      The Senate amendment amends section 508(o)(2)(A) of the 
Act to provide that: (1) during the period beginning on 
February 8, 2014, and ending on the date of enactment of the 
2018 farm bill, native sod acreage that has been tilled for the 
production of an insurable crop shall be subject to 4 
cumulative years of a reduction in benefits. Additionally, the 
Senate amendment provides that, as a condition on the receipt 
of crop insurance benefits, a producer that has tilled native 
sod acreage for the production of an insurable crop shall 
certify that acreage to the Secretary using a specified acreage 
report form and 1 or more maps, and submit corrections or 
updates as appropriate. It also requires the Secretary to 
submit an annual report to the House Committee on Agriculture 
and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry (the ``Agriculture Committees'') describing the tilled 
native sod acreage that has been certified in each county and 
State. (Section 11114)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments to clarify that native sod acreage that has 
been tilled would be subject to a reduction in benefits for not 
more than four cumulative years during the first ten years 
after initial tillage. The amendment also removes the option 
for a governor of a State to elect to have the requirements 
apply to the State, if the State is not currently subject to 
the requirements. (Section 11114)
      The Managers intend for producers in Iowa, Minnesota, 
Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota who till 
native sod to have either a reduction in crop insurance 
benefits or have the land not participate in crop insurance for 
a significant period. By making the reduction in benefits cover 
any insurable crop rather than annual crops, the Managers 
intend to remove the possibility of a producer avoiding these 
ramifications by planting a perennial crop.
(20) Use of national agricultural statistics service data to combat 
        waste, fraud, and abuse
      The Senate amendment amends section 515(d)(1) of the Act 
to include the use of published aggregate data from NASS or any 
other data source to: (1) detect yield disparities or other 
data anomalies that indicate potential fraud; and (2) target 
the relevant counties, crops, regions, companies, or agents 
associated with that potential fraud for audits and other 
enforcement actions. (Section 11115)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11115)
      The Managers encourage the FCIC to incorporate or include 
published aggregate data from the NASS in existing data mining 
efforts and other activities to combat waste, fraud, and abuse. 
The Managers do not intend for the additional data sets to 
duplicate, substitute, or replace ongoing fraud reduction 
efforts and activities, such as data mining currently carried 
out by the Center for Agribusiness Excellence.
(21) Submission of information to corporation
      The Senate amendment amends section 515(g) of the Act to 
require Approved Insurance Providers (``AIPs'') to submit to 
FCIC the actual production history used to establish insurable 
yields not later than 30 days after the applicable production 
reporting date for the crop to be insured. (Section 11116)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to limit the submission requirements with 
respect to a policy for a covered commodity (as defined in 
section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) 
and to allow AIPs the ability to correct errors in the 
information. (Section 11116)
      The Managers intend for the FCIC to establish procedures 
to collect actual production history to be used to establish 
insurable yields from AIPs. The Managers intend for the 
information to be shared with FSA for use in administering 
commodity programs. The Managers expect the FCIC to implement 
this provision in a reasonable manner without penalty to 
producers or AIPs, while continuing to allow AIPs the ability 
to correct errors in the information.
(22) Acreage report streamlining initiative
      The Senate amendment amends section 515(j)(1)(B)(ii) of 
the Act to: (1) provide that producers may report acreage and 
other information to the Department electronically (including 
in the form of geospatial data) or conventionally; (2) require 
the Administrators of the RMA and the FSA to implement a 
consistent method for determining crop acreage, acreage yields, 
farm acreage, property descriptions, and other common 
informational requirements, including measures of common land 
units; and (3) require each AIP to accept from a producer or an 
authorized agent of a producer reports of crop acreage, acreage 
yields, and other information electronically (including in the 
form of geospatial data) or conventionally. (Section 11117)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
      The Managers note that direction on this joint initiative 
between RMA and FSA has been consolidated in title I. The 
Managers expect RMA and the FCIC to continue to coordinate with 
FSA and to make significant progress to streamline processes 
for producers.
(23) Continuing education for loss adjusters and agents
      The Senate amendment amends section 515 of the Act to 
further require FCIC to establish requirements for continuing 
education for loss adjusters and agents of AIPs to ensure that 
both are familiar with appropriate conservation activities and 
agronomic practices that are common and appropriate to the area 
in which the insured crop being inspected is produced, and 
include organic and sustainable practices. (Section 11118)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification to broaden the education topics. (Section 
11117)
(24) Funding for information technology
      The Senate amendment bill amends section 515(k) of the 
Act to provide $1 million for each of fiscal years 2019 and 
2020. (Section 11119)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the Senate amendment.
(25) Program administration
      The House bill reduces the amount that FCIC may use under 
section 516(b)(2)(C)(i) to not more than $7 million per fiscal 
year. (Section 11119)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 11118)
(26) Agricultural commodity
      The Senate amendment adds hemp to the list of commodities 
enumerated in section 518. (Section 11120)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11119)
      The Managers expect that in determining the insurability 
of a crop of hemp under the Act, and in providing insurance 
options to hemp producers, RMA will collaborate with the 
appropriate USDA, state, or tribal authorities as necessary to 
do so consistent with the regulations and guidelines 
established in subtitle G of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946. The Managers note that USDA or the appropriate state or 
tribal authority, and not AIPs, agents, or loss adjusters, bear 
the responsibility of determining that a crop grown as hemp 
complies with the applicable regulations and guidelines under 
Subtitle G.
      The Managers also intend for ``aquacultural species'' to 
include algae species as determined appropriate by the Board.
(27) Maintenance of policies; Reimbursement of research, development, 
        and maintenance costs
      House bill section 10007(a) amends section 522(b) of the 
Act to--
      (1) allow for reimbursement of ``reasonable and actual 
research and development costs'' for policies that have been 
approved by the FCIC Board;
      (2) require that costs of the applicant shall be 
considered ``reasonable and actual costs'' if the costs are 
based on--
            (A) wage rates equal to 2 times the hourly wage 
        rate plus benefits, as provided by the Bureau of Labor 
        Statistics; or
            B) actual documented costs incurred by the 
        applicant;
      (3) designate the applicant (as opposed to the AIP) 
authority to determine whether to maintain a policy, and to 
establish the fee to be paid for maintenance of the policy;
      (4) require the FCIC Board to approve the amount of a fee 
unless the Board determines, based on substantial evidence in 
the record, that the amount of the fee unnecessarily inhibits 
the use of the policy; and
      (5) prohibit the FCIC Board from disapproving a user fee 
based on its comparison to a maintenance fee, or on the 
potential for the fee to result in a financial gain or loss to 
the applicant.
      The House bill also provides that the amendments shall 
apply to reimbursement requests made on or after October 1, 
2016, and that requests for reimbursement previously denied 
between October 1, 2016, and the date of enactment of this Act 
may be resubmitted. (Section 10007).
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to clarify reasonable costs apply to any employees 
or contracted personnel costs. The amendment also modifies the 
requirements for the Board to approve or disapprove the amount 
of a maintenance fee, by including that the fee shall remain in 
effect and not be reviewed by the Board unless specified 
criteria are met. (Section 11120)
      The Managers believe the remuneration provided to the 
submitters of policies developed under the 508(h) process 
ensures that underserved commodities have a fair opportunity to 
benefit from innovative risk management solutions. The Managers 
expect RMA and the FCIC Board to work with private submitters 
and those maintaining the policies developed to determine fair 
compensation for work on these policies.
(28) Maintenance of policies; reimbursement of research, development, 
        and maintenance costs
      The Senate amendment amends 522(b) of the Act to waive 
the viability and marketability requirements for hemp under 
paragraphs (2) and (3). (Section 11121)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11121)
(29) Research and development priorities and authorities
      The House bill amends paragraph (7) of the Act (as 
redesignated from current paragraph (19)) to define ``beginning 
farmer or rancher'' for purposes of research and development of 
whole farm insurance plans as having actively operated and 
managed a farm or ranch for less than 10 years. This is longer 
for these purposes than the Act's underlying definition as 
having actively operated and managed a farm or ranch for up to 
5 years. (Section 10008)
      The Senate amendment amends paragraph (7) (as 
redesignated from current paragraph (19)) of the Act to require 
FCIC, within 2 years, to hold stakeholder meetings to solicit 
feedback, review and modify procedures and paperwork 
requirements to decrease burdens, and increase flexibility and 
effectiveness. (Section 11122)
      The Conference substitute adopts both provisions with 
amendments to include additional factors the FCIC Board shall 
consider during review of the whole farm revenue protection 
policy. (Section 11122)
      The Managers note the continued growth of Whole Farm 
Revenue Policies (WFRP). The Managers believe that this policy 
has the potential to provide vital risk management to producers 
who are underserved by crop insurance and enhance options for 
existing policy holders. The Managers note that WFRP has the 
potential to provide meaningful risk protection for non-
traditional agricultural commodities (e.g., aquaculture) or 
production and marketing systems (e.g. urban, local food, or 
greenhouses), that are not served as well under current yield 
or revenue-based policies for individual crops.
      The Managers believe that RMA should make WFRP policies 
more effective. In carrying out the review described in new 
section 522(c)(7)(E) of the Act, the Managers urge RMA to 
expedite the analysis of removing the cap on livestock and 
nursery revenue, incorporating crop insurance indemnities and 
NAP payments into historical revenue, and allowing all 
producers, regardless of total average revenue, to insure up to 
the maximum amount of liability. Additionally, the Managers 
expect RMA to solicit input from the diverse group of producers 
participating in WFRP and take appropriate steps to streamline, 
add flexibility or tailor program rules to diverse producers' 
needs and circumstances.
      The Managers also expect RMA to work with FSA to notify 
the existing beginning farmers registered with FSA of the 
additional benefits under WFRP related to the newly aligned 
beginning farmer definition.
(30) Tropical storm or hurricane insurance
      The House bill adds a new section 522(c)(9) of the Act to 
require FCIC to enter into 1 or more contracts with qualified 
entities to carry out research and development of policies 
(including for tomato, pepper, and citrus crops) (1) against 
losses due to a tropical storm or hurricane; (2) to evaluate 
the effectiveness of a risk management tool for a low 
frequency, catastrophic loss weather event; and (3) to provide 
protection for production or revenue losses, or both. (Section 
10008(c))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
technical modifications. (Section 11122)
      The Managers note hurricanes and tropical storms caused 
significant agricultural damage in 2017 and 2018 to crops with 
high levels of crop insurance participation, but low levels of 
coverage, which led to passage of additional ad hoc disaster 
assistance. The Managers expect RMA to identify policies that 
could provide cost effective insurance options for catastrophic 
weather events such as tropical storms and hurricanes to 
alleviate the need for such disaster assistance in the future.
(31) Subsurface irrigation practices
      The House bill adds a new section 522(c)(10) of the Act 
to require that FCIC offer to enter into a contract with a 
qualified entity to conduct research and development on the 
creation of a separate practice for subsurface irrigation, 
including the establishment of a separate transitional yield 
within the county that is reflective of the average gain in 
productivity and yield associated with the installation of a 
subsurface irrigation system. (Section 10008(c))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
technical modifications. (Section 11122)
      The Managers note that instantaneous gains in 
productivity can be achieved through the adoption of subsurface 
irrigation systems. The Managers expect these methods to be 
carefully examined and, if appropriate, treated as a separate 
irrigation practice so that a producer's APH may more 
accurately reflect the yield and revenue potential of the crop 
following the installation of such system.
(32) Irrigated grain sorghum crop insurance policy
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(9) of the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with qualified entities to carry out, research and 
development regarding improvements to 1 or more policies to 
insure irrigated grain sorghum, and alternative methods for 
producers with not more than 4 years of production history to 
insure irrigated grain sorghum. It also requires the FCIC to 
submit within 1 year to the Agriculture Committees a report 
that describes the results of the study and any related 
recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with technical modifications and an amendment to study grain 
sorghum rates and yields compared to policies for other feed 
grains. (Section 11112)
(33) Study and report on grain sorghum rates and yields
      The House bill adds a news section 522(c)(11) of the Act 
to require that FCIC enter into a contract with a qualified 
entity to conduct a study to assess the differences in rates, 
average yields, and coverage levels of grain sorghum policies 
as compared to other feed grains within a county. It also 
requires FCIC to submit to the Agriculture Committees a report 
that describes the results of the study within 1 year. (Section 
10008(c))
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute deletes the House provision.
(34) Limited irrigation practices
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(10) of the 
Act to require FCIC to: expand the availability of the limited 
irrigation insurance program to not fewer than 2 neighboring 
States; carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts 
with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, research on the 
marketability of the existing limited irrigation insurance 
program; and make recommendations on how to improve 
participation in the program. It also requires a qualified 
person, in carrying out the research, to collaborate with 
certain researchers, and State and Federal officials; provide 
recommendations to encourage limited irrigation and water 
conservation; and develop applicable web-based applications. 
Additionally, the section requires FCIC to submit within 18 
months to the Agriculture Committees a report that describes 
the results of the study, recommendations, and any actions 
taken by FCIC to carry out the recommendations. (Section 
11122(10))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendments to include ``consider expanding'' and remove 
the requirement of expansion to not fewer than two states. 
(Section 11122)
(35) Quality loss
      The House bill adds a new section 522(c)(12) to the Act 
to require that FCIC offer to enter into a contract with a 
qualified entity to conduct research and development on the 
establishment of an alternative method of adjusting for quality 
losses that does not impact the average production history of 
producers. Notwithstanding subsections (g) and (m) of section 
508 of the Act, it requires that if FCIC uses any method 
developed as a result of the contract to adjust for quality 
losses, such method shall be optional for producers to elect to 
use, and offered at an actuarially sound premium rate. (Section 
10008(c))
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(11) to the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
research and development on establishing alternative methods of 
adjusting for quality losses.
      Notwithstanding subsections (g) and (m) of section 508 of 
the Act, any method developed under the research and 
development that is used by FCIC shall be optional for a 
producer to use, and offered at an actuarially sound premium 
rate. The section states not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment, FCIC shall submit to the Agriculture Committees a 
report that describes the results of the research and 
development. (Section 11122(4))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification regarding actual loss. (Section 11122)
      The Managers intend for the research and development 
required under new section 522(c)(10) of the Act to include, 
but not be limited to, wheat for alternative methods of 
adjusting for quality losses. The Managers also intend the 
requirements in subparagraph (B) of the new section 522(c)(10) 
to be considered during the research and development.
(36) Citrus
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(12) to the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
research and development on the insurance of citrus fruit, 
including improvements to 1 or more existing policies, 
including the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection pilot policy; 
alternative methods of insuring revenue for citrus; and the 
development of new, or expansion of existing, revenue policies 
for citrus fruit. It requires FCIC to submit within 1 year to 
the Agriculture Committees a report that describes the results 
of the study and any related recommendations. (Section 
11122(4))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11122)
(37) Greenhouse policy
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(13) to the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
research and development on a policy to insure in a controlled 
environment such as a greenhouse the production of 
floriculture, nursery, and bedding plants; or the establishment 
of cuttings, seedlings or tissue culture in a growing medium. 
It requires FCIC to make a policy or plan of insurance 
available notwithstanding law that otherwise requires that: 
losses must be due to drought, flood, or other natural disaster 
(508(a)(1)); and insurance shall not extend beyond the period 
during which the insured commodity is in the field. The section 
requires FCIC to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture 
Committees a report that describes the results of the research 
and development and any related recommendations. (Section 
11122(4))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11122)
      The Managers intend for the research and development to 
consider policies or plans for coverage that are limited to 
losses outside of the producer's control or management, and 
that the producer follow good farming practices. The Managers 
expect RMA to consider all potential eligible losses and 
encourage the review of circumstances related to the Ralstonia 
outbreak in 2005 in Michigan and other states as it develops a 
policy.
(38) Hops
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(14) to the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with qualified persons to carry out, research and 
development regarding a policy to insure the production of hops 
or revenue derived from the production of hops. It requires 
FCIC to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture Committees a 
report that describes the results of the research and 
development and any related recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11122)
(39) Local foods
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(15) to the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
research and development on a policy to insure production of 
floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, livestock, or the 
products of floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, or 
livestock, that is targeted toward local consumers and markets. 
Additionally, the section requires that the research and 
development evaluate the effectiveness of policies and plans of 
insurance for production targeted toward local consumers and 
markets, based on a detailed list of factors. The section 
requires FCIC to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture 
Committees a report that examines whether a version of existing 
policies such as the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection insurance 
plan may provide improved coverage for producers of local 
foods, describes the results of the research and development, 
and any related recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with modifications to the research and development as a 
feasibility study and to remove a specific list of marketing 
strategies to be evaluated. (Section 11122)
      The Managers intend for the feasibility study to consider 
a variety of marketing strategies for local foods including 
direct-to-consumer; farmers markets; farm-to-institution; and 
community-supported agriculture.
(40) Insurable irrigation practices for rice
      The Senate amendment adds a new section 522(c)(16) to the 
Act to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 1 or 
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out, 
research and development to include new and innovative 
irrigation practices under the current rice policy, or the 
development of a distinct plan of insurance or policy 
endorsement rated for rice produced using alternate wetting and 
drying practices (also referred to as ``intermittent 
flooding''), and furrow irrigation practices. It requires FCIC 
to submit within 1 year to the Agriculture Committees a report 
that describes the results of the research and development and 
any related recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 11122)
(41) High-risk, highly productive batture land policy
      The Senate amendment adds to the Act a new section 
522(c)(17) to require FCIC to carry out, or offer to enter into 
1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry 
out, research and development to insure producers of corn, 
cotton, and soybeans with operations on highly productive 
batture land within the Lower Mississippi River Valley that 
have a history of production of not less than 5 years, and that 
have been impacted by more frequent flooding over the past 10 
years due to sedimentation and federally constructed 
engineering improvements. It requires FCIC to make a policy or 
plan of insurance available notwithstanding law that otherwise 
requires that: losses must be due to drought, flood, or other 
natural disaster (508(a)(1)); and insurance shall not extend 
beyond the period during which the insured commodity is in the 
field. Additionally the section requires FCIC to submit within 
1 year to the Agriculture Committees a report that examines 
whether a version of existing policies may be tailored to 
provide improved coverage for batture-land producers, describes 
the results of the research and development, and any related 
recommendations. (Section 11122(4))
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a provision to remove the reference to a specific river 
mile location within the Lower Mississippi River Valley. 
(Section 11122)
(42) Extension of funding for research and development
      The House bill repeals section 522(d) of the Act and 
reduces funding from $12.5 million to $8 million annually. 
(Section 10009)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to maintain the authority for partnerships for 
risk management development. (Section 11123)
      The Managers note that under the partnerships authority 
in section 522(d), RMA is not required to offer Risk Management 
Education grants, and that crop insurance education grants for 
underserved producers have been consolidated under the 
Partnerships for Risk Management Education in section 524. In 
allocating the funding available under section 522, the 
Managers expect RMA to prioritize research and development 
activities.
(43) Education and risk management assistance
      The House bill amends section 524 of the Act to: 
eliminate the crop insurance education program for underserved 
states (section 524(a)(2)) and its funding; eliminate the 
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program (section 
524(b)) and its funding; and maintain the competitive grant 
program to educate agricultural producers and its $5 million in 
annual funding. (Section 10010)
      The Senate amendment amends section 524(a)(3)(A) of the 
Act to add ``conservation activities'' to the list of allowable 
activities funded under the partnerships for risk management 
education. (Section 11123).
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendments to consolidate the crop insurance education grants 
for underserved producers with the Partnerships for Risk 
Management Education in section 524 of the Act and to maintain 
the authority and funding for the Agriculture Management 
Assistance program. (Section 11125)
      The Managers intend for educational programs for 
underserved producers in this title to include users of dairy 
risk management policies or plans for coverage.
(44) Cropland report annual updates
      The Senate amendment amends section 11014(c)(2) of the 
Act to extend the annual reporting requirement through 2023. 
(Section 11124)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
striking the cropland report authority and annual requirements. 
(Section 11126)
      The Managers note that the cropland report was 
consolidated with the native sod report and appears in new 
section 1614(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014, as added by 
section 1706(f) in title 1 of this bill.

                        Title XII--Miscellaneous

(1) Sheep production and marketing grant program
      The House bill provides $2 million in CCC mandatory funds 
for FY 2019 to carry out section 209 of the Agricultural Act of 
1946, to remain available until expended. (Section 11304(e)(3))
      The Senate amendment amends section 209 to authorize 
appropriations of $1.5 million for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023. (Section 12101)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendment. The House bill established a Textile Trust Fund, of 
which the Sheep Marketing and Production Grant Program was an 
underlying subsection. The Conference substitute provides $2 
million in CCC mandatory funds for FY 2019 to carry out section 
209 of the Agricultural Act of 1946, to remain available until 
expended, but does so within the existing authority, rather 
than as a subsection of a Textile Trust Fund. (Section 12102)
(2) National Animal Health Laboratory Network
      The House bill addresses funding of the National Animal 
Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) by amending section 10417 of 
the Animal Health Protection Act and providing mandatory 
funding of $30 million for fiscal year 2019, to remain 
available until expended. Additionally, the bill provides 
funding of up to $20 million for each of fiscal years 2020 
through 2023 to carry out the NAHLN, the National Animal Health 
Vaccine Bank, or the National Animal Disease Preparedness and 
Response Program. The bill further reauthorizes the 
authorization for appropriations of $15 million for each of 
fiscal years 2019-2023, to remain available until expended. The 
existing authorization of appropriations for NAHLN in section 
10409A(d) is repealed through a conforming amendment. (Section 
11101)
      The Senate amendment amends section 10409A(d) to increase 
the authorization of appropriations to $30 million per year for 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 12102)
      The Conference substitute amends the existing NAHLN 
authority to establish a program addressing animal disease 
prevention and management. It further establishes the National 
Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and 
the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank 
(NAVVCB). The substitute provides $120 million of mandatory 
funding for the period of fiscal years 2019-2022, of which $100 
million is to be allocated among the NAHLN, the NADPRP and the 
NAVVCB. It further provides $30 million of mandatory funding 
for fiscal year 2023 and each year thereafter, of which $12 
million is to be allocated among the NAHLN, the NADPRP and the 
NAVVCB. Additionally, the authorization for appropriations for 
the NAHLN is increased to $30 million per year for fiscal years 
2019-2023, to remain available until expended. Finally, 
conforming amendments are made to the existing authorization 
for appropriations for NAHLN in section 10409A (Section 12101).
      The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) 
serves to connect state, federal and university laboratories to 
coordinate animal disease surveillance and testing 
capabilities, and supports the National Veterinary Services 
Laboratory by providing early confirmation of animal diseases. 
During the 2015 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, 
many disease confirmation tests were conducted by laboratories 
operating under the NAHLN, and this rapid confirmation allowed 
for depopulation of infected flocks and establishment of safety 
protocols around infected farms. These timely actions were made 
possible by NAHLN laboratories providing early diagnosis of the 
disease and were critical in curtailing the outbreak.
      The Managers recognize the need for modernization of 
laboratory testing capabilities and information technology 
infrastructure across the NAHLN. Section 12101 of this act 
provides $120 million of Commodity Credit Corporation funds for 
the period of fiscal years 2019-2022, of which $100 million is 
to be allocated among the NAHLN, the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and the National 
Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). 
For fiscal year 2023 and each year thereafter, the Managers 
provide $30 million of Commodity Credit Corporation funds, of 
which $12 million is to be allocated among the NAHLN, the 
NADPRP and the NAVVCB. Additionally, the authorization for 
appropriations for the NAHLN is increased to $30 million per 
year for fiscal years 2019-2023.
      The Managers intend for the Secretary to make annual 
assessments on how best to allocate a portion of the funds 
provided under Section 12101 in order to address animal disease 
preparedness and response needs that may vary from year to 
year.
(3) National animal disease preparedness, response, and recovery 
        program; national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures 
        bank
      The House bill establishes the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal 
Health Vaccine Bank, to address the risk of introduction and 
spread of animal pests and disease affecting the economic 
interests of the U.S. livestock and related industries, 
including the maintenance and expansion of export markets. The 
bill requires that the program be carried out by the Secretary 
through cooperative agreements with eligible entities, 
including a State department of agriculture or universities. 
Specific activities that are to be carried out through 
cooperative agreements are described in this subsection. 
Section 10409B further describes program application processes 
and priorities, use of funds, and reporting requirements 
similar to those provided by the Senate Amendment.
      The House bill further establishes the National Animal 
Health Vaccine Bank for the benefit of the domestic interests 
of the United States and to help protect the U.S. agriculture 
and food system against terrorist attack, major disaster, and 
other emergencies. The bill requires that the Vaccine Bank 
maintains sufficient quantities of animal vaccine, antiviral, 
therapeutic, or diagnostic products to appropriately and 
rapidly respond to animal disease outbreaks that would have the 
most damaging effect on human health or the economy. The 
Secretary is instructed to prioritize the acquisition of 
sufficient quantities of Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine, and 
accompanying diagnostic products, and the Secretary shall 
consider contracting with one or more entities that are capable 
of producing foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and that have surge 
production capacity of the vaccine.
      The mandatory funding in the House bill includes $30 
million for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network 
(NAHLN), $70 million for the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program, and $150 million for the 
National Animal Health Vaccine Bank in fiscal year 2019. In 
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, $50 million in 
mandatory funding is provided to carry out the NAHLN, the 
National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and 
the National Animal Health Vaccine Bank, of which not less than 
$30 million is for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and 
Response Program. Additionally, this subsection authorizes 
appropriations of $15 million for each of fiscal years 2019-
2023 to carry out the NAHLN. All funds provided are to remain 
available until expended. Finally, section 10417(d) limits the 
Secretary's use of funds for administrative expenses to not 
more than 4 percent of amounts made available, limits eligible 
entities from retaining more than 10 percent of funds received 
under an agreement to pay administrative costs, prohibits funds 
from being used for construction of new facilities, and directs 
proceeds from the sale of vaccine or antigen by the Bank to be 
credited to an account for the operation of the Bank. (Section 
11101)
      The Senate amendment establishes a National Animal 
Disease Preparedness, Response and Recovery Program under 
subsection 10409B(a) and a National Animal Vaccine and 
Veterinary Countermeasures Bank under subsection 10409B(b). The 
National Animal Disease Preparedness, Response and Recovery 
Program is established to prevent the introduction into or the 
dissemination within the United States of any pest or disease 
of animals affecting the economic interests of the livestock 
and related industries, including the maintenance and expansion 
of export market potential. The Secretary shall carry out the 
program through cooperative agreements with eligible entities 
including a State department of agriculture or universities, 
among others. Similar to the House Bill, specific activities 
that are to be carried out through cooperative agreements are 
described in this subsection, in addition to including emerging 
veterinary countermeasures among the animal health technologies 
to be enhanced and developed. The subsection further lays out 
Program application processes and priorities, use of funds, and 
reporting requirements similar to those provided in the House 
Bill.
      Section 10409B(b) establishes a National Animal Vaccine 
and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank to benefit the domestic 
interests of the U.S. The Vaccine and Veterinary 
Countermeasures Bank is to maintain a sufficient quantity of 
animal vaccine, antiviral, therapeutic products, diagnostic 
products, and veterinary countermeasures to appropriately 
respond to the most damaging animal diseases affecting human 
health or the economy, and that will be capable of rapid 
deployment in the event of an outbreak. The Secretary is 
required to prioritize the maintenance of sufficient quantities 
of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine and accompanying diagnostic 
products. Finally, the Secretary shall consider contracting 
with one or more entities that are capable of producing foot- 
and-mouth disease vaccine and that have surge production 
capacity of the vaccine.
      Section 10409(c) limits the Secretary's use of funds for 
administrative expenses to not more than 4 percent of amounts 
made available, limits eligible entities from retaining more 
than 10 percent of funds received under an agreement to pay 
administrative costs, prohibits funds from being used for 
construction of new facilities, and directs proceeds from the 
sale of vaccine or antigen by the Bank to be credited to an 
account for the operation of the Bank. Section 10409(d) 
authorizes such sums as necessary to be appropriated to carry 
out the National Animal Disease Preparedness, Response, and 
Recovery Program and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
Countermeasures Bank. (Section 12103)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendment. Section10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act is 
amended to establish a new definition for ``veterinary 
countermeasures''. The Conference substitute further 
restructures the statute related to the new authorities.
      The National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response 
Program (NADPRP) is established under subsection (b) to address 
the increasing risk of the introduction and spread within the 
United States of animal pests and diseases affecting the 
economic interests of the livestock and related industries of 
the United States, including the maintenance and expansion of 
export markets. The NADPRP shall be carried out by the 
Secretary through cooperative agreements with eligible entities 
including a State department of agriculture or universities, 
among others. Specific activities that are to be carried out 
through cooperative agreements are described in this 
subsection. Further, the subsection lays out the application 
processes and priorities, use of funds, and reporting 
requirements.
      The National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB) is established under subsection 
(c) to benefit the domestic interests of the United States. 
Through the NAVVCB the Secretary shall maintain sufficient 
quantities of veterinary countermeasures to appropriately and 
rapidly respond to the most damaging animal diseases, with a 
priority for Foot and Mouth Disease. As part of such 
prioritization, the Secretary may offer to enter into one or 
more contracts with one or more entities that are capable of 
producing foot and mouth disease vaccine and that have surge 
production capacity of the vaccine.
      Subsection (d) provides $120 million in mandatory funding 
for the period of fiscal years 2019-2022, with a minimum of $5 
million reserved in each year for the NADPRPP. For fiscal year 
2023 and each year thereafter, $30 million in mandatory funding 
is provided, with a minimum of $18 million reserved in each 
year for the NADPRPP. Additionally, the authorization of 
appropriations for NAHLN is increased to $30 million per year 
for fiscal years 2019-2023, and an authorization for 
appropriations is established for the NADPRP and the NAVVCB for 
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2019-2023. 
All funds provided are to remain available until expended, and 
the funds authorized for appropriation under this paragraph are 
in addition to any funds authorized or otherwise made available 
under section 10417 of the Animal Health Protection Act. This 
subsection limits the Secretary's use of funds for 
administrative expenses to not more than 4 percent of amounts 
made available, limits eligible entities from retaining more 
than 10 percent of funds received under an agreement to pay 
administrative costs, prohibits funds from being used for 
construction of new facilities, and directs proceeds from the 
sale of vaccine or antigen from the NAVVCB to be credited to an 
account for the operation of the NAVVCB.
      Subsection (e) describes the authority for the Secretary 
to enter into cooperative agreements under this section for 
fiscal year 2019 through 2023, and this limitation shall have 
no impact on cooperative agreements that are established beyond 
fiscal year 2023 (Section 12101).
      In recent years, animal disease outbreaks have posed 
significant challenges to the livestock and poultry industries. 
Various regions of the country and species have been impacted 
by disease, and responding to those outbreaks is a costly and 
complex endeavor for farmers and ranchers, veterinarians, and 
state and federal governments. The Managers recognize the need 
to enhance our national animal disease preparedness and 
response capabilities. Further, the Managers recognize that 
such enhancement is an endeavor that the federal government 
must conduct in coordination with state and local governments, 
farmers and ranchers, universities, laboratories and other 
cooperators.
      The Animal Disease Prevention and Management program 
builds upon the existing National Animal Health Laboratory 
Network (NAHLN) and establishes the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP) and the National 
Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB). 
The existing NAHLN authority is revised to establish the NADPRP 
and the NAVVCB, which will improve how the U.S. protects 
against, prepares for, and responds to animal and zoonotic 
disease outbreaks.
      Protecting U.S. agriculture from animal and zoonotic 
disease threats involves numerous efforts including improving 
disease testing capabilities, improving states' disease 
response measures including the development and implementation 
of continuity of business and secure food supply plans, 
researching new practices and technologies to protect livestock 
and poultry, and stockpiling necessary equipment and drugs to 
respond to animal disease outbreaks. The NADPRP will allow for 
a coordinated effort to be carried out by the Secretary through 
cooperative agreements with state governments and state animal 
health officials, universities, organizations representing the 
livestock and poultry industries, veterinarians and other 
eligible entities, to consider all of these factors and needs 
and establish a coordinated strategy to bolster animal disease 
protection.
      Further, the Managers recognize that animal disease 
threats evolve and become increasingly complex, especially 
zoonotic diseases, and the equipment and drugs currently at our 
disposal may be inadequate in responding to the disease threats 
of the future. Thus, the Managers instruct the establishment of 
the NAVVCB, which will allow for the stockpiling of a variety 
of equipment and animal drugs needed to respond to animal 
disease outbreaks, with a priority for stockpiling vaccine 
necessary to respond to an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease 
(FMD). The Managers envision the term `veterinary 
countermeasure' to mean any biological product (including an 
animal vaccine and diagnostic), pharmaceutical product 
(including an animal therapeutic, antimicrobial, antiviral and 
antitoxin), non-pharmaceutical product (including a 
disinfectant or pesticide, response equipment and personal 
protective equipment) or other product or equipment to prevent, 
detect, diagnose, contain, control, treat, recover from, or 
mitigate harm or damage resulting from (including adverse 
effects impacting public health or animal health, the 
environment, or the economy), animal pests or diseases.
      The Managers encourage the Secretary to consider all 
options for stockpiling veterinary countermeasures. The funds 
provided under Section 12101 should be used to establish the 
optimal complement of products to address the highest risk 
strains of FMD and other diseases of consequence. In 
considering stockpiling options, the Managers expect the 
Secretary to review the procurement process annually to 
identify potential efficiencies and improvements, particularly 
any needed changes to allow for maximum contract flexibility 
and product innovation over time. While the Managers expect 
funding provided under Section 12101 to significantly enhance 
the Secretary's ability to stockpile vaccine and related 
products, the Managers understand that greater investment for 
such purposes may be desired and warranted in the future. As 
such, the Managers encourage the Secretary and interested 
stakeholders to work together to identify alternative funding 
sources to achieve such investment.
      Section 12101 of this act provides $120 million of 
Commodity Credit Corporation funds for the period of fiscal 
years 2019-2022, of which $20 million is reserved for the 
NADPRP, and $100 million is to be allocated among the NAHLN, 
the NADPRP and the NAVVCB. For fiscal year 2023 and each year 
thereafter, the Managers provide $30 million of Commodity 
Credit Corporation funds, of which $18 million is reserved for 
the NADPRP, and $12 million is to be allocated among the NAHLN, 
the NADPRP and the NAVVCB. Additionally, the authorization of 
appropriations for NAHLN is increased to $30 million per year 
for fiscal years 2019-2023, and an authorization for 
appropriations is established for the NADPRP and the NAVVCB for 
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2019-2023.
      The Managers expect the Secretary to develop a long range 
plan to carry out Section 12101 to identify priorities related 
to animal disease preparedness and response, and address those 
needs by optimizing the capabilities of the NAHLN, the NADPRP, 
and the NAVVCB. On an annual basis, the Secretary shall review 
this plan and determine how to best allocate the funds provided 
under Section 12101 in light of changes to animal disease 
threat profiles.

(4) Study on livestock dealer statutory trust

      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to conduct a 
study on the feasibility of establishing a Livestock Dealer 
Statutory Trust. The amendment requires the study to analyze 
the potential impacts such a trust would have on livestock 
producers, dealers, markets, financiers, and others in the 
livestock sector, specifically with regard to credit 
availability. It also requires the Secretary, no later than 540 
days after the date of enactment, to submit to the Agriculture 
Committees a report describing the findings of the study. 
(Section 12104)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with amendment. The substitute directs additional 
considerations under the study including: how the establishment 
of a livestock dealer statutory trust would affect seller 
recovery in the event of a livestock dealer payment default; 
whether authorizing the Secretary to appoint an independent 
trustee under the livestock dealer statutory trust would 
improve seller recovery; and how the establishment of a 
livestock dealer statutory trust would affect the treatment of 
sellers of livestock as it relates to preferential transfer in 
bankruptcy. The study shall be completed 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Act. (Section 12103)
      The Managers recognize the burdens felt by unpaid sellers 
of livestock affected by livestock dealer default. In response, 
the Managers instruct the Secretary to conduct a study of the 
feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer statutory trust, 
modeled after the existing packer statutory trust.
      The study shall review recent livestock dealer defaults 
and consider whether seller recovery would have been improved 
in those experiences had a livestock dealer statutory trust 
been in place. Further, the study shall review how preferential 
transfers in bankruptcy proceedings are impacting unpaid 
sellers of livestock. Finally, the study shall review 
challenges encountered when the Packer trust has been employed, 
and whether any changes should be considered to improve 
effectiveness of a potential livestock dealer statutory trust. 
Such improvements may include allowing the appointment of an 
independent trustee and encouraging greater communication and 
data sharing between the Secretary and unpaid sellers of 
livestock when a dealer statutory trust is employed. The study 
should also include an assessment of the cost and benefits of 
establishing a dealer statutory trust and the Department's 
ability to implement and oversee such a trust. In conducting 
the study, the Managers expect the Secretary to utilize the 
expertise of the Packers and Stockyards Division of the 
Agricultural Marketing Service and to engage with and solicit 
input from industry stakeholders that would be subject to a 
dealer statutory trust.

(5) Definition of livestock

      The Senate amendment amends the Emergency Livestock Feed 
Assistance Act of 1988 to specifically include alpacas, llamas, 
live fish, and crawfish in the definition for livestock, and 
remove the Secretarial designation requirement regarding other 
animals that are part of a foundation herd or purchased as part 
of a normal operation. (Section 12105)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12104)

(6) National aquatic animal health plan

      The House bill extends the authorization of 
appropriations through FY 2023. (Section 11102)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendment repealing the authorization for appropriations. 
(Section 12105)

(7) Veterinary training

      The House bill amends section 10504 of the 2002 Farm Bill 
to include, in all regions of the United States, veterinary 
teams, including those based at colleges of veterinary 
medicine, capable of providing effective services before, 
during, and after emergencies. (Section 11103)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 12106)

(8) Report on FSIS guidance and outreach to small meat processors

      The House bill requires the USDA Inspector General, not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
to conduct a study on the effectiveness of existing FSIS 
guidance materials and other tools used by small and very small 
establishments, as defined by FSIS regulations, and provide 
recommendations on measures the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service (FSIS) should take to improve regulatory clarity and 
consistency. (Section 11104)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
amendment. The substitute directs the Secretary to enter into 
contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-
grant college of agriculture to review the effectiveness of 
existing FSIS guidance materials used by small and very small 
establishments operating under Federal inspection and provide 
recommendations on measures FSIS should take to improve 
regulatory clarity and consistency. (Section 12107)
      The Conference Substitute requires a report considering 
the effectiveness of USDA outreach to small meat processors 
operating under federal inspection. The Secretary shall 
contract with a land-grant college or university or a NLGCA 
with expertise in food safety and inspection to conduct the 
report. In conducting outreach to develop the report, the 
college or university shall consult with the USDA Food Safety 
Inspection Service Evaluation Working Group. The report shall 
be provided to the House Committee on Agriculture and the 
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

(9) Regional cattle and carcass grading correlation and training 
        centers

      The House bill requires the Secretary to establish up to 
three regional centers to be known as ``Cattle and Carcass 
Grading Correlation and Training Centers'' to: (1) provide 
education and training for cattle and carcass beef graders of 
AMS, cattle producers, and other professionals involved in the 
reporting, delivery, and grading of feeder cattle, live cattle, 
and carcasses for the purpose of limiting the subjectivity in 
the application of beef grading standards; (2) provide 
producers with greater confidence in the price of the 
producers' cattle; (3) provide investors with both long and 
short positions more assurance in the cattle delivery system; 
and (4) coordinate USDA and state and local resources. The 
House bill also requires that no funds are to be used for 
construction of any new facilities. (Section 11105)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 12108)

(10) Repeal of office of homeland security

      The Senate amendment repeals the Office of Homeland 
Security created in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act. (Section 12201)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 12201)
      The Senate amendment moves the authorization of the 
Office of Homeland Security (the Office) from the Food, 
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 USC 8911) to subtitle A 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
with updated authorities. The Managers do not intend for the 
Office to physically close and reopen.

(11) Office of homeland security

      The Senate amendment establishes an Office of Homeland 
Security and authorizes an Agriculture and Food Threat 
Awareness Partnership Program. (Section 12202)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts Senate amendment with 
minor technical modification. (Section 12202)
      Managers expect the Executive Director of the Office to 
serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on homeland 
security, including emergency management and agriculture and 
food defense, and to coordinate activities of the Department 
related to homeland security and emergency response. The Office 
is expected to proactively engage USDA's agencies with critical 
missions important to homeland security, as well as to engage 
and assert the USDA roles, responsibilities, and needs within 
interagency discussions, including those with the Executive 
Office of the President and the intelligence community 
agencies.

(12) Agriculture and food defense

      The Senate amendment: (1) provides several definitions; 
(2) requires the Secretary to develop, in collaboration with 
appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local officials, a 
comprehensive strategic response plan or plans, as appropriate, 
for certain diseases or pests of concern; (3) requires the 
Secretary to provide information to a State or regional 
authority to assist in developing a comprehensive strategic 
response plan or plans that shall include several factors such 
as concepts of operations for each disease of concern and 
describing decision matrixes, roles, and interactions for each 
level of government and industry; (4) authorizes the National 
Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), headed by the Director of the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture in partnership with 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to 
provide passive surveillance and early identification of plant 
diseases and pests; and (5) establishes the National Plant 
Disease Recovery System (NPDRS) to focus on and plan for long 
term recovery from high-consequence plant transboundary disease 
and directs the NPDRS to coordinate diseases of concern 
response planning and develop research plans for recovery 
through the identification and use of novel resistant genetic 
material to stabilize and improve crops in the face of 
potential plant disease pressure. (Section 12203)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification that State plans include a concept of 
operations, and address, as appropriate, the requirements in 
the Senate amendment. (Section 12203)
      The Senate amendment establishes strategic response 
planning for plant and animal diseases and pests of particular 
concern at the national level, as well as support for State, or 
States, interested in more detailed response planning adapted 
to the individual needs of that State, or States. The Managers 
understand a response plan designed to the detail of a concept 
of operations cannot totally anticipate real events and that 
there is not a response plan that will remain totally effective 
for long after an initial disease or pest detection is made 
during a real event. Every situation or emergency is different. 
Adjustments to the response will need to be made to accommodate 
a situation in real time. Nevertheless, developing a response 
plan to the detail of a concept of operations is an important 
preparedness step to establish and maintain a state of 
readiness. A concept of operations should outline the process 
to be followed in implementing a response and should define the 
roles of the stakeholders involved throughout the process. It 
has been demonstrated repeatedly by law enforcement, emergency 
response, and defense planners that exercised plans, even when 
the plan is divergent from an actual event, provide value and 
improve a response participant's ability to react and adapt, 
increasing the success of containing and managing a real threat 
or event. Establishing key performance metrics for a response 
will be paramount for consistent evaluation and to accomplish 
ongoing improvement of a response plan. Therefore the Managers 
expect the response planning developed for plant and animal 
diseases and pests of concern to provide for benchmarking of 
performance in order to measure and make positive change or to 
maintain an expected standard.

(13) Biological agents and toxins list

      The Senate amendment amends the underlying law by adding 
a new consideration for selecting a pathogenic biological agent 
to be added to the list of biological agents and toxins. 
(Section 12204)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment 
with a modification regarding its considerations for inclusion 
on the list. (Section 12204)
      The Managers expect that when a biological agent is 
examined for inclusion on the Biological Agents and Select 
Toxins List that consideration is given to the potential impact 
on performance of research on the causative agent of the 
disease.

(14) Authorization of appropriations

      The Senate amendment authorizes appropriations of $5 
million for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 
12205)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate amendment. 
(Section 12205)
      The Managers note that several of the functions directed 
in this subtitle already receive funding through other 
authorizations of appropriations and other sources, such as 
funding directed towards OHSEC, APHIS, ARS and NIFA for 
activities in this subtitle currently carried out by those 
entities. The Managers support those authorizations of funding 
and appropriations and expect them to continue. The Managers 
expect the authorizations in this section will be weighted 
towards new responsibilities authorized in this subtitle and 
intend this authorization to supplement, not supplant those 
other sources.

(15) Farming opportunities training and outreach

      The House bill amends section 7405 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) prioritize grants for 
agricultural education for youth for agricultural employment 
and volunteer opportunities, and for projects that demonstrate 
experience in providing such education and opportunities for 
socially disadvantaged youth; (2) authorize the Secretary to 
waive the matching requirement to effectively reach an 
underserved area or population; (3) include retiring farmers 
and non-farming landowners, and adds authority for training and 
technical assistance, as well as education programs and 
workshops; and (4) reauthorize $10 million in mandatory 
spending each year for FY2019-2023 and reauthorizes 
appropriations of $20 million each for FY2019-2023 for the 
Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and 
Ranchers program, also known was the 2501 Program. The House 
bill amends section 2501(a)(4) of the Food Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include priority for 
grants, contracts, and other agreements for projects that 
deliver agricultural education to youth in underserved 
communities, and reauthorizes $20 million in mandatory spending 
and $30 million in discretionary appropriations for FY2019-2023 
for Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. (Sections 
7507 & 11201)
      The Senate amendment repeals section 7405 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and inserts this 
section into Section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 under the newly established 
``Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.'' The Senate 
amendment: (1) authorizes the Secretary to encourage and assist 
socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers and 
ranchers through education and training and equitable 
participation in agricultural programs; (2) moves the 
definition of beginning farmer and authorizes the equivalent of 
existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development grant program 
with a few differences including that the Secretary should act 
through the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture in carrying out the grant program, providing that 
the grants can be used to assist beginning farmers and ranchers 
in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers, and for 
food safety and recordkeeping; (3) requires a simplified 
application process for grants under $50,000; (4) provides $50 
million in mandatory funding in fiscal year 2018 and each year 
thereafter and authorizes $50 million a year in appropriations 
for FY2018-2023, reserved equally between Beginning Farmer and 
Rancher Development Grant Program and the authority under 
subsection (c) (socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and 
ranchers); (5) authorizes same 5 percent set-asides as in 
current law from beginning farmer program; (6) requires that 5 
percent of funds allocated to the Socially Disadvantaged Farmer 
Research and Policy Center go to limited resource and socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and farmworkers; (7) 
requires that 5 percent of projects awarded through education 
teams and curriculum development go towards veterans; (8) 
places a 5 percent cap on administrative expenses; (9) limits 
indirect costs to 10%; and (10) the Secretary should act 
through the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture in carrying out the Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Development grant program. The Senate amendment requires that 
grants for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers are for 
a term no longer than 3 years and in an amount no more than 
$250,000 for each year of the grant; and requires the Secretary 
to give priority in awarding grants to nongovernmental and 
community based organizations with expertise in working with 
socially disadvantaged, or veteran, farmers and ranchers. 
(Section 12301)
      The conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that authorizes the Secretary to waive the 
matching requirement in the Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Development program of the Farming Opportunities Training 
Outreach program to effectively reach an underserved area or 
population; requires a simplified application process for all 
grants under $50,000; provides $30 million in mandatory funding 
in fiscal years 2019 and 2020, $35 million in fiscal year 2021, 
$40 million for fiscal year 2022, and $50 million for fiscal 
year 2023 and each year thereafter and authorizes $50 million a 
year in appropriations for FY 2019-2023, reserved equally 
between Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant Program 
and the authority under subsection (c) (socially disadvantaged 
and veterans). (Section 12301)
      The Managers recognize the increasing demand for 
programming for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, 
so the Conference agreement includes $435 million in mandatory 
funding for the Farming Opportunities Training Outreach 
program, which combines the Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Development Program and the Outreach Program for Socially 
Disadvantaged Farmers and Veterans. The Managers have provided 
permanent funding for this program to ensure that the program 
has baseline funding hereafter. The Managers also intend that 
the Secretary will continue to administer the Beginning Farmer 
and Rancher Development Program through the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture and that the Outreach Program for 
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Veterans be administered 
through the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

(16) Urban agriculture

      The Senate amendment adds a new section 222 in the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to: (1) 
establish an Office and Director of Urban Agriculture and 
Innovative Production to encourage and promote urban, indoor, 
and other emerging agricultural production practices; (2) 
establish an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production 
Advisory Committee; (3) provide for the assignment of a farm 
number for rooftop, indoor, and other urban farms; (4) provide 
authority to award competitive grants to operate community 
gardens or nonprofit farms, educate a community on food 
systems, nutrition, environmental impacts, and agricultural 
production, and help offset start-up costs for new and 
beginning farmers; (5) establish pilot projects to increase 
compost and reduce food waste, and create urban and suburban 
county committees; and (6) authorize appropriations of $25 
million a year. (Section 12302)
      The House bill does not contain a comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that adjusts the Director's responsibilities, 
reduces the committee to 12 members, amends the reporting 
requirement, removes provision relating to the assignment of 
farm numbers, removes community organizations and institutions 
of higher learning from consideration for grants, removes 
funding priority provision, and limits authorization of 
appropriations to fiscal years 2019 through 2023. (Section 
12302)
      The Managers recognize that urban agriculture and 
innovative production methods like indoor and rooftop farming 
create new economic opportunities in urban, suburban, and rural 
communities. The Managers acknowledge that urban agriculture 
and innovative production methods also increase access to food 
in low-income communities and improve availability of fresh 
products throughout the entire year, and recognize that these 
agricultural opportunities help build a new generation of 
farmers.
      The Managers intend that the Office of Urban Agriculture 
and Innovative Production be responsible for policy and program 
development, as well as interagency collaboration, and provide 
customer service to external stakeholders on issues pertaining 
to urban agriculture and innovative production. The Managers 
direct the Secretary to update Farm Service Agency procedures 
that allow for assignment of farm numbers (as defined in 
section 718.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations) to 
include rooftop farms, indoor farms, and other urban farms.
      The Managers direct that individual grants awarded 
through the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production serve multiple farmers or gardeners for the purposes 
of community service, education, farm incubation, or making a 
profit. The Managers encourage the Secretary to use these 
grants to assist with costs related to agricultural production 
including but not limited to land acquisition, equipment, 
utilities, seeds and plants, supplies, basic transportation, 
and farm cooperative development. The Managers expect the 
Secretary to establish criteria and guidelines to meet the 
suggested purposes of the grant program.
      The Managers recognize composting is not the only 
available technology for food waste recovery. It is the 
Managers' intent that any pilot project under this section does 
not adversely impact existing commercial relationships of other 
food waste recovery efforts, including those of commercial 
renderers who collect and process animal and food waste from 
commercial and farm sources. It is the Manager's intent that 
activities occurring through pilot projects selected under this 
paragraph shall take into consideration the most-preferred food 
waste recovery activities as described in the Food Recovery 
Hierarchy of the Environmental Protection Agency (as of the 
date of enactment or any successor guidance or outreach 
materials).

(17) Office of advocacy and outreach

      The House bill amends section 226B of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to: (1) change the name 
of the office to the ``Office of Partnerships and Public 
Engagement'', and makes applicable conforming amendments; (2) 
extend outreach to limited resource producers, veteran farmers 
and ranchers, and Tribal farmers and ranchers, and promotes 
outreach specifically to youth; (3) expand the duties of the 
office to include veteran farmers and ranchers and Tribal 
farmers and ranchers; (4) expand the Office's monitoring of 
goals and objectives to veteran farmers and ranchers and Tribal 
farmers and ranchers; (5) expand the Office's measuring of 
outcomes to veteran farmers and ranchers and Tribal farmers and 
ranchers; and (6) reauthorize appropriations at existing levels 
through FY2023. (Section 11203)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes appropriations at 
existing levels through FY2023. (Section 12303)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that does not separately define Tribal farmers and 
ranchers aside from the definition of socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers, which includes tribal farmers and 
ranchers. (Section 12406)
      The Managers acknowledge that it is important for the 
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) to improve 
access to USDA programs for tribal farmers and ranchers and 
direct this office to conduct these outreach efforts. Tribal 
farmers and ranchers are already included in the definition of 
a socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher, so the conferees 
did not adopt the addition of tribal farmers and ranchers from 
the House bill.
      The Managers recognize that the Office of Tribal 
Relations (OTR) is an important function of USDA and should be 
within the Office of the Secretary. The Director of OTR serves 
as USDA's primary point of contact for consultation and 
coordination with Tribal Governments and should continue to 
directly advise the Secretary on tribal issues and policies. 
The Managers agree that OTR should coordinate with OPPE to 
provide outreach and assistance to tribes and tribal farmers 
and ranchers to improve access to USDA programs and resources.

(18) Tribal advisory committee

      The House bill amends section 309 of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 to transfer the Office of Tribal Relations into the 
newly established Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. 
(Section 11204)
      The Senate amendment amends section 309 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish the USDA 
Tribal Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on tribal 
agricultural topics and annually report recommendations to the 
Secretary. (Section 12304)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment altering the manner in which the membership 
of the committee is established. (Section 12303)

(19) Youth outreach and beginning farmer coordination

      The House bill amends the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 by inserting after section 220 a new 
section 221 to: (1) establish the position of Agricultural 
Youth Coordinator to promote the role of youth-serving 
organizations and school-based agricultural education; (2) 
direct the Coordinator to identify short-term and long-term 
interests of the Department; (3) direct the Coordinator to 
assist ``young farmers''; (4) direct ``particular emphasis on 
beginning farmer and rancher programs''; (5) outline contracts 
and cooperative agreements the Coordinator may engage in with 
land-grant universities, research centers of the Agricultural 
Research Service, and nonprofit organizations; and (6) with 
regard to contracts and cooperative agreements (Section 
221(c)(1)), include ``the conduct of regional research on the 
profitability of small farms.'' (Section 11206)
      The Senate amendment amends the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 by inserting after section 7404 a new 
7405 to: (1) establish an Agricultural Youth Coordinator to 
promote and coordinate outreach through the use of contracts 
and cooperative agreements; (2) authorize the Agricultural 
Youth Coordinator to use contracts for youth education; (3) 
direct assistance to ``youth involved in food and agriculture 
organizations''; and (4) list areas of emphasis including: 
beginning farmer and rancher programs, agriculture education, 
nutrition education science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics education, and other food and agriculture programs 
for youth. (Section 12306)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment that exchanges the term ``young farmers'' for 
``youth.'' (Section 12305)
      The Managers recognize the importance of involving youth 
in farming and ranching through programs like 4-H, FFA, and 
Farm to School. The Managers intend for the Agricultural Youth 
Organization Coordinator to promote youth-serving organizations 
and school-based agricultural education, serve as a resource 
for assisting youth organizations in agriculture in applying 
for participation in agricultural programs, and advocate on 
behalf of youth organizations in agriculture in interactions 
with employees of the Department.

(20) State beginning farmer and rancher coordination

      The House bill amends section 226 of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary, 
through the FSA, to designate one employee, who receives 
sufficient training, from among employees of FSA, NRCS, RMA, 
RBCS or RUS, in each state as the State Beginning Farmer and 
Rancher Coordinator responsible for developing a State plan to 
coordinate outreach and technical assistance in county and area 
Department offices. (Section 11202)
      The Senate amendment amends the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 by inserting after section 7404 a new 
7405 to: establish a National Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Coordinator to provide outreach and technical assistance to 
help beginning farmers and ranchers participate in Department 
programs. The Senate provision for directing the Secretary is 
the same as contained in the House bill, but Senate language 
does not require the Secretary to work through the FSA. 
(Section 12306)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that adopts the definition of ``beginning 
farmer or rancher'' as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990. (Section 
12304)
      The Managers recognize that America's farmers and 
ranchers are aging while, at the same time, aspiring and 
beginning farmers face challenges in establishing successful 
operations. The Managers intend for the National Beginning 
Farmer and Rancher Coordinator and the associated State 
Coordinators to assist new and beginning farmers and ranchers 
with technical assistance and make them aware of USDA programs.

(21) Availability of department of agriculture programs for veteran 
        farmers and ranchers

      The Senate amendment: (1) amends the definition of 
veteran as any individual who has obtained veteran status 
within the previous 10 years, as defined in section 2501 of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (2) 
extends benefits to veterans including Farm Service Agency down 
payment loans, reduced interest rates on guaranteed loans, 
increased coverage under Emergency Assistance for Livestock, 
Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish, reduced premiums and fees for 
the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, and increased 
educational focus from the Food Safety Outreach Program and the 
Federal Crop Insurance Education Program; and (3) amends the 
definition of veteran, for the purpose of Risk Management 
Agency programs, as any individual who has gained veteran 
status within the previous 5 years and extends to veterans 
eligibility for increased premium subsidy, lower administrative 
fees, and assistance in establishing baseline yields. (Section 
12307)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12306)
      The Managers encourage the Department to expand support 
to new veteran farmers and have therefore made veterans 
eligible for additional farm program priorities and discounts. 
The Conference Substitute also changes the definition of a 
veteran farmer to include all new veterans who are farmers.

(22) Office of congressional relations and intergovernmental affairs

      The Senate amendment amends section 218 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to rename the 
Assistant Secretary of Congressional Relations as the Assistant 
Secretary of Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental 
Affairs and allows for the succession of the current Senate 
confirmed Assistant Secretary into the newly titled role. 
(Section 12401)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12401)

(23) Military veterans agricultural liaison

      The Senate amendment amends section 219 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to improve 
coordination between USDA and other federal agencies to assist 
in providing information to veterans about agricultural 
vocational and rehabilitation programs and directs the Military 
Veterans Liaison to report collected information annually and 
publish it on a dedicated website. (Section 12402)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12402)
      The Managers intend for the website authorized under this 
section to improve coordination between USDA and other federal 
agencies to assist in providing information to veterans about 
agricultural programs. The Managers recognize that improving 
communication channels between USDA officials and veterans will 
ensure that USDA is better able to assist veterans who are 
looking to return home and start a new career in agriculture.

(24) Civil rights analysis

      The Senate amendment amends the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 by inserting after section 222 a new 
section 223 that requires the Secretary to conduct a civil 
rights analysis of certain actions of USDA, allows the 
Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights to grant, on a case-by-case 
basis, an expedited civil rights analysis or a waiver of the 
civil rights analysis, and requires the Comptroller General of 
the United States to conduct a study of various actions and 
efforts of USDA concerning civil rights. (Section 12403)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that requires the Department to conduct civil 
rights impact analyses in accordance with the Department's 
current policy, Departmental Regulation 4300-004, issued by 
USDA on October 16, 2016. (Section 12403)
      The Managers recognize the history of discriminatory 
actions at the Department and want to ensure that the 
Department is in compliance with civil rights requirements. The 
conference report thus adopts two provisions, a civil rights 
impact analysis, and a Comptroller General report.
      First, the Managers recognize the importance of 
evaluating the potential discriminatory effects of certain 
actions, policies, or decisions under consideration by the 
Department of Agriculture and therefore require the Secretary 
to conduct civil rights impact analyses in accordance with 
Departmental Regulation 4300-004, as in effect on October 17, 
2016, the Department's current policy.
      The Managers understand that any proposed action or 
policy could have unintended adverse or disproportionate 
impacts on employees, applicants, contractors, or beneficiaries 
of the Department based on their membership in a group that is 
protected from discrimination under Federal law. The Managers 
therefore intend for the Secretary to use the civil rights 
impact analyses as an opportunity to proactively identify these 
impacts and, if applicable, implement changes to the proposed 
activity to ensure the Department's actions and policies do not 
have a negative civil rights impact. Second, the conference 
report also requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study 
describing the effectiveness of the Department in processing 
and resolving civil rights complaints, minority participation 
rates in farm programs, the implications of the realignment of 
civil rights functions of the Department, and the Department's 
efforts to identify and reduce the incidence of civil rights 
violations.

(25) Farm service agency

      The Senate amendment provides conforming technical 
corrections related to administrative reorganization actions, 
renaming the Consolidated Farm Service Agency as the Farm 
Service Agency. (Section 12404)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12404)

(26) Under Secretary of agriculture for farm production and 
        conservation

      The House bill changes references to the former Under 
Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
Services in various laws to either the Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Production and Conservation or the Under 
Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and 
amends references to the Under Secretary for Rural Development 
in the Agricultural Act of 1961, the Agricultural Marketing Act 
of 1946, the Native American Business Development, Trade 
Promotion, and Tourism Act of 2000, and the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973 by inserting ``or other official designated by the 
Secretary''. (Section 11601)
      The Senate amendment provides conforming technical 
corrections related to previously carried out administrative 
reorganization actions including the creation of the FPAC 
mission area, and the creation of the Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. 
(Section 12405)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12405)

(27) Under Secretary of agriculture for rural development

      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to establish 
the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural 
Development as a permanent, mandatory position. (Section 12406)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12407)
      Section 12407 requires the Department to reestablish the 
position of Under Secretary for Rural Development, a position 
formerly established in the Department. The Managers intend for 
this position to be a permanent, mandatory position and not 
subject to any administrative reorganizations.
      The Managers recognize that Rural Development's more than 
$222 billion dollar financial portfolio leverages significant 
investments throughout rural America, serving as an important 
source of capital for underserved communities, and provides 
essential technical assistance and supports families, farmers, 
ranchers, and businesses across America.

(28) Administrator of the rural utilities service

      The Senate amendment allows the Administrator of the 
Rural Utilities Service to be paid a salary consistent with 
other administrators in the Department's Rural Development 
mission area. (Section 12407)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that properly aligns the provision with Title 
5, and removes unnecessary conforming amendments. (Section 
12408)

(29) Rural health liaison

      The Senate amendment establishes a Rural Health Liaison 
to coordinate the Department's role in rural health with other 
Federal agencies and improve communication to and coordination 
with stakeholders. (Section 12408)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment changing the ``Interagency Task Force on 
Agriculture and Rural Prosperity'' to the ``Council on Rural 
Community Innovation and Economic Development.'' (Section 
12409)

(30) Natural resources conservation services

      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to provide a 
60-day notice to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees 
before closing an office of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service (NRCS) or relocating personnel employed within NRCS or 
the Rural Development mission area, and provides conforming 
technical amendments to applicable statutes related to 
previously carried out administrative reorganization actions 
including the creation of the FPAC mission area. (Section 
12410)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment reducing the ``60 day'' notice to ``30 
days'', and terminating the authority for this provision on 
September 30, 2023. (Section 12410)

(31) Office of the chief scientist

      The Senate amendment amends section 251 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to update the name of 
the Research, Education, and Extension Office to the ``Office 
of the Chief Scientist,'' change the term of service for 
Division Chiefs, and provide conforming technical corrections 
to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
related to the creation of the Under Secretary for Trade and 
Foreign Agricultural Affairs created in the 2014 Farm Bill. 
(Section 12411)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12411)

(32) Trade and foreign agricultural affairs

      The Senate amendment provides conforming technical 
corrections to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 related to the creation of the Under Secretary for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the 2014 Farm Bill. 
(Section 12412)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12413)

(33) Repeals

      The Senate amendment repeals outdated authorities 
pursuant to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994, repeals Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, and 
corrects prior statutory drafting errors amending Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994. (Section 12413)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment absorbing modified rule of construction 
language from the Effect of Subtitle provision. (Section 12414)

(34) Technical corrections

      The Senate amendment corrects prior statutory drafting 
errors amending the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994. (Section 12414)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12415)

(35) Effect of subtitle

      The Senate amendment allows the technical amendments in 
Sections 12408 and 12414 to be effective retroactively. 
(Section 12415)
      The House bill has no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
provision and instead incorporates amended language in the 
Section 12414.

(36) Termination of authority

      The House bill amends the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 to provide that the Secretary has 
the authority to carry out amendments made to that Act by 
Section 772 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 
2018 and the Federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
(Section 11602)
      The Senate provision amends the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 to allow the Secretary to carry out 
the amendments made to that Act by the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018. (Section 12416)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision as 
amended by the Senate amendment. (Section 12416)

(37) ACER access and development program

      The Senate amendment reauthorizes ACER Access and 
Development Program to make competitive grants to promote the 
domestic maple syrup industry and extends the authority for 
appropriations through FY 2023. (Section 12501)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12501)

(38) Pet and Women Safety

      The Senate amendment: (1) amends various sections of the 
U.S. criminal code to enact provisions regarding crimes 
targeting the pets of abuse victims, including Section 2261A of 
title 18 USC (crimes pertaining to interstate stalking) and 
Section 2262 of title 18 USC (crimes pertaining to interstate 
violation of protection orders); (2) amends section 2264 of 
title 18 USC (pertaining to court-ordered restitution for 
offenses) to include veterinary services relating to physical 
care for the victim's pet; (3) amends Section 2266 of title 18 
USC (definitions) to establish a definition for pets; (4) 
directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with DOJ, 
HUD, and HHS, to award grants to eligible entities to carry out 
programs (emergency and transitional shelter and housing 
assistance) to provide assistance, which shall be provided for 
a period of not more than 24 months, with the option to extend 
for an additional 6 months, to victims of domestic violence and 
their pets, which includes construction or operating expenses 
of newly developed or existing emergency and transitional 
shelter and housing for domestic violence victims with pets, 
temporary boarding expenses of pets, and expenses for pet-
related services such as transportation and veterinary care; 
(5) requires participating entities, not later than 1 year 
after receiving grants under this subsection and each year 
thereafter, to submit to the Secretary a report that contains 
details of assistance provided and program participants, and 
requires an annual compilation report be submitted to Congress; 
and (6) authorizes appropriations for $3 million a year for 
FY2019-2023 for a grant program to provide emergency and 
transitional housing assistance for victims of domestic 
violence and their pets. (Section 12503)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment to rename the provision ``Protecting Animals 
with Shelter'' and to authorize the Secretary to enter into a 
memorandum of understanding with the head of other relevant 
departments to facilitate the grant program to assist victims 
of domestic violence and their pets, and clarify the definition 
of pet to include certain companion animals, while also 
providing protections for other animals such as horses, service 
animals, and emotional support animals. (Section 12502)
      The Managers recognize that victims of domestic violence 
often may be reluctant to leave an abusive relationship out of 
fear for the safety and welfare of their companion animals. 
Animal friendly housing can be difficult to secure, and the 
costs entailed with animal housing can factor into victims' 
decisions to leave abusive relationships. Section 12502 
authorizes appropriations for $3 million for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023 to establish a grant program to provide 
emergency and transitional housing assistance for domestic 
violence victims with pets. The Secretary of Agriculture may 
enter into a memorandum of understanding with another 
Department or Agency to administer the grants under this 
section. The conference substitute clarifies the definition of 
pet to include certain companion animals, while also providing 
protections for other animals such as horses, service animals, 
and emotional support animals. Further, this section expands 
federal domestic violence and stalking protections to include 
crimes targeting pets, horses, service animals and emotional 
support animals.
(39) Data on conservation practices
      The Senate amendment: (1) creates a secure data 
collection system through which the Department, pursuant to 
established privacy and confidentiality protocols; (2) allows 
for analysis and review of data from various agencies regarding 
the impact of covered conservation practices on crop yields, 
soil health, and farm and ranch profitability; (3) establishes 
protocols and procedures to allow for the collection of data 
from existing Departmental databases and for the voluntary 
submission of data from producers; (4) establishes a data 
warehouse to contain the data collected under this section that 
can be accessed by an academic institution or researcher; and 
(5) requires the Risk Management Agency to work with other 
agencies to conduct research and analyze how yield variability 
and risk are impacted by certain conservation practices. 
(Section 12504)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that reconfigures the provision to function 
as a report generated by the Secretary after the identification 
of available Departmental data on conservation practices and 
the effect of such practices on farm and ranch profitability 
including effects relating to crop yields, soil health. The 
report generated by the Secretary will summarize the data and 
the steps the Secretary will have to take to provide access to 
the data to university researchers, including technical, 
privacy or administrative considerations, the safeguards linked 
to providing access to data, appropriate procedures to maximize 
research benefits, and recommendations relating to Federal 
authorizations needed to allow access to data. (Section 12618)
      In order to increase the knowledge of how conservation 
practices or suites of conservation practices may affect crop 
yields, soil health, and other risk-related factors, the 
Managers intend for USDA to identify a compilation of the 
available data sets within the Department, including the 
potential use of databases created in this act under Section 
1240H(d) of the Environmental Quality Incentives' Conservation 
Innovation Grants (CIG) and the Conservation Effects Assessment 
Project (CEAP) or the database under the Acreage Crop Reporting 
Streamlining Initiative (ACRSI).
      During the internal review of the data sets held by USDA, 
the Managers encourage the Secretary to also include any other 
ongoing initiatives of a similar nature inside and outside of 
the Federal government and consider any steps needed to expand 
or improve the collection of existing data to benefit the 
usefulness for research and analysis. The Managers also 
encourage the Secretary to keep in mind the potential to 
integrate elements of activities encouraged under this section 
and other data-related initiatives, such as ACRSI, in order to 
avoid duplication. Nothing in this section is intended to 
replace or interfere with existing efforts and the Managers 
intend for such efforts as the conservation modeling under CEAP 
or the collaboration between the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service and the Risk Management Agency on existing or future 
collaborative research on soil types, cover crops or other 
management practices to continue. The Managers expect any 
review or analysis of any personally identifiable information 
or data set in this section to adhere and uphold to the maximum 
extent Department and agency privacy and confidentiality 
protocols that are in place. The Managers intend for limited 
access to apply to a narrow group of other researchers, such as 
those in academia. However, the Managers do not intend to 
provide controlled access under this authority to others 
directly or indirectly outside of the Federal government, such 
as non-governmental organizations.
(40) Marketing orders
      The House bill adds ``pecans'' to the list of 
commodities. (Section 9202)
      The Senate amendment adds ``pecans'' and ``cherries'' to 
the list of commodities. (Section 12505)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12503)
      The Managers intend that the term ``cherries'' includes 
all processed tart or sour cherries, including frozen and dried 
cherries (with or without added sweetener), cherry juice 
(concentrate or single strength), and canned cherries.
(41) Study on food waste
      The Senate amendment directs the Secretary to conduct a 
study to evaluate and determine methods of measuring food 
waste, factors creating food waste, particularly of fresh food 
products, and whether USDA programs disrupt existing food waste 
recovery and disposal by commercial, marketing, or business 
relationships and instructs the Secretary to issue an initial 
and an annual report. (Section 12506)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
into an amended section wherein the newly created Food Loss and 
Waste Reduction Liaison will conduct the study on food waste 
and issue an initial report and additional report relating to 
data collected on food waste, and efforts to reduce and prevent 
such waste. (Section 12504)
(42) Establishment of food loss and waste reduction liaison
      The House bill authorizes USDA to establish, within the 
Office of the Secretary, a ``Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison'' to coordinate federal programs to measure and reduce 
the incidence of food loss and waste, provide information and 
resources, and raise awareness of the liability protections for 
donated foods. (Section 11607)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment directing the Secretary to conduct a food waste 
study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison, who will issue an initial report and additional report 
relating to data collected on food waste and efforts to reduce 
and prevent such waste. (Section 12504)
      The Managers intend for the results of the Study on Food 
Waste to inform the development of best practices for food loss 
and waste reduction and food recovery efforts carried out under 
this section. The Managers encourage the Food Loss and Waste 
Reduction Liaison to continue to monitor and review the volume 
of food wasted and the results of the food waste reduction and 
loss prevention activities carried out by the Department 
subsequent to the submission of the report under subsection 
(e)(2).
(43) Report on business centers
      The Senate amendment requires GAO to issue a report 
evaluating each USDA business center. Further, the amendment 
requires that the report examine the effectiveness of the 
Department's business centers, impacts on budgets and 
personnel, and recommendations to improve the operation and 
function of those business centers. (Section 12507)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12505)
(44) Information technology modernization
      The Senate amendment requires GAO to issue reports 
evaluating the Department's information technology 
modernization efforts, and outlines the initial report, the 
updates, and the comprehensive reports to be issued. (Section 
12508)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
provision.
(45) Report on personnel
      The Senate amendment requires the Department to 
biannually submit to the House and Senate Agriculture 
Committees a report describing the number of staff years and 
employees employed for each agency of the Department. (Section 
12509)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12506)
(46) Report on absent landlords
      The Senate amendment requires the Secretary to conduct a 
study on absent landlords within one year of enactment. In 
conducting the study, the Secretary shall consider certain 
impacts of absent landlords on land value, soil health, and 
economic viability and provide recommendations on how to 
mitigate these impacts. (Section 12510)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12507)
(47) Restriction on use of certain poisons for predator control
      The Senate amendment restricts the use of sodium cyanide 
(M-44 devices) to kill predatory animals only in accordance 
with Wildlife Services (WS) Directive Number 2.415 of the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, dated February 27, 
2018, and the implementation guidelines attached to that 
Directive. (Section 12511)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
provision.
(48) Century farms program
      The House bill establishes a program under which the 
Secretary recognizes any farm that a state program or similar 
agricultural organization recognizes as a century farm, or a 
farm as defined under section 7 CFR 4284.902, and farms that 
have been in continuous operation by the same family for at 
least 100 years. (Section 11610)
      The Senate amendment establishes a National Century Farms 
Program to recognize state programs and farms that have been in 
continuous operation by the same family for at least 100 years. 
(Section 12512)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 12508)
(49) Report on importation of live dogs
      The House bill directs the Secretary, in conjunction with 
the Secretaries of Commerce, Health and Human Services and 
Homeland Security, to provide a report to Congress on the 
volume of live dogs imported to the U.S. (Section 11612)
      The Senate amendment contains a comparable provision but 
excludes the inclusion of the importation of personal pets. 
(Section 12513)
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment strengthening the coordination efforts between the 
Departments of Commerce, Health and Human Services, and 
Homeland Security to enable the Secretary to collect, compile, 
and disseminate this data to Congress in order to better 
understand the public health implications of importing dogs 
into the United States. (Section 12509)
      The Managers recognize that little is known about the 
volume of live dogs imported into the United States, whether as 
personal pets or animals seeking adoption or purchase by 
American households. Animal and zoonotic diseases pose serious 
risks to the U.S., and greater understanding of the pathways 
these diseases could be entering the U.S., such as via imported 
live dogs, is warranted.
      The Managers instruct the Secretary to develop a report 
on the importation of live dogs into the United States to be 
submitted to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry no later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. The Secretary 
of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide to the Secretary 
of Agriculture all available data and information relating to 
the importation of live dogs into the U.S. to complete the 
report.
(50) Promise zones
      The Senate amendment codifies the Tribal Promise Zones 
program and provides for the continuation of currently existing 
Tribal Promise Zones to leverage public-private investment. 
(Section 12515)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment striking the section addressing competitive 
enhancement in federal awards to tribal promise zones. (Section 
12510)
(51) Precision agriculture connectivity
      The House bill highlights the importance of precision 
agriculture and the need so agriculture cost can be lowered by 
2050, and establishes a Task Force for Reviewing the 
Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture to 
identify gaps in rural technology and make policy 
recommendations to help address these issues. (Sections 6801 & 
6802)
      The Senate amendment: (1) highlights the importance of 
precision agriculture and the need so agriculture cost can be 
lowered by 2050; (2) establishes a Task Force for Reviewing the 
Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in 
the U.S. to identify gaps in rural technology and make policy 
recommendations to help address these issues; (3) ensures that 
no provider of broadband internet access service is required to 
duplicate the reporting of data; (4) holds that the Task Force 
and the ``Commission'' (FCC) shall not interpret the use of the 
term ``future programs of the Commission'' to include universal 
service programs under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
U.S.C. 254); and (5) requires an agricultural producer 
representing tribal agriculture to be on the Task Force. 
(Section 12516)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment clarifying the definition of the term 
``broadband Internet access service''. (Section 12511)
      As the USDA develops financing, policy and other aspects 
related to rural broadband development, the Managers request 
USDA take into account Sec. 2110 of the FAA Extension, Safety, 
and Security Act of 2016. This will ensure communication towers 
providing broadband services in rural areas that meet the 
specifications described in Section 2110 are properly marked 
and entered into a FAA database to protect the safety of aerial 
applicators, aerial firefighters, public health applicators, 
medevac units, law enforcement and other low-flying aircraft.
      Section 12511 requires the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC), in collaboration with the Department, to form 
a task force to evaluate the best ways to meet the broadband 
needs of precision agriculture in the United States. The task 
force is focused on identifying and measuring gaps in broadband 
coverage, and developing policy recommendations to promote 
rapid, expanded deployment of broadband in agricultural areas.
      The Managers believe many rural businesses do not have 
access to broadband services. Both the FCC and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, through the Rural Utilities Service 
(RUS), provide Federal support to bring broadband to rural 
areas. In rural areas, broadband has the potential to enable 
precision agriculture for farmers and ranchers by integrating 
emerging technologies and global position systems (GPS) to 
assist in the most efficient use of their land.
      The Managers direct the Commission and the Department to 
review House Report 115-837 for additional details about the 
history, purpose, and implementation of this section.
(52) Improved soil moisture and precipitation monitoring
      The Senate amendment allows the Secretary to consider 
findings from additional drought monitoring stations and to 
establish new stations, to improve the accuracy of the U.S. 
Drought Monitor utilized in determining grazing disaster 
assistance for livestock producers, and authorizes $5 million 
in appropriations for FY2019-2013. (Section 12517)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment simplifying the Secretary's efforts from 
those imposed by the Senate provision, and instructs the 
Secretary to coordinate with the Director of the National 
Drought Mitigation Center and the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance the 
collection of data to improve the accuracy of the United States 
Drought Monitor, review the type of data utilized by the 
Drought Monitor and the geographic coverage of data sites, and 
make improvements. (Section 12512)
(53) Dairy business innovation initiatives
      The Senate amendment requires the Agricultural Marketing 
Service to establish at least three regionally located dairy 
product and business innovation initiatives to provide grants 
and nonmonetary assistance to dairy businesses, provides 
direction for the selection of initiatives, entities eligible 
to host initiatives, activities of the initiatives, 
distribution of funds and reporting requirements, and 
authorizes $20 million in appropriations for each fiscal year. 
(Section 12519)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment that streamlines the establishment and 
selection of the initiatives, amends language related to 
eligible and ineligible entities, streamlines the eligible 
types of assistance that are allowed, edits the priorities to 
be considered for the awarding of grants, and simplifies the 
reporting requirements. (Section 12513)
(54) Report on funding for the national institute of food and 
        agriculture and other extension programs
      The Senate amendment instructs that no later than 2 years 
after the 2017 Census of Agriculture is released under the 
Census of Agriculture Act of 1997, the Secretary submit to 
Congress a report describing the funding necessary to 
adequately address NIFA's needs, activities, and ability to 
provide adequate services for the growth and development of the 
economies of rural communities based on the changing 
demographic in the rural and farming communities in the various 
States, paying particular attention to carrying out activities 
relating to small and diverse farms and ranches, veteran 
farmers and ranchers, value-added agriculture, direct-to-
consumer sales, and specialty crops. (Section 12520)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12514)
(55) Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption
      The House bill: (1) adds a new section 30 to the Animal 
Welfare Act to prohibit a person from knowingly slaughtering a 
dog or cat for human consumption, or knowingly shipping, 
transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, 
purchasing, selling, or donating a dog or cat to be slaughtered 
for human consumption, or dog or cat parts for human 
consumption; (2) sets forth that such prohibition shall apply 
only with respect to conduct in or affecting interstate or 
foreign commerce, or within the special maritime and 
territorial jurisdiction of the United States; (3) establishes 
that any person who violates this section shall be subject to 
imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or a fine of not more 
than $2,500, or both; and (4) provides that this section does 
not limit any State or local law or regulations from protecting 
the welfare of animals, or prevent a State or local governing 
body from adopting and enforcing more stringent laws or 
regulations. (Section 11613)
      The Senate amendment: (1) sets forth that no person may 
knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption, or 
knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, 
purchase, sell, or donate a dog or cat to be slaughtered for 
human consumption, or a dog or cat part for human consumption; 
(2) provides that such prohibition shall apply only with 
respect to conduct in interstate commerce or foreign commerce; 
or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of 
the United States; (3) provides that the prohibition shall not 
apply to an Indian (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) 
carrying out any activity described in subsection (a) for the 
purpose of a religious ceremony; (4) establishes that any 
person who violates the prohibition shall be subject to a fine 
in an amount not greater than $5,000 for each violation; and 
(5) provides that this section does not limit any State or 
local law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals; or 
prevent a State or unit of local government from adopting and 
enforcing more stringent laws or regulations. (Section 12521)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment relating to interstate commerce. (Section 
12515)
(56) Report on honey and maple syrup
      The House bill requires the Secretary to submit a report, 
not later than 60 days after enactment, to the House and Senate 
Agriculture Committees examining the effect of final FDA 
regulation, ``Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and 
Supplement Facts Labels'' (81 Federal Register 33742), has on 
consumer perception regarding the ``added sugar'' statement 
required to be included on panels by the final rule with 
respect to packaged food in which no sugar is added during 
processing, including pure honey and maple syrup. (Section 
9203)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House bill with an 
amendment that incorporates language permitting the food 
labeling requirements under section 403(q) of the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343(q)) to not require that 
the nutrition facts label of any single ingredient sugar, 
honey, agave, and syrup, including maple syrup, that is 
packaged and offered for sale as a single ingredient food bear 
the declaration ``Includes Xg Added Sugars.'' (Section 12516)
      The Managers take note of numerous surveys highlighting 
high incidence of consumer confusion resulting from a mandatory 
declaration specifying ``added sugar'' on nutrition facts panel 
labels on single ingredient products such as pure honey and 
pure maple syrup. While the Managers are willing to consider 
future proposals by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to 
specify percent daily value in relation to the sugar content in 
these single ingredient products, the Managers' intent is to 
stop FDA from requiring any form of a mandatory declaration of 
``added sugar'' content on single ingredient products. The 
Managers further suggest that future efforts by the FDA to 
regulate added sugar aspects of the nutrition facts label 
should be informed by research documenting consumer 
interpretation of proposed label statements.
(57) Expedited exportation of certain species
      The Senate amendment instructs the Director of the Fish 
and Wildlife Service (FWS) to issue a rule proposing to amend 
FWS requirements pertaining to export permissions for certain 
species. The rule is to consider establishing expedited 
procedures for exporting sea urchins and sea cucumbers intended 
for human and animal food. (Section 12601)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment amending Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 
regulations relating to export permission requirements for 
green sea urchins, only, to facilitate their exportation, and 
requires data on the conservation and management of green sea 
urchins be provided to relevant government entities. (Section 
12617)
(58) Baiting of migratory game birds
      The Senate amendment: (1) provides definitions for normal 
agricultural operation, post-disaster flooding, and certain 
agricultural practices related to rice production; (2) requires 
the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Agriculture, to revise agency regulations 
clarifying that certain practices for rice producers, when 
carried out as part of a normal agricultural operation, do not 
constitute baiting; and (3) directs the Secretary to issue 
reports related to the provisions of the section. (Section 
12602)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with a minor amendment to the reporting requirements of the 
Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior. (Section 12601)
(59) Pima agriculture cotton trust fund
      The House bill repeals the program and creates ``Textile 
Trust Fund'' in section 11304. (Section 11301)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 12314 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014, clarifies how funds shall be 
distributed to yarn spinners, amends the requirements of the 
affidavit, makes technical changes and updates, and provides 
funding for the trust fund for each calendar year through 2023. 
(Section 12603)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12602)
(60) Agriculture wool apparel manufacturers trust fund
      The House bill repeals the program and creates ``Textile 
Trust Fund'' in Section 11304. (Section 11302)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 12315 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014, makes technical changes and updates, 
and provides funding for the trust fund for each calendar year 
through 2023. (Section 12604)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12603)
(61) Wool research and promotion
      The House bill repeals the program and creates ``Textile 
Trust Fund'' in Section 11304. (Section 11303)
      The Senate amendment reauthorizes section 12316 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 and extends the $2.25 million in 
mandatory funding for each of calendar years 2019 through 2023. 
(Section 12605)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12604)
(62) Textile trust fund
      The House bill: (1) establishes the Textile Trust Fund 
for the purposes of reducing injury for certain domestic 
manufacturers resulting from tariffs on certain cotton and wool 
products that are higher than tariffs on certain cotton and 
wool apparel articles made from those products; (2) provides 
for the distribution of funds from the Textile Trust Fund for 
manufacturers of pima cotton and wool products, and for wool 
research and promotion; (3) provides for the timing of 
distributions of funds from the Textile Trust Fund; (4) 
authorizes the Textile Trust Fund through calendar year 2023 
and provides funding; and (5) directs the Secretary, for each 
calendar year 2019 through 2023, to transfer from CCC to the 
Textile Trust Fund $25.5 million to be allocated as such, with 
funds to remain available until expended; $8 million to 
eligible manufacturers of pima cotton; $15 million to eligible 
wool manufacturers; and $2.25 million in grants for wool 
research and promotion. (Section 11304)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision to 
the creation of the Textile Trust Fund, but contains related 
provisions in sections 12603, 12604, and 12605.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(63) Emergency citrus disease research and extension program (research 
        and development trust fund)
      The House bill reauthorizes the Emergency Citrus Disease 
Research and Extension Program through 2023, extends the 
authorization of the appropriation of $25 million in funding 
per year through 2023, and extends the $25 million of mandatory 
funding for the Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program 
for each fiscal year through 2023. (Section 7305)
      The Senate amendment: (1) establishes a citrus trust fund 
and directs the Secretary to make payments annually for the 
purpose of citrus research and extension activities, technical 
assistance, and development activities to combat certain pests 
and diseases as well as to support dissemination and 
commercialization of certain relevant discoveries; (2) 
prioritizes payments for the same research priorities 
established by the Citrus Disease Subcommittee of the Specialty 
Crop Committee of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board per Section 
1408A(g)(4) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977; (3) requires the Secretary, 
when determining how to distribute payments from the trust 
funds, to seek input from the Federal and State agencies and 
others involved in citrus disease response, and consider other 
public and private citrus-related research and extension; (4) 
requires the Secretary to ensure that funds provided from the 
trust fund not supplant funds made available to carry out other 
citrus disease activities carried out by USDA; and (5) requires 
the Secretary to transfer to the Citrus Trust Fund $25 million 
from the Commodity Credit Corporation for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023. (Section 12606)
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment striking certain language from the Senate 
provision, simplifying the program, and directing the Secretary 
to carry out the Emergency Citrus Disease Research Extension 
Program in section 412(j) of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998. (Section 12605)
(64) Extension of merchandise processing fees
      The Senate amendment extends section 503 of the United 
States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Public 
Law 112-41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) for 13 weeks to May 26, 2027. 
(Section 12607)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12606)
(65) Conforming changes to controlled substances act
      The Senate amendment amends the existing exemptions to 
include hemp as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946 and tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as 
defined under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946). (Section 12608)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12619)
(66) National flood insurance program reauthorization
      The Senate amendment extends financing authority of the 
program through January 31, 2019 and extends the program 
through January 31, 2019. (Section 12609)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the Senate 
provision.
(67) Eligibility for operators on heirs property land to obtain a farm 
        number
      The Senate amendment defines ``eligible documentation'' 
to include: (1) in states that have adopted the Uniform 
Partition of Heirs Property Act, a court order verifying the 
land meets the definition of heirs property or certification 
from the local recorder of deeds that the recorded landowner is 
deceased and not less than one heir has initiated a procedure 
to retitle the land; (2) a tenancy-in-common agreement that 
sets out ownership rights and responsibilities among all of the 
land owners; (3) tax returns for the preceding five years; (4) 
self-certification that the farm operator has control of the 
land; and (5) any other documentation identified by the 
Secretary as an alternative form of eligible documentation.
      The Senate provision also requires the Secretary to 
provide for the assignment of a farm number to any farm 
operator who provides an form of eligible documentation, for 
purposes of demonstrating that the farm operator has control of 
the land for purpose of defining that land as a farm, and 
requires the Secretary to identify alternative forms of 
eligible documentation that a farm operator may provide in 
seeking the assignment of a farm number. (Section 12623)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision. 
(Section 12615)
      The Managers recognize that farm operators on land that 
has been passed down through multiple generations without 
formal probate proceedings may not have clear title to the 
land. The Managers intend for this section to ensure operators 
of such land, commonly referred to as heirs' property, who 
provide certain documentation to the Secretary are eligible to 
receive farm numbers for the purposes of accessing programs 
offered by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. In 
determining States that have enacted or adopted the Uniform 
Partition of Heirs Property Act, the Managers intend that USDA 
consider ``State'' to mean any of the 50 States, the District 
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of 
Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands.
(68) Farmland ownership data collection
      The Senate amendment instructs the Secretary to collect, 
and not less frequently than once every 5 years report, data 
and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and 
entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. (Section 12625)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment merging the Senate provision with Section 
2506 of Title II, and House Section 7604. (Section 12607)
(69) National Oilheat Research Alliance
      The Senate amendment repeals section 713 of the National 
Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; 
Public Law 106-469), allowing it to become permanent law, and 
inserts new section 708 addressing limitations on the 
obligations of funds. (Section 12627)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment extending the covered period to 10 years. 
(Section 12531)
(70) Reauthorization of rural emergency medical services training and 
        equipment assistance program
      The Senate amendment inserts a short title for the 
section, adds ``or to residents of rural areas'', reauthorizes 
the program through FY2019-2023, and strikes subsections (b) 
through (f) and inserts: (b) provides that eligible applicants 
shall be emergency medical services agencies; (c) allows funds 
to be used to train medical emergency personnel, conduct 
training courses, recruit personnel, and purchase emergency 
medical equipment; (d) caps grants at $200,000 per award; (f) 
requires 25 percent match by the grantee; and (e) defines 
emergency medical services as resources used to deliver medical 
services outside of a medical facility; includes services 
delivered by other provider certified by State. (Section 12628)
      The House bill contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the Senate provision 
with an amendment reducing the 25 percent match to 10 percent. 
(Section 12608)
(71) Definition of retail facilities
      The House bill amends section 6 of OSHA Act of 1970 to 
codify an existing exemption for agricultural retailers from 
the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) 
Process Safety Management (PSM) of Hazardous Chemicals 
standard. (Section 9131)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(72) Commission on farm transitions--Needs for 2050
      The House bill establishes a commission and sets an 
organizational framework, to be known as the Commission on Farm 
Transitions--Needs for 2050 to conduct a study and issue a 
report on a variety of issues impacting the transition of 
agricultural operations from established farmers and ranchers 
to the next generation of farmers and ranchers. (Section 11205)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment clarifying the applicable exemptions to the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, and terminating the commission 
on September 30, 2023. (Section 12609)
(73) Restoring certain exceptions to United States Grain Standard Act
      The House bill allows certain grain handling facilities 
to restore a prior exception with an official agency designated 
under the rule entitled ``Exceptions to Geographic Areas for 
Official Agencies Under the USGSA'' published by the Department 
of Agriculture in the Federal Register on April 18, 2003 (68 
Fed. Reg. 19137) if certain criteria are met. (Section 11401)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment restoring the nonuse of service exception to the 
geographic boundary provisions of the United States Grain 
Standards Act and allows a grain handling facility that lost a 
nonuse of service exception after October 1, 2015, to notify 
the Federal Grain Inspection Service to restore the prior 
exception. (Section 12610)
      The Managers remain concerned with the Department's 
implementation of the U.S. Grain Standards Act provisions that 
provided for a ``written agreement'' exception program, which 
replaced the former ``non-use of service'' exception program. 
In USDA's notice of the final rule to implement 
``Reauthorization of the United States Grain Standards Act'', 
81 Fed. Reg. 49855 (July 29, 2016) USDA indicated its intention 
to ``continue to honor'' the 95 current agreements for agencies 
to operate outside of their assigned geographic territories. 
However, Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) Directive 
9290.18, which was issued to provide instructions on how to 
implement the new requirements, contradicted the intention 
expressed in the notice of final rule and created uncertainty 
for grain handling facilities. Specifically, FGIS permitted 
unilateral termination of these agreements by an incumbent 
designated agency--a practice that Congress did not intend, did 
not agree with, and subsequently prevented through 
appropriations language.
      Unilateral termination created uncertainty for grain 
handling facilities--the primary customers of the officially 
designated inspection agencies. The conference substitute 
reinstates the ``non-use of service exception and establishes a 
new policy that precludes unilateral termination of these 
exception agreements. The Managers believe that it is important 
for grain handling facilities and the excepted official agency 
to have input into this process and that FGIS should not permit 
one party to terminate an exception agreement.
      The Managers do not intend for the restoration of 
exceptions to require a formal rulemaking process. The Managers 
intend to provide a near term option for grain handling 
facilities to go back to a previously approved by the 
Department non-use of service exception agreement, provided 
that the former excepted official agency agrees. Grain handling 
facilities would have 90 days from enactment to notify the 
Secretary of its preferred date to restore the exception and 
within 90 days of this notification, the Secretary must restore 
this exception. The Managers do not intend for the Secretary to 
wait 90 days to restore an exception. The Managers urge FGIS 
and the Secretary to work with the grain handling facilities 
and excepted agencies to expedite this process. The Managers 
intend that if an official agency loses its designation, any 
exceptions that agency has are terminated by the Secretary. If 
that agency regains its designation the Secretary may restore 
the exceptions it had. The Managers expect the Department to 
work closely with and give considerable weight to the input 
provided by the customer that previously utilized these 
exceptions when taking into account whether or not to restore 
the exception.
      The Managers expect the Department to issue an updated 
directive noting the restored exception category and the 
process to reinstate exceptions that had been terminated. The 
Managers expect FGIS to carefully review requests to reinstate 
an exception when one or more parties to the previous exception 
have changed ownership and to reinstate the exception as 
appropriate.
(74) Conference report requirement threshold
      The House bill amends the section to raise the threshold 
for conferences excluded from the report from those costing 
less than $10,000, to those costing less than $75,000. (Section 
11603)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment reducing the threshold to $50,000. (Section 12611)
(75) National agriculture imagery program
      The House bill: (1) instructs the Secretary, working 
through FSA, to institute a national agriculture imagery 
program to annually acquire aerial imagery during agricultural 
growing seasons from the continental United States; (2) 
requires that the aerial imagery acquired under this section 
shall consist of high resolution processed digital imagery, be 
made available in a format that can be provided to Federal, 
State, and private sector entities, be technologically 
compatible with geospatial information technology, and be 
consistent with the standards established by the Federal 
Geographic Data Committee; and (3) authorizes appropriations of 
$23 million for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
thereafter. (Section 11604)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 12612)
(76) Report on inclusion of natural stone products in Commodity 
        Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996
      The House bill instructs that no later than 180 days 
after enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives only, 
a report examining the effect of the establishment of a Natural 
Stone Research and Promotion Board pursuant to the Commodity 
Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 would have on 
the natural stone industry, on economic development in rural 
areas, and on benefits to consumers. (Section 11605)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 12613)
(77) Establishment of food access liaison
      The House bill amends subtitle A of the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 by adding a new section 
establishing a Food Access Liaison to coordinate USDA programs, 
to reduce barriers to food access, and to monitor and evaluate 
the progress of such programs. (Section 11608)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision. 
(Section 12614)
(78) Cotton classification services
      The House bill amends section 3a to provide that 
employees hired to provide cotton classification services may 
work up to 240 calendar days in a service year and may be 
rehired non-competitively every year if they meet performance 
and conduct expectations. (Section 11609)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(79) Report on agricultural innovation
      The House bill instructs that no later than 180 days 
after enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Administrator of the EPA and the Commissioner of the 
FDA, shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. The 
report shall focus on plans for improving the Federal 
government's policies and procedures relating to gene editing 
and other precision plant breeding methods. (Section 11611)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(80) Consideration of the totality of conservation measures
      The House bill amends section 7(b)(3) of the Endangered 
Species Act to add considerations when determining whether a 
Federal agency action is likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of any endangered species or threatened species or 
result in the destruction or adverse modification of the 
critical habitat of a species. (Section 11614)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(81) Depredation permits for black vultures
      The House bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior 
in conjunction with the Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, to issue depredation permits to livestock 
farmers, authorizing, with limitations, takings of black 
vultures otherwise prohibited by Federal law to prevent such 
vultures from taking livestock during the calving season, 
provided that the permit holder report the taking of the 
vultures to appropriate enforcement agencies. (Section 11615)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(82) Extending prohibition on animal fighting to the territories
      The House bill eliminates certain exceptions in order to 
extend the provision to states and territories where it may not 
have been applicable. (Section 11616)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute adopts the House provision with 
an amendment to change the ``effective date'' to one year after 
enactment of this Act. (Section 12616)
(83) Waters of the United States rule
      The House bill repeals the final rule issued by the EPA 
and the Secretary of the Army entitled ``Clean Water Rule: 
Definition of `Waters of the United States''', published on 
June 29, 2015, and any regulation or policy revised under, or 
otherwise affected as a result of, that rule shall be applied 
as if that rule had not been issued. (Section 11617)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(84) Prohibition against interference by state and local governments 
        with production or manufacture of items in other states
      The House bill instructs that the government of a State 
or locality therein shall not impose a standard or condition on 
the production or manufacture of any agricultural product, sold 
or offered for sale in interstate commerce, if the production 
or manufacture occurs in another State and the standard or 
condition is in addition to Federal standards and the laws of 
the State and locality in which production or manufacture 
occurs.
      The House bill also states that, pursuant to Section 207 
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1626) the 
term ``agricultural product'' includes agricultural, 
horticultural, viticultural, and dairy products, livestock and 
poultry, bees, forest products, fish and shellfish, and any 
products thereof, including processed and manufactured 
products, and any and all products raised or produced on farms 
and any processed or manufactured product thereof. (Section 
11701)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
(85) Federal cause of action to challenge state regulation of 
        interstate commerce
      The House bill provides a private right of action, in the 
appropriate court, for individual persons, and a variety of 
entities, affected by a regulation of a State or unit of local 
government which regulates any aspect of an agricultural 
product, including any aspect of the method of production, 
which is sold in interstate commerce, or any means or 
instrumentality through which such an agriculture product is 
sold in interstate commerce, to invalidate such a regulation 
and seek damages for economic loss resulting from such 
regulation.
      The House bill also provides preliminary injunctive 
relief to preclude enforcement of the regulation at issue 
pursuant to certain standards. The applicable statute of 
limitations is 10 years. (Section 11702)
      The Senate amendment contains no comparable provision.
      The Conference substitute does not adopt the House 
provision.
Additional Report Language
Section 12520 Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary 
        of Agriculture and others
      The Managers intend for the Department to exercise the 
protection authorities granted in section 12520 when warranted, 
including to individuals serving in Acting Secretary or Deputy 
Secretary roles, consistent with threat assessments and 
applicable guidelines or requirements.
      Section (a)(2) grants the authority to provide protection 
that is incidental to the protection provided to the Secretary 
or Deputy Secretary. Such authority should be used only when: 
(1) extenuating circumstances occur that pose an articulable 
threat to such individual; and (2) the security of the 
Secretary or Deputy Secretary would not be jeopardized in 
protecting other qualified individuals. Such extenuating 
circumstances may include, for example, a car accident, where 
individuals traveling with the Secretary have suffered physical 
harm and the Secretary's protection would not be jeopardized by 
protecting other qualified individuals. The Managers do not 
intend for the number of security personnel accompanying the 
Secretary or Deputy Secretary to increase because of any 
potential need to protect any additional persons in extenuating 
circumstances.
      The Managers are wary of increasing security costs. The 
Department has represented to the Managers that it does not 
anticipate spending additional resources over its current 
budget and that in exercising this authority, it does not 
intend to automatically provide protection to additional 
Department officials. Although this authority is being 
provided, the Managers do not expect for the Department to 
alter the current level of protection or the number of 
officials protected, unless warranted.
      The Managers further intend for the term ``continuous 
protection'' to mean protection at all times when there is an 
articulable threat of physical harm, as assessed through threat 
assessments, including at a personal residence and during 
periods of personal, non-official activities.
      The Managers intend for the report required by subsection 
(e) to describe the individuals to whom protection was provided 
under this authority, the extent and frequency of such 
protections, and measures undertaken to determine the necessity 
of protection. The Department shall provide the Committee on 
Agriculture of the United States House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
United States Senate with timely briefings, upon request, 
regarding the use of this authority.

   COMPLIANCE WITH RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE 
      REGARDING REMARKS AND CONGRESSIONAL DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS

      Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives and Rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate, neither this conference report nor the accompanying 
joint statement of managers contains any congressional 
earmarks, congressionally directed spending items, limited tax 
benefits, or limited tariff benefits, as defined in such rules.
                From the Committee on Agriculture, for 
                consideration of the House bill and the Senate 
                amendment, and modifications committed to 
                conference:
                                   K. Michael Conaway,
                                   Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania,
                                   Bob Goodlatte,
                                   Frank D. Lucas,
                                   Mike Rogers of Alabama,
                                   Austin Scott of Georgia,
                                   Eric A. ``Rick'' Crawford,
                                   Vicky Hartzler,
                                   Rodney Davis of Illinois,
                                   Ted S. Yoho,
                                   David Rouzer,
                                   Roger W. Marshall,
                                   Jodey C. Arrington,
                                   Collin C. Peterson,
                                   David Scott of Georgia,
                                   Jim Costa,
                                   Marcia L. Fudge,
                                   James P. McGovern,
                                   Filemon Vela,
                                   Ann M. Kuster of New Hampshire,
                                   Tom O'Halleran,
                                   Virginia Foxx,
                                   Rick W. Allen,
                                   Alma S. Adams,
                                   Kevin Cramer,
                                   Edward R. Royce,
                                   Steve Chabot,
                                   Eliot L. Engel,
                                   Rob Bishop of Utah,
                                   Bruce Westerman,
                                   Raul M. Grijalva,
                                   James Comer,
                                   Ralph Lee Abraham,
                                   Neal P. Dunn,
                                   Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas,
                                   Jeff Denham,
                                   Bob Gibbs,
                                   Cheri Bustos,
                                 Managers on the Part of the House.

                                   Pat Roberts,
                                   Mitch McConnell,
                                   John Boozman,
                                   John Hoeven,
                                   Joni Ernst,
                                   Debbie Stabenow,
                                   Patrick J. Leahy,
                                   Sherrod Brown,
                                   Heidi Heitkamp,
                                Managers on the Part of the Senate.

                                  [all]