[House Report 118-124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress   }                                       {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session     }                                       {     118-124

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



 
   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2024

                                _______
                                

 June 27, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
                               State of 
                  the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 4368]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for fiscal year 2024.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Title I--Agricultural Programs...................................     3
Title II--Farm Production and Conservation Programs..............    42
Title III--Rural Development Programs............................    52
Title IV--Domestic Food Programs.................................    64
Title V--Foreign Assistance and Related Programs.................    70
Title VI--Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration......    72
Title VII--General Provisions....................................    92

                                OVERVIEW

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee has 
jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
except for the Forest Service, the Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the 
Farm Credit Administration (FCA). The Subcommittee's 
responsibility covers matters of importance to Americans every 
day of the year.
    The fiscal year 2024 allocation is $17,838,000,000, in 
addition to $7,475,000,000 in reallocated funds, for a 
discretionary spending total of $25,313,000,000. This is 
$532,000,000 below the fiscal year 2023 enacted level and 
$3,621,922,000 below the President's budget request for fiscal 
year 2024.
    The funding levels provided in this appropriations bill 
continue to demonstrate how seriously this Committee takes its 
responsibility to fund the highest priority programs and 
activities while helping to address the nation's debt, deficit, 
and economic challenges and rein in regulatory overreach at 
USDA, FDA, and CFTC.
    The Committee does not include funding to begin new 
programs and, except where specifically noted, does not provide 
additional funding for pay increases.
    In this report, ``the Committees'' refers to the Committees 
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate.
    The Subcommittee held five hearings related to the agencies 
it funds. Those hearings were:
            USDA Inspector General--March 9, 2023
            Member Day--March 23, 2023
            The FY 2024 Budget Request for the 
        Commodity Futures Trading Commission--March 28, 2023
            The FY 2024 Budget Request for the Food and 
        Drug Administration--March 29, 2023
            The FY 2024 Budget Request for the 
        Department of Agriculture--March 30, 2023
    Agroforestry Strategic Framework.--The Department created 
an Agroforestry Framework in 2018 which provided a mechanism to 
coordinate and facilitate wide scale adoption of agroforestry. 
The framework is an opportunity to highlight Agroforestry 
across the breadth of USDA's authorities, including but not 
limited to the Natural Resource Conservation Service, 
Agricultural Research Service, Forest Service, and the National 
Agricultural Statistical Service. The framework expires in 2024 
and as the Department begins to update the framework, the 
Committee urges the Department to seek extensive external 
stakeholder input and brief the committee on the status of the 
framework.
    Cybersecurity.--The Committee remains concerned about 
continued cybersecurity threats and attacks on the nation's 
food and agriculture sector. The Committee recognizes the 
importance of strong cybersecurity in critical sectors like 
agriculture and urges the Department to improve its 
cybersecurity posture, including through collaboration with 
appropriate Federal agencies to mitigate potential 
cybersecurity threats.
    Persistent Poverty Areas.--The Committee supports targeted 
investments in impoverished areas. The Committee directs the 
Department to develop and implement measures to increase the 
share of investments in persistent poverty counties, distressed 
communities, and other impoverished areas. The Committee 
directs the Department to submit a report to the Committee that 
includes the total amount of Federal investments targeted 
toward such areas; a list of the programs under which the 
amount of Federal investments to such areas were increased in 
fiscal year 2024; the percent change in the amount of funds 
that were targeted to such areas from fiscal year 2023; and to 
the extent practicable, an assessment of the economic impact of 
departmental programs in these areas.
    Promoting U.S. Competitiveness in Biotechnology.--The 
Committee acknowledges that the U.S. is a world leader in 
agricultural biotechnology. As the world faces changing 
rainfall patterns, increased input costs, and strains on the 
global supply chains, agricultural biotechnology offers 
solutions that can increase yields, reduce land and water use, 
and improve crop resilience. The Committee urges USDA mission 
areas, including the Foreign Agriculture Service and Rural 
Development, to bolster U.S.-developed biotechnology through 
their respective programs.

                                TITLE I


                         AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS


                   Processing, Research and Marketing


                        Office of the Secretary


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $65,067,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       112,634,000
Provided in the bill..................................        41,072,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -23,995,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -71,562,000
 

    The following table reflects the amount provided by the 
Committee for each office and activity:

                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Committee
                                        FY 2023     FY 2024
                                        enacted     estimate   provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary..............     $7,432      $34,713     $5,051
Office of Homeland Security..........      1,396        2,396      1,578
Office of Tribal Relations...........      5,190        6,533      2,215
Office of Partnerships and Public          9,280       10,357      7,044
 Engagement..........................
Office of the Assistant Secretary for      1,706        1,742        875
 Administration......................
Departmental Administration..........     26,716       35,627     20,440
Office of the Assistant Secretary for      4,609        4,727      3,869
 Congressional Relations and
 Intergovernmental Affairs...........
Office of Communications.............      8,738       16,539          0
                                      ----------------------------------
    Total, Office of the Secretary...     65,067      112,634     41,072
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Secretary, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $41,072,000.
    Similar to prior years, the Committee does not include 
direct funding for activities that are currently funded through 
other resources, such as the Working Capital Fund, or that have 
historically been funded through other means.
    California Storms and Flooding.--The Committee is aware of 
the recent historic storms in the State of California. The 
Committee is concerned about the impact flooding from these 
storms is currently having on productive farmland in the State. 
While damage is still being assessed and its ultimate extent is 
not yet known, it appears damage to farmland and crops could be 
extensive. Furthermore, the Committee notes that the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an 
increased threat of additional flooding in the spring due to 
snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada snowpack that will likely be 
exacerbated by already elevated soil moisture levels. 
Accordingly, the Committee directs the Secretary to 
expeditiously exercise, to the fullest extent, all disaster 
response and assistance authorities provided under the law to 
assist agricultural producers in the State of California 
adversely impacted by recent flooding and to ensure that, 
should additional flooding occur later this year, the 
Department is prepared to respond efficiently and quickly to 
assist agricultural producers who are adversely impacted.
    Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Report.--The Committee 
directs the Secretary to provide a report on November 15, 2023, 
and May 15, 2024, on planned uses of funding under the 
authorities of Section 4 and Section 11 of the CCC Charter Act.
    CCC Obligations and Commitments.--The Secretary is directed 
to notify the Committees in writing 15 days prior to any 
announcement on the use of funds from the CCC or the obligation 
or commitment of any emergency funds from the CCC.
    Communication from USDA.--A collaborative working 
relationship between the Committee and USDA is necessary to 
ensure efficient and effective implementation of Congress' 
funding decisions. USDA is directed to ensure that the 
Committee is notified of major changes to existing policies and 
any significant developments in its operations before providing 
non-governmental stakeholders such information, before making 
the changes public, and before implementing them.
    Communications Services.--The Committee urges the 
Department to establish uniform communication practices across 
all mission areas utilizing local digital, television, and 
radio advertising. The Committee further directs the Department 
and agencies funded by this Act with annual advertising budgets 
to submit a report within 30 days of enactment of this Act on 
expenditures related to local media advertising, including 
expenditures on local digital, television, and radio 
advertising.
    Construction Management.--The Committee intends to provide 
local governments and local utilities with the necessary tools 
to maximize Federal investments and encourages USDA to allow 
local governments and units of local governments to utilize 
Construction Management services in addition to traditional 
design-build services within all USDA-funded construction and 
infrastructure projects. Construction Management services 
provide a level of construction management expertise and 
experience that many rural communities and governmental units 
lack and can ensure a more efficient and cost-effective project 
execution during the construction process.
    Contracting and Procurement.--The Committee believes that, 
as one of the largest contractors in the United States, USDA 
should work to ensure fair access to its contracts for small 
businesses. Accordingly, the Committee urges each agency and 
office with a procurement function to increase awareness of 
technical assistance and strategic planning grants available 
for small businesses.
    Customer Service.--The Committee continues to support the 
Department's efforts to improve customer service. The Committee 
directs the Secretary to develop standards to improve customer 
service, incorporate the standards into the performance plans 
required under 31 U.S.C. 1115, and submit a report on these 
efforts within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
    Explanatory Notes.--The Committee appreciates the 
Department's work to restore the Explanatory Notes to the same 
format as they had been presented in prior to fiscal year 2021 
and directs that this format be maintained for fiscal year 2025 
and beyond.
    Farmworkers.--Strong working conditions for our farmworkers 
are critical to the resiliency of the food and agricultural 
supply chain. The Committee is supportive of USDA's efforts to 
improve working conditions for women farmworkers who are 
vulnerable to exploitation in the workplace. The Committee 
requests the Department to conduct a study to understand the 
work conditions and challenges faced by women farmworkers and 
to develop recommendations on how the Department can promote 
improvements through its programs and pilots. A report shall be 
submitted to the Committee on these efforts within 60 days of 
enactment of this Act.
    Food Waste Consumer Education.--The Committee recommends 
that USDA enter into public-private partnerships to provide 
consumer-facing outreach on food loss and waste and prevention 
strategies.
    Grain Terminals.--The Committee notes the ongoing contract 
negotiations between West Coast grain terminal operators and 
the union and recognizes the importance of reaching an 
agreement that works for both parties. Failure to reach an 
agreement could result in an interruption in grain terminal 
service that would negatively impact the nation's grain 
exports. The Committee urges all parties to continue 
negotiating in good faith to ensure a favorable outcome.
    Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).--The Committee is 
concerned by the ongoing outbreak of HPAI that has resulted in 
the loss of over 58 million birds and the correlation to 
increased egg prices. The Committee recognizes and is sensitive 
to the effects a voluntary vaccine may have on international 
trade relationships. However, the Committee is also aware that 
USDA has used vaccines against low pathogenic avian influenza 
and that the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory has 
conducted substantial research in the development of a vaccine, 
including a candidate vaccine seed strain for an inactivated 
vaccine. The Committee directs USDA to report on the status of 
vaccine development and engage with other relevant agencies to 
develop a comprehensive HPAI strategy that includes a voluntary 
vaccine for laying hens and turkeys only, mitigates concerns of 
international trade partners, and is in line with applicable 
international standards and agreements.
    Improved Customer Service.--Pursuant to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum on ``Measuring, 
Monitoring, and Improving Organizational Health and 
Organization Performance in the Context of Evolving Agency Work 
Environments'' (M-23-15) published on April 13, 2023, the 
Committee directs the Department to increase USDA in-person 
presence at both USDA headquarters offices located in the 
National Capital Region and in USDA regional, State, and county 
offices in order to provide improved customer service.
    Improving Tribal Consultation.--The Committee encourages 
the Office of Tribal Relations and the Office of Budget and 
Program Analysis (OBPA) to establish a regular tribal 
consultation process when formulating budget requests and 
multi-year program reauthorizations that have budgetary 
impacts.
    Intermediate Crops.--The Committee is aware of a burgeoning 
industry of nonfood crops, such as camelina, that can be grown 
on existing farmland between primary crops to produce feedstock 
for renewable biofuels and chemicals. These intermediate crops 
offer similar environmental benefits to cover crops and 
represent a new source of additive income for agricultural 
producers. The Committee encourages USDA to consider 
opportunities to utilize existing programs and resources to 
support intermediate crop production in the United States.
    Loan and Grant Programs.--The Committee directs that if an 
estimate of loan activity for any program funded in Titles II 
and III of this bill indicates that a limitation on authority 
to make commitments for a fiscal year will be reached before 
the end of that fiscal year, or in any event when 75 percent of 
the authority to make commitments has been utilized, the 
Secretary shall promptly notify the Committees through OBPA. 
The Committee directs the Department, through OBPA, to provide 
quarterly reports to the Committees on the status of 
obligations and funds availability for the loan and grant 
programs provided in this bill.
    Multiagency Broadband Program Study.--The Committee directs 
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study 
of all federal broadband connectivity programs funded in the 
previous five fiscal years, including through emergency 
supplemental appropriations and the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58), in order to evaluate each program's 
efficacy rates in providing internet access to underserved and 
not-yet-served communities. Such study shall identify the total 
amount of federal broadband funding appropriated, the number of 
grants awarded, the average award size, and the specific 
geographic location of grant awards for each program and 
evaluate the effectiveness of each broadband program in 
providing internet access to individuals in communities that 
were below rates of 25/3 Mbps prior to relevant grant awards.
    National Finance Center.--The National Finance Center (NFC) 
is the largest designated Federal Government Payroll Shared 
Service Provider, and it provides integrated payroll and 
personnel services for over 640,000 Federal employees. To 
ensure that thousands of Federal employees' pay and human 
resources services are not interrupted or adversely impacted by 
major organizational changes, the Committee continues 
requirements under current law relating to NFC payroll and 
shared services operations, missions, personnel, and functions. 
The Committee also directs USDA to provide quarterly reports on 
full-time equivalent (FTE) levels for each of the current NFC 
divisions, operations, and functions, as well as each of the 
Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and Office of the 
Chief Information Officer (OCIO) divisions, operations, and 
functions currently co-located with the NFC. The reports also 
are to include a detailed breakdown of the FTEs for each and 
any of these same divisions, functions, or operations for the 
NFC and the co-located OCFO and OCIO functions compared to 
those during FY 2017 and 2018.
    New Initiatives.--The Committee directs USDA, no later than 
120 days after enactment, to submit an execution plan for each 
new initiative funded in this Act. This strategy should 
include, but is not limited to, the steps necessary to make 
funding available, the timeline thereof, targeted 
beneficiaries, and expected results. The Committee requests 
quarterly reports on these initiatives until the initiative has 
been fully implemented.
    Notification Requirements.--The Committee reminds the 
Department that the Committee uses the definitions for 
transfer, reprogramming, and program, project, and activity as 
defined by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). As noted 
in the fiscal year 2023 Joint Explanatory Statement, a program, 
project, or activity (PPA) is an element within a budget 
account. PPAs are identified by reference to include the most 
specific level of budget items identified in the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
Agencies Act, 2023, accompanying Committee reports, explanatory 
statements, and budget justifications. The Committee notes that 
the most specific level of budget items in USDA budget 
justifications is not limited to tables titled ``Project 
Statement''.
    PFAS.--The Committee notes that there are previously 
provided funds related to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 
which remain available. The Committee remains concerned that 
there are significant knowledge gaps related to PFAS and its 
impact on agriculture. Therefore, the Committee awaits a plan 
from USDA and will continue to monitor PFAS.
    Resilient Building Materials.--With increases in weather-
related and other natural disasters, there is a clear need to 
increase resilience of the nation's buildings and 
infrastructure. Mass timber and other innovative wood products, 
when appropriately used in the construction of buildings and 
other infrastructure, have been shown to withstand wind, 
seismic, and other natural forces with robust results. The 
Committee acknowledges the need to include these products in 
any categorization of products considered to be resilient by 
USDA and other Federal agencies. The Committee, therefore, 
encourages USDA to support programs that include the use of 
wood products to improve the nation's ability to withstand and 
recover from weather-related and other natural events.
    Rural Healthcare.--The Committee is encouraged by the 
opportunities to address nutrition security and rural 
healthcare across the Department and urges the Department to 
integrate strategic outcomes from recent summits across Rural 
Development, Food and Nutrition Services, Agricultural 
Marketing Service to provide technical assistance and guidance 
with respect to these outcomes to the Department's outreach, 
extension, and county offices, particularly in communities that 
lack application experience or healthcare facilities.
    Simplified USDA Applications.--USDA customers are 
overburdened with complex program applications, contracts, and 
reporting. The Committee requests a report from USDA describing 
the barriers to simplifying program applications, contracts, 
and reporting. The report should also include any plans USDA 
has to simplify these documents and procedures.
    Spending Plans.--The bill continues a provision in Title 
VII that requires USDA to submit spending plans to the 
Committee within 30 days of enactment. Previous versions of 
these plans have not included adequate details that would be 
useful for Committee oversight. The Committee requests that 
USDA spending plans include for each program, project, or 
activity: (1) a comparison between the budget justification 
funding levels, the most recent Congressional directives or 
approved funding levels, and the funding levels proposed by the 
department or agency; and (2) a clear, concise, and informative 
description/justification. The Committee reminds USDA of 
notification requirements, also included in Title VII, for all 
applicable changes.
    Status of House and Senate Report Language.--The Department 
is directed to include in its fiscal year 2025 Congressional 
Justification, as a single exhibit, a table listing all 
deliverables, with a column for due dates if applicable. OBPA 
is directed to provide updates on the status of House and 
Senate reports upon request from the Committees.
    Underserved Producers Program.--The Committee is concerned 
about the Department's reckless implementation of Section 22007 
of the Inflation Reduction Act through nongovernmental entities 
who undergo no formal application process to aid farmers, 
ranchers, and foresters who have experienced discrimination in 
FSA lending programs. The Committee notes that the precursor to 
this provision, Section 1005 of the American Rescue Plan Act, 
which provided loan forgiveness for socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers, was struck down in court on equal 
protection grounds. The Committee reminds the Department that 
U.S. courts have held that significant participation by the 
Federal government in nongovernmental entities' 
unconstitutional actions may be a violation of the Fourteenth 
Amendment. As the Department provides nongovernmental entities 
with entirely Federal funds, the Committee will closely monitor 
the Department's use and involvement in the administration of 
the Section 22007 funds.
    USDA Domestic and International Commodity Procurement 
Review.--The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain 
disruptions revealed fragilities in America's food supply, to 
the detriment of farmers, producers, and consumers across 
America. The Committee directs AMS and ERS to review USDA's 
application and enrollment procedures, required commodity 
quality, best and most available commodities for purchase 
regionally, and outreach practices to small and local farmers 
for all available domestic and international USDA procurement 
programs. This will help increase understanding of programs and 
purchasing to elevate fair participation of America's small and 
local farmers. Within 180 days of enactment of this Act, AMS 
and ERS shall report back on their findings and efforts on 
improving small and local farmer procurement for relevant USDA 
programs.
    USDA Farm Delivery Systems Modernization.--The Committee 
includes language that requires the Secretary to submit a plan 
to accelerate the implementation and use of the Farmers.gov 
application and the Enterprise Data Analytics Platform and 
Toolset (EDAPT). The Committee is aware that despite continued 
direction and funding provided by Congress, the Farm Service 
Agency, the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, 
and the Office of the Chief Information Officer continue to 
maintain numerous legacy mission support systems that should be 
decommissioned and transitioned to applications that are 
interoperable, facts-based, data driven, and provide excellent 
customer service.
    USDA Hiring Practices.--The Committee includes language 
directing the Secretary to focus hiring efforts on USDA field 
offices to fulfill USDA's central mission and best serve the 
nation's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
    USDA Office of Communications.--The Committee is 
disappointed in the Secretary's misuse of appropriations 
provided for the Office of Communications on April 26, 2023 to 
publish partisan materials intended to undermine the 
Congressional process. This was a direct violation of Section 
735 of Division A and Section 715 of Division E of P.L. 117-
328. Therefore, the Committee provides no funding for the 
Secretary's Office of Communications. This does not affect USDA 
mission areas' ability to communicate with participants 
regarding programs or release news or updates on new or 
existing programs.
    USDA Office of Homeland Security.--The Committee provides 
$225,000 for the Office of Homeland Security to fulfill its co-
Sector Risk Management Agency (SRMA) responsibilities. As 
demonstrated by recent ransomware attacks, cybersecurity 
threats to the food and agriculture sector have far-reaching 
and highly disruptive effects. SRMA is responsible for 
coordinating efforts across the food and agriculture sector to 
address and mitigate these threats.

                          Executive Operations


                     OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $28,181,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        35,597,000
Provided in the bill..................................        29,181,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        +1,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -6,416,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Chief Economist, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $29,181,000, including $500,000 
for the food loss coordinator position, and $3,400,000 for the 
Office of Pest Management Policy.
    Policy Research.--The Committee provides $8,000,000 for 
policy research under 7 U.S.C. 3155 for entities with existing 
institutional capacity to conduct complex economic and policy 
analysis and which have a lengthy and well-documented record of 
conducting policy analysis for the benefit of USDA, the 
Congressional Budget Office, or Congress. Of the amounts 
provided for policy research activities, $3,000,000 is provided 
for the Department to focus on entities that have developed 
models, databases, and staff necessary to conduct in-depth 
analysis of the impacts of agriculture or rural development 
policy proposals on rural communities, farmers, agribusiness, 
taxpayers, and consumers. The Committee encourages the 
Department to fund regional and State-level baseline 
projections in addition to currently available national and 
international outlooks.

                     OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $16,703,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        17,494,000
Provided in the bill..................................        16,173,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -530,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -1,321,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $16,173,000.

                 OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $14,967,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        21,135,000
Provided in the bill..................................        11,337,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -3,630,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -9,798,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $11,337,000.

                Office of the Chief Information Officer


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $92,284,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        95,061,000
Provided in the bill..................................        79,442,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -12,842,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -15,619,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $79,442,000.
    Cloud Center of Excellence.--The Committee directs the 
Chief Information Officer to establish a Cloud Center of 
Excellence (CCOE) within the Department that is composed of 
current IT leaders from each mission area. The purpose of CCOE 
is to foster cloud-enabled IT and business transformation 
through a cross-functional and cross-organizational group of 
decision-makers. The CCOE will set cloud policy, guide provider 
selection, and assist with solution architecture and workload 
placement to improve outcomes and manage risks across the 
Department. The CCOE will also establish best practices of 
cloud leadership and digital culture insights to accelerate the 
Department's use of cloud technology.
    Digital Infrastructure Service Center (DISC).--The 
Committee strongly supports the 2022 Information Technology 
Operating Plan developed by the Federal Chief Information 
Officer (FCIO), OMB, and the General Services Administration 
(GSA) as required by the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated 
Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-103). However, the Committee is 
concerned that existing Federal programs and assets, such as 
DISC, have not been incorporated or considered in the plan to 
address four key priorities, including cybersecurity, IT 
modernization, digital-first customer experience, and data as a 
strategic asset. The Committee directs the Secretary to 
coordinate with FCIO and OMB on the utilization of DISC data 
centers and services across the whole of government agencies 
that do not currently use DISC services. Accordingly, within 90 
days of enactment of this Act, the Committee directs the 
Secretary to report on efforts to incorporate the utilization 
of DISC in IT Operational Plans and efforts to inform agency 
Chief Information Officers of opportunities to leverage DISC 
service offerings.
    Service Delivery Modernization.--The Committee encourages 
the Chief Information Officer's Service Delivery Modernization 
effort, which is being carried out pursuant to the CIO's 
strategic plan, consistent with the National Cybersecurity 
Strategy, Executive Order 14058, Executive Order 14028, the 
Federal Information Security Management Act, and the Federal 
Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act.

                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $7,367,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         9,108,000
Provided in the bill..................................         7,118,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -249,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -1,990,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $7,118,000.

           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,466,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,486,000
Provided in the bill..................................           901,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -565,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -585,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

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

                         Office of Civil Rights


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $37,595,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        38,617,000
Provided in the bill..................................        22,789,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -14,806,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -15,828,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of Civil Rights, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $22,789,000.

               Office of Safety, Security, and Protection


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $21,800,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        22,020,000
Provided in the bill..................................        18,800,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -3,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -3,220,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of Safety, Security, and Protection, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $18,800,000.
    The Committee does not include direct funding for 
activities currently funded through other resources such as the 
Working Capital Fund or have historically been funded through 
other means.

                      Office of Inspector General


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $111,561,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       125,893,000
Provided in the bill..................................       109,561,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -2,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -16,332,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $109,561,000.
    Animal fighting.--The Committee is concerned about illegal 
animal fighting activity that subjects animals to cruel 
conditions and has the potential to spread illnesses such as 
virulent Newcastle disease and avian flu. OIG is encouraged to 
increase its efforts to combat this illegal activity and to 
investigate animal fighting as soon as there is any evidence of 
such illegal activity.
    Child Labor.--The Committee does not condone illegal child 
labor. OIG is encouraged to audit and investigate USDA's role 
in improving compliance with child labor provisions under the 
Fair Labor Standards Act.

                     Office of the General Counsel


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $60,537,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        65,646,000
Provided in the bill..................................        44,408,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -16,129,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -21,238,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the General Counsel, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $44,408,000.

                            Office of Ethics


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $5,556,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         6,958,000
Provided in the bill..................................         4,277,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -1,279,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -2,681,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of Ethics, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $4,277,000.

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


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $2,384,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         7,924,000
Provided in the bill..................................         1,800,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -584,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -6,124,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, 
Education, and Economics, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $1,800,000.
    1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions.--The 
Committee directs USDA to make every effort to strengthen 
partnerships and expand cooperation between 1862, 1890, and 
1994 land-grant institutions, wherever regionally appropriate, 
to help close gaps in extension and leverage joint 
collaborative efforts.
    1890 Capacity Building.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the 1890s in providing technical assistance and 
outreach to underserved farming populations and directs ARS and 
NIFA to collaborate with agencies in the Rural Development and 
Farm Production and Conservation Mission Areas to help increase 
awareness of USDA farm programs and rural development funding 
opportunities through 1890 extension programs.
    Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority 
(AGARDA).--The Committee provides $1,000,000 to continue 
implementing AGARDA.
    Food Prescriptions.--The Committee encourages USDA to work 
with local farmers, hospitals, and clinics to build or improve 
upon food prescription programs to better facilitate a 
patient's ability to attain a food prescription and fill it 
with a local farmer.
    Handheld Diagnostic Platform.--The Committee remains 
concerned about the impact of infectious diseases on livestock 
and poultry and recognizes that, to date, there has not been a 
diagnostic tool developed that would rapidly and accurately 
test for multiple pathogens at a single point of care, allowing 
farmers and producers to rapidly respond to existing and 
emerging farm-based pathogenic threats. Therefore, the 
Committee directs the Secretary to accelerate the development 
of a handheld diagnostic platform to identify farm-based 
pathogens rapidly and accurately, giving priority to platforms 
which have highly multiplexed capabilities.
    Regenerative Soil Agriculture Plan.--The Committee 
acknowledges the critical impact that regenerative soil 
policies can have in helping rebuild the soil health of 
agricultural lands. The Committee encourages USDA to develop a 
strategic plan for leveraging the various USDA research 
entities for a unified research and development mission. USDA 
shall brief the Committee on its efforts to coordinate the soil 
health agendas of ARS, NIFA, and NRCS to ensure USDA is 
developing long-term priorities that will invest in soil health 
and the microbiome as the engine for above-ground resilience, 
soil carbon storage, and increased productivity.
    Sensor Technologies.--The Committee encourages ARS and NIFA 
to work cooperatively with land-grant universities, non-profit 
institutions, and consortia to conduct research on advanced 
sensor manufacturing techniques and to develop techniques for 
the manufacture of a variety of agricultural sensor products.

                       Economic Research Service


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $92,612,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        98,453,000
Provided in the bill..................................        90,612,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -2,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -7,841,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Economic Research Service (ERS), the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $90,612,000.
    Agricultural Trade Imports.--The Committee directs ERS to 
study and report back within 120 days of enactment its findings 
on the top 15 nations, within the last five years, from which 
the U.S. imports agriculture products. The report shall also 
include the average wages for farmworkers in those countries 
and a comparison, if possible, of health benefits, safety 
regulations, and working conditions of their farm labor per 
commodity to those found in the U.S.
    Agroforestry Data.--The Committee encourages ERS, in 
coordination with the National Agroforestry Center and AMS, to 
conduct an analysis of the economic opportunities and 
challenges faced by widespread adoption of a variety of 
agroforestry practices. This analysis should evaluate 
challenges to widespread agroforestry adoption given the 
multiyear maturation period for agroforestry systems, including 
for land insecure and small farmers.
    Innovative Food and Agriculture Technologies.--The 
Committee directs ERS to research and analyze the need for and 
benefits of USDA providing public financing to support new or 
significantly improved food and agricultural technologies, such 
as large-scale bio-fermentation facilities.
    Supply Chain Resiliency.--The Committee is concerned about 
the rising cost of manufactured inputs to farms and the impact 
on farm profitability and the rest of the economy. The 
Committee encourages USDA to review the performance of 
industries and markets for manufactured inputs which have seen 
significant increases in prices and to assess options for 
improving input supply chain performance and resiliency in 
these domestic markets.
    WIC Retailers.--The Committee recognizes discrepancies in 
geographic coverage rates of eligible participants between SNAP 
and WIC. The Committee directs ERS provide a report within 180 
days of enactment that evaluates actionable avenues for 
improving retailer participation in the WIC program, including 
the feasibility of establishing a Federal baseline assortment 
of goods approved for retail participation nationwide without 
interfering with individual States' roles in administering the 
WIC program or restricting such States' ability to allow 
additional product specifications for eligibility within a 
State's particular assortment.

                National Agricultural Statistics Service


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $211,076,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       241,119,000
Provided in the bill..................................       187,513,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -23,563,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -53,606,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 
the Committee provides an appropriation of $187,513,000, of 
which $46,850,000 is for the Census of Agriculture.
    The Committee expects NASS to continue its ongoing 
activities at the frequency levels assumed in fiscal year 2023, 
including barley acreage and production estimates; the Bee and 
Honey Program; the Chemical Use Data Series; the Floriculture 
Crops Report; and Fruit and Vegetable Reports, including in-
season forecasts for non-citrus fruit and tree nut crops such 
as pecans.
    District Estimates.--The Committee directs NASS to continue 
to work with stakeholders to better understand how to capture 
supplemental information for certain crops to help offset data 
losses from the discontinuation of agricultural statistics 
district level estimates.
    Farming With Trees Survey.--The Committee is encouraged by 
the important ongoing agroforestry analysis that NASS is 
conducting. NASS shall brief the Committee on the survey 
results and any conclusions on scope and shall indicate its 
plans to make that survey data widely available.
    Fur Farms.--The Committee is concerned about the mounting 
evidence that fur farms are potential vectors for zoonotic 
diseases, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus and avian influenza, 
and the lack of directives from USDA to mitigate disease 
transmission to, from, and within such farms. The Committee is 
also concerned that NASS is not making publicly available farm 
data that is vital to understand the potential risks that fur 
farms pose to public health and to inform policy decisions. The 
Committee urges NASS to make public the data collected in its 
annual mink survey.
    Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land 
(TOTAL) Survey.--The Committee notes that the next TOTAL survey 
is part of planned NASS activities in the next Census of 
Agriculture. The Committee expects the next TOTAL survey to 
provide comprehensive data on land ownership, tenure, 
landowners' transition plans, and lease agreements available to 
beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers to understand the 
trends that lead to secure land tenure and thriving farm 
businesses. The Committee encourages the survey to evaluate 
emerging trends in land acquisition connected to innovations in 
farming on small acreage. The Committee also encourages 
collaboration with ERS so that new data provided on the 
economics of the farm of the future can be better utilized.
    Vineyard and Orchard Acreage Study.--The Committee 
encourages NASS to reinstate the 5-year Vineyard and Orchard 
Acreage Study and resume data collection and reporting so 
grape, wine, and juice producers can remain competitive and 
respond to challenges in the industry.

                     Agricultural Research Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $1,744,279,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,938,303,000
Provided in the bill..................................     1,745,542,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        +1,263,000
  2024 budget estimate................................      -192,761,000
 

    For Salaries and Expenses of the Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS), the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$1,745,542,000.
    The Committee expects that extramural and intramural 
research will be funded at no less than the fiscal year 2023 
levels, unless otherwise specified. The Committee rejects the 
research program terminations proposed in the fiscal year 2024 
budget request.
    1890s Partnerships.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of 1890s land-grant Institutions and the 
collaborative relationships that have developed with ARS 
research facilities over the years. The Committee directs ARS 
to expand coordination of research efforts with 1890s, wherever 
ARS facilities and 1890s are in the same region, to the 
greatest extent possible. The Committee notes the longstanding 
partnerships that exist where 1862s and ARS facilities are in 
the same area. In addition, the Committee recommends ARS hold 
research workshops, establish cross-institutional faculty 
mentorships, and invest in leadership and capacity-building 
efforts for 1890s.
    6p-phenylene-diamine (6PPD).--The Committee is aware that 
6PPD prevents tire rubber cracking and deterioration, ensuring 
tire performance, durability, and safety standards are achieved 
for the life of the tire. Without 6PPD, tires are prone to 
catastrophic failure, weakened performance and safety, and 
shorter lifespans. While the Committee is encouraged by 
emerging approaches to reduce any potential impacts of 6PPD-
quinone, such as stormwater treatment techniques using 
retention ponds to address runoff from highways, the Committee 
also recognizes the immediate need to research and develop 
viable alternatives that do not pose an environmental risk or 
compromise vehicle safety and tire performance. The Committee 
includes $1,000,000 to develop, assess, and analyze potential 
6PPD alternatives.
    Aerial Application.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of aerial application to control crop pests and 
diseases and to fertilize and seed crops and forests. Aerial 
application is useful not only to ensure overall food safety 
and food security, but also to promote public health through 
improved mosquito control and public health application 
techniques. The Committee urges ARS to prioritize research 
focused on optimizing aerial spray technologies for on-target 
deposition and drift mitigation and to work cooperatively with 
the Environmental Protection Agency to update their pesticide 
review methodology.
    Aflatoxin Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
increasing economic and food safety threat that aflatoxin poses 
to corn and other affected agricultural crops and products. The 
Committee encourages ARS to expand research into methods of 
mitigating the risk of aflatoxin, particularly regarding 
responsive agriculture, human nutrition, and food safety. The 
Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to support these 
efforts.
    Alfalfa Research.--The Committee recommendation includes no 
less than the fiscal year 2023 level to support research 
focused on alfalfa improvement.
    Alternative Protein Research.--The Committee supports 
research focused on alternative proteins, including the 
characteristics of animal meat using plants, animal cell 
cultivation, and fermentation. The Committee provides no less 
than the fiscal year 2023 level to support alternative protein 
research encompassing all stages of the production process, 
including optimizing ingredient processing techniques and 
developing new manufacturing methods. The Committee encourages 
ARS to collaborate with other relevant programs, including but 
not limited to NIFA and the National Science Foundation.
    Animal Research.--The Committee directs ARS to ensure that 
each of its facilities housing animals is adhering to the 
Animal Welfare Act at all times and to submit quarterly reports 
that include both all violations found by APHIS during that 
quarter and the specific actions that will be taken to prevent 
their recurrence.
    Avocado Lace Bug.--The Committee encourages ARS to 
coordinate research efforts with NIFA and APHIS to address the 
impact of the avocado lace bug and the Queensland longhorn 
beetle.
    Axis Deer.--The Committee is concerned about the impact of 
axis deer and other ungulates on native forests and encourages 
ARS to coordinate with NIFA and APHIS to develop strategies to 
mitigate their impact on native forests.
    Barley Pest Initiative.--The Committee recognizes that 
insects and viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases inflict 
substantial yield and quality losses to the barley crop 
throughout the U.S., resulting in significant economic losses 
to growers and end-users. The Committee includes an increase of 
$1,000,000 to support research through the Barley Pest 
Initiative to address these major threats to sustainable and 
profitable barley production and utilization.
    Binational Agricultural Research and Development (BARD).--
The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to support 
BARD's historical grant-making functions and to expand 
programming for food and nutrition, technology acceleration, 
and artificial intelligence.
    Catfish Aquaculture.--The Committee provides an increase of 
$1,000,000 to support improved efficiency in catfish 
aquaculture, including catfish reproduction sciences and 
hatchery technology to increase catfish farming production 
rates.
    Child Nutrition Research.--The Committee includes an 
increase of $500,000 to expand research regarding the growth, 
health promotion, microbiome, disease prevention, diet, and 
immune function of the developing child, especially the rural 
child.
    Citrus Breeding.--The Committee includes an increase of 
$1,000,000 for citrus breeding research to develop and evaluate 
high-quality, superior citrus selections for use in citrus 
producing regions and to evaluate rootstock and scion materials 
where citrus is commercially grown for the fresh fruit market.
    Citrus Greening Disease Research.--The Committee commends 
ARS' research efforts on citrus greening disease and encourages 
the agency to continue working to develop methods to reduce 
transmission and enhance immunity in citrus trees and to work 
with industry, universities, growers, and other partners to 
develop effective control mechanisms. The Committee also 
encourages ARS to coordinate its efforts with the Huanglongbing 
Multi-Agency Coordination (HLB MAC) group.
    Coffee Leaf Rust.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2023 level to support coffee plant health research.
    Controlled Environment Agriculture Energy Costs.--The 
Committee encourages ARS to conduct joint research in 
collaboration with the Department of Energy on controlled 
environment agriculture to optimize resource use, especially 
energy use, while maintaining food safety and quality and to 
develop technologies to advance agricultural communities and 
domestic manufacturing.
    Cranberry Research.--The Committee provides an increase of 
$500,000 for cranberry research.
    Energy-Water Nexus.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the Energy-Water Nexus, and, as part of that 
effort, encourages USDA to work with the Department of Energy 
to further research collaborations to improve water and soil 
quality in and around impaired water resources through advanced 
environmental imaging and agricultural waste management 
technologies.
    Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative (FNRI).--The 
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2023 level to 
support the goals of the FNRI to secure a more efficient and 
productive floriculture and nursery industry. The Committee 
also encourages ARS to work collaboratively with NIFA on 
research that includes breeding programs to increase tolerance 
from insect pests, diseases, and other environmental impacts; 
testing of new organic and non-organic pesticides; implementing 
integrated pest management and biological control programs; and 
innovations in unmanned aerial systems.
    Food Safety and Food Defense Research.--The Committee 
supports research in food safety to enhance food defense and 
security and encourages ARS to develop new technologies and 
capabilities in food safety that will reduce and eliminate 
threats to the food and agriculture supply chain.
    Forest Products Research.--The Committee supports research 
on wood quality improvement and improvement in forest products 
evaluation standards and valuation techniques.
    Fumigant Alternatives Research.--The Committee encourages 
ARS to collaborate with NIFA and industry stakeholders to 
develop innovative soilborne pest control and eradication 
commercial-scale tools to replace fumigants, such as methyl 
bromide, metam sodium, metam potassium, and 1,3-
dichloropropene, as well as non-chemical soil pest control 
methods. The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to 
support these research goals.
    Genetic Oat Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
potential of genetic oat research to improve disease 
resistance, especially rusts and viruses, advance genetics, 
increase yields, and develop crop rotation systems that include 
oats, which will enhance the value of oats and provide benefits 
to producers and consumers. The Committee provides an increase 
of $500,000 for ARS to expand existing research focused on oat 
improvement.
    Germplasm Enhancement of Maize.--The Committee continues to 
support germplasm enhancement of maize projects and encourages 
continued cooperation between existing ARS maize germplasm 
programs, industry, and large-scale public sector efforts to 
investigate the interaction of maize genome variation and 
environments.
    Hawaii and U.S. Territories.--The Committee requests a 
report with 180 days of enactment on USDA's efforts to assist 
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. 
Pacific Territories in establishing sustainable food production 
systems and controlling and managing invasive species.
    Herbicide Resistance Research.--The Committee provides no 
less than the fiscal year 2023 level to identify and overcome 
herbicide resistant associated weed risks to the crop 
production pathway.
    High-Resolution Data Analysis.--The Committee recognizes 
the tremendous value that daily high-resolution thermal data 
provides to our national agriculture producers. The Committee 
notes that cutting-edge commercially available solutions can 
improve resolution and accuracy needed for precision 
agriculture, crop yield forecasting, and irrigation solutions. 
The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 for ARS to use 
commercially available daily high-resolution thermal data 
analysis solutions to supplement its research.
    Hops Research.--The Committee recognizes that the U.S. hops 
industry has experienced unprecedented expansion due to the 
brewing industry's economic growth over the past decade. To 
sustain this growth, new varieties of hops are needed to 
prevent disease and expand production throughout the country. 
The Committee directs ARS to continue to focus on these efforts 
to advance new disease-resistant public hop varieties.
    Human Nutrition Research.--The Committee notes that 
maintenance of health throughout the lifespan, along with 
prevention of obesity and chronic diseases via food-based 
recommendations, are the major emphases of human nutrition 
research. The Committee recognizes the vital role that research 
at the intersection of human nutrition and aging plays in our 
understanding of public health and encourages ARS to expand 
research regarding life stage nutrition and metabolism. The 
Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2023 funding 
level for existing human nutrition centers.
    Indo-Pacific Invasive Pests.--The Committee encourages ARS 
to continue its work with stakeholders in the Indo-Pacific 
region to assess options for combatting invasive pests and 
report its findings to the Committee.
    Innovative Greenhouse Research.--The Committee provides an 
increase of $1,000,000 for ARS engineering research units and 
academic institutions working on greenhouse production research 
on carbon capture.
    Little Cherry Disease.--The Committee provides no less than 
the fiscal year 2023 level to support research on little cherry 
disease.
    Livestock Protection.--The Committee recognizes the 
challenges caused by infectious disease problems arising from 
wildlife-domestic animal agriculture interactions, particularly 
between domestic sheep and wild bighorn sheep. Researchers have 
recently produced an experimental vaccine to protect bighorn 
populations from disease, but much work is still required. The 
Committee encourages ARS to pursue research to determine the 
role of domestic sheep in causing die-offs of bighorn sheep 
from respiratory disease and to develop methods to reduce 
transmission and enhance immunity in domestic and bighorn 
sheep.
    Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network.--The 
Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to improve 
agricultural sustainability, develop technology and solutions 
that increase efficient use of soil and water resources, and 
enhance forage and crop production through the LTAR network.
    Macadamia Tree Health Initiative.--The Committee provides 
no less than the fiscal year 2023 level to support 
implementation of the Macadamia Tree Health Initiative.
    National Agricultural Library (NAL).--The Committee 
encourages ARS to maintain a focus on agriculture-related legal 
issues within NAL. The Committee notes that as the agriculture 
sector faces financial stress, agriculture-related legal issues 
need to be addressed on an increasingly frequent basis. 
Further, agriculture-related legal issues are complex. The 
Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 and recommends 
that NAL continue to play an important role in assisting all 
stakeholders with understanding these agriculture-related legal 
issues. Further, the Committee encourages ARS and NAL to engage 
in multi-year cooperative agreements to enhance NAL's ongoing 
work.
    National Arboretum Public Access.--The Committee is aware 
of ongoing efforts to develop a new strategic plan for the 
National Arboretum to carry out its missions of research, 
education, and public display gardens. The Committee expects 
that such plan will address necessary security and safety 
enhancements and improve public access to the National 
Arboretum. In addition, the Committee directs ARS to explore 
entering into agreements with the District of Columbia and 
private sector partners to fulfill these public access 
improvements.
    Navel Orangeworm (NOW).--The Committee encourages ARS to 
collaborate with APHIS and industry stakeholders on the APHIS 
NOW sterile moth pilot program to help reduce NOW moth 
populations. The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 
to support research on navel orangeworm.
    Peanut Nutrition Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
need for more research to identify how peanut consumption 
contributes to overall health and wellness and reduces chronic 
disease risk in various groups and across the lifespan. The 
Committee provides an increase of $500,000 to support peanut 
nutrition research. Research topics should include chronic 
diseases, nutrition and wellness across the lifespan, health 
disparities, dietary patterns for optimal health, and nutrition 
for the future.
    Peanut Research.--The Committee provides no less than the 
fiscal year 2023 level to support research activities to 
mitigate aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. The Committee 
directs ARS to enhance ongoing collaborations with land-grant 
institutions to further advance research efforts.
    Pecan Genetic Research.--The Committee provides an increase 
of $500,000 to support research into sufficient cold hardiness 
in pecans grown in northern regions.
    Pecan Processing Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
need for new pecan processing technologies, in particular 
pasteurization and cracking/shelling technologies, and the 
importance of pasteurization processes for food safety and in 
continuing export growth. The Committee provides an increase of 
$500,000 to support pecan processing research activities to 
address these issues.
    Pest Management Efforts.--The Committee recognizes the 
value of ARS in supporting the greenhouse industry with 
research on pest management and plant nutrients, as well as the 
importance of reducing energy costs for greenhouse and 
controlled environment agriculture. The Committee directs ARS 
to continue work on pest management and plant nutrients and to 
develop plans for controlled environment demonstration projects 
aligned with existing ARS technical units focused on greenhouse 
agriculture to provide data on savings and productivity 
resulting from these projects.
    PFAS Research.--Though there is some evidence regarding 
which crops may be more or less prone to take up PFAS from 
soil, there are still significant knowledge gaps related to 
PFAS and its impacts on agriculture. The Committee supports 
further investment in research investigating PFAS movement in 
soils and water, plant uptake, remediation options, and 
livestock feed amendments and directs USDA to provide a report 
within 180 days of enactment identifying knowledge gaps in this 
space.
    Pollinator Research.--The Committee encourages ARS to 
prioritize funding for pollinator research in areas pertaining 
to the breeding of honeybees with the goal of improving their 
resilience and resistance to pests, pathogens, and toxins to 
help mitigate the effects of disease and environmental changes 
that are causing significant colony losses at the local, 
national, and global scale.
    Post-Harvest Control of Plant Diseases.--The Committee 
provides an increase of $1,000,000 to conduct research to 
control postharvest diseases and physiological disorders to 
ensure that high-quality, pathogen-free fruit access markets 
optimally.
    Potato Research.--The Committee directs ARS to continue to 
support pest management programs in potato growing States. The 
Committee recognizes that these programs help scientists track 
potential pest outbreaks and provide growers and industry 
professionals with current information on specific and timely 
treatments. Additionally, the programs help identify serious 
diseases, such as late blight disease, in their early stages, 
allowing for preventive measures to be put into place quickly 
to avoid crop losses.
    Precision Aquaculture.--The Committee provides an increase 
of $1,000,000 to develop solutions for resilient inland 
aquaculture in conjunction with a land-grant university with 
established expertise in trout aquaculture, nutrient 
management, and selective breeding.
    Recirculating Aquaculture Systems.--The Committee provides 
an increase of $500,000 to support research into recirculating 
aquaculture systems, an emerging land-based technology to 
expand production and add resilience to domestic finfish 
aquaculture.
    Regenerative and Precision Agriculture for Orchards.--The 
Committee directs ARS to compile currently available research 
data on the effect of regenerative and precision agriculture on 
conserving water, sequestering carbon, increasing soil health, 
and minimizing or eliminating chemistries within the context of 
applicability to fruit and nut orchards and to identify data 
gaps on the application of these research goals to fruit and 
nut orchards.
    Small Fruits Research.--The Committee provides no less than 
the fiscal year 2023 level to support the ability to forecast 
pest and disease spread, implement precision management 
strategies, mitigate invasive insects, and to improve the 
overall quality of fruit.
    Small Grain Genomics.--The Committee supports research on 
barley and wheat high-throughput genomics and phenotyping and 
recognizes its importance in improving crop traits and 
developing new cultivars.
    Soft Wheat Falling Numbers Test Research.--The Committee 
recognizes the emerging crisis surrounding wheat starch 
degradation, as detected by the Hagberg-Perten Falling Numbers 
Test and encourages ARS to continue researching the accuracy of 
the test and the environmental, storage, and genetic conditions 
leading to this quality loss.
    Sorghum.--The Committee acknowledges the increased need for 
producing drought-tolerant crops, like sorghum, particularly 
where water is limited and rainfall is unpredictable. The 
Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to support the 
necessary research to identify grain components linked to the 
functional and nutritional quality of sorghum products.
    Specialty Crop Mechanization.--The Committee recognizes the 
economic importance of the fresh produce sector and notes that 
harvesting these crops is labor intensive. Accordingly, the 
Committee directs ARS to focus on projects designed to improve 
harvest efficiencies of specialty crops, including development 
and use of mechanical or automated technologies or systems, 
through National Program 305 and 306. The Committee provides no 
less than the fiscal year 2023 level for this purpose.
    Spittle Bug.--The recent introduction of invasive insect 
species such as Prosapia bicincta has substantially impacted 
tropical grazing lands. The Committee encourages ARS to 
coordinate research efforts with NIFA and APHIS to address the 
impact of the spittle bug.
    Strawberry Production Research.--The Committee recognizes 
that the highly perishable, delicate, and labor-intensive 
nature of strawberry production makes this crop an ideal test 
bed for innovative automation technologies. The Committee 
provides no less than the fiscal year 2023 level to research 
innovative automation technologies to enhance strawberry 
production.
    Sugarcane Variety Development.--The Committee provides an 
increase of $1,000,000 for the sugarcane breeding program to 
support genomic and bioinformatic development, computational 
biology and the appurtenant collection and evaluation of plant 
material as part of a new genomic selection strategy.
    Sunflower Research.--The Committee supports efforts within 
ARS to encourage the study of sunflower breeding to generate 
knowledge and plant genetics that will assist in the 
development of sunflower hybrids adapted for various growing 
regions.
    Sustainable Aquaculture.--The Committee provides an 
increase of $1,000,000 to support rapid response research on 
sustainable marine aquaculture for coldwater and warmwater 
production coastal environments, with special emphasis on 
workforce education. The Committee requests a report on how the 
Agriculture Experiment Station model could be applied to 
support the U.S. aquaculture industry to develop and deploy 
sustainable production practices and better manage coastal 
aquaculture resources.
    Tropical and Subtropical Research.--The Committee 
encourages ARS to continue research on Tropical and Subtropical 
crops. The Committee notes that this research is critical, as 
the presence of and destruction by invasive pests such as fruit 
flies, coffee berry borer, felted macadamia nut coccid, and 
plant viruses and funguses increase, threatening crop security 
in the Pacific and insular areas.
    U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (USSES).--The Committee 
recognizes the unique and valuable contributions of the USSES 
in increasing production efficiency and improving sustainable 
rangeland ecosystems. The Committee is pleased by the 
collaboration of a diverse variety of stakeholders on the use 
of pastures, monitoring of wildlife interactions, and studies 
of mutual interest. The Committee encourages ARS to engage 
directly with stakeholders and State and Federal agencies with 
biological expertise to expand research programs and urges ARS 
to continue engaging collaborators to ensure the station 
functions as an agricultural research facility while also 
evaluating opportunities through a domestic livestock/wildlife 
collaboration.
    U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab (USWBS).--The Committee 
continues to recognize the importance of the research carried 
out through the USWBS Initiative. Fusarium head blight is a 
major threat to agriculture, inflicting substantial yield and 
quality losses throughout the U.S.
    Wheat Resilience.--The Committee provides $1,000,000 for a 
Wheat Resiliency Initiative that supports additional research 
into Wheat Stem Sawfly and Hessian Fly.
    Whitefly.--The Committee recognizes that whiteflies 
(Bemisia tabaci)are an emerging pest resulting from both 
developing resistance to many pesticides, making chemical 
control difficult, and weather variability resulting in warmer 
winters and lower seasonal die-off. The Committee remains 
concerned with the whitefly epidemic, which is severely 
impacting vegetable and cotton production in the southeastern 
U.S. The Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2023 
level to support these research efforts.
    Wildfire Smoke Taint Research on Winegrapes.--The Committee 
supports research to identify the compounds responsible for 
smoke taint, establish a reliable database of background levels 
of smoke taint compounds occurring naturally in wine grapes, 
develop mitigation methods to reduce or eliminate smoke taint, 
and study compounds that can act as a barrier between the 
grapes and smoke compounds. In addition, the Committee supports 
research to establish standard methodologies for sampling and 
testing of smoke exposed grapes and smoke affected wines. The 
Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 to support these 
research efforts.
    Woody Biomass.--The Committee recognizes the potential for 
biobased thermoplastics made from woody biomass as more 
recyclable packaging material and encourages dedicated research 
and technology deployment.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $74,297,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        41,405,000
Provided in the bill..................................        16,700,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -57,597,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -24,705,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Agricultural Research Service Buildings and Facilities, 
the Committee provides an appropriation of $16,700,000.
    The Committee requests that ARS provide a report on 
progress in addressing the backlog of outstanding ARS 
infrastructure projects as well as future plans to address 
these challenges.
    Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).--The 
Committee requests that ARS provide a report on the use of 
funds for the improvement of facilities at BARC. The report 
should include details on the progress made to repair and 
improve BARC infrastructure, including buildings and 
structures, steam pipes and other internal systems, roads and 
access points, and other facility improvements.

               National Institute of Food and Agriculture


                   RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $1,094,121,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,938,303,000
Provided in the bill..................................     1,085,221,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -8,900,000
  2024 budget estimate................................      -853,082,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) 
Research and Education Activities, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $1,085,221,000.
    Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards.--The Committee 
continues to direct that not less than 15 percent of 
competitive research grant funds be used for USDA's agriculture 
research enhancement awards program, including USDA--EPSCoR, in 
accordance with 7 U.S.C. 3157.
    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).--The 
Committee rejects the proposed changes to the distribution of 
funds within AFRI program priority areas outlined in the 
President's budget request. Within the funds provided for AFRI, 
the Committee directs NIFA to prioritize funding for projects 
addressing plant and animal health, emerging pest and disease 
issues, food safety, plant and animal breeding, improved 
productivity, precision agriculture, biosecurity, and workforce 
development.
    In addition, the Committee notes that projects which focus 
on researching enhanced rock weathering and biochar, assess any 
environmental or health risks, and identify ways to minimize 
the environmental impact of silicate rock mining, grinding, and 
transport are also eligible for AFRI awards.
    AI-Empowered Specialty Crop Resilience.--The Committee 
supports research on early detection and solution management 
tools to prevent threats to specialty crops from pests, 
diseases, and extreme weather events. The Committee encourages 
NIFA to prioritize the development of innovative, high-
throughput screening and advanced sensing technologies powered 
by artificial intelligence and machine learning designed to 
protect crop quality and deliver increased yields. The 
Committee urges NIFA to provide funding to support research on 
early problem detection and resilience solutions for specialty 
crops.
    Alfalfa Research.--The Committee notes that research into 
alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems holds the potential to 
increase alfalfa and forage yields, increase milk production, 
and improve genetics. The Committee recommendation includes 
funding to support research into the improvement of yields, 
water conservation, creation of new uses, and other research 
areas holding the potential to advance the alfalfa seed and 
alfalfa forage industry.
    Aquaculture Assistance Programs.--The Committee recognizes 
the important role the Aquaculture Assistance Programs and NIFA 
Regional Aquaculture Centers play in aquaculture research, 
education, and extension. The Committee awaits the report on 
Regional Aquaculture Centers requested in House Report 117-392.
    Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes.--The Committee 
supports the collaboration between USDA and the National 
Science Foundation to pursue advances in precision agriculture 
and food system security. The ability to meet the critical 
needs of the future agricultural workforce and provide tools 
for agriculture and food security are within the mission of the 
agency in providing opportunity through innovation. The 
Committee encourages NIFA to continue supporting the work of 
the Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes funded through 
USDA.
    Blockchain Technology.--The Committee is interested in how 
blockchain technology can be utilized to accurately trace food 
and mitigate the risks associated with food contaminated 
outbreaks and to develop effective strategies for controls. The 
Committee urges NIFA to coordinate research to reduce the risks 
of foodborne illness through the application of blockchain 
technology. The Committee commends the work that has already 
been completed by FDA in this field and encourages the 
coordination between NIFA and the FDA.
    Citrus Disease Research Program.--The Emergency Citrus 
Disease Research and Extension Program is intended to discover 
and develop tools for early detection, control, and eradication 
of diseases and pests that threaten domestic citrus production 
and processing. The program receives $25,000,000 per year in 
mandatory funding through the Specialty Crop Research 
Initiative. The Committee believes that research projects 
funded under this authority should be prioritized based on the 
critical threat of citrus greening and encourages NIFA, to the 
maximum extent practicable, to follow the recommendations of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Advisory Board's citrus disease subcommittee and to collaborate 
with the HLB MAC group. A report shall be submitted to the 
Committee on these efforts within 60 days of enactment.
    Dairy Science Research and Education.--The Committee is 
concerned about the effects of heat stress on dairy cattle in 
the major milk production States in the southeastern U.S. The 
Committee encourages NIFA to support cooperative work with 
land-grant universities in the southeast through the creation 
of a regional dairy research center designed to support 
research on innovative solutions to heat stress and to create a 
virtual learning platform for curriculum and synchronous 
classes that could serve as a national platform for sharing 
curriculum and training in remote areas.
    Enteric Methane Innovation.--The Committee recognizes the 
innovations that increased public research on enteric methane 
could make possible. Within the funds provided for AFRI, the 
Committee encourages NIFA to prioritize the advancement of 
enteric fermentation solutions, such as cattle feed additives, 
methane-inhibiting vaccines, and breeding for low-methane 
cattle.
    Food Safety Research.--The Committee supports research in 
food safety to enhance food and agriculture defense and 
security. The Committee encourages NIFA to fund research on new 
technologies and capabilities, including predictive data 
analytics, to eliminate disruptions to the food and agriculture 
supply chain and for early detection of public health threats.
    Genome to Phenome.--The Committee continues to support the 
development of tools and datasets for the integration and 
analysis of phenotypic and genetic variation under different 
environmental conditions that can be used across multiple 
livestock and crop species to improve the output and efficiency 
of agriculture.
    Grants for Insular Areas.--The Committee recognizes NIFA's 
efforts to strengthen capacity at land-grant institutions in 
the U.S. territories in the areas of instruction, distance 
education, facilities and equipment, and research. The 
Committee emphasizes the importance of continuing support for 
these institutions to help address plant disease and invasive 
species priorities in the territories.
    Minor Crop Pest Management.--The IR-4 Project has been 
critical to securing registrations for new plant protection 
products for specialty crops and the primary avenue for new 
reduced-risk pesticides, while improving impacts on the 
environment, worker safety, and more sustainable production 
systems for holistic wellbeing. The Committee provides funding 
to continue the Project's mission of food security research 
infrastructure and meeting consumer demands for high-quality 
food.
    Multifaceted Tools for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms 
(HABs) and Huanglongbing.--The Committee encourages NIFA to 
continue research into the use of potent antimicrobials through 
the use of environmentally-friendly integrated nano-delivery 
systems for the purpose of controlling both HABs and 
Huanglongbing.
    Supply Chain Research.--The Committee encourages NIFA, in 
consultation with AMS, to work with institutions of higher 
education to conduct research on best practices on 
strengthening, maintaining, and securing supply chains related 
to agricultural products produced in the U.S., in order to 
lower input costs for farmers and producers and lower prices of 
agricultural products, including biofuels, for consumers, 
particularly for food insecure communities. The Committee 
encourages this research to include geographic and industry 
diversity. The Committee encourages the entities conducting 
research to work with extension agents through the Cooperative 
Extension System to provide information and technical 
assistance informed by the research to relevant agricultural 
groups and farmers and producers.
    Vector Control.--The Committee encourages USDA to support 
research, including the work done through the Biotechnology 
Risk Assessment Research Grants program, to develop innovative 
vector control technologies targeted to combatting Zika-
carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitos. The Committee urges USDA to 
utilize pest management programs and partner organizations to 
conduct research to develop and test effective repellents, 
create new molecular pesticide technologies that prevent 
mosquitoes from reproducing, and explore natural product 
remedies to deter pests.
    The following table reflects the amounts provided by the 
Committee:

    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
                               ACTIVITIES
                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Committee
         Program/Activity               Authorization        provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hatch Act.........................  7 U.S.C. 361a-i.....        $265,000
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative        16 U.S.C. 582a                38,000
 Forestry Act.                       through a-7.
Research at 1890 Institutions       7 U.S.C. 3222.......          89,000
 (Evans-Allen Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions.  7 U.S.C. 301 note...           7,000
Education Grants for 1890           7 U.S.C. 3152(b)....          30,000
 Institutions.
Scholarships at 1890 Institutions.  7 U.S.C. 3222a......          10,000
Centers of Excellence at 1890       7 U.S.C. 5926(d)....          10,000
 Institutions.
Education Grants for Hispanic-      7 U.S.C. 3241.......          16,000
 Serving Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native  7 U.S.C. 3156.......           5,000
 and Native Hawaiian-Serving
 Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994            7 U.S.C. 301 note...           5,000
 Institutions.
New Beginnings for Tribal Students  7 U.S.C. 3222e......           5,000
Capacity Building for Non-Land-     7 U.S.C. 3319i......           6,000
 Grant Colleges of Agriculture.
Grants for Insular Areas..........  7 U.S.C. 3222b-2,              2,500
                                     3362, 3363.
Agriculture and Food Research       7 U.S.C. 3157.......         460,000
 Initiative.
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment  7 U.S.C. 3151a......          10,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program.  7 U.S.C. 3151b......           4,000
Continuing Animal Health and        7 U.S.C. 3195.......           4,000
 Disease Research Program.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops  7 U.S.C. 3319d......           2,000
Multicultural Scholars, Graduate    7 U.S.C. 3152(b)....          10,000
 Fellowship and Institution
 Challenge Grants.
Aquaculture Centers...............  7 U.S.C. 3322.......           5,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research    7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812,          45,000
 and Education.                      5831, 5832.
Farm Business Management..........  7 U.S.C. 5925f......           2,500
Research Equipment Grants.........  7 U.S.C. 3310a......           5,000
Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage     7 U.S.C. 5925.......           4,000
 Systems Research Program.
Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4).  7 U.S.C. 450i(e)....          15,000
Agricultural Genome to Phenome      7 U.S.C. 5924.......           2,500
 Initiative.
Laying Hen and Turkey Research      7 U.S.C. 5925.......           1,000
 Program.
Special Research Grants:..........  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)....  ..............
    Potato Research...............  ....................           4,000
    Aquaculture Research..........  ....................           2,200
      Total, Special Research       ....................           6,200
       Grants.
Necessary Expenses of Research and
 Education Activities:
    Grants Management Systems.....  ....................           7,924
    Federal Administration--Other   ....................          12,597
     Necessary Expenses.
      Total, Necessary Expenses...  ....................          20,521
      Total, Research and           ....................      $1,085,221
       Education Activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

              NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................     ($11,880,000)
2024 budget estimate..................................      (11,880,000)
Provided in the bill..................................      (11,880,000)
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund, the 
Committee provides $11,880,000.

                          EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $565,410,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       611,862,000
Provided in the bill..................................       564,860,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -550,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -47,002,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For National Institute of Food and Agriculture Extension 
Activities, the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$564,860,000.
    1862 and 1890 Partnerships.--The Committee recognizes that 
the goal of cooperative agricultural extension is shared by all 
land-grant universities--to provide farmers with information 
from cutting-edge agricultural research, conduct demonstrations 
and assist rural communities in applying new technologies and 
farming methods to their operations, and improve the efficiency 
of our American farms and ranches. Therefore, the Committee 
directs NIFA to make every effort to strengthen partnerships 
and expand cooperation between 1862 and 1890 land-grant 
institutions, thereby closing the gap in extension between the 
two systems and leveraging joint collaborative efforts. The 
Committee encourages NIFA to consider establishing partnership 
grants for joint educational and extension activities in States 
where at least one 1862 institution and at least one 1890 
institution are located, to foster co-creation of new 
opportunities and new programming to better serve producers.
    Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN).--The 
Committee appreciates the updates provided in NIFA's fiscal 
year 2024 budget justification and requests additional 
information in the next budget. The report should include 
details about how the program has evolved since inception, 
including but not limited to how many people have utilized the 
services associated with FRSAN each year, what kinds of 
programming is being provided, and each FRSAN center's strategy 
for continuing to improve coordination with its partners and 
outreach to farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and others using 
its services. Lastly, this report should identify the impact 
additional funding could have on expanding programing and 
outreach for this program.
    Farm Animal Residue Avoidance Database (FARAD) Program.--
The Committee is aware that one-year awards for FARAD make it 
extremely difficult for FARAD to attract and retain the 
professional staff needed to maintain this important food 
safety program. The Committee urges USDA to move to a multi-
year award profile for this food safety program.
    The following table reflects the amounts provided by the 
Committee:

     NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Committee
         Program/Activity               Authorization        provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(b) and   7 U.S.C. 343(b) and         $325,000
 (c) programs and Cooperative        (c) 208(c) of P.L.
 Extension.                          93-471.
Extension Services at 1890          7 U.S.C. 3221.......          72,000
 Institutions.
Extension Services at 1994          7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)..          11,000
 Institutions.
Facility Improvements at 1890       7 U.S.C. 3222b......          21,500
 Institutions.
Renewable Resources Extension Act.  16 U.S.C. 1671 et.             4,060
                                     seq..
Rural Health and Safety Education   7 U.S.C. 2662(i)....           5,000
 Programs.
Food Animal Residue Avoidance       7 U.S.C. 7642.......           2,500
 Database Program.
Women and Minorities in STEM        7 U.S.C. 5925.......           2,000
 Fields.
Food Safety Outreach Program......  7 U.S.C. 7625.......          10,000
Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance    7 U.S.C. 5936.......          10,000
 Network.
Enhancing Ag Opportunities for      Sec. 739 of Div. A             5,000
 Veterans (AgVets).                  of P.L. 117-328.
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(d):....  7 U.S.C. 343(d).....  ..............
    Food and Nutrition Education..  ....................          70,000
    Farm Safety and Youth Farm      ....................           5,000
     Safety Education.
    Children, Youth, and Families   ....................           8,395
     at Risk.
    Federally Recognized Tribes     ....................           4,305
     Extension.
      Total, Section 3(d).........  ....................          87,700
Necessary Expenses of Extension
 Activities:
    Agriculture in the K 12         7 U.S.C. 3152(j)....           1,000
     Classroom.
    Federal Administration--Other   ....................           8,100
     Necessary.
    Expenses for Extension          ....................  ..............
     Activities.
      Total, Necessary Expenses...  ....................           9,100
      Total, Extension Activities.  ....................        $564,860
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $41,500,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        41,500,000
Provided in the bill..................................        41,500,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For National Institute of Food and Agriculture Integrated 
Activities, the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$41,500,000.
    The following table reflects the amounts provided by the 
Committee:

    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Committee
         Program/Activity               Authorization        provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methyl Bromide Transition Program.  7 U.S.C. 7626.......          $2,000
Organic Transition Program........  7 U.S.C. 7626.......           7,500
Regional Rural Development Centers  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)....           3,000
Food and Agriculture Defense        7 U.S.C. 3351.......           8,000
 Initiative.
Crop Protection/Pest Management     7 U.S.C. 7626.......          21,000
 Program.
    Total, Integrated Activities..  ....................         $41,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,617,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,657,000
Provided in the bill..................................           800,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -817,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -857,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs, the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$800,000.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $1,171,071,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,188,788,000
Provided in the bill..................................     1,168,964,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -2,107,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -19,824,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 
Salaries and Expenses, the Committee provides an appropriation 
of $1,168,964,000.
    The Committee provides increases for the following 
programs: $10,500,000 for Animal Health Technical Services; 
$2,500,000 for Avian Health; $1,000,000 for Swine Health; and 
$8,500,0000 for Specialty Crop Pests; $2,500,000 for Wildlife 
Damage Management.
    The Committee includes in this account $3,000,000 for 
cogongrass control previously funded elsewhere in the Act.
    Within the amount included for Specialty Crop Pests, the 
Committee includes $72,947,000 or fruit fly exclusion and 
detection; $74,359,000 for citrus health, including $11,514,000 
for HLB-MAC; $23,266,000 for the glassy-winged sharpshooter; 
$6,909,000 for the pale cyst nematode; $5,043,000 for the 
European grapevine moth; $10,340,000 for the navel orangeworm; 
$3,522,000 for agricultural canine inspection teams; and 
$18,819,000 for spotted lanternfly.
    The following table reflects the amounts provided by the 
Committee:

                                   ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
                                              Salaries and Expenses
                                             (Dollars in thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      FY 2023         FY 2024        Committee
                                                                      enacted        estimate        provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Animal Health Technical Services................................         $39,183         $40,067         $49,683
Aquatic Animal Health...........................................           5,000           6,461           5,000
Avian Health....................................................          64,930          66,324          67,430
Cattle Health...................................................         111,771         103,658         111,771
Equine, Cervid, and Small Ruminant Health.......................          35,319          32,498          35,319
National Veterinary Stockpile...................................           6,500           5,813           6,500
Swine Health....................................................          26,044          31,624          27,044
Veterinary Biologics............................................          21,479          22,217          21,479
Veterinary Diagnostics..........................................          63,777          63,425          63,777
Zoonotic Disease Management.....................................          21,567          24,430          21,567
    Subtotal, Animal Health.....................................         395,570         396,517         409,570
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)...............          35,541          37,690          35,541
Cotton Pests....................................................          15,450          15,737          15,450
Field Crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests.........................          14,986          15,425          13,637
Pest Detection..................................................          29,075          30,164          29,075
Plant Protection Methods Development............................          22,557          22,556          21,217
Specialty Crop Pests............................................         216,117         222,037         224,521
Tree & Wood Pests...............................................          62,562          64,272          55,562
    Subtotal, Plant Health......................................         396,288         407,881         395,003
Wildlife Damage Management......................................         121,957         122,897         124,587
Wildlife Services Methods Development...........................          26,244          25,658          24,944
    Subtotal, Wildlife Services.................................         148,201         148,555         149,531
Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement....................          18,722          19,390          16,772
Biotechnology Regulatory Services...............................          19,691          23,916          19,691
    Subtotal, Regulatory Services...............................          38,413          43,306          36,463
Civilian Climate Corps..........................................               0           6,016               0
Contingency Fund................................................             514             543             514
Emergency Preparedness & Response...............................          44,067          45,198          44,617
    Subtotal, Emergency Management..............................          44,581          51,757          45,131
Agriculture Import/Export.......................................          19,292          17,766          18,292
Overseas Technical & Trade Operations...........................          25,572          28,976          25,572
    Subtotal, Safe Trade........................................          44,864          46,742          43,864
Animal Welfare..................................................          37,506          35,641          34,306
Horse Protection................................................           4,096           3,166           3,096
    Subtotal, Animal Welfare....................................          41,602          38,807          37,402
APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure.....................           4,251           7,451           4,251
Physical/Operational Security...................................           5,182           5,205           5,182
Rent and DHS Payments...........................................          42,567          42,567          42,567
Congressionally Directed Spending...............................           9,552               0               0
    Subtotal, Agency Management.................................          61,552          55,223          52,000
    Total, Direct Appropriation.................................      $1,171,071      $1,188,788      $1,168,964
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Agricultural Imports.--The Committee recognizes that there 
is a need to update APHIS physical facilities and processes due 
to the increased volume of agricultural imports. The Committee 
directs USDA to provide a plan within 60 days of enactment of 
the Act to address the needs of programs, including steps to 
collaborate with stakeholders on supplemental inspection and 
pathogen identification services and to improve the 
transparency of the importation process.
    Agriculture Quarantine Inspections (AQI).--The Committee 
recognizes that prevention of infestations of pests and 
diseases is much more cost effective than subsequent control or 
eradication. This is an important Federal responsibility, and 
the Committee provides $35,541,000 for the AQI function, 
including predeparture and interline inspections.
    Animal Welfare Act.--The Committee supports a collaborative 
approach between APHIS and licensees involving education, 
training, and outreach to improve the care of animals. The 
Committee directs APHIS to initiate a scientific evaluation of 
the impact of ``teachable moments'' on animal welfare within 90 
days of enactment of this Act.
    The Committee continues to encourage APHIS to use its full 
enforcement capabilities under the AWA against chronic 
violators of the AWA. The Committee directs the agency to 
update the Committee within 60 days of enactment of the Act on 
AWA enforcement activities, including referring cases to the 
Office of the General Counsel, the Department of Justice, or 
both, when appropriate.
    APHIS Inspections of ARS Facilities.--The funding provided 
for the Animal Welfare program includes funding to support the 
agreement between APHIS and ARS, under which APHIS conducts 
compliance inspections of ARS facilities to ensure compliance 
with the regulations and standards of the AWA. The Committee 
directs APHIS to conduct inspections of all such ARS facilities 
and to post the resulting inspection reports online in their 
entirety without redactions except signatures. The Committee 
continues to direct APHIS to transmit to the Committees all 
inspection reports involving ARS facilities, including pre-
compliance inspections.
    Arundo Management and Control.--The Committee is concerned 
with the damage the invasive plant Arundo donax inflicts on 
groundwater levels in drought-prone western States. The 
Committee directs APHIS to work with Federal, State, and local 
water managers in affected areas to establish a management and 
control regime to prevent further water shortages in drought-
stricken areas.
    Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT).--The Committee is concerned 
about the ongoing spread of ALT, which has been identified in 
17 States and represents a growing threat to domestic livestock 
populations. In addition to monitoring the spread of ALT, APHIS 
should utilize the resources necessary to enhance collaboration 
with ARS, NIFA, State partners, and industry stakeholders to 
improve preparedness, surveillance, and response capabilities. 
Recognizing that public education and outreach will play an 
important role in reducing the spread of ALT, the Committee 
expects APHIS to enhance outreach and education efforts to that 
end. The Committee directs APHIS to submit a report within 60 
days of enactment of this Act outlining the resources which 
would be required to establish an ALT control program within 
APHIS.
    Avian Health.--The Committee provides an increase of 
$2,500,000 for the Avian Health Program, which provides 
surveillance, prevention, and control of avian diseases to 
protect the U.S. poultry industry.
    Blackbird Predation.--APHIS is responsible for providing 
Federal leadership in managing problems caused by wildlife. The 
Committee is aware of the economic importance of controlling 
blackbird depredation, which affects sunflowers and other 
crops. The Committee encourages APHIS to take action to reduce 
blackbird depredation in the Northern Great Plains.
    Body-Gripping Traps.--The Committee maintains the 2023 
funding level for the Secretary to develop best management 
practices for body-gripping traps in circumstances where 
current use of body-gripping traps increase the risk of non-
target capture to unacceptable levels, such as in some urban 
environments.
    Canine Detection and Surveillance.--The Committee 
recognizes the important role APHIS' canines program plays in 
invasive species and disease detection and provides $3,522,000 
to support these efforts. The Committee requests that APHIS 
keep it apprised of program activities, including how the 
agency uses funding provided.
    Cattle Health.--The Committee provides $111,771,000 for 
Cattle Health to continue to fund initiatives related to 
eradication of fever ticks for livestock and wildlife hosts, 
including but not limited to research, data management, 
infrastructure, and treatment. The Committee is concerned that 
the cattle fever tick quarantine area is expanding despite 
efforts to constrain spread. To prevent movement of livestock 
and game animals outside of the quarantined or high-risk 
premises, the Committee maintains the 2023 funding level and 
encourages APHIS to use available funds for a cost-share 
program for the construction and repair of livestock or game 
fencing on private lands. The Committee directs USDA, in 
conjunction with State animal health commissions, to develop a 
strategy to exclude wildlife from areas at highest risk of tick 
spread and identify areas that qualify for funds within these 
areas.
    The Committee also notes that large, dense stands of non-
native Carrizo cane occupy the banks and floodplains of the Rio 
Grande River, providing favorable habitat for agriculturally 
damaging cattle fever ticks and threatening water supplies for 
agriculture due to its high evapotranspiration capacity. The 
Committee understands that APHIS has been working with ARS on 
biological controls and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) for mechanical controls. The Committee maintains the 2023 
funding level for APHIS to continue to coordinate with ARS, 
CBP, Department of the Interior, the International Boundary and 
Water Commission, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation 
Board, and other stakeholders on control efforts. The 
Department is requested to keep the Committee apprised of 
progress made in this regard.
    Cervid Health.--The Committee provides no less than 
$16,000,000 for cervid health activities, of which $11,500,000 
shall be for APHIS to allocate funds directly to State 
departments of wildlife, State departments of agriculture, 
Native American Tribes, and research institutions and 
universities to further develop and implement chronic wasting 
disease (CWD) surveillance, testing, management, and response 
activities. Within the remaining $4,500,000 provided, APHIS 
should consider indemnity payments and associated costs to 
remove infected and exposed animals as expeditiously as 
possible.
    In addition, the Committee maintains the 2023 funding level 
for Wildlife Services Methods Development for CWD work at the 
National Wildlife Research Center.
    Citrus Health Response Program (CHRP).--CHRP is a national 
effort to protect the U.S. industry from the ravages of 
invasive pests and diseases. These funds are designed to 
partner with State departments of agriculture and industry 
groups to address the challenges of citrus pests and diseases. 
In addition to the funds provided in this account, the 
Committee encourages APHIS to utilize the funds available in 
the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention 
Programs to the greatest extent possible to sustain the 
economic viability of the citrus industry.
    Cotton Pests.--The bill provides $15,450,000 for the joint 
Cotton Pests Program. The Committee encourages APHIS and the 
cotton industry to make every effort to ensure the boll weevil 
does not reinfest areas of the U.S. where it has been 
successfully eradicated.
    Depopulation.--APHIS uses defined methods for depopulation 
as described in the 2019 American Veterinary Medical 
Association (AVMA) Guidelines for Depopulation of Animals, 
based on the species and to meet specific depopulation 
timelines and on-site conditions. The AVMA definition stresses 
the importance of considering animal welfare when determining 
the best approach to depopulation. Given the nationwide 
outbreak of HPAI and growing concerns over African swine fever, 
the Committee directs USDA to ensure that the National 
Veterinary Stockpile has adequate supplies and equipment to 
assist producers in utilizing more rapid, humane, and effective 
depopulation methods when necessary, as laid forth in the AVMA 
guidelines.
    Education and Outreach on Avian Influenza.--The Committee 
remains deeply concerned by the spread of HPAI. The Committee 
encourages APHIS to continue to provide increased training, 
public outreach, and educational materials to areas threatened 
by HPAI.
    Electronic Identification (EID).--The Committee recognizes 
the importance of the APHIS Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) 
framework to protect livestock producers and the domestic food 
supply. The Committee does not support the costs of requiring 
EID tags for interstate movement of cattle and bison falling 
onto producers, livestock markets, veterinarians, or others in 
the livestock industry. The Committee includes $10,000,000 for 
the purchase of EID tags and related infrastructure, such as 
EID readers, software, and other technological upgrades needed 
for the industry to comply with the proposed rule, ``Use of 
Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in 
Cattle and Bison'' (88 FR 3320), should that rule or a similar 
rule is finalized. In addition to the annual cost of purchasing 
EID tags, the Committee encourages APHIS to include in the 
cost-benefit analysis the full cost of related EID 
infrastructure in any future rulemakings.
    Emergency Outbreaks.--The Committee continues to include 
specific language relating to the availability of funds to 
address emergencies related to the arrest and eradication of 
contagious or infectious diseases or pests of animals, poultry, 
or plants. The Committee expects the Secretary to continue to 
use the authority provided in this Act to transfer funds from 
the CCC for the arrest and eradication of animal and plant 
pests and diseases that threaten American agriculture. By 
providing funds in this account, the Committee is enhancing, 
not replacing, the use of CCC funding for emergency outbreaks.
    Emergency Preparedness and Response.--The Committee 
continues to provide funding for the Animal Care Program to 
coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the 
National Response Plan and to support State and local 
governments' efforts to plan for protection of people with 
animals and incorporate lessons learned from previous 
disasters. The Committee maintains the 2023 funding levels to 
support hazard preparedness and response for zoos and 
aquariums, and implementation of emergency contingency plans 
for all facilities regulated under the AWA.
    Feral Swine.--The Committee provides a $1,000,000 increase 
for feral swine eradication efforts. The Committee encourages 
APHIS Wildlife Services to use all approved measures as a force 
multiplier and to prioritize States with the highest population 
of feral swine.
    Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection.--The Committee provides 
an increase of $2,000,000 for exotic fruit fly detection, 
response, and prevention. The Committee requests a report, in 
consultation with the Department of Defense, on plans for 
repairs, improvements, maintenance, and construction of the 
Sterile Insect Release Facility at Joint Forces Training Base, 
Los Alamitos, California.
    Genetically Engineered Microbes.--While APHIS published a 
final rule in May 2020 to update its biotechnology regulations 
under Part 340 for biotechnology plants, genetically engineered 
(GE) microbes were not provided similar, clear next steps for 
obtaining permits and moving towards commercialization. The 
Committee urges APHIS to take measurable steps to establish a 
predictable and science-based regulatory pathway, including 
guidance on categories or characteristics of microbes within 
APHIS's Part 340 scope, and to establish an outreach strategy 
to engage impacted developers and other stakeholders in the 
process of scoping a Regulatory Status Review for GE microbes 
for future rulemaking.
    Glassy Winged Sharpshooter.--The Committee provides an 
increase of $2,000,000 and urges USDA to consider all 
appropriate funding resources to rapidly respond to areas where 
increasing numbers of the pest glassy winged sharpshooter are 
occurring in California.
    Horse Protection Act Inspections.--The Committee has 
consistently recognized the need for APHIS and the Tennessee 
Walking Horse industry to communicate and work together to 
eliminate the soring of horses. Recognizing that an objective 
science-based inspection provides assurance for both accuracy 
and fairness, the Committee directs APHIS to begin utilizing 
swabbing as part of its inspection protocol.
    Huanglongbing Emergency Response.--The Committee encourages 
APHIS to allocate sufficient resources to continue the 
activities necessary to effectively prevent or manage HLB. The 
disease, for which there is no cure, has caused a significant 
decline in Florida's citrus production since 2007. All citrus 
producing counties in Texas are under quarantine, and in 
California there have been over 3,000 confirmed cases of HLB in 
backyard citrus trees. HLB threatens the sustainability of the 
entire domestic citrus industry. If HLB continues to spread, it 
will cost thousands of additional jobs and millions in lost 
revenue. The agency is encouraged to support the priorities and 
strategies identified by the HLB-MAC group. The agency should 
appropriately allocate resources based on critical need and the 
maximum benefit to the citrus industry.
    Imported Dogs.--The Committee is aware that USDA issued a 
report that showed that over one million dogs are imported into 
the U.S. each year. Of that number, however, less than one 
percent are subject to thorough health screenings to show that 
they are healthy, vaccinated, and free of disease prior to 
entering the country. The limited health requirements and 
inspection has resulted in the importation of animals that, 
tragically, arrive in poor health or die during travel, as well 
as the importation of animals carrying various diseases from 
rabies to canine influenza to leptospirosis, among others. As 
the connection between human and animal health becomes clearer, 
it is imperative that imported animals, including dogs, are 
healthy, vaccinated, and of an appropriate age to travel. 
Therefore, the Committee maintains the fiscal year 2022 
increase of $1,000,000 for APHIS to strengthen its oversight of 
imported dogs, including stronger interagency coordination to 
better protect animal and public health.
    In- and Out-Bound Market Access Report.--The Committee 
requests that APHIS continue submitting the report on U.S. out-
bound and foreign in-bound agricultural market access. The 
report should provide data for the last three years, including 
the date access was granted and the in-bound and out-bound 
volumes shipped by country and commodity.
    National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN).--The 
laboratories within the NAHLN network are on the frontline for 
detection of newly identified and reemerging animal diseases. 
NAHLN laboratories provide a critical contribution to animal 
and human health, as demonstrated during the pandemic. 
Therefore, the Committee rejects the budget reduction and 
continues to provide funding for NAHLN through both APHIS and 
NIFA at no less than $18,500,000 for fiscal year 2024. This 
amount is in addition to mandatory funding provided through the 
2018 Farm Bill for Animal Disease Prevention and Management. 
The Committee encourages the Department to provide robust 
funding from the 2018 Farm Bill for NAHLN.
    National Honeybee Disease Survey Report.--The Committee 
continues funding the survey at the 2023 level. Since 2009, a 
national survey of honeybee pests and diseases has been funded 
annually by APHIS along with other Federal and non-Federal 
partners to document which bee diseases, parasites, or pests of 
honeybees are present and/or likely absent in the U.S. This 
information will help place current and future epidemiological 
studies in context and thus may indirectly help investigations 
of emerging conditions.
    Pale Cyst Nematode Eradication.--The Committee includes 
funding to maintain resources for the pale cyst nematode 
eradication program at the 2023 level to continue successful 
efforts to eradicate this pest. If left untreated, this pest 
could spread, affecting other crops.
    Plant Biostimulants.--Within the funding available, APHIS 
is requested to work with other agencies and stakeholders to 
develop and implement the recommendations set forth in the 
report submitted pursuant to section 10111 of the Agricultural 
Improvement Act of 2018.
    Scrapie Eradication Program.--The Committee maintains 
funding at the 2023 level for the National Scrapie Eradication 
Program.
    Spotted Lanternfly.--The Committee remains concerned about 
the recent Spotted Lanternfly outbreak and provides an increase 
of $1,000,000 to support efforts to combat this pest. The 
Committee requests that APHIS keeps it apprised of the 
program's strategy and progress.
    Swine Health Improvement Program.--The Committee notes that 
USDA announced in 2020 the establishment of a joint Federal, 
State, and industry project to develop a certification program 
for high-consequence swine diseases. Given the outbreak of 
African Swine Fever in the Hispaniola region, the Committee 
recognizes the importance of reassuring foreign trading 
partners of the status of the American swine herd's health and 
the measures the American swine industry has taken to prevent 
an introduction of African swine fever and classical swine 
fever. The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 for 
USDA to continue advancing the work of the Swine Health 
Improvement Program.
    Tallow Tree.--The Committee urges APHIS to carefully 
consider the effects on pollinators and beekeepers that may be 
associated with the release of Bikasha collaris and Gadirtha 
fusca for biological control of Chinese Tallow. APHIS should 
only proceed with approval of such releases in the event it can 
determine they will not adversely affect pollinators and the 
beekeeping industry.
    West Nile Virus.--The Committee is concerned with the 
threats to human and animal health posed by West Nile virus and 
other infectious diseases and recognizes that a critical 
strategy for addressing these threats is necessary to prevent 
the infection and transmission by known vectors, including 
farm-raised alligators. Within funding provided, the Committee 
provides $500,000 for APHIS to enter into cooperative 
agreements with the affected States to further investigate West 
Nile virus and other infectious diseases affecting farm-raised 
alligators and to develop treatments and methods to prevent 
infection and transmission.
    Wildlife Services.--The Committee is concerned with 
livestock predation in areas with the highest populations of 
sheep and goats and provides an increase of $1,000,000 for 
improved predator management methods and tools in cooperation 
with partner agencies serving these areas. This amount includes 
$500,000 for operating and maintaining fixed wing aerial 
operations for predator control.
    Wildlife Services Education and Training.--The Committee is 
aware of the wide range of hazardous procedures and materials 
utilized by APHIS personnel in the conduct of daily duties. To 
ensure a safe working environment, the Committee provides no 
less than 2023 levels to maintain a National Training Academy 
focused on those areas of greatest concern such as 
pyrotechnics, firearms, hazardous materials, immobilization and 
euthanasia drugs, pesticides, animal care and handling, land 
vehicles, watercraft, and zoonotic diseases.
    Zoological Disaster Response.--The Committee provides not 
less than $550,000 above 2023 levels within Emergency 
Preparedness and Response for APHIS to support industry-led 
nonprofits that are comprised of a national network of 
zoological facilities and assist zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, 
and other exotic animal businesses respond to disasters. The 
disaster response efforts may include but are not limited to: 
preparedness consultations, risk assessments, evacuation and 
transportation of animals, veterinary care, facility repairs, 
incident command and communications support, and other response 
and recovery efforts. The Committee notes that these funds are 
in addition to, not a replacement of, existing agreements made 
with nonprofit organizations in previous fiscal years for 
zoological disaster initiatives.

                     Agricultural Marketing Service


                           MARKETING SERVICES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $237,695,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       254,605,000
Provided in the bill..................................       184,668,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -53,027,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -69,937,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing 
Service (AMS), the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$184,668,000.
    Bioengineered Food Disclosure.--The Committee does not 
support any Federal policies that would impose unnecessary 
requirements on the labeling, marketing, or distribution of 
bioengineered salmon that are in addition to requirements of 
the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard.
    Cattle Contracts Library.--The Committee directs the 
Secretary to submit a report within 60 days of enactment of 
this Act regarding the Cattle Contracts Library pilot program. 
This report shall include summaries of all stakeholder feedback 
received by the agency, any applicable economic assessments 
conducted or received by the agency, and any statutes utilized 
to develop the regulatory framework to implement the pilot 
program.
    Packers & Stockyards.--The Committee is concerned by the 
Department's ongoing efforts to expand the scope of its 
regulations to implement the Packers and Stockyards Act of 
1921. The Committee holds that the Department has 
misinterpreted Congressional intent and mistaken its 
jurisdiction throughout this regulatory series. As such, the 
Secretary is prohibited from promulgating, implementing, or 
enforcing any regulations under Sections 202(a) or 202(b) of 
the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 which were first 
published in the Federal Register after June 1, 2022. Further, 
the Committee rebuts the agency's assertions regarding harm to 
competition and affirms it is the intent of Congress, in 
accordance with the rulings of eight Federal circuit courts, 
that complainants must demonstrate harm or likelihood of harm 
to competition in order to establish a violation of the Packers 
and Stockyards Act of 1921.
    Vegetable Promotion.--The Committee recognizes that 
specialty crop vegetable growers and value-added processors are 
under significant pressure from the effects of inflation and 
increasing imports. The Committee encourages AMS to collaborate 
with local partners to expand marketing opportunities for 
domestic specialty crop vegetable growers by increasing 
promotion activities immediately prior to and during harvest, 
including for asparagus harvested April to May, carrots 
harvested August to October, and cucumbers harvested August to 
September. The Committee directs AMS to report to the Committee 
on the status of these efforts within 90 days of enactment of 
this Act.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 
 
 
2023 limitation.......................................     ($62,596,000)
2024 budget limitation................................      (62,596,000)
Provided in the bill..................................      (62,596,000)
Comparison:
  2023 limitation.....................................             - - -
  2024 budget limitation..............................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    The Committee provides a limitation of $62,596,000 on 
Administrative Expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
    Cotton Classing.--The Committee acknowledges the challenges 
presented during the 2021 cotton season, such as extensive 
delays in quality designation, contract delivery, and loan 
repayments. The Committee encourages AMS to quickly utilize the 
$4,000,000 provided in fiscal year 2023 to continue working 
with producers to secure stability and dependability of the 
cotton classification program to timely and accurately process 
numerous samples of cotton bales with less reliance on seasonal 
staff and less disruption of market opportunities.

              FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND

                          SUPPLY (SECTION 32)

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................     ($21,501,000)
2024 budget estimate..................................      (21,501,000)
Provided in the bill..................................      (21,501,000)
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Marketing Agreements and Orders Program, the 
Committee provides a transfer from Section 32 funds of 
$21,501,000.
    The following table reflects the status of this fund:

               ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD--FISCAL YEARS 2023-2024
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      FY 2023         FY 2024        Committee
                                                                      enacted        estimate        provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30% of Customs Receipts).........................     $27,123,378     $30,801,280     $30,801,280
Less Transfers:
    Food and Nutrition Service..................................     -25,199,767     -28,545,432     -28,545,432
    Commerce Department.........................................        -362,611        -377,363        -377,363
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
        Total, Transfers........................................     -25,562,378     -28,922,795     -28,922,795
Budget Authority, Farm Bill.....................................       1,561,000       1,657,000       1,657,000
    Appropriations Temporarily Reduce--Sequestration............         -77,691         -83,334         -83,334
    Recission of Current Year Funds.............................           - - -           - - -        -505,000
    Unavailable for Obligations (Fruit & Vegetable transfer to             - - -           - - -        -195,000
     FNS).......................................................
    Available for Obligation....................................       1,483,309       1,573,666         873,666
Less Obligations:
    Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement Commodities)..........         485,000         485,000         485,000
    State Option Contract.......................................           5,000           5,000           5,000
    Removal of Defective Commodities............................           2,500           2,500           2,500
    Disaster Relief.............................................           5,000           5,000           5,000
    Additional Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Purchases...........         206,000         206,000         206,000
    Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program...........................         198,000         195,000           - - -
    Estimated Future Needs......................................         523,130         616,487         111,487
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
        Total, Commodity Procurement............................       1,424,630       1,514,987         814,987
Administrative Funds:
    Commodity Purchase Support..................................          37,178          37,178          37,178
    Marketing Agreements and Orders.............................          21,501          21,501          21,501
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
        Total, Administrative Funds.............................          58,679          58,679          58,679
                                                                 ===============================================
    Total Obligations...........................................      $1,483,309      $1,573,666        $873,666
Unavailable for Obligations (Fruit & Vegetable transfer to FNS).  ..............  ..............        $195,000
        Total End of Year Balances..............................  ..............  ..............        $195,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,235,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,235,000
Provided in the bill..................................         1,235,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Payments to States and Possessions, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $1,235,000.

        LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES

 
 
 
2023 limitation.......................................     ($55,000,000)
2024 budget limitation................................      (55,000,000)
Provided in the bill..................................      (55,000,000)
Comparison:
  2023 limitation.....................................             - - -
  2024 budget limitation..............................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    The Committee includes a limitation on Inspection and 
Weighing Services Expenses of $55,000,000.

             Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,117,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,146,000
Provided in the bill..................................           800,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -317,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -346,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $800,000.

                   Food Safety and Inspection Service


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $1,158,266,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,290,419,000
Provided in the bill..................................     1,197,067,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       +38,801,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -93,352,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $1,197,067,000. Of this 
amount, $1,000,000 is for the inspection of wild caught 
invasive species in the order siluriformes and family 
Ictaluridae.
    The following table reflects the Committee's 
recommendations for fiscal year 2024:

                   FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Inspection....................................        $1,072,390
Public Health Data Communication Infrastructure System            36,330
International Food Safety and Inspection..............            20,885
State Food Safety and Inspection......................            67,462
                                                       -----------------
    Total, Food Safety and Inspection Service.........        $1,197,067
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Good Commercial Practices.--The Committee recognizes that 
the handling of birds at slaughter according to Good Commercial 
Practices (GCP) improves quality and reduces the occurrence of 
adulterated poultry products in the marketplace. The Committee 
directs USDA to brief the Committees on documented instances 
where establishments were not operating in accordance with GCPs 
no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
    Humane Methods of Slaughter.--FSIS shall ensure that all 
inspection personnel conducting humane handling verification 
procedures receive robust initial training and periodic 
refresher training on the FSIS humane handling and slaughter 
regulations and directives. This includes handling of non-
ambulatory disabled animals, as well as proper use of the 
Humane Activities Tracking System to ensure humane handling of 
animals as they arrive and are offloaded and handled in ante-
mortem holding pens, suspect pens, chutes, stunning areas, and 
on the slaughter line. The Committee directs the agency to 
continue preparation and online publication of the Humane 
Handling Quarterly Reports, to include: (1) the number of 
humane handling verification procedures performed, (2) the 
number of administrative enforcement actions taken, (3) the 
time spent on Humane Handling Activities Tracking System 
activities, and (4) comparisons of these measurements by plant 
size and FSIS district.
    Inspection Processes.--The Committee directs FSIS to 
provide a report within 90 days of enactment of this Act on how 
the agency may establish a process for seafood facilities that 
process multiple species, including wild caught, invasive blue 
catfish, to seek a waiver from FSIS inspection requirements to 
process seafood according to their seafood HACCP plan as 
required by the FDA. The report should include any barriers and 
challenges these processors encounter under the FSIS program.
    Invasive Species.--The Committee encourages the FSIS to 
work with other agencies and stakeholders to better market food 
offered for sale that is the product of a wild caught, invasive 
species, such as northern snakehead or blue catfish.
    Labeling Claims.--The Committee recognizes claims that the 
agency's process for verifying and approving animal raising and 
sustainability claims on meat and poultry product labels has 
led to consumer confusion and allowed unfair practices to 
proliferate. The agency is encouraged to work closely with the 
AMS to make sure that label claims submitted as part as AMS's 
``Process Verified Program'' align closely with the FSIS 
guidance document.
    Line Speeds.--The Committee supports ensuring the safety of 
workers at FSIS inspected facilities, including those 
establishments participating in the modified line speed waiver 
program within the New Poultry Inspection System and in the 
time-limited trial within the New Swine Inspection System. Line 
speed waivers increase production and efficiency resulting in 
lower food costs for consumers and do not compromise food 
safety or worker safety. The Committee directs FSIS to extend 
existing modified line speed waivers for poultry and swine 
establishments in a timely manner and without disruptions while 
working to develop a permanent regulatory solution for 
evisceration line speeds above the current regulatory cap.
    Salmonella.--The Committee supports the agency's efforts to 
ensure food safety in all food products, including reduction of 
salmonellosis attributed to poultry products. In pursuing such 
efforts, the Committee believes that, to ensure efficacy of any 
regulation and prevent unnecessary burdens on producers, 
consumers, and industry, any regulatory action and risk 
assessments must be based on and supported by empirical 
scientific data. Specifically, the Committee urges FSIS to 
ensure data included in the risk assessments be firmly 
established, reliable, and available for public comment and 
dialogue in association with any regulatory action related to 
Salmonella prior to any proposed regulation. Further, with 
respect to regulatory action, the Committee urges FSIS to 
ensure the availability of diagnostic methods for verification 
by the agency and industry. The diagnostic methods and 
regulatory changes should both protect consumer safety and be 
conducive to the efficient flow of commerce. The Committee is 
concerned that failure to do so may undermine the agency's 
efforts to establish effective and efficient controls to reduce 
the incidence of salmonellosis, while also imposing unnecessary 
burdens on farmers and processors, increasing food waste, and 
raising costs for consumers.
    Water Regulations.--The Committee is aware of industry 
concerns that the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 
proposed rule entitled ``PFAS National Primary Drinking Water 
Regulation Rulemaking'' may trigger enforcement of FSIS 
regulations for water used in food manufacturing in ways not 
contemplated by the current rulemaking. The Committee requests 
FSIS provide a briefing on the potential impacts of EPA's 
proposed rule on regulated food manufacturers.

                                TITLE II


               FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS


   Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,727,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,780,000
Provided in the bill..................................           901,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -826,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -879,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production 
and Conservation (FPAC), the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $901,000.
    Farmer Workforce Recruitment.--The Committee recognizes 
that farmer and workforce shortages in emerging sectors are 
increasing at an alarming rate and that urban agriculture can 
be a critical pipeline in recruiting younger people into the 
agricultural sector and an effective outreach tool to bolster 
the workforce. The Committee encourages USDA to promote urban, 
indoor, controlled environment agriculture, and other emerging 
agricultural practices to secure diverse food production while 
improving health for Americans and developing the American 
farmer workforce, support local food supply chains, and bolster 
and diversify America's agriculture economy.

            Farm Production and Conservation Business Center


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $248,684,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       265,825,000
Provided in the bill..................................       231,302,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -17,382,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -34,523,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, 
the Committee provides an appropriation of $231,302,000. This 
amount includes an increase of $1,000,000 for design of a new 
data system to comply with the Agricultural Foreign Investment 
Disclosure Act, as specified by Sec. 773 of the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2023.

                          Farm Service Agency


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Transfer from
                                                           Appropriation     program accounts    Total, FSA S&E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 appropriation.....................................     $1,215,307,000       $305,803,000     $1,521,110,000
2024 budget estimate...................................      1,262,353,000      (321,621,000)      1,583,974,000
Provided in the bill...................................      1,215,307,000      (305,803,000)      1,521,110,000
Comparison:
    2023 appropriation.................................              - - -              - - -              - - -
    2024 budget estimate...............................        -47,046,000        -15,818,000        -62,864,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Salaries and Expenses of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), 
the Committee provides an appropriation of $1,215,307,000 and 
transfers of $305,803,000 for a total program level of 
$1,521,110,000.
    Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act.--USDA is 
responsible for monitoring foreign purchases of agricultural 
land under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act 
(AFIDA) and for assessing penalties on entities that have 
failed to make disclosures as required. The Committee is 
concerned that USDA failed to assess penalties for a failure to 
disclose foreign investments in American agricultural land. The 
Committee directs the Secretary to report to the Committee 
within 90 days of enactment of this Act on USDA's efforts to 
ensure that foreign investments are being accurately disclosed, 
including an analysis of any barriers USDA faces in conducting 
oversight of these purchases and planned steps for overcoming 
these challenges.
    Farmers.gov.--The Committee directs USDA to continue to 
drive implementation and expansion of the Farmers.gov 
application, a single portal built around the needs of farmers, 
to enable USDA employees and USDA customers and producers to 
view their information, complete transactions, quickly review 
the status of and submit applications for FPAC programs, and 
receive program payments for all USDA farm programs including, 
but not limited to, loans, conservation, disaster, dairy, or 
other programs. All farm programs which require direct 
application from the farmer, rancher, or producer should be 
considered for expansion of the Farmers.gov application and 
functions.
    Property Damage.--The Committee directs the Secretary to 
submit a report to the Committee on how USDA may reimburse 
landowners along the United States' southern border for 
property damages related to migrant trespassing. Such damage 
shall include livestock loss and damage; crop loss and damage; 
damage to fences; damage to physical structures; and property 
loss and damage.
    Staffing.--The Committee is concerned about FSA's ability 
to attract and retain field staff to do FSA's critical work in 
rural communities. The Committee is also concerned that local 
FSA offices are often tasked with implementing new programs 
with little notice. The Committee directs the Secretary to 
report on a plan to address retention and communication between 
FSA offices and the national office. Additionally, the 
Committee encourages FSA to factor in administration of 
disaster assistance programming when contemplating additional 
staffing resources needed to successfully carry out its 
mission.

                         STATE MEDIATION GRANTS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $7,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         7,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................         6,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -1,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -1,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For State Mediation Grants, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $6,000,000.

               GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $7,500,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         7,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................         7,500,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................          +500,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $7,500,000.

                        DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................          $500,000
2024 budget estimate..................................           500,000
Provided in the bill..................................           500,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Dairy Indemnity Program (DIPP), the Committee 
provides an appropriation of such sums as may be necessary 
(estimated to be $500,000 in the President's fiscal year 2024 
budget request).
    PFAS chemicals.--The Committee is aware that some dairy 
farms are unable to sell their milk as a result of 
contamination from a family of synthetic chemicals, 
collectively known as ``PFAS'' chemicals. The Committee notes 
that USDA updated the DIPP to provide additional options to 
dairy producers impacted by PFAS contamination and looks 
forward to continuing to work with USDA, other State and 
Federal partners, and producers to mitigate the impacts of 
PFAS.

           AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 loan level.......................................   $10,652,312,000
2024 budget estimate..................................    10,685,584,000
Provided in the bill..................................    10,685,584,000
Comparison:
  2023 loan level.....................................       +33,272,000
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund program account, 
the Committee provides a loan level of $10,685,584,000.
    The following table reflects the loan levels for the 
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund program account:

                                    AGRICULTURE CREDIT PROGRAMS--LOAN LEVELS
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                             FY 2023 enacted  FY 2024 estimate      provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Loan Programs:
Farm Ownership:
    Direct................................................        $3,100,000        $3,100,000        $3,100,000
    Unsubsidized Guaranteed...............................         3,500,000         3,500,000         3,500,000
Farm Operating:
    Direct................................................         1,633,333         1,633,000         1,633,000
    Unsubsidized Guaranteed...............................         2,118,491         2,118,491         2,118,491
Emergency Loans...........................................             4,062            37,667            37,667
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans.......................            20,000            20,000            20,000
Conservation Loans:
    Unsubsidized Guaranteed...............................           150,000           150,000           150,000
Indian Highly Fractionated Land...........................             5,000             5,000             5,000
Boll Weevil Eradication...................................            60,000            60,000            60,000
Relending Program.........................................            61,426            61,426            61,426
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Total.............................................        10,652,312        10,685,584        10,685,584
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table reflects the costs of loan programs 
under credit reform:

                                AGRICULTURE CREDIT PROGRAMS--SUBSIDIES AND GRANTS
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                             FY 2023 enacted  FY 2024 estimate      provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Loan Subsidies:
Farm Operating:
    Direct................................................           $23,520           $27,598           $27,598
    Unsubsidized Guaranteed...............................            11,228             1,483             1,483
Emergency Loans...........................................               249             3,507             3,507
Indian Highly Fractionated Land...........................               894             1,577             1,577
Relending Program.........................................            10,983            19,368            19,368
Boll Weevil Eradication...................................             - - -               258               258
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Total.............................................            46,874            53,791            53,791
ACIF Expenses:
    FSA Salaries and Expenses.............................           305,803           321,621           305,803
    Program Administrative Expenses.......................            20,658            20,250            20,250
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Administrative Expenses.............           326,461           341,871           326,053
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Total, ACIF Expenses..............................          $373,335          $395,662          $379,844
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Risk Management Agency


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $66,870,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        77,897,000
Provided in the bill..................................        63,637,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -3,233,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -14,260,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Risk Management Agency (RMA), the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $63,637,000.
    Administrative and Operating (A&O) Expenses.--The Committee 
notes that the explanatory statement accompanying the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 encourages RMA to provide 
an annual inflation adjustment to A&O expenses and to provide 
equitable relief for specialty crop policies, recognizing RMA's 
authority to do so without a renegotiation of the Standard 
Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) in a manner similar to a previous 
inflation adjustment. The Committee notes that inflation 
adjustments are not mentioned in the SRA. Instead, an RMA 
Manager's Bulletin from June 30, 2010 (MGR-10-007) provided for 
the adjustments. For each year, RMA published an Informational 
Memorandum announcing the adjustment for that year (see, for 
example, ``Federal Crop Insurance: Delivery Subsidies in 
Brief'', CRS, August 20, 2018). Given the adjustments then were 
initiated outside the SRA, the Committee urges RMA to initiate 
the adjustments going forward in the same manner. In doing so, 
RMA may provide adjustments without renegotiation of the SRA 
and without violating 7 U.S.C. 1508(k)(8).
    Alfalfa.--The Committee recognizes alfalfa to be an 
important domestic forage crop valued for nitrogen fixation, 
soil conservation, crop rotation, and as a natural habitat. 
From 2002 through 2021, alfalfa acreage has declined 33.4 
percent. The Committee encourages RMA to explore the creation 
of a revenue and/or quality alfalfa crop insurance policy to 
ensure producers have a safety net that they need to produce 
this important crop.
    Rainfall Index Program.--The Committee recognizes the 
unique geographic, geological, and atmospheric characteristics 
of U.S. non-contiguous States and territories when developing 
insurance products for pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) 
areas. The Committee further recognizes that NOAA's Climate 
Prediction Center provides the data for the Rainfall Index 
Program, but has limited data for Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. 
Territories. The Committee encourages RMA to continue to look 
for potential alternative data sources for these regions and to 
examine the feasibility of a rainfall index program for U.S. 
non-contiguous States and Territories that protects against 
yield losses caused by low precipitation for PRF areas.
    Quality Losses.--The Committee urges RMA to evaluate and 
consider additional products that will permit producers to 
better protect themselves from losses directly and indirectly 
attributed to quality losses.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service


                        CONSERVATION OPERATIONS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $941,124,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,008,266,000
Provided in the bill..................................       911,399,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -29,725,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -96,867,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 
Conservation Operations, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $911,399,000.
    The Committee provides $16,751,000 for the Snow Survey and 
Water Forecasting Program; $9,751,000 for the Plant Materials 
Centers; $86,257,000 for the Soil Surveys Program; and 
$776,892,000 for Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA), which 
includes $1,000,000 for Phragmite control. The Committee 
provides $3,000,000 for a cost-share program for the 
construction and repair of perimeter fencing.
    The Committee notes that the Watershed Rehabilitation 
program and Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations received 
$118,000,000 and $500,000,000, respectively, in the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (P.L. 117-58) and that 
both programs have significant unobligated balances available.
    Chesapeake Bay States' Partnership Initiative.--The 
Committee recognizes the important role of voluntary 
conservation practices in protecting and restoring waterways, 
especially when deployed at scale. To enhance the resiliency of 
farmland and reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in line 
with the most recent Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, USDA 
created the Chesapeake Bay States' Partnership Initiative. The 
Committee supports this Initiative and directs USDA to leverage 
additional conservation resources for agricultural producers in 
the Chesapeake Bay watershed to support the implementation of 
the Chesapeake Bay jurisdictions' watershed implementation 
plans. The Committee also urges USDA to target additional CTA 
funds in the most effective basin areas of the watershed and to 
prioritize conservation practices that build on-farm.
    COMET-Farm Tool.--The Committee encourages NRCS to engage 
with partners throughout the country to publicize the 
availability of the COMET-Farm tool. The Committee urges the 
Secretary to continue to support COMET-Farm technological 
improvements that would increase usage by farmers and to 
provide continued assistance, improvements, and outreach on the 
COMET-Farm tool through CTA.
    Conservation Programs Timeline.--The Committee recognizes 
the importance of NRCS's conservation programs and their 
positive impact on water and soil quality. The Committee also 
recognizes that these programs must consist of realistic 
timelines and outcomes as identified by the farmers using them. 
The Committee encourages NRCS to review all conservation 
programs to ensure their funding timelines related to 
conservation planning and program delivery meet legislatively 
mandated timelines to support farmers in developing their 
practices and fulfilling the mission of the programs. The 
Committee directs NRCS to report back on its findings and 
efforts to improve program funding timelines within 180 days of 
enactment.
    Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs).--The Committee supports 
CCAs and the collaborative regional approach to address common 
natural resource goals while maintaining or improving 
agricultural productivity. The Committee encourages NRCS to 
provide additional CTA funds to CCAs to address conservation 
planning backlogs.
    Farmer Mentorship Program for Watersheds.--The Committee is 
concerned about soil and water quality near watersheds such as 
the Great Lakes Basin, Salton Sea, Lake Okeechobee, and the 
Chesapeake Bay. The Committee recognizes that farmers may be 
unaware of possible or necessary conservation efforts that 
currently exist to improve soil and water quality. The 
Committee encourages NRCS to leverage its recently created CAMP 
mentoring effort to enhance outreach efforts with dedicated 
farmers in watersheds with conservation expertise and to work 
with interested farmers who would like to learn how to 
implement improved conservation practices for water and soil in 
their operations.
    Feral Hogs.--The Committee is concerned that the feral hog 
population is rapidly expanding despite efforts to constrain 
their spread. To help prevent further damages to agriculture 
and urban lands, the Committee provides $3,000,000 for a cost-
share program for the construction and repair of perimeter 
fencing. The Committee encourages NRCS, in conjunction with 
State soil and water conservation agencies, to develop a 
strategy to exclude feral hogs from agricultural and urban 
areas at risk of damage from localized feral hog populations 
with lessons learned from the existing Feral Hog Eradication 
Pilot Program. The Committee requests a report on these efforts 
within 60 days of enactment.
    Firebreaks and Fuel Breaks.--The Committee recognizes that 
firebreaks and fuel breaks are efficient conservation measures 
that can be implemented by landowners to reduce the risk or 
intensity of wildfires and help firefighters by creating 
defensible areas. The Committee continues to encourage NRCS to 
promote and provide assistance to design and construct 
firebreaks and fuel breaks in areas and communities under 
heightened risk of woodland fires, consistent with the 
directive in P.L. 117-328.
    Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).--The Committee strongly 
supports NRCS's ongoing work to reduce nutrient loading from 
agricultural sources that can contribute to the growth of HABs. 
Funding shall be used for targeting watersheds where HABs pose 
a threat and implementing a variety of conservation systems to 
address all transport pathways of phosphorus and nitrogen from 
agricultural land. Conservation planning should prioritize 
fields or riparian areas with the highest risk of elevated 
phosphorus and/or nitrogen losses. The Committee encourages 
NRCS to use interagency agreements and cooperative agreements 
focused on innovative phosphorus or nitrogen removal strategies 
where agricultural runoff has contributed nutrients to a 
waterbody. Such work shall be conducted in consultation with 
NIFA and ARS.
    High-Hazard Dams.--The Committee recognizes the large 
backlog of community infrastructure projects eligible for 
financial and technical assistance through the Watershed 
Rehabilitation Program to address safety concerns, public 
health, and environmental impacts of aging dams. The Committee 
urges NRCS to prioritize the rehabilitation of dams that pose 
the greatest risk to public safety.
    Lake Erie Basin.--The Committee is aware that the Western 
Lake Erie Basin Initiative (WLEB) is vital to researching and 
conserving one of our country's precious freshwater sources, 
Lake Erie. Increased levels of HABs continue to plague the lake 
due to shallow depths, increased nitrogen and phosphorus 
levels, and other contributing factors. The Committee 
encourages NRCS to work with locally engaged academic 
institutions that have worked with WLEB to review the work done 
by WLEB, compare Lake Erie Basin's water quality, including 
chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, over the 
past decade, detail what efforts could and are being made to 
improve the quality, and study the point of origin of run off 
into the lake. Further, the Committee directs NRCS to make 
research done on WLEB publicly available and to provide a 
briefing on its findings and efforts within 180 days of 
enactment.
    National Resource Inventory (NRI).--The Committee 
encourages NRCS to consider the feasibility of expanding the 
existing NRI system to include soil sampling and analysis on an 
annual rotating basis.
    NRCS/Conservation Operations.--The Committee recognizes 
that conservation of wildlife habitat on private lands is 
essential for the recovery of many threatened and endangered 
species. While Federal programs that provide direct 
conservation assistance can be important contributors to 
species recovery efforts, such programs might not be available 
to, or appropriate for, all private landowners. Private 
landowners interested in habitat conservation must be empowered 
with access to the full range of conservation resources that 
exist across the Federal government, state and local 
governments, non-profit organizations, and private entities. 
The Committee encourages NRCS to provide grants to, or enter 
into cooperative agreements with, non-profit organizations with 
expertise and experience in amalgamating and providing public 
access to information and resources pertaining to the 
conservation of wildlife habitat on private lands.
    PFAS Soil Testing.--The Committee understands that soil 
testing for PFAS can be prohibitively expensive and encourages 
NRCS to utilize existing conservation practice standards for 
soil testing to
assist producers in managing these costs.
    Phragmites.--The Committee is concerned about the damage 
caused by phragmites in the Chesapeake Bay. The Committee 
provides $1,000,000 for phragmite control and directs NRCS to 
work with relevant State agencies to provide funding and 
technical assistance to control phragmites in the Chesapeake 
Bay Watershed.
    Resource Conservation and Development Councils (RC&Ds).--
The Committee recognizes that RC&Ds have been valuable partners 
in conservation and encourages NRCS to continue working with 
local councils, as appropriate, to ensure conservation programs 
meet local resource needs.
    Sage Grouse Initiative.--The Committee strongly supports 
NRCS's sage grouse conservation efforts. Through this 
initiative, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to 
help landowners conserve sage grouse habitat on their land. The 
initiative is an integral part of efforts by Federal agencies, 
western States, and private landowners to help preclude the 
listing of the sage grouse as an endangered species.
    Watershed Backlogs.--The Committee remains concerned about 
delays with some Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations 
projects and the impact such delays have on local communities. 
The Committee urges NRCS to balance the needs of addressing the 
project backlog, remediation of existing structures, and new 
projects by prioritizing those projects which mitigate the 
greatest flood risks to public safety, consistent with the 
directive in P.L. 117-328.
    Watershed Scale Planning.--The Committee supports expanded 
capacity for USDA to engage in watershed level planning and 
program implementation through basin and landscape scale 
initiatives such as the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan, the 
Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative, the 
National Water Quality Initiative, and the Regional 
Conservation Partnership Program. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to continue cooperation with other Federal agencies 
to improve water quality in these basins and watersheds, 
including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish and 
Wildlife Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers, and 
recognizes the importance of cooperative partnerships with non-
governmental organizations and the private sector, such as 
those joining the American rice industry and conservation 
groups.
    White Oak Initiative.--White oak forests are critical for 
wildlife, biodiversity, and forest products, and without swift 
action by private landowners and land management agencies, 
there will be a significant decline of white oak forests in the 
future. The Committee commends NRCS for its work to encourage 
white oak conservation and promote white oak reforestation 
practices and encourages NRCS to expand and coordinate these 
efforts across its programs with the U.S. Forest Service.

                              CORPORATIONS

                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................   $15,395,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................    14,695,301,000
Provided in the bill..................................    14,695,301,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................      -699,699,000
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of such sums as may be 
necessary (estimated to be $14,695,301,000).

                   Commodity Credit Corporation Fund


                 REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................   $16,832,185,000
2024 budget estimate..................................    10,612,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................    10,612,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................    -6,220,185,000
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Reimbursement for Net Realized Losses to the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Committee provides such sums as may be 
necessary to reimburse for net realized losses sustained but 
not previously reimbursed (estimated to be $10,612,000,000).
    Commodity Credit Corporation.--The Committee is concerned 
about the Secretary's excessive and unwarranted discretionary 
use of the CCC to fund nonemergency, unauthorized programs. As 
a result of the abuse of these authorities, the Committee 
includes restrictions on the specific powers provided under 
subsections (a) through (g) of section 5 of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation Charter Act, similar to restrictions enacted 
into law in fiscal years 2012 through 2017. The Committee 
expects USDA to continue to carry out programs authorized by 
Congress without interruption. The restrictions on the 
discretionary use of the CCC in this Act do not affect programs 
authorized by Congress in a Farm Bill or other legislation 
enacted into law, nor do the restrictions in this Act affect 
the ability of USDA to transfer funds from the CCC as 
authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act or the Plant 
Protection Act.

                       HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

                        (LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)

 
 
 
2024 limitation.......................................     ($15,000,000)
2024 budget estimate..................................      (15,000,000)
Provided in the bill..................................      (15,000,000)
Comparison:
  2023 limitation.....................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Hazardous Waste Management, the Committee provides a 
limitation of $15,000,000.
    The Committee directs the Hazardous Materials Management 
Program and the Hazardous Waste Management Program to 
coordinate their work to ensure there is no duplication.

                               TITLE III


                       RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS


          Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,620,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,653,000
Provided in the bill..................................           800,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -820,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -853,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development 
(RD), the Committee provides an appropriation of $800,000.
    Advancing Clean Air and Water Initiatives.--The Committee 
encourages the Department to continue investing in programs 
that improve air and water quality in rural and agricultural 
communities, including in programs that improve aging water 
infrastructure and protect water quality, help rural 
communities withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air 
pollution, restore habitats, and preserve outdoor spaces and 
local farms.
    Colonias and Farmworker Communities.--The Committee 
recognizes the challenges facing colonias and farmworker 
communities and urges USDA to work with other Federal agencies 
to identify best practices and other ways to further assist 
colonias communities and farmworkers. The Committee encourages 
USDA to explore strategies to adopt and address the unique 
participation challenges faced by rural communities in the 
border region colonias communities.
    Colonias Definition.--The Committee urges USDA to 
reconsider the definition of colonias so that colonias 
communities with higher population density but low incomes and 
substandard living conditions may be eligible for certain USDA 
programs that require a rural designation.
    Loan Processing.--The Committee understands that RD loans 
are a critical source of financing for rural communities. The 
Committee appreciates the sometimes-needed complementary 
coordination between national and State offices for certain 
loans but urges USDA to process loans in a timely manner.
    Persistent Poverty Areas.--The Committee supports targeted 
investments in impoverished areas. The Committee urges USDA to 
implement measures to increase the share of investments in 
persistent poverty counties, distressed communities, and any 
other impoverished areas. The Committee directs USDA to define 
performance measures, increase capacity to collect and analyze 
data, evaluate data sets, and develop a report to the Committee 
on how investments in persistently poor communities have 
improved economic outcomes.
    Streamlining Applications.--The Committee recognizes GAO 
Report 21-579, which found that HUD, EDA, and USDA have similar 
requirements for stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, 
and application requirements other requirements for State and 
local organizations applying for economic development programs. 
Per the report, while HUD and EDA have a written agreement to 
align requirements and issue joint guidance to streamline the 
application process, USDA does not have such a report. The 
Committee urges USDA to work with EDA and HUD to evaluate 
economic development programs and, where feasible, enter into 
such an interagency agreement. The Committee requests an update 
on these efforts within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Weather Resilience.--The Committee encourages RD to 
optimize opportunities to provide technical and financial 
assistance to distressed rural and tribal communities to 
support weather resilience activities and protect rural 
economies from increased risk and vulnerabilities from weather 
variation.

                           Rural Development


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                             FY 2023 enacted  FY 2024 estimate      provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations............................................      $351,087,000      $527,182,000      $331,087,000
Transfers from:
    Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account..........       412,254,000       412,254,000       412,254,000
    Rural Development Loan Fund Program Account...........         4,468,000         4,468,000         4,468,000
    Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loan             33,270,000        33,270,000        33,270,000
     Program Account......................................
        Total, RD Salaries and Expenses...................          $801,079      $977,624,000      $781,079,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $331,087,000. The Committee does 
not include any resources for the Rural Partners Network.
    Rural Development Staffing.--The Committee is concerned by 
the pace of operations at RD loan, subsidy, and grant program 
offices due to reported staffing shortages. With authority over 
sizeable financial resources, these programs are uniquely 
poised to provide essential services to and increase the 
economic competitiveness of underserved rural areas. Such 
delays and uncertainty deter potential applicants and 
fundamentally undercut the programs' potential impact. The 
Committee directs USDA to review its RD loan, subsidy, and 
grant staffing levels and use its appropriated funds to hire 
staff to process applications in a timelier manner.

                         Rural Housing Service


              RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Loan level        Subsidy level    Administrative
                                                                                                    expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Appropriation......................................       $31,795,500           $105,103           $412,254
2024 Budget Estimate....................................        32,232,000            383,595            412,254
Provided in the Bill....................................        31,403,691            153,922            412,254
Comparison:
  2023 Appropriation....................................          -391,809            +48,819              - - -
  2024 Budget Estimate..................................          -828,309           -229,673              - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account, the 
Committee provides a loan level of $31,403,691,000. The 
Committee does not provide the authority or resources for 
ending the recapture requirement for Section 502 direct loans.
    Decoupling.--The Committee remains interested in the 
request to decouple rental assistance from Section 515 loans 
and find effective strategies to protect access to affordable 
housing for families in rural areas. However, USDA has yet to 
conduct the three listening sessions as directed in the 
Explanatory Statement accompanying P.L. 117-328 to determine 
potential implementation, identify any resident concerns, and 
examine long-term costs of decoupling. The Committee has also 
inquired about the scalability of the proposal, potentially 
selecting those units most in jeopardy of being lost and to 
test the practice but awaits Department input on identifying a 
cohort of the portgraphic to pilot decoupling.
    Farm Labor Housing.--The Committee encourages USDA to 
explore opportunities to leverage its resources, including its 
Food and Nutrition Programs, Community Facilities Programs, 
Housing Preservation Grants, and other programs, and to create 
partnerships with the Department of Labor's Farmworker Housing 
outreach and technical assistance program, Health Resources and 
Services Administration's Health Center Program, and the 
Administration for Children and Families Migrant and Seasonal 
Head Start Program, to coordinate and align resources to 
address the housing, nutrition and healthcare needs of this 
vulnerable population of essential workers who play a critical 
role in America's food security. The Committee further 
encourages USDA to explore including service coordinators as an 
allowable expenditure for farm labor housing projects.
    Rural Housing Preservation.--The Committee appreciates RD 
efforts to ensure Section 515 and Section 514 properties with
maturing mortgages or owners pre-paying their mortgage remain 
affordable. The Committee encourages RD to take additional 
steps to streamline the approach to housing preservation and 
affordability, including working closely with nonprofits and 
local housing authority buyers committed to preservation and 
affordability. The Committee recognizes the urgent need to 
preserve rural affordable housing units. To assist the 
facilitation of transfers, the Committee encourages USDA to 
prioritize no more than fifty percent of Section 515 and 
Section 514 funds for use by public bodies or non-profit 
organizations or their affiliates (any limited partnership in 
which the general partner is a nonprofit entity with a 
principal purpose of providing affordable housing) to acquire 
and rehabilitate properties financed under sections 514 and 515 
to retain long-term use by eligible households.
    The following table reflects the loan levels for the Rural 
Housing Insurance Fund program account:

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   FY 2024          Committee
                                                            FY 2023  enacted      estimate          provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Loans
        Direct............................................        $1,250,000        $1,500,000          $880,691
        Native American Re-Lending Demonstration Program..             7,500            12,000             5,000
        Unsubsidized Guaranteed...........................        30,000,000        30,000,000        30,000,000
    Housing Repair (sec. 504).............................            28,000            50,000            25,000
    Rental Housing (sec. 515).............................            70,000           200,000            60,000
    Multi-family Guaranteed (sec. 538)....................           400,000           400,000           400,000
    Site Development Loans................................             5,000             5,000             5,000
    Credit Sales of Acquired Property.....................            10,000            10,000            10,000
    Self-help Housing Land Development Fund...............             5,000             5,000             5,000
    Farm Labor Housing....................................            20,000            50,000            13,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Total, Loan Authorization.........................       $31,403,691       $32,232,000       $31,403,691
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The following table reflects the costs of loan programs 
under credit reform:

       ESTIMATED LOAN SUBSIDY AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES LEVELS

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                             FY 23  enacted   FY 24  estimated      provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single Family Housing (sec. 502):
        Direct............................................           $46,375          $205,950           $86,660
        Native American Re-Lending Demonstration Program..             2,468             5,498             2,288
        Housing Repair (sec. 504).........................             2,324             8,675             4,337
    Rental Housing (sec. 515).............................            13,377            69,960            20,998
    Multifamily Housing Revitalization....................            36,000            75,000            34,000
    Farm Labor Housing....................................             4.084            17,405             4,525
    Site Development (sec. 524)...........................               208               477               477
    Self-Help Land (sec. 523).............................               267               637               637
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Total, Loan Subsidies.............................           105,103           383,595           153,922
    Farm Labor Housing Grants.............................            10,000            18,000             5,000
RHIF Expenses:
        Administrative Expenses...........................          $412,254          $412,054          $412,254
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $1,487,926,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,688,109,000
Provided in the bill..................................     1,606,926,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................      +119,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -81,183,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rental Assistance Program, the Committee provides 
an appropriation of $1,606,926,000. This provides the estimated 
amount to fully fund the program. The Committee rejects the 
proposal to merge the housing vouchers program into this 
account.

                     RURAL HOUSING VOUCHER ACCOUNT

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $48,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................             - - -
Provided in the bill..................................        48,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................       +48,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Housing Voucher Account, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $48,000,000.

                  MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $32,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        40,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................        25,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -7,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -15,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Mutual and Self-Help Housing program, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $25,000,000.

                    RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $48,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        70,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................        35,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -13,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -35,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Housing Assistance Grants program, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $35,000,000, including 
$10,000,000 for rural housing preservation grants.
    The Committee notes that remaining carryover balances from 
prior year appropriations remain unobligated, including 
supplemental resources provided in Division N of P.L. 117-328.

               RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $341,490,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        86,745,000
Provided in the bill..................................       327,636,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -13,854,000
  2024 budget estimate................................      +240,891,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Community Facilities Program Account, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $327,636,000.
    Workforce Housing.--The Committee understands the need for 
dormitories for firefighters, first responders, and rural 
healthcare facilities to temporarily house employees and the 
value this provides to communities. The Committee notes that 
the Community Facilities program permits the construction of 
congregate housing, as it is not considered standard housing, 
and directs USDA to examine opportunities within the Community 
Facilities program to permit the construction of dormitories 
for firefighters, first responders, and rural healthcare 
facilities.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations as compared to the budget request:

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Committee
                                                          FY 2023  enacted  FY 2024  estimate      provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
    Community Facility Direct Loans....................       ($2,800,000)       ($2,800,000)       ($2,800,000)
    Community Facility Guaranteed Loans................          (650,000)          (650,000)          (650,000)
Subsidy and Grants:
    Community Facility Grants..........................            325,490             52,000            316,636
    Rural Community Development Initiative.............              6,000             12,000              5,000
    Tribal College Grants..............................             10,000             10,000              6,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Rural Community Facilities Program                 $341,490            $86,745           $327,636
         Subsidy and Grants............................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Rural Business--Cooperative Service


                     RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $86,250,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       103,600,000
Provided in the bill..................................        68,840,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -17,680,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -34,760,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Business Program Account, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $68,840,000.
    The Committee provides resources to operate programs under 
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS). RBS programs 
complement lending activities of the private sector by 
promoting economic prosperity in rural communities through 
improved access to capital and economic development on a 
regional scale.
    Arts in Rural Communities.--The Committee recognizes the 
valuable role of the arts in the economic and community 
development of rural communities across the country. In 
providing grants and assistance under this title, RD shall 
continue to support individuals, nonprofits, and small 
businesses in the arts through these traditional economic 
development tools, including business incubators, and economic 
development planning and technical assistance.
    Infant Formula.--The Committee remains concerned about 
infant formula shortages and supply chain fragility for sole 
source nutrition for babies. The Committee encourages USDA to 
ensure that small infant formula manufacturing rural areas are 
aware of their eligibility for the Business & Industry Loan 
Guarantees Program and the Food Supply Chain Expansion Loan 
Program. This inclusion will help prevent future infant formula 
shortages by supporting the diversification of U.S.-based 
infant formula manufacturers and helping bolster domestic 
production capabilities.
    Meat and Poultry Processing.--The Committee encourages USDA 
to promote geographic diversity in distributing awards through 
the Meat and Poultry Processing Program and to consider regions 
that need additional processing capacity and have yet to 
receive awards through the Meat and Poultry Processing 
Expansion Program.
    State Technology Councils.--The Committee is concerned 
about the lack of private sector-driven rural economic 
development in many regions. The Committee appreciates the 
value of State technology councils in promoting business 
development in rural areas, including diversifying into the 
bio-sciences and technology industry.
    The following programs are included in the bill for the 
Rural Business Program account: $500,000 for rural 
transportation technical assistance and $4,000,000 for 
Federally Recognized Native American Tribes, of which $250,000 
is for transportation technical assistance.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations as compared to the budget request:

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Committee
                                                          FY 2023  enacted  FY 2024  estimate      provision
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Level:
    Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.............       ($1,800,000)       ($1,800,000)       ($1,800,000)
Subsidy and Grants:
    Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans.............             38,250             47,600             42,840
    Rural Business Development Grants..................             37,000             40,000             20,000
    Rural Innovation Stronger Economy Grants...........              2,000              7,000              - - -
    Delta Regional Authority/Appalachian Regional                    9,000              9,000              6,000
     Commission/Northern Border Regional Commission....
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Rural Business Program Subsidy and                  $86,250           $103,600            $68,840
         Grants........................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

              INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Administrative
                                                             Loan level       Subsidy level         expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Appropriation.....................................            $18,889             $3,313             $4,468
2024 Budget Estimate...................................             18,890              5,733              4,468
Provided in the Bill...................................             16,000              4,856              4,468
Comparison:
  2023 Appropriation...................................             -2,889             +1,543              - - -
  2024 Budget Estimate.................................             -2,890               -877              - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account, the 
Committee provides for a loan level of $16,000,000.
    For the loan subsidy, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $4,856,000. In addition, the Committee 
provides $4,468,000 for administrative expenses.

            RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $75,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        75,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................        75,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account, 
the Committee provides for a loan level of $75,000,000.

                  RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................       $28,300,000
2024 budget estimate..................................        29,800,000
Provided in the bill..................................        19,600,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -8,700,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -10,200,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Rural Cooperative Development Grants, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $19,600,000.
    This total includes $2,800,000 for a cooperative agreement 
for the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program 
and $8,000,000 for the Value-added Agricultural Product Market 
Development Grant Program under the Local Agriculture Market 
Program in the 2018 Farm Bill.

               RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $6,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         8,250,000
Provided in the bill..................................         6,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................        -2,250,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP), 
the Committee provides an appropriation of $6,000,000.
    RMAP provides loans and grants to non-profit organizations, 
community based financial institutions, and local economic 
development councils, which in turn provide technical 
assistance services and microloans to rural owner-operated 
small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs.

                    RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................             - - -
2024 budget estimate..................................        30,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................             - - -
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................           -18,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -30,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Energy for America Program, the Committee 
provides a loan authorization level of $50,000,000 to make 
loans as authorized by section 9007 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) to farmers, 
ranchers, and rural small businesses to assist with purchasing 
renewable energy systems and making energy efficiency 
improvements.

                        Rural Utilities Service


             RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $596,404,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       882,295,000
Provided in the bill..................................       587,120,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -9,284,000
  2024 budget estimate................................      -295,175,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $587,120,000.
    Rural areas continue to face immense needs and challenges 
in attaining safe and clean water, and this program provides 
targeted and coordinated support for these communities and is 
essential for the delivery of safe, dependable, and affordable 
water and wastewater to rural America.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations as compared to the budget request:

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
    Water and Waste Direct Loans.......................       ($1,420,000)       ($1,610,000)       ($1,000,000)
    Water and Waste Guaranteed Loans...................           (50,000)           (50,000)           (50,000)
Subsidy and Grants:
    Direct Subsidy.....................................              2,724            154,895             83,500
    Water and Waste Revolving Fund.....................              1,000              1,000              1,000
    Rural Decentralized Water System Grants............              5,000              5,000              4,000
    Grants for the Colonias and AK/HI..................             70,000             87,000             30,000
    Water and Waste Technical Assistance Grants........             37,500             42,000             37,500
    Circuit Rider Program..............................             21,180             25,000             21,817
    Solid Waste Management Grants......................              4,000              4,000              4,000
    High Energy Cost Grants............................             10,000             10,000              - - -
    Water and Waste Disposal Grants....................            430,000            538,400            395,303
    306A(i)(2) Grants..................................             15,000             15,000             10,000
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Subsidies and Grants....................           $596,404           $882,295           $587,120
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Border Communities.--The Committee is concerned that the 
water and wastewater needs of colonias communities that suffer 
from high rates of poverty along the southern border are not 
being adequately addressed. The Committee encourages USDA to 
support qualified non-profit organizations to provide technical 
assistance and/or construction projects to help colonias 
communities with accessing USDA's water and wastewater programs 
and services.
    Circuit Rider Program.--The Committee encourages USDA to 
ensure critically needed assistance under the Circuit Rider 
Program is appropriately targeted to communities in persistent 
poverty counties, including persistent poverty communities in 
border colonias regions.
    Domestic Preference.--The bill includes language specifying 
that RUS' Rural Water and Waste Disposal program account 
projects utilizing iron and steel shall use iron and steel 
products produced in the United States. RUS shall apply the 
EPA's definition of public water systems while implementing the 
domestic preference provision.
    Lead Service Lines.--The Committee recognizes the health 
hazards posed by lead service lines and urges USDA to 
prioritize the replacement of lead service lines in rural 
areas. The Committee includes additional resources over fiscal 
year 2022 to assist in mitigating lead hazards.

              RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

                         LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Administrative
                                                          Loan level         Subsidy level         expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Appropriation..................................          $8,090,000             $48,496             $33,270
2024 Budget Estimate................................           7,190,000              89,946              33,270
Provided in the Bill................................           8,090,000              44,024              33,270
Comparison:
  2023 Appropriation................................               - - -              -4,472               - - -
  2024 Budget Estimate..............................            +900,000             -45,992               - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans 
Program Account, the Committee provides a loan level of 
$8,090,000,000. In addition, the Committee provides $33,270,000 
for administrative expenses.
    The following table reflects the loan levels for the Rural 
Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account:

                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   FY 2023       FY 2024      Committee
                                   enacted      estimate      provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Authorizations
Electric:
    Direct, FFB...............    $2,167,000    $2,167,000    $2,167,000
    Direct, Treasury..........     4,333,000     4,333,000     4,333,000
    Guaranteed Underwriting...       900,000         - - -       900,000
                               -----------------------------------------
        Subtotal..............     7,400,000     6,500,000     7,400,000
Telecommunications:
    Direct, Treasury Rate.....       690,000       690,000       690,000
    Direct, FFB...............         - - -         - - -         - - -
                               -----------------------------------------
        Total, Loan               $8,090,000    $7,190,000    $8,090,000
         Authorizations.......
------------------------------------------------------------------------

       ESTIMATED LOAN SUBSIDY AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES LEVELS

                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   FY 2023       FY 2024      Committee
                                   enacted      estimate      provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Electrification and
 Telecommunication Loans
    Technical Assistance               - - -       $15,000         - - -
     Grants...................
    Rural Energy Savings             $11,500        34,500        $7,176
     Program..................
    Telecommunications Direct,         3,726         7,176         3,578
     Treasury.................
    Treasury Modifications....         - - -        25,000         - - -
    Rural Clean Energy                 - - -        15,000         - - -
     Initiative...............
    Administrative Expenses...        33,270        33,270        33,270
                               -----------------------------------------
        Total, Rural                  48,496        89,946        44,024
         Electrification and
         Telecommunications...
------------------------------------------------------------------------

         DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM

                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   FY 2023       FY 2024      Committee
                                   enacted      estimate      provision
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broadband Program:
    Loan Authorization........       $14,674       $14,674       $14,674
    Loan Subsidy..............         3,000         2,037         2,037
    Community Connect Grants..        35,000        35,000        30,000
    Broadband ReConnect Loans        363,513       400,000       269,385
     and Grants...............
Distance Learning and
 Telemedicine:
    Grants....................        64,991        65,000        56,973
                               -----------------------------------------
        Total, Loan Subsidy         $466,504      $502,037      $358,395
         and Grants...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband 
Program, the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$358,395,000.
    Application Process.--The ReConnect program shall not 
provide a scoring disadvantage based specifically upon the form 
of organization or commercial status of a broadband service 
provider. The Committee again reminds the Department that 
funding should not be used in areas that are already largely 
served and should be focused in areas where at least 90% of 
households lack access. In so doing, the Committee intends that 
USDA should avoid efforts that could duplicate existing or 
planned broadband networks in areas where another provider has 
already received funding from another Federal, State, or local 
funding program to build, has otherwise committed to a 
government entity to build, or has invested private risk 
capital to build in an area to provide service.
    To achieve these goals, we urge USDA to continue 
coordinating closely with the National Telecommunications 
Information Administration and the Federal Communications 
Commission (FCC) in a transparent manner to ensure that there 
is a common agreement about which areas are currently unserved, 
utilize a common map used to reach those conclusions that is 
updated each time a new funding decision is issued, and a clear 
and understandable challenge process.
    To avoid waste, funding should be given only to applicants 
that can and will follow through with their commitments by 
prioritizing applications from applicants that have 
demonstrated the technical and financial experience required to 
construct and operate broadband networks.
    To incentivize participation, applications should be as 
streamlined as possible, including allowing all providers to 
offer proof of financial capability through bond ratings 
instead of submitting financial documentation and to offer 
collateral for loans as well as security for performance under 
grants using alternative forms of security instead of providing 
a first lien on assets. Applications should only require the 
data strictly necessary to evaluate the application, and post-
award burdens should be minimized.
    Broadband and Tribal Colleges and Universities.--The 
Committee encourages the Secretary to explore opportunities to 
expand broadband for 1994 Institutions (as defined in Sec. 532 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note) under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.)). Stronger efforts are needed to support 
expansion and maintenance of broadband connectivity, including, 
but not limited to, equipment costs, maintenance of broadband 
systems, broadband infrastructure expansion, and ongoing 
broadband operations expenses directly related to 1994 
Institutions broadband systems.
    Cost-Benefit Analysis.--The Committee directs USDA to 
conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the most efficient and 
economical means of broadband deployment to connect unserved 
rural areas. The report shall be submitted to the Committee 
within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Indian Country Broadband.--The Committee urges USDA to 
responsibly and efficiently take action to address broadband 
deficiencies through increased access and investments for 
broadband on rural tribal lands.
    ReConnect.--The Committee provides an additional 
$260,000,000 for the ReConnect program to increase access to 
broadband connectivity in unserved and underserved rural 
communities, targeting areas of the country with the largest 
broadband coverage gaps, including those with mountainous 
terrain.
    ReConnect Application.--The Committee recognizes that 
difficulties caused by supply chain disruptions can make 
administration of broadband projects more difficult but 
encourages USDA to work to expeditiously disburse ReConnect 
funds once grants and loans are awarded. Additionally, the 
Committee encourages the Department to examine and 
appropriately adjust collateral requirements within ReConnect 
Loan Agreements, Grant Agreements, or Loan/Grant Agreements to 
ensure greater Program access.
    ReConnect Coordination.--The Committee recognizes the 
certain burdens facing small telecommunication providers in 
rural America that seek financial assistance through the 
ReConnect program. Rural broadband providers are community 
institutions that are leading the way to close the digital 
divide. Government assistance programs should not further 
complicate these small companies with costly applications and 
confusing regulatory compliance requirements. The Committee 
urges continued partnerships with other Federal agencies to 
review various Federal broadband program requirements in 
efforts to better understand program nuances and promote 
harmonization of Federal broadband application processes.
    ReConnect Scoring Criteria.--The ReConnect program shall 
establish a scoring criterion that prioritizes serving the 
hardest to reach, unserved and underserved rural communities.
    ReConnect Service Areas.--RUS Telecommunications Program 
funds should not be awarded in any areas, study areas or census 
blocks where a recipient of FCC High-Cost USF support is 
already subject to a buildout obligation of 25/3 Mbps or 
greater for fixed terrestrial broadband, except that RUS 
Telecommunication Program funds may be awarded in such areas to 
help finance construction of the network. This shall not apply 
in cases where the FCC has not provided for final approval of 
an award of such funds.
    ReConnect Technical Assistance.--The Committee recognizes 
that there is a greater need for technical assistance for small 
rural communities applying for USDA loans and grants. The 
Committee directs USDA to continue a broadband technical 
assistance strategy to better support rural communities. This 
effort will assist applicants with initial planning and 
development of applications for USDA broadband loans and 
grants. This may include, but is not limited to, the review of 
program eligibility, review of program processes, one-on-one 
assistance with application development, and implementation of 
broadband in the area of the applying entity. This effort must 
provide program analysts within USDA to provide one-on-one 
technical assistance to applying entities throughout the 
ReConnect application process.
    Rural Telehealth.--The Committee supports the Memorandum of 
Understanding entered into on August 31, 2020, establishing a 
Rural Telehealth Initiative between HHS, the FCC, and USDA. 
Together, this important initiative can leverage the expertise 
of each respective agency and improve collaboration amongst 
entities tasked with addressing rural telehealth access. 
Agencies involved in this initiative should prioritize 
opportunities to continue the expansion of telehealth services 
and close the digital divide.

                                TITLE IV


                         DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS


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


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $1,376,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,416,000
Provided in the bill..................................           800,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................          -576,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -616,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, 
and Consumer Services, the Committee provides an appropriation 
of $800,000.
    The Committee recognizes USDA's efforts to improve the SNAP 
and WIC shopping experience through online purchasing and 
encourages FNS to build upon its current efforts.
    The Committee is aware of USDA's work to improve customer 
service through language access and to ensure applications are 
available in multiple languages and requests an update on such 
activities.
    Cultural Foods.--The Committee encourages FNS within 180 
days of enactment of this Act to make recommendations to 
include more cultural food options in domestic food programs.
    Local Food.--The Committee encourages all nutrition 
programs, to the extent feasible, to explore innovative ways to 
procure food directly from local producers. The Committee also 
encourages the Department of Defense and FNS to review current 
practices to identify opportunities to increase local food 
purchases in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
    Public Release of Information.--The Committee directs FNS 
to continue making all policy documents related to the WIC 
program, including, but not limited to, instructions, 
memoranda, guidance, and questions and answers, available to 
the public within one week of their release to WIC State 
administrators.

                       Food and Nutrition Service


                        CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................   $28,545,432,000
2024 budget estimate..................................    32,030,897,000
Provided in the bill..................................    31,996,363,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................    +3,450,931,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -34,534,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Child Nutrition Programs, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $31,996,363,000.
    Food Waste Education.--USDA's nutrition programs reach 
nearly one in four Americans every day, including approximately 
30 million children through school feeding programs. This 
provides a significant opportunity to increase public awareness 
of food loss and waste and ways to prevent it. The Committee 
encourages USDA to include food waste education and prevention 
information in all nutrition education materials geared toward 
teachers, students, and other program recipients.
    Local School Wellness Policies.--Any difficulty in having 
access to healthy food amongst youth can cause significant 
issues, including a higher risk of obesity and eating 
disorders. The Committee requests a report within 120 days of 
the enactment of this Act on FNS' progress to inform State 
Education Agencies that obesity and eating disorder information 
can be included in local school wellness policies.
    Summer Food Service Program.--The Committee supports FNS 
allowing State agencies to enable Summer Food Service Program 
service institutions that serve such areas where eligible 
children and youth have limited access to a congregate feeding 
site to use their customary reimbursement payments to develop 
and implement innovative methods to deliver or otherwise make 
available foods to eligible children and youth by non-
congregate means or in non-congregate settings.
    Team Nutrition.--The Committee supports the nutritional 
health of school children and recognizes the need for 
additional support for schools to meet certain nutrition 
standards for school meals, particularly for sodium and whole 
grains. The Committee encourages FNS to help schools meet these 
targets and directs FNS to report on the use of funds to assist 
schools.
    Tribal Demonstration.--The Committee encourages FNS to 
provide a report within 180 days of enactment on establishing a 
pilot project that allows Indian tribes to directly administer 
programs funded through USDA's Child Nutrition Programs.
    The Committee provides the following for Child Nutrition 
Programs:

                      TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY

                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
School lunch program.................................        $16,427,651
School breakfast program.............................          6,045,213
Child and adult care food program....................          4,185,721
Summer food service program..........................            846,331
Summer EBT Benefits..................................          1,700,000
Special milk program.................................              6,651
State administrative expenses........................            661,591
Commodity procurement................................          1,948,518
Team Nutrition.......................................             18,004
Food safety education................................              4,196
Coordinated review...................................             10,000
Computer support and processing......................             33,738
CACFP training and technical assistance..............             45,996
Child Nutrition Program studies and evaluations......             21,005
Child Nutrition payment accuracy.....................             12,315
Farm to school tactical team.........................              6,433
School meals equipment grants........................             20,000
Farm to School grants................................              3,000
    Total............................................        $31,996,363
------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN 
                                 (WIC)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $6,000,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     6,300,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................     6,000,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................      -300,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants, and Children (WIC), the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $6,000,000,000, the same as fiscal year 2023.
    This funding will ensure all eligible participants are 
served. USDA data shows that WIC participation rates have 
remained constant since fiscal year 2020. Birth rates also 
remain at an all-time low according to the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore, the Secretary has a 
sufficient WIC contingency reserve fund as a safety net to meet 
unexpected demand. The Committee will continue to monitor WIC 
participation, carryover funds, and food costs and take 
additional action as necessary to ensure that funding provided 
in fiscal year 2024 remains sufficient to serve all eligible 
applicants.
    Allergenic Foods.--The Committee encourages the Secretary 
to provide nutrition education to address the early 
introduction of potentially allergenic foods to align with the 
most recent edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
(DGA), which state that ``Potentially allergenic foods should 
be introduced when other complementary foods are introduced to 
an infant's diet.''
    WIC Food Package.--The Committee notes that repeated 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans have identified dairy products 
as nutrient-dense, while also identifying a high percentage of 
the U.S. population, including WIC's at-risk population, as not 
consuming the recommended level of dairy. Therefore, language 
is included to continue the current recommended levels of dairy 
in the WIC program.
    Further, the Committee is concerned that the revised whole 
grain requirement for cereals under the proposed rule entitled 
``Revisions in the WIC Food Packages'' issued November 21, 
2022, limits gluten-free and culturally accepted options for 
breakfast cereal. USDA is encouraged to complete a study with 
national representation to evaluate the impact of a whole grain 
only cereal standard to ensure there is no reduction in cereal 
redemption before implementing this proposed change.
    Zika Outreach and Education.--The Committee encourages USDA 
to continue its education and outreach efforts through the WIC 
program to provide pregnant women with the information they 
need to prevent Zika.

               SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 
 
 
2023 appropriation...................................   $153,863,723,000
2024 budget estimate.................................    149,645,237,000
Provided in the bill.................................    121,996,757,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation.................................    -31,866,966,000
  2024 budget estimate...............................    -27,648,480,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the 
Committee provides $121,996,757,000. The total amount includes 
$3,000,000,000 for a contingency reserve to be used only in the 
event and in the amount necessary. The Committee does not 
provide the requested $100,000,000 within mandatory other 
program costs to establish a new grant program incentivizing 
State agencies to increase enrollment rates.
    The Committee is aware that the Basic Allowance for Housing 
that members of the military receive is not excluded as income 
when calculating eligibility for SNAP. The Committee encourages 
FNS to provide a report on the effect of this policy.
    Data Transparency.--Within the funds provided for mandatory 
other program costs, FNS is directed to collect a statistically 
significant sample of retail food store SNAP transaction data, 
including the cost and description of items purchased with SNAP 
benefits, to the extent practicable and without affecting 
retail food store document retention practices. The Committee 
notes the importance of modernizing data collection practices 
with verified purchase data to capture consumers natural 
purchase behavior. The Committee recognizes that every SNAP 
participant is different and that spending transparency would 
aid in the allocation of benefits.
    National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC).--The Committee 
supports the full implementation of the NAC, which has been in 
operation in States since 2013 and uses a third-party 
electronic data matching system, data analytics, and public 
data to determine the correct State to issue SNAP benefits. 
This system enables States to efficiently and accurately 
identify intrastate and interstate matches of participants, 
preventing dual participation. FNS is directed to enter into an 
agreement to expand the real-time automated NAC to all 53 SNAP 
agencies.
    Restaurant Meals Program Report.--For those unable to store 
and prepare meals, the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is an 
option to ensure that the most vulnerable low-income 
individuals have access to food. The Committee encourages FNS 
to provide a report on the RMP within 90 days of enactment of 
this Act, including but not limited to best practices and 
challenges for State participation and inclusion of locally 
owned small businesses.
    SNAP Card Skimming.--The Committee remains concerned about 
the prevalence of SNAP benefit theft due to identity theft, 
card skimming, card cloning, and other fraudulent methods. The 
Committee is also concerned that Electronic Benefit Transfer 
(EBT) cards lack the proper security features necessary to 
protect against benefit theft. The Committee directs FNS to 
engage with State and local agencies and appropriate 
stakeholders to develop a more secure EBT card that contains 
innovative technologies to protect against benefit theft.
    SNAP-Ed.--When administering SNAP-Ed, the Committee 
encourages FNS and NIFA to prioritize evidence-based 
interventions that include hands-on cooking paired with 
nutrition education. The Committee believes that SNAP-Ed grants 
should include cooking programs that deliver community-based 
nutrition education to SNAP-eligible families with the 
intention of helping households maximize their food budgets and 
prepare healthier meals.
    Territories.--The Committee recognizes the differences in 
assistance provided through Nutrition Assistance Program block 
grant funding for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa, compared to SNAP. The 
Committee encourages FNS to continue engaging the appropriate 
stakeholders and directs FNS to provide the Committee with 
updates on the separate plans and discussions to includes these 
territories in SNAP.
    The Committee provides the following for SNAP:

                      TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY

                         [Dollars in thousands]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits.............................................       $107,896,671
Contingency reserve..................................          3,000,000
Administrative costs:
    State administrative costs.......................          5,874,192
    Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant             516,000
     Program.........................................
    Employment and Training..........................            663,465
    Mandatory other program costs....................            387,543
    Discretionary other program costs................              5,998
                                                      ------------------
      Administrative subtotal........................          7,447,198
Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico (NAP)...........          2,962,426
American Samoa.......................................             11,897
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.....            165,001
TEFAP commodities....................................            468,752
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.........             34,812
Community Food Projects..............................              5,000
Program access.......................................              5,000
                                                      ------------------
    Subtotal.........................................          3,652,888
      Total..........................................        121,996,757
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $457,710,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       517,070,000
Provided in the bill..................................       472,563,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       +14,853,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -44,507,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    The Committee provides an appropriation of $472,563,000 for 
the Commodity Assistance Program. This includes $373,493,000 
for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, $18,000,000 for 
the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, $80,000,000 for 
administrative funding for The Emergency Food Assistance 
Program (TEFAP), and $1,070,000 for the Food Donations Programs 
for Pacific Island Assistance.
    TEFAP Handling and Distribution Costs.--In addition to 
grant funds supporting commodity handling and distribution 
costs, the bill permits States to use up to 20 percent of the 
funds provided for purchasing TEFAP commodities to help with 
the costs of storing, transporting, and distributing 
commodities. The Committee expects State agencies to consult 
with their emergency feeding organizations on the need for the 
conversion of such funds.
    Kosher and Halal Foods in TEFAP.--USDA was required to 
implement a plan to increase the purchase of Kosher and Halal 
food from food manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal 
certification. Not later than 60 days after enactment of this 
Act, the Committee directs FNS to brief the Committee on the 
implementation plan required under 7 U.S.C. 7502(h) and the 
efforts to increase the number of kosher and halal certified 
products available beyond the nine products currently 
available.
    Wild Game.--The Committee is aware that TEFAP regulations 
allow the use of administrative funds for the repackaging and 
processing of donated wild game. Some State agencies and 
eligible recipient agencies utilize a portion of annually 
allocated administrative funds for this purpose. The Farm to 
Food Bank Projects also allow funds to be used for wild game. 
The Committee urges FNS to ensure State agencies are aware of 
this option and work with State-based wild game hunger relief 
programs.

                   NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $189,348,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       221,193,000
Provided in the bill..................................       136,861,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -52,487,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -84,332,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Nutrition Programs Administration, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $136,861,000.
    Dietary Guidelines for Americans.--The Committee recognizes 
that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is designed to 
include all Americans. Given the increase in chronic disease, 
the Committee directs USDA to include in the 2025-2030 Dietary 
Guidelines for Americans a dietary pattern for the treatment of 
diet-related diseases, including obesity and diabetes, based 
exclusively on rigorous data.

                                TITLE V


                FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS


   Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 
                                Affairs


 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................          $932,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         1,035,000
Provided in the bill..................................           875,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................           -57,000
  2024 budget estimate................................          -160,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs, the Committee provides an appropriation 
of $875,000.

                      Foreign Agricultural Service


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Appropriation.....................................       $237,330,000         $6,063,000       $243,393,000
2024 Budget Estimate...................................        256,149,000          6,063,000        262,212,000
Provided in the bill...................................        237,330,000          6,063,000        243,393,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation...................................              - - -              - - -              - - -
  2024 budget estimate.................................        -18,819,000              - - -        -18,819,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $237,330,000 and a transfer of 
$6,063,000 for a total of $243,393,000.
    Outreach.--The Committee encourages FAS to conduct active 
outreach to HBCUs, HSIs, AANAPISIs, and any other MSI to raise 
awareness of FAS career opportunities. The Committee also 
encourages FAS to conduct listening sessions with current FAS 
officers from MSIs to assess any additional barriers applicants 
from these institutions face in entering FAS.
    U.S., Central America, and Mexico Cooperation.--The 
Committee continues to direct FAS to work with its counterparts 
in Central America and Mexico to improve the efficiency of the 
agricultural inspection process and agricultural trade 
facilitation issues.
    Ukraine.--The Committee recognizes that the agriculture 
network of Ukraine has been severely affected by conflict and 
that many villages in Ukraine rely on subsistence farmers, the 
majority of whom are women. The Committee directs FAS to 
provide a report within 180 days of enactment on the 
agricultural situation in Ukrainian villages, including 
challenges in feeding the local populace and the feasibility of 
shipping seed packets to subsistence farmers.

                     FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................    $1,750,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................     1,800,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................     1,740,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -10,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       -60,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For Food for Peace Title II grants, the Committee provides 
an appropriation of $1,740,000,000.
    Violence Against Women and Girls.--The Committee recognizes 
the impact of the ongoing hunger crisis on women and girls and 
the ways in which acute hunger and violence mutually compound 
each other. The Committee directs the Administrator to provide 
a report within 90 days of enactment on steps taken to address 
the increase in violence and food insecurity, including the 
feasibility of disaggregating data by sex and age in needs 
assessments and program reporting.

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

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $243,331,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       243,331,000
Provided in the bill..................................       240,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................        -3,331,000
  2024 budget estimate................................        -3,331,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program Grants, the Committee provides an 
appropriation of $240,000,000.
    In addition to the donation of U.S. agricultural 
commodities, the Committee encourages USDA to leverage 
voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and intergovernmental 
organizations in supporting the expansion and creation of 
school-based feeding programs, food banks, feeding centers, and 
accompanying facilities and equipment.

              COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT (LOANS)

                    CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................        $6,063,000
2024 budget estimate..................................         6,063,000
Provided in the bill..................................         6,063,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For administrative expenses of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation Export Loans Credit Guarantee Program Account, the 
Committee provides an appropriation of $6,063,000.

                                TITLE VI


           RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION


                Department of Health and Human Services


                      Food and Drug Administration


                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Appropriation          User fees        Total, FDA S&E
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Appropriation..............................             $3,530,150            $3,032,643         $6,562,793
2024 Budget Estimate............................              3,896,028             3,074,880          6,970,908
Provided in the bill............................              3,504,150             3,074,880          6,579,030
Comparison:
  2023 Appropriation............................                -26,000               +42,237            +16,237
  2024 Budget Estimate..........................               -391,818                 - - -           -391,878
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For the Food and Drug Administration, the Committee 
provides $3,504,150,000 in discretionary budget authority and 
$3,074,880,000 in definite user fees for a total of 
$6,579,030,000. The Committee recommendation does not include 
proposed user fees that are not authorized.
    503A Pharmacy and 503B Outsourcing Facility Inspections.--
The Committee is concerned about reports of growing delays 
between FDA inspections of human drug compounders and timely 
agency follow up. The Committee understands that some of these 
delays may be related to insufficient staffing and resource 
issues at the FDA. The Committee awaits the report directed in 
House Report 117-392 on inspections of human drug compounders. 
This report will include an analysis of the average time that 
it takes from the inspection to regulatory action or closure 
letter. Further, this report will also provide analysis 
regarding the challenges the agency faces in conducting 
inspections, closing out observation and warning letters, and 
identifying any additional resources the agency needs to 
improve the current system.
    2019 ALS Clinical Trial Guidance.--The Committee 
understands that FDA recognizes the critical unmet medical need 
for new, effective treatments for ALS. The burden of ALS for 
patients, their families and caregivers is devastating, and the 
Committee urges FDA to reaffirm its commitment to its 2019 ALS 
Clinical Trial Guidance. Further, the Committee requests that 
FDA report to Congress within 90 days of enactment of this Act 
detailing the actions that FDA has taken to implement the 2019 
ALS Clinical Trial Guidance.
    Abraham Accords Region.--To help diversify and protect the 
American medical product and food supply chains, the FDA shall 
develop a plan in cooperation with the Secretary of State for 
expanding its international presence, including consideration 
of a physical office support of the Abraham Accords. FDA 
foreign offices provide advice and guidance on regulatory 
requirements for the safety and quality of FDA-regulated 
products for sale in the United States and, as appropriate, 
perform in-person inspections to verify that products exported 
to the United States meet the agency's requirements. The plan 
shall consider required personnel and input from other relevant 
Federal agencies that would assist in facilitating interactions 
with nations of the Abraham Accords on issues relevant to the 
FDA. The Committee requests an update on the plan no later than 
90 days after enactment of this Act.
    Access to Compounded Hormones.--As the FDA reviews 
recommendations from the National Academies of Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report on the Clinical 
Utility of Compounded Hormones, the Committee urges FDA to 
engage with compounders and other stakeholders to help ensure 
access to compounded drugs for patients who need them.
    Accountability for Unsafe Drug Products.--The Committee is 
troubled by reports of companies knowingly withholding research 
that showed their products had adverse health outcomes. The 
Committee requests a briefing within 90 days of enactment of 
this Act regarding the agency's surveillance and enforcement 
efforts to ensure accountability for companies that withhold 
material information concerning unsafe drug products.
    Advanced Manufacturing.--The Committee appreciates FDA's 
efforts to assess potential regulatory barriers that impede the 
adoption of novel manufacturing technologies with a report 
issued by NASEM and is eager to work with the agency to 
establish the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Designation 
Program, which effectuates the recommendation of the Academies. 
These novel technologies can help reduce drug shortages, reduce 
manufacturing costs, improve product quality, and improve the 
domestic manufacturing base. The Committee requests FDA provide 
a briefing within 90 days of the publication of a draft 
guidance on the Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Designation 
Program, as described in section 506L of the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (as amended by section 3213 of 
the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act). Such report shall inform 
Congress of FDA's progress toward implementing this new 
program, including how it is being integrated with the CDER 
Emerging Technologies Program and CBER Advanced Technologies 
Team, an overview of the types of technologies assessed to date 
in the first year of the program, a summary of reasons why FDA 
declined to designate proposed technologies, and the number of 
products FDA has received requests to review.
    Adverse Drug Events.--The Committee commends the FDA's 
initiatives to increase the number of women and minorities in 
clinical trials to represent their unique health needs, gather 
safety and efficacy information to inform proper product 
labeling, and prevent adverse drug events (ADEs), which are 
twice as high for women. The Committee looks forward to 
receiving the briefing requested in House Report 117-392 on the 
progress the FDA has made in examining past drug approvals with 
identified pharmacogenomic safety issues and developing 
strategies that may mitigate risks of ADE's. The Committee also 
looks forward to receiving the analysis of the data gathered 
and how it impacts clinical trials, what has and has not been 
effective, and recommended best practices for drug sponsors.
    Allergen Labeling.--The Committee is concerned about the 
increase in the diagnosis of food allergies to new and emerging 
food allergens not currently required to be labeled. The 
Committee urges the Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition (CFSAN) to identify potential future food allergens 
that would require labeling on food packaging and to implement 
the required process toward labeling on packaged foods.
    Alzheimer's Clinical Trials.--The Committee recognizes the 
need to advance innovative clinical trial designs to increase 
diversity in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. The 
Committee encourages FDA to increase efforts to make 
Alzheimer's clinical trials more inclusive and innovative and 
to conduct necessary outreach to underrepresented populations.
    Animal Drug Compounding.--The Committee is concerned that 
the agency has finalized Guidance for Industry #256, 
Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances, which 
restricts the ability of veterinarians to obtain compounded 
animal drugs needed in stock to administer to animal patients 
in an office, kennel, stable, field, zoo, or other appropriate 
setting, pursuant to State veterinary and pharmacy laws and 
regulations. The Committee encourages the FDA to continue 
collaborating with stakeholder organizations, including State 
boards of pharmacy, pharmacy organizations, and accreditation 
bodies, to ensure that the intent of the guidance is understood 
to allow for consistent application.
    Animal Testing for Cosmetics.--The Committee acknowledges 
the FDA's increased authority to regulate the safety 
substantiation of cosmetic products in the Modernization of 
Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, enacted in P.L. 117-328. The 
Committee reiterates the sense of Congress that animal testing 
should not be used for the purposes of safety testing on 
cosmetic products. The Committee is encouraged by progress made 
to replace cosmetic animal testing with modern nonanimal 
approaches and understands that many companies already 
substantiate cosmetic safety without the use of animals. The 
Committee urges the FDA to continue supporting the development 
and testing of cosmetic products without the use of animal 
testing.
    Antibiotic Breakpoints.--The Committee recognizes that the 
FDA needs to ensure that breakpoints are updated in a timely 
fashion to promote stronger stewardship efforts. The Committee 
directs the FDA to review stakeholder feedback on breakpoints 
submitted to its public docket and to provide a briefing to the 
Committee within 180 days of enactment of this Act.
    Authorized Products.--The Committee acknowledges that FDA 
has provided a list of products with marketing-granted orders 
and a list of PMTAs received by September 9, 2020. However, 
those lists have not proven useful to retailers seeking to 
comply with the law. The Committee, therefore, urges the FDA to 
improve retailers' understanding of which tobacco products may 
be legally marketed.
    Blood Donor Procedures.--The Committee continues to 
recognize the need for scientifically sound, evidence-based 
policy relative to FDA blood donor recommendations. The 
Committee expects the FDA to complete review of the evidence 
obtained from the ADVANCE study and encourages FDA to issue 
updated evidence-based blood donor recommendations. The 
Committee directs FDA to report to Congress within 180 days of 
enactment of this Act on the status of its ongoing review, the 
data it is using or has used to update guidelines, and its 
outreach and education to blood donation centers relating to 
its updated recommendations.
    Boxed Warnings in Drug Product Labeling.--The Committee 
supports efforts to ensure the health and safety of all 
Americans, especially older adults, through FDA's use of 
warning(s), including a boxed warning, in drug product labeling 
for certain FDA-approved medicines to inform providers, 
patients, and caregivers of contraindications or serious 
warnings. Specifically, the Committee notes the risk identified 
in scientific reports, that older adults with mental health 
conditions associated with dementia using antipsychotic 
medicines are at increased risk of death and that FDA has not 
re-evaluated the need and value of the boxed warning included 
in the approved labeling of antipsychotic medications since 
2008, despite additional scientific evidence, clinical guidance 
changes and new medicines entering the market. FDA is directed 
to hold a public workshop and as part of that process review 
the data regarding risks associated with the use of medicines 
when the antipsychotic class in older adults with mental health 
conditions associated with dementia and the appropriateness of 
the broad application of this boxed warning for all medicines 
within this class. The Committee requests FDA provide an update 
on its review and the public workshop outcome to the Committee 
12 months after enactment of this Act.
    Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Trials and Combination 
Treatments.--The Committee commends FDA for its continued 
efforts to accelerate the review and approval of cell and gene 
therapies for cancer, which have provided hope for many 
patients when more traditional treatments have failed. Research 
suggests that therapies which combine cellular products and 
other cancer drugs may prove more effective for some patients, 
including those who do not benefit from single-drug treatments. 
These combination treatments increase the complexity of trial 
design, especially regarding treatment sequencing and the 
number of treatment arms per trial. Therefore, the Committee 
urges FDA to work with and provide guidance to industry and the 
broader research community on how to standardize potency 
testing requirements for cellular therapies.
    Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.--The Committee encourages 
FDA to refrain from issuing statements, bulletins, or 
advisories linking canine dilated cardiomyopathy to certain pet 
food ingredients unless new information is available, such as 
completion of adequate, peer-reviewed scientific studies or 
publication of the proceedings from a scientific meeting or 
colloquium.
    Cannabidiol Oil Enforcement.--The Committee is concerned 
about the proliferation of foods and dietary supplements 
marketed in violation of the FFDCA, including products 
containing derivatives of the cannabis plant. The Committee is 
aware that non-FFDCA-compliant products pose potential health 
and safety risks to consumers through misleading, 
unsubstantiated, and false claims that cannabis and cannabis 
derivatives can treat serious and life-threatening diseases and 
conditions, including COVID-19. The Committee recognizes that 
FDA intends to work with Congress on creating a regulatory 
framework that could permit one compound in cannabis, 
cannabidiol (CBD), in consumer products. FDA indicated that 
such a framework could safeguard consumers by providing risk 
management tools to the agency to manage CBD risks, including 
labeling requirements, prevention of contaminants, content 
limits, and other public health protections, such as minimum 
purchase age, to mitigate the risk of ingestion by children.
    The Committee recognizes FDA's use of existing authorities 
to undertake cannabis-related efforts, including research, 
requests for data, consumer education, issuance of guidance and 
policy around cannabis-based drug product development, and 
enforcement against wrongdoers. The Committee expects FDA to 
continue and increase these efforts given the proliferation of 
non-FFDCA-compliant, cannabis-containing products and the risks 
they pose to public health. The Committee also expects FDA to 
take enforcement action against the manufacturers of any 
cannabis products marketed with unlawful therapeutic claims to 
preserve the integrity of the drug development and approval 
processes, which ensures that products, including cannabis-
containing products, marketed as drugs have undergone a 
rigorous scientific evaluation to assure that they are safe, 
pure, potent, and effective for the diseases and conditions 
they claim to treat. It is also imperative that FDA continue to 
exercise its existing authorities to preserve incentives to 
invest in robust clinical study of cannabis so its therapeutic 
value can be better understood.
    Canned Tuna.--The Committee remains concerned that FDA has 
not revised the standard of identity for canned tuna to adopt 
the drained weight fill of container standard, despite having 
received two citizens petitions, one of which dates to 1994. 
FDA is directed to promulgate proposed regulations revising the 
standard of identity for canned tuna consistent with the 
drained weight standard adopted for canned tuna by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission and the Association of Official 
Analytical Chemists. FDA shall, to the extent consistent with 
applicable regulations, continue to approve in a timely manner 
temporary marketing permits that adopt the drained weight 
method consistent with international standards and to approve 
updates to product labeling under existing temporary marketing 
permits in a timely manner.
    Cell Cultured Meat Labeling.--The Committee is aware that 
FDA has completed its first pre-market consultation for a human 
food made from cultured animal cells, the first action 
completed under the Formal Agreement Between the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services Food and Drug 
Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of 
Food Safety (the ``Formal Agreement'') announced on March 7, 
2019. The Committee is interested in the internal FDA protocols 
related to pre-market consultations for cell-cultured protein 
products, specifically whether or not there are special or 
unique considerations made for these products in pre-market 
consultation processes under the Formal Agreement. The 
Committee requests a report within 90 days of enactment of this 
Act outlining the pre-market consultation process for cell-
cultured protein products, noting any special accommodations 
made to comply with the Formal Agreement and any agency plans 
to coordinate with its counterparts at USDA on further action 
regarding the same products.
    Citizen Petitions.--The Committee requests a briefing 
within 45 days of enactment of this Act on all pending citizen 
petitions, food additive petitions, and color additives 
petitions regarding food uses of chemicals or toxic elements.
    Clinical Trials.--The Committee recognizes that the COVID-
19 pandemic further increased the staffing shortages already 
present at clinical research sites, exacerbating longstanding 
challenges to the timely collection and efficient reporting of 
clinical trial data in cancer research. The burden of data 
collection, entry, and verification is high and rests primarily 
with site staff, who most often input data manually. Meanwhile, 
the data fields requested for developing a given drug class 
have become increasingly numerous and may be complex. The 
Committee urges the FDA to provide guidance to cancer trial 
sites, sponsors, and contractors that both define necessary 
data elements and streamline data entry and verification 
processes. Such guidance will be foundational in maximizing 
clinical trial efficiency through a targeted reduction of the 
administrative burden currently placed upon research staff.
    Cloud.--The Committee notes the increased adoption of 
cloud-based technologies by FDA-regulated companies and 
appreciates FDA's interest in accelerating the use of modern 
systems to facilitate innovation and improve patient care. To 
further cloud adoption, the Committee instructs FDA to continue 
to explore mechanisms to support cloud adoption, including 
looking at critical areas such as record-keeping, data 
integrity, and other regulatory requirements, and to ensure 
that the agency collects robust public input, including from 
regulated companies and cloud technology vendors. The Committee 
instructs FDA to provide a briefing on these efforts within 12 
months of enactment of this Act.
    Critical Path.--The Critical Path Public-Private 
Partnership Program encourages the FDA to establish 
partnerships with non-profit entities and universities to help 
modernize the development, evaluation, manufacture, and use of 
FDA-regulated products. Through collaborations, these 
partnerships promote the development of new tools, methods, and 
approaches to foster innovation and bring efficiency into FDA-
regulated product development.
    Dairy Standard of Identity.--The Committee is pleased that 
the FDA has begun a deliberative process to review how it will 
enforce the standards of identity for dairy products in the 
Code of Federal Regulations. The Committee continues to hear 
concerns with the labeling of certain foods and beverages as 
dairy products when the products are plant-based rather than 
derived from an animal. As such, the Committee urges the FDA to 
continue its work related to standards of identity for dairy 
products.
    Desiccated Thyroid Extract.--The Committee is concerned 
about the availability of desiccated thyroid extract. The 
Committee recognizes that hypothyroidism is a serious medical 
condition. The Committee encourages FDA to provide further 
clarity to ensure patients have continued access to treatment 
for hypothyroidism.
    Device Authority.--The Committee recognizes the FDA's 
ability to restrict certain uses of a device under certain 
circumstances but directs the agency to do so in a manner that 
does not interfere with any court-approved treatment. When 
necessary, the FDA has the authority to ban a device for all 
uses when the device demonstrates substantial deception or 
unreasonable risk.
    Device Remanufacturing Safety and Awareness.--The Committee 
recognizes that the FDA has authority over remanufacturing of 
devices but is concerned that the agency needs to increase 
public awareness of the requirements applicable to device 
remanufacturing. The Committee recognizes that the agency plans 
to publish a final guidance document on the remanufacturing of 
devices in fiscal year 2023. Within 30 days of the issuance of 
the final guidance document, the Committee directs the agency 
to provide a briefing to the Committee on the guidance and the 
agency's plans to promote public awareness of the applicable 
requirements and related compliance.
    Diabetes.--Given the growing prevalence of diabetes, which 
disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minority 
populations including Hispanics, American Indians/Alaska 
Natives, Asian Americans and non-Hispanic Blacks in the United 
States, the Committee urges OMHHE to collaborate with the 
American Diabetes Association and other stakeholder groups to 
help Americans prevent and treat diabetes and to address the 
disparity in how severely it affects minority groups in 
particular.
    Dietary Supplements.--The Committee supports increased 
inspections and enforcement for high-priority supplements with 
a history of being tainted and bearing illegal claims, 
including, but not limited to, products marketed as supplements 
for weight loss, muscle, arthritis or pain, or diabetes.
    Donor Human Milk.--The 2022 infant formula crisis revealed 
significant weaknesses in the nation's oversight and regulation 
of foods for vulnerable populations. Further investigation 
revealed these weaknesses extend beyond traditional infant 
formulas and into other sources of food, including donor human 
milk, which, like infant formula, is provided to infants. In 
recent years, the Committee has expressed its concern over the 
lack of Federal oversight of the donor human milk supply and 
directed the FDA to address regulation of donor human milk and 
donor human milk derived products and banks. The Committee 
directs the FDA to address the regulation of donor human milk 
and requests a briefing from the FDA within 90 days of 
enactment of this Act.
    Drug Compounding and Final MOU.--The Committee recognizes 
that FDA recently finalized the MOU for pharmacy compounding. 
The Committee requests that FDA engage further with 
stakeholders to address concerns and to ensure that all or 
nearly all States can sign this important document.
    Drug Compounding Pharmacist on Pharmacy Compounding 
Advisory Committee (PCAC).--The Committee recognizes that the 
PCAC established under the Drug Quality and Security Act needs 
to adequately represent the interests and needs of providers 
and patients who use and depend on compounded medications. 
Compounding is often practiced in community settings. It is 
therefore vital that voting members of PCAC have a thorough 
understanding of compounding in a community setting in order to 
appropriately advise FDA. The Committee encourages FDA to 
appoint qualified voting members with recent, actual, and 
diverse experience in the preparation, prescribing, and use of 
compounded medications.
    Drug Shortage Coordination.--The Committee appreciates 
FDA's efforts to combat drug shortages but believes that the 
agency can do more to balance benefit and risk in the context 
of its regulatory actions to better support and bolster the 
supply chain while protecting public health. Section 3616 of 
Title III of Division FF of the Consolidated Appropriations Act 
of 2023 reinstated requirements for the Office of Drug Shortage 
to evaluate the risks associated with shortages caused by 
enforcement actions and the risks associated with a violation 
before taking such an action. The Committee requests an update 
on the internal processes and procedures the FDA has 
implemented to effectuate this portion of the law within 90 
days of enactment of this Act.
    Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.--Some of the most 
promising therapies under development or approved are only 
viable for specific genetic mutations and impact a subset of 
the population. A treatment gap may be developing between 
Duchenne patients with a common mutation and those with less 
common mutations who may only be served utilization of trial 
designs with very small sample sizes or n=1 trials. The 
Committee urges CDER, in coordination with CBER, to consider 
efforts to facilitate the development of the full spectrum of 
genetic therapies, particularly those that lack the patient 
population to incentivize drug developers.
    FASTER Act.--The Committee recognizes the importance of 
enforcing the FASTER Act in a manner consistent with 
Congressional intent to protect those suffering from sesame 
allergies and clearly label sesame as an allergen on food 
products. The Committee is concerned by reports of companies 
circumventing the intent of the law by intentionally adding 
sesame to food products to avoid the cost of preventing cross-
contamination. FDA is directed to report on implementation of 
the FASTER Act, including plans to address this issue and an 
analysis of whether actions by companies in response to the 
Act's passage violated Federal food safety rules.
    FDA Funding Grants to the World Health Organization (WHO) 
for Tobacco Control Purposes.--The FDA has provided funding to 
the WHO to advance and expand tobacco product regulation under 
the FDA's Building Research Capacity in Global Tobacco Product 
Regulation grant program. The funding has in part been used to 
sponsor the Global Tobacco Regulators Forum. As international 
regulatory agencies continue to advance policies designed to 
promote tobacco use prevention and cessation measures and other 
tobacco control strategies, the FDA must ensure that grant 
funding to the WHO continues to provide Member States an 
opportunity to exchange information in forums, such as the 
Global Tobacco Regulators Forum, encourage an exchange of data 
and information on tobacco control, including information 
relevant to tobacco harm reduction strategies, and promote 
research and development in potentially less harmful products.
    Food Labeling Accuracy.--The Committee requests that CFSAN 
evaluate whether artificial intelligence (AI) driven audit 
tools can effectively assess food labeling accuracy and 
facilitate greater Federal labeling compliance. The Committee 
believes that AI-driven tools will accelerate CFSAN's goal of 
ensuring the accuracy of food labeling and that food labels are 
truthful and not misleading. The Committee directs CFSAN to 
brief the Committee within 180 days of enactment of this Act on 
the status of its evaluation.
    Food Packaging Health and Safety.--The Committee recognizes 
the critical importance of cold-ship and protective packaging 
that comply with FDA requirements for intended use to ensure 
food safety and security and promote public health. Packaging 
materials and solutions are specifically tailored to support 
the domestic and international distribution of agricultural 
products, meat, and seafood to minimize risks to public health 
and safety and, to the extent practicable, to extend shelf life 
and reduce food waste. The Committee urges the FDA to 
prioritize public health and safety and food waste prevention 
in any review of materials used to package, ship, and 
distribute food and agricultural products.
    Foreign Unannounced Inspections Pilots.--The Committee 
continues to support the pilot. The Committee reminds FDA of 
direction included in the fiscal year 2022 bill on the 
Committee's intent for the use of these funds. The Committee 
directs FDA to provide quarterly briefings on its efforts to 
implement these funds in accordance with the Committee's 
intent.
    Front of Package Labeling.--The Committee is concerned with 
elevated rates of diet-related disease. Prior to dedication of 
further resources to explore front of package labeling, the 
Committee requests that the FDA submit an explanation of FDA's 
statutory authority to impose mandatory labeling to appear on 
the front of package for food products and any potential legal 
limitations of such authority.
    Genome Editing in Plant Varieties.--The Committee urges FDA 
to publish for public comment draft guidance for industry on 
the use of genome editing in new plant varieties used for foods 
and strive to modernize and improve the timelines and 
predictability of the Plant Biotechnology Consultation Program 
under FDA's 1992 Statement of Policy--Foods Derived from New 
Plant Varieties.
    Human Foods Program Restructuring.--The Committee directs 
FDA to unify the foods program under an expert, empowered 
Deputy Commissioner for Foods with full line authority over 
CFSAN, the food and feed-related activities of the Center for 
Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and all the food-related components 
of the Office of Regulatory Affairs, including inspection and 
compliance, food-related laboratories, import oversight, State 
partnerships, training, and information technology.
    Illicit Tobacco.--The Committee is concerned about the 
continued growth of illicit markets for tobacco products. 
Consumers, retail establishments, manufacturers, and 
governments are all harmed by illicit tobacco markets. The 
Committee supports the authorities provided in the Tobacco 
Control Act to prevent illicit trade and efforts of all Federal 
law enforcement in combatting illicit tobacco products.
    Inspections at Land Ports of Entry.--A record volume of 
FDA-regulated commodities are being introduced for import 
inspection at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Committee is 
concerned that this is outpacing the Administration's 
processing operations resources at Land Ports of Entry, and 
this has resulted in increased cargo backlogs or otherwise 
compromised the Administration's ability to detect and seize 
violative products. In order to improve and streamline the 
inspection process and expedite the release of compliant 
products, the Committee directs FDA to support increased import 
operations at Land Ports of Entry, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
    International Mail Facilities.--The Committee supports 
continued efforts at International Mail Facilities on 
preventing controlled, counterfeit, or otherwise dangerous 
pharmaceuticals from entering the U.S. The Committee requests a 
report on all products refused import at international mail 
facilities by classifying such products as controlled or non-
controlled drugs and further classifying controlled or non-
controlled drugs as counterfeit, misbranded, or unapproved.
    Invasive Species.--The Committee encourages the FDA to work 
with other agencies and stakeholders to better market food 
offered for sale that is the product of a wild caught, invasive 
species such as northern snakehead or blue catfish.
    In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices.--The Committee recognizes the 
need for FDA to evaluate in vitro diagnostic devices, including 
laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), for their safety and 
effectiveness. The Committee encourages FDA to finalize a 
guidance or rule for manufacturers of LDTs that would include a 
description of a risk-based LDT oversight policy within 12 
months of enactment of this Act.
    Listeria.--The Committee emphasizes reducing incidence of 
foodborne illness as an important public health goal and 
believes that coordinated and targeted resources are required 
to appropriately assess and combat the public health risks of 
foodborne pathogens. The Committee is aware that FDA is in the 
process of finalizing industry guidance regarding Listeria 
monocytogenes (Lm) in foods under their jurisdiction. The 
Committee directs FDA to apply a risk-based approach and direct 
its regulatory efforts toward high risk ready-to eat foods, 
those that support the growth of Lm. Additionally, the 
Committee expects FDA to incorporate current scientific 
knowledge regarding the public health impact of foods that do 
not support growth of Lm. Recently published scientific 
research from food safety and public health experts recommends 
a regulatory action level of Lm for these low-risk foods. This 
regulatory approach will encourage industry to adopt 
quantitative Lm testing schemes and facilitate robust 
environmental monitoring programs, ultimately resulting in 
reductions in disease incidence. The Committee directs FDA to 
work with industry stakeholders to gather supporting 
information and data to assist with implementation of this Lm 
approach. Policies reflecting these regulatory approaches align 
with other international regulatory standards and restore a 
level playing field for U.S. food processors in the global 
marketplace.
    Lupus.--The Committee is aware of barriers that have long 
affected the development of therapeutics for Lupus, a disease 
that primarily targets women and disproportionately impacts 
African Americans, Latinas, Native Americans, and Asian 
Americans. The Committee is pleased that potential Lupus 
treatments to address these barriers are now in clinical 
trials. The Committee urges FDA to expedite its ongoing work 
with the Lupus community to develop solutions to identified 
barriers that will accelerate development of new therapies.
    Maternal Substance Use Disorders.--The Committee remains 
concerned about increasing numbers of overdose deaths of 
pregnant and postpartum women. The Committee encourages FDA to 
collaborate with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration and relevant stakeholders on efforts to address 
maternal substance abuse disorder.
    Methane Emissions.--The Committee has been made aware of 
efforts to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminant 
animals through the use of certain animal products. The 
Committee encourages CVM to use its jurisdiction over the 
regulation of such products and allow permissive use subject to 
appropriate regulatory approval.
    Minimal Residual Disease.--To expedite the development and 
safe patient access to new therapeutics, FDA is encouraged to 
support collaborative research with the National Institutes of 
Health, universities, and industry regarding the utilization of 
Minimal (or Measurable) Residual Disease (MRD) testing to 
assess response to therapy and predict patient outcomes in its 
evaluation of therapeutic products. The Committee expects FDA 
to report within one year of enactment of this Act on advances 
in the science and development of products directed to the 
determination of MRD.
    Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022.--The 
Committee notes that Congress recently enacted the 
Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, which was 
the first substantial reform of cosmetics laws in many decades. 
The Committee expects FDA to continue implementing this new law 
that will provide greater regulatory certainty to industry and 
improved consumer safety.
    Modified Risk Tobacco Products.--The FDA has a backlog of 
pending applications for smoke-free products numbering in the 
tens of thousands. Nearly all of these applications are well 
beyond the 180-day statutory deadline for product evaluation. 
For the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to work as 
intended by Congress, pursuant to the bipartisan Family Smoking 
Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, the FDA should take 
certain actions to clear these applications as quickly as 
possible in a fair and transparent manner that supports moving 
adult smokers away from cigarettes. Moving American smokers 
away from cigarettes requires product innovation, and 
maximizing innovation requires FDA to efficiently oversee 
product changes. The Committee believes FDA should use its 
discretionary authority to promote further innovation and 
support the movement of smokers away from cigarettes.
    Net Weights.--The Committee remains concerned that the FDA 
has still not paid sufficient attention to economic integrity 
issues, particularly with respect to net weights and treatment 
of seafood. These ``short-weighted'' labeled products are 
violating FDA laws. Despite industry reporting such violations, 
FDA has not acted on enforcement. The Committee directs FDA to 
enforce its net weight requirements with respect to seafood 
products.
    Neurological Conditions.--The Committee recognizes the 
important work to bring innovative treatments to people living 
with neurological conditions such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome 
(GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy 
(CIDP), and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) through strategic 
partnerships. The Committee notes the recent externally led 
patient-focused drug development meeting on CIDP and encourages 
FDA to continue its collaboration with relevant stakeholders 
and key regulators.
    New Alternative Methods.--The Committee directs FDA to 
efficiently and expeditiously utilize existing funds to reduce 
animal testing and advance alternative methods in a measurable 
and impactful way. The Committee requests a report within 90 
days of enactment of this Act which provides details on the 
status of forming the New Alternative Methods Program in the 
Commissioner's office. Such report should include, but is not 
limited to, a description of program goals and staffing levels 
by position classification; FDA's priority areas for reducing 
animal use and advancing alternatives, including goals, 
timelines, and funding associated with each of these identified 
priorities; the metrics the agency will use to measure impact; 
and how the agency will communicate information regarding 
acceptance of alternative methods to the regulated community. 
The agency should, where applicable, minimize funding to carry 
out new animal testing, including in comparing the use of 
animals to alternative methods, but instead use existing animal 
data and alternative methods that will reduce animal use in 
research.
    New Era of Smarter Food Safety.--The Committee supports the 
FDA's efforts to bring together data from several agencies to 
identify and predict vulnerabilities in the nation's food 
supply chain and enable the FDA to take a proactive approach to 
protect the nation's food supply continuity and safety. The 
Committee urges FDA to continue the New Era of Smarter Food 
Safety initiative to address future and ongoing supply chain 
risks. As the FDA takes steps to better prepare for future 
supply chain risks, the Committee encourages the agency to 
fully leverage this modern, data-backed approach to proactively 
address future supply chain vulnerabilities.
    New Plant Varieties.--Innovations in plant breeding 
techniques, including agricultural biotechnology and genome 
editing tools such as CRISPR, are crucial to transforming 
agriculture and food systems. With new plant varieties, 
America's farmers can increase sustainability and resilience in 
the face of weather variations and enhance America's food 
supply through more affordable and nutritious products for 
consumers.
    Niemann-Pick Type C.--The Committee encourages FDA to 
continue to better understand Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC), a rare 
progressive and universally fatal disease that impacts children 
and young adults, by improving collaboration with NPC patients 
and caregivers. The Committee also encourages the FDA to work 
in partnership with NPC experts, industry stakeholders, and the 
patient community to ensure the viability of trials and 
clinical development and to apply patient and caregiver 
perspective when evaluating risk benefit of experimental 
therapies that are already in use in the NPC community.
    Olive Oil Standards of Identity.--The Committee is aware 
that the U.S. continues to be an important producer of olive 
oils and one of the largest olive oil markets globally. The 
Committee recognizes the establishment of a uniform set of 
standards would better inform and protect consumers. The 
Committee is aware that a petition was submitted to FDA in July 
2022 to establish a Standard of Identity for different grades 
of olive oil. The Committee supports this effort and urges the 
FDA to work with USDA on the issue of grade standards and 
expeditiously evaluate and act on the petition to establish a 
U.S. Standard of Identity. The Committee requests a briefing on 
these efforts within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
    Opioid Abuse.--The Committee continues to be pleased that, 
with the Opioids Action Plan, Opioid Policy Steering Committee, 
and several significant regulatory actions, FDA is doing its 
part to help stem the tide of abuse. The use of opioids as 
first-line therapies for any form of pain has led to over-
prescribing, and the CDC has made clear that clinicians should 
consider opioid therapy only if expected benefits for both pain 
and function are anticipated to outweigh the risks to the 
patient. The Committee hopes that FDA will continue to support 
the development of alternative and non-addictive alternatives 
to opioid analgesics and, when opioids are medically necessary, 
will continue to incentivize development and use of abuse-
deterrent formulations. The Committee notes that every 
patient's treatment regimen should be tailored by his or her 
doctor to his or her unique needs. The Federal government, 
therefore, should promote the full suite of available treatment 
options, including abstinence-based models and non-opioid 
medications. Finally, the Committee continues to be supportive 
of naloxone distribution among trained, licensed healthcare 
professionals and emergency responders.
    Orange Juice.--The Committee is concerned that pests, 
disease, and hurricanes are having a devastating impact on 
Florida's citrus growers and processors. These circumstances 
have resulted in a natural decline in the Brix level for 
Florida's mature oranges, with no known adverse health 
consequences for consumers. The Committee believes it is 
necessary to provide for analytical deviation in the minimum 
Brix level for pasteurized orange juice to account for these 
naturally occurring growing conditions. The Committee 
encourages USDA and FDA to expedite work with Florida citrus 
growers and processors and other stakeholders as necessary to 
consider additional flexibility by modernizing requirements for 
pasteurized orange juice that better account for naturally-
occurring Brix variation.
    Orphan Products Grants Program (OPGP).--The Committee 
continues to support the Orphan Products Grants Program at FDA. 
In addition, the Committee notes that funding can be used for 
ALS clinical trials and investments in regulatory science to 
speed the approval of ALS treatments. The Committee encourages 
FDA to increase the number of ALS clinical trials to help 
expedite treatment developments, foster innovative trial 
designs that complement and speed the FDA regulatory processes, 
and enable natural history studies to understand ALS 
progression and pathology more quickly. In addition, the 
Committee directs FDA to increase engagement between government 
agencies, such as FDA and NIH, and other entities such as 
academic institutions and industry with respect to ALS and 
other neurodegenerative diseases.
    OTC Acetaminophen Dosing Information for Children.--The 
Committee continues to be concerned that Over-the-Counter (OTC) 
single-ingredient acetaminophen does not contain weight-based 
dosing instructions for children ages 6 months to 2 years, 
despite the recommendations of the FDA Nonprescription Drugs 
Advisory Committee and Pediatric Advisory Committee in 2011, 
which held that data supported this information being added to 
the labeling. The Committee is concerned that the lack of 
dosing information for this vulnerable population may lead to 
dosing errors, adverse events, and inadequate treatment of 
fever and pain. While the Committee is encouraged that FDA has 
included this important issue among its annual forecast of 
planned monograph activities, this list is nonbinding and the 
issue remains pending after multiple decades, despite its 
importance for public health. As such, the Committee directs 
FDA to provide an update to the Committee no later than 30 days 
after enactment of this Act on the timing of amending the 
monograph label for acetaminophen to include weight-based 
dosing instructions for children ages 6 months to 2 years.
    Outreach to Small Farmers.--The Committee expects CFSAN to 
provide funding for critical outreach and training services at 
not less than the level specified in the fiscal year 2023 
agreement.
    Patient Awareness of Medical Device Safety.--The Committee 
is concerned that some FTC rulemaking on medical devices meant 
to protect competition in the market has had the unintended 
consequence of deprioritizing patient safety provisions in law 
as it relates to the sale of prescription medical devices, 
including contact lenses. Recent enforcement actions also 
overwhelmingly focus on physician regulatory compliance rather 
than medical device retailer compliance even as that industry 
has expanded rapidly. Therefore, the Committee urges the FDA to 
work more closely with and to better inform the FTC on the 
importance of protecting patient safety while promoting 
competition in the market for medical devices. The Committee 
requests a briefing within six months of enactment of this Act 
on the agency's plan to improve communication and collaboration 
with the FTC on actions related to protecting public health and 
providing reasonable assurance of the safety and effectiveness 
of medical devices, including contact lenses.
    Patient Engagement.--The Committee supports the FDA's 
efforts to implement policies to promote public access to 
information about how patient experience information is 
factored into the review of approved products. The Committee 
encourages FDA to solicit information to identify patient 
experience data standards that include specific tools for 
screening, identification, reporting, consideration, and 
labeling of patient experience data in clinical trials of a 
drug or biologic.
    Patient Experience Data.--The Committee supports the 
development of patient experience data to inform clinical 
research design and regulatory reviews under the patient-
focused drug development process. Robust patient perspective 
insights have been generated by patient communities to ensure 
FDA has the benefit of this information for critical decisions, 
including on potential gene therapies for this serious 
condition. The Committee encourages the FDA to make every 
effort to incorporate all relevant patient experience data, 
including from patient advocacy organizations.
    Pediatric Cancer.--Many rare pediatric cancers have 
molecular and genetic characteristics that are unique to 
children, such as tumors with gene fusions, embryonic tumors, 
germline tumors, and many brain tumors. Developing new 
therapies for such rare cancers is difficult, leaving children 
with rare tumors with few or no therapeutic options. The FDA 
should prioritize the development of a public-private 
partnership to assume responsibility for conducting pediatric 
oncology drug development programs that may not be possible for 
industry to develop on its own. A January 2020 GAO report on 
pediatric vouchers recommended the implementation of ``a 
collaborative agreement to share development risk and reward 
between a public or quasi-public organization and one or more 
private developers.''
    Pediatric Cancer International Collaboration.--The 
Committee encourages the FDA to engage more formally and 
extensively with international entities to promote greater 
collaboration between the U.S. and international partners 
around pediatric cancer drug development.
    Pediatric Clinical Trial Network.--The Committee commends 
and supports the FDA's actions in the establishment of a 
pediatric clinical trial infrastructure, including a pediatric 
clinical trial network, to address the unique complexities and 
difficulties in the development and conducting of a pediatric 
clinical study. This network is helping to ensure quality and 
efficiency in pediatric therapeutic development, thus 
increasing the likelihood of successful pediatric trials 
resulting in labeled products for use in pediatric patients. 
The Committee urges the FDA to continue the support and 
collaboration with the pediatric trial network.
    Plant Based Product Labeling.--The Committee is concerned 
that the current labeling and marketing practices of some 
plant-based alternatives to animal derived foods have the 
potential to cause consumer confusion. The Committee directs 
the FDA to conduct a study to better understand consumers' 
attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, feelings, and motivations 
relative to product composition, health attributes, and 
labeling and to assess consumer perceptions of different terms 
used on labeling of plant-based alternative products.
    Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).--The Committee commends 
the FDA for supporting the Externally-led Patient-Focused Drug 
Development (EL-PFDD) meeting on PCOS but remains concerned 
that there has not been an FDA-approved treatment specific to 
PCOS. The Committee encourages the FDA, based on the findings 
of the EL-PFDD meeting, to support incentives for investigators 
and industry to develop safe new evidence-based therapies, 
diagnostics, devices, and technologies in collaboration with 
patients, practitioners, and researchers that address the 
identified needs and treatment priorities of PCOS patients.
    Pregnancy and Lactation Registries.--The Committee looks 
forward to receiving the brief requested in House Report 117--
392 on efforts to develop consensus standards for pregnancy and 
lactation registries, including common data elements, so that 
registry data can be interoperable within and between such 
registries.
    Prescription Drug Advertisements.--The Committee recognizes 
the work that the FDA does to ensure consumers have accurate 
information about prescription drugs. As prescription drug 
manufacturers increasingly rely on the internet and social 
media to market their products directly to consumers, it is 
critical that the FDA continue to take appropriate action, 
within its legal authority, to help ensure that the promotion 
of prescription drugs to consumers, including promotion 
conducted online, is truthful, balanced, and accurately 
communicated as well as provide updated information about its 
efforts to monitor prescription drug promotion to the public. 
The Committee acknowledges that the agency posts certain 
information about its efforts with respect to promotional 
communications concerning certain human prescription drugs on a 
metrics webpage and directs the agency to provide an executive 
summary on that webpage to aid in public awareness and 
understanding of the information.
    RACE for Children Act Implementation.--The Committee 
encourages FDA to hire additional staff to fully implement the 
Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children 
Act.
    Rare Cancer Therapeutics.--The Committee urges FDA to 
address gaps in the system, streamline resources, hire rare 
cancer experts, help drug sponsors improve recruitment of rare 
cancer patients through clinical trials that reduce barriers to 
participation uniquely faced by rare cancer patients, low-
income patients, those living in rural communities, and people 
of color, accelerate the development of rare cancer therapies, 
and advance the field of cancer research overall, mirroring the 
efforts of the National Cancer Institute's Developmental 
Therapeutics Program. FDA is directed to continue to build 
lines of communication and processes between these two agencies 
in order to expedite review of rare cancer therapies.
    Recruitment of Investigators.--The Committee directs FDA to 
develop a strategy to broaden talent pipelines to recruit and 
hire a wider array of multilingual STEM talent and to identify 
barriers to language training for current FDA investigators and 
viable options to address these barriers, including by 
prioritizing Minority Serving Institutions in talent 
recruitment. This strategy should be shared with the Committee.
    Seafood Product Labeling.--The Committee continues to hear 
concerns with the labeling of certain foods as a fish or 
seafood product when the products are highly processed plant-
based foods rather than derived from actual fish or seafood. 
The labeling of these products is misleading, deceptive, and 
confusing to consumers. The Committee is concerned that the 
terms ``plant-based'' and ``vegan'' exempt the producer from 
describing the actual plant source as part of the product name, 
in opposition to other FDA guidance. The Committee directs the 
FDA to provide clarity on the labeling of these foods using 
seafood terminology to ensure they are held to the same 
standards as actual seafood products to avoid consumer 
confusion.
    Shellfish.--The Committee is concerned about the European 
Union's delay in removing the ban on processed molluscan 
shellfish. These sterilized and shelf-stable products do not 
have the same food safety concerns as live molluscan shellfish 
and should never have been part of the EU ban. The Committee 
directs the FDA to work with the European Commission on an 
equivalence determination on processed molluscan shellfish 
that, if positive, would remove the ban.
    Shrimp Products.--The Committee commends and supports FDA's 
ongoing efforts to implement and increase its oversight and the 
regulation of the safety of shrimp products imported into the 
U.S. as directed by Congress, which emphasized the importance 
of increased sampling of import shipments, investments in 
laboratory capabilities, data analytics, and the establishment 
of regulatory partnership arrangements with the top three 
countries exporting shrimp to the U.S. The Committee urges FDA 
to continue the full development and implementation of the 
shrimp pilot program, including finalizing the establishment of 
regulatory partnership arrangements.
    Skin Lightening Products.--The Committee continues to be 
concerned about the dangers of mercury and hydroquinone in skin 
lightening products, particularly those that are 
disproportionately targeted toward and used by men, women, and 
girls of color. The Committee continues to provide resources to 
OMHHE to educate the public on the dangers of skin lightening 
products containing mercury, hydroquinone, and other toxic 
chemicals, including partnering with community-based 
organizations that have historically provided services to 
ethnic communities on the issue of skin-lightening and chemical 
exposures in the past. The FDA is directed to report back to 
the Committee within 180 days of enactment of this Act 
detailing how the funds provided for this work in fiscal year 
2023 were spent, including the community-based organizations 
and vulnerable communities they partnered with and how those 
determinations were made, the specific actions taken to educate 
the public about these products, how they are evaluating the 
impact and success of this public education, and any lessons 
learned.
    SmartTots.--The Committee is concerned that FDA's 
Strategies for Mitigating Anesthesia-Related Neuro-Toxicity in 
Tots, or SmartTots, initiative is no longer active. The 
Committee is concerned about pediatric anesthesia neurotoxicity 
and encourages FDA to renew this plan to make surgery, 
anesthesia, and sedation safer for infants and young children. 
The Committee directs FDA to report to Congress on any 
additional resources needed to continue this effort.
    Sodium.--The Committee recognizes the importance of 
reducing sodium in the food supply. The Committee encourages 
FDA to develop an overall sodium monitoring and evaluation plan 
detailing how industry compliance with the short-term voluntary 
targets will be monitored and evaluated, including how FDA will 
identify data sources, collect and analyze data, create a 
timeline for assessments, and work with industry on voluntary 
compliance. As part of this plan, the Committee encourages FDA 
to coordinate with other government agencies, such as USDA and 
the CDC, on these monitoring efforts and instructs the FDA to 
set a timeline for the establishment of interim and long-term 
voluntary targets that would aim to fully bring sodium in the 
food supply to align with DGA recommendations.
    Standard of Identity.--The Committee directs the FDA to 
continue its work to modernize its standards of identity 
regulations and ensure consumers are not being deceived or 
misled by product labeling. The Committee supports FDA's case-
by-case approach to evaluating product labels considering terms 
and representations used within the context of the entire 
label, including qualification of any statements or names with 
additional terms or information.
    Sunscreen Regulation.--The Committee is aware that the FDA 
has issued a proposed sunscreen order. The Committee encourages 
FDA to educate stakeholders about its administrative order 
process and ensure that any final order related to sunscreen 
ingredients takes into account the value of currently marketed 
sunscreens as a proven skin cancer prevention tool.
    Synthetic Nicotine Products.--The Committee is concerned 
that unauthorized non-tobacco nicotine products remain on the 
market, despite provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103) requiring these products to undergo 
premarket review by the FDA. Enforcement of this requirement is 
critical to address unauthorized nicotine products that appeal 
to youth, including flavored e-cigarettes. The Committee urges 
FDA to clearly communicate to manufacturers, distributors, and 
retailers which products can be lawfully sold, improve its 
ability to identify unauthorized products on the market, and 
pursue all legally authorized remedies to ensure that all 
products being sold unlawfully are removed from the 
marketplace. The Committee asks the FDA to report back to the 
Committee on the status of its review of premarket applications 
for non-tobacco nicotine products, the enforcement actions it 
has taken against unauthorized non-tobacco nicotine products, 
and other steps the agency has taken to ensure compliance with 
the premarket review requirement.
    Traceability Rule.--The Committee is aware that, in 
accordance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, FDA 
issued a final rule establishing additional traceability 
recordkeeping requirements for certain foods and that the 
agency was mandated by a federal court ruling to submit a final 
rule to the Federal Register by November 7, 2022. However, 
given the complexity of modern food supply chains, the 
Committee is concerned that implementing this rule may pose a 
number of challenges for industry. Understanding that the 
rule's compliance date is January 20, 2026, the Committee 
directs FDA to use the interim time to ensure that the rule can 
be successfully implemented without creating an undue burden on 
the food industry. The Committee is aware that FDA has taken 
some steps already, such as creating a web-based tool to 
determine eligibility for full and partial exemptions, 
publishing a Small Entity Compliance Guide, and translating 
examples of different supply chains into multiple languages. 
However, the Committee directs FDA to conduct additional 
industry outreach and issue educational materials to further 
support industry, including by conducting regular stakeholder 
meetings, providing answers to specific questions about the 
rule through FDA's Technical Assistance Network, and holding 
webinars. The Committee also directs FDA to consider input from 
industry in developing guidance documents that should clarify 
the agency's expectations. FDA is further directed to brief the 
Committee within 90 days of enactment of this Act on its 
progress.
    Traceback.--The Committee recognizes that the ability to 
prevent, identify, and trace back contaminated products is 
critical to containing food safety outbreaks but that 
challenges associated with tracing these products consistently 
from the end-consumer through the supply chain continue to 
persist. To achieve this, the Committee recognizes the need to 
modernize data systems to receive, track, and process 
information and ensure timely notification of significant 
public health threats. This ability is critical to address 
safety and supply chain issues associated with regulated high-
risk products to more proactively identify or prevent threats 
to regulated product safety and quality.
    Unauthorized Tobacco Products.--The Committee is deeply 
concerned that the CTP has not sufficiently or effectively 
prioritized the removal of unauthorized tobacco products from 
the market, including e-cigarettes and products containing 
synthetic nicotine, and has relied primarily on the issuance of 
warning letters, which often go ignored. This concern was 
confirmed by the Reagan-Udall Foundation's December 2022 
Operational Evaluation of Certain Components of FDA's Tobacco 
Program. In particular, there has been an enormous surge in the 
availability of flavored disposable e-cigarettes, most imported 
from China, that openly skirt FDA's regulatory requirements 
resulting from FDA's failure to prioritize such enforcement. 
The Committee directs the CTP to make every effort to 
expeditiously remove from the market those products that have 
failed to file a Premarket Tobacco Application by applicable 
deadlines or that are subject to a final and effective Market 
Denial Order. The Committee further directs the agency to seek 
speedy appropriate judicial relief against such manufacturers, 
in coordination with the Department of Justice, to ensure that 
such products are no longer available for sale and are removed 
from the market as required by the Act. The Committee further 
urges CTP to promptly complete its required pre-market review 
of e-cigarettes and other deemed tobacco products that remain 
on the market.
    Underserved Communities.--The Committee encourages the FDA 
to review how its risk evaluation and mitigation strategies for 
the oversight of non-addictive medication management impact 
underserved communities.
    Valley Fever.--The Committee is concerned that FDA decided 
in July 2020 to not include coccidioidomycosis, also known as 
Valley Fever, on its list of tropical diseases eligible for 
priority review vouchers (PRVs). The Committee directs FDA to 
conduct a new market analysis for Valley Fever vaccines and to 
issue a new decision on Valley Fever's eligibility for PRVs. 
The Committee directs FDA to consult and work with Valley Fever 
subject-matter experts in the fields of academia and research 
and development and the vaccine and pharmaceutical industry. 
The Committee requests FDA to report to the Committee no later 
than 90 days after enactment of this Act on: (1) The status of 
the new market analysis, including stakeholders consulted in 
its development; (2) Key actions FDA is taking to reevaluate 
its past decision against Valley Fever's eligibility for PRVs; 
and, (3) A timeline outlining when FDA will make a new decision 
on Valley Fever's inclusion in the PRV program.
    Vulnerabilities in Medical Device Supply Chain.--The 
Committee is concerned by vulnerabilities in the medical device 
supply chain that have been brought to light by the spread of 
COVID-19. The Committee encourages the FDA to continue to work 
with Congress to ensure it has the necessary tools and 
resources to prevent shortages and maintain ample supply of 
critical devices.
    Youth E-Cigarette Use.--The Committee remains deeply 
concerned about data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey 
showing more than 2 million youth use e-cigarettes and urges 
FDA to use its full authority to address this serious public 
health problem. The Committee urges FDA to promptly complete 
its required premarket review of e-cigarettes and other deemed 
tobacco products that remain on the market. The Committee also 
urges FDA to take enforcement action against all companies that 
failed to file a premarket tobacco product application or 
received a marketing denial order.

                   FDA INNOVATION ACCOUNT, CURES ACT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2022 appropriation....................................       $50,000,000
2023 budget estimate..................................        50,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................        50,000,000
Comparison:
  2022 appropriation..................................             - - -
  2023 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the FDA Innovation Account as authorized in the 21st 
Century Cures Act, the Committee provides an appropriation of 
$50,000,000.

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES


                  Commodity Futures Trading Commission


                     (INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

 
 
 
2023 appropriation....................................      $365,000,000
2024 budget estimate..................................       295,000,000
Provided in the bill..................................       345,000,000
Comparison:
  2023 appropriation..................................       -20,000,000
  2024 budget estimate................................       +50,000,000
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Committee 
provides an appropriation of $345,000,000.

                       Farm Credit Administration


                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

 
 
 
2023 limitation.......................................     $(88,500,000)
2024 budget estimate..................................      (94,300,000)
Provided in the bill..................................      (94,300,000)
Comparison:
  2023 limitation.....................................        +5,800,000
  2024 budget estimate................................             - - -
 

                          COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

    For the limitation on the expenses of the Farm Credit 
Administration, the Committee provides $94,300,000.
    Public/Private Partnerships.--The Committee recognizes the 
value of public/private partnerships in financing rural 
communities and facilities and also recognizes that the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971, as amended, provides authority for Farm 
Credit System institutions to make investments in vital rural 
community facilities. The Committee recognizes that the FCA's 
current approach to approving these types of Farm Credit System 
investments on an individual basis does not meet the needs of 
rural communities. The FCA is encouraged to change its current 
process to create a clear, programmatic approval process which 
enables timely, comprehensive, and cost-effective rural 
community facilities financing packages by allowing and 
expediting Farm Credit System institutions' partnerships with 
community banks, other financial institutions, and USDA.

                               TITLE VII


                           GENERAL PROVISIONS


             (INCLUDING RESCISSIONS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

    Section 701.--The bill includes language regarding 
passenger motor vehicles.
    Section 702.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Working Capital Fund of the Department of Agriculture.
    Section 703.--The bill includes language limiting funding 
provided in the bill to one year unless otherwise specified.
    Section 704.--The bill includes language regarding indirect 
cost share.
    Section 705.--The bill includes language regarding the 
availability of loan funds in Rural Development programs.
    Section 706.--The bill includes language regarding new 
information technology systems.
    Section 707.--The bill includes language regarding fund 
availability in the Agriculture Management Assistance program.
    Section 708.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Utilities Service program eligibility.
    Section 709.--The bill includes language regarding funds 
for information technology expenses.
    Section 710.--The bill includes language prohibiting first-
class airline travel.
    Section 711.--The bill includes language regarding the 
availability of certain funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation.
    Section 712.--The bill includes language regarding funding 
for advisory committees.
    Section 713.--The bill includes language regarding IT 
system regulations.
    Section 714.--The bill includes language regarding Section 
32 activities.
    Section 715.--The bill includes language regarding user fee 
proposals without graphics.
    Section 716.--The bill includes language regarding the 
reprogramming of funds and notification requirements.
    Section 717.--The bill includes language regarding fees for 
the guaranteed business and industry loan program.
    Section 718.--The bill includes language regarding the 
appropriations hearing process.
    Section 719.--The bill includes language regarding 
government-sponsored news stories.
    Section 720.--The bill includes language regarding details 
and assignments of Department of Agriculture employees.
    Section 721.--The bill includes language regarding spend 
plans.
    Section 722.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 723.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Development programs.
    Section 724.--The bill includes language regarding USDA 
loan program levels.
    Section 725.--The bill includes language regarding credit 
card refunds and rebates.
    Section 726.--The bill includes language regarding blue 
catfish.
    Section 727.--The bill includes language regarding the 
definition of the term ``variety'' in SNAP.
    Section 728.--The bill includes language regarding 
nutrition research.
    Section 729.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Secretary's authority with respect to the 502 guaranteed loan 
programs.
    Section 730.--The bill includes language regarding new user 
fees.
    Section 731.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 732.--The bill includes language relating to 
overtime and holiday pay for FSIS inspectors.
    Section 733.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 734.--The bill includes language regarding country 
or regional audits.
    Section 735.--The bill includes language regarding U.S. 
iron and steel products in public water or wastewater systems.
    Section 736.--The bill includes language regarding 
lobbying.
    Section 737.--The bill includes language regarding Packers 
and Stockyards.
    Section 738.--The bill includes language regarding new 
hires.
    Section 739.--The bill includes language regarding a pilot 
program.
    Section 740.--The bill includes language related to 
persistent poverty counties.
    Section 741.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 742.--The bill includes language related to 
investigational use of drugs or biological products.
    Section 743.--The bill includes language related to the 
growing, harvesting, packing and holding of certain produce.
    Section 744.--The bill includes language related to the 
school breakfast program.
    Section 745.--The bill includes language regarding hemp.
    Section 746.--The bill includes language related to 
matching fund requirements.
    Section 747.--The bill includes language regarding land 
ownership reports.
    Section 748.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 749.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 750.--The bill includes language regarding Food for 
Peace.
    Section 751.--The bill includes language relating to the 
use of raw or processed poultry products from the People's 
Republic of China in various domestic nutrition programs.
    Section 752.--The bill includes language regarding 
nutrition program requirements.
    Section 753.--The bill includes language related to certain 
school food lunch prices.
    Section 754.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Wuhan Institute of Virology.
    Section 755.--The bill includes language related to 
biotechnology risk assessment research.
    Section 756.--The bill includes language related to certain 
reorganizations within the Department of Agriculture.
    Section 757.--The bill includes language regarding Critical 
Race Theory.
    Section 758.--The bill includes language related to the 
Agriculture Conservation Experiences Services Program.
    Section 759.--The bill includes language related to the 
ReConnect program.
    Section 760.--The bill includes language related to the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act.
    Section 761.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 762.--The bill includes language regarding sodium.
    Section 763.--The bill includes language regarding 
information technology.
    Section 764.--The bill includes language regarding 
executive orders.
    Section 765.--The bill includes language regarding land 
purchases.
    Section 766.--The bill includes language regarding child 
nutrition program requirements.
    Section 767.--The bill includes language regarding the WIC 
food package.
    Section 768.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 769.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 770.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Development programs.
    Section 771.--The bill includes language regarding a tribal 
child nutrition pilot.
    Section 772.--The bill includes language regarding official 
flags.
    Section 773.--The bill includes language regarding 
discrimination.
    Section 774.--The bill includes language regarding 
listeria.
    Section 775.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Development loans.
    Section 776.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Spending Reduction Account.

              HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS


                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(b) of rule XIII of 
the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those against, are printed 
below:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of 
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure 
authorizes funding:
    The Committee on Appropriations considers program 
performance, including a program's success in developing and 
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing 
funding recommendations.

                          Program Duplication

    No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a 
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of 
another Federal program, a program that was included in any 
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program 
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance.

                           Transfers of Funds

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following list includes the 
transfers included in the accompanying bill:
     Office of the Secretary.--The bill allows funds 
within the account to be transferred among the offices included 
in the account, as well as reimbursements for certain expenses 
and transfers outside the account for certain activities.
     Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.--
Authority is included to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to 
transfer from other appropriations or funds of the Department 
such sums as may be necessary to combat emergency outbreaks of 
certain diseases of animals and plants.
     Funds for Strengthening Markets, Income, and 
Supply.--The bill limits the transfer of section 32 funds to 
purposes specified in the bill.
     Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Business 
Center.--The bill allows certain funds to be merged with the 
salaries and expenses account for the FPAC Business Center. The 
bill also provides that funds provided to other accounts in the 
agency shall be transferred to and merged with the salaries and 
expenses account of the Farm Service Agency.
     Dairy Indemnity Program.--The bill authorizes the 
transfer of funds to the Commodity Credit Corporation, by 
reference.
     Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program 
Account.--The bill provides funds to be transferred to the Farm 
Service Agency and for certain funds to be transferred within 
the account.
     Commodity Credit Corporation.--The bill includes 
language allowing certain funds to be transferred to the 
Foreign Agricultural Service Salaries and Expenses account for 
information resource management activities.
     Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses.--The 
bill allows funds for the Rural Partners Network to be 
transferred to other agencies of the Department.
     Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account.--The 
bill includes language allowing funds to be transferred from 
the Multi- Family Housing Revitalization Program Account to 
this account and for funds to be transferred from this account 
to the Rural Development Salaries and Expenses account.
     Rental Assistance Program.--The bill includes 
language allowing funds to be transferred from the Multi-Family 
Housing Revitalization Program Account to this account.
     Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account.--The 
bill provides funds in this account to be transferred to the 
Rural Development Salaries and Expenses account.
     Rural Electrification and Telecommunications 
Program Account.--The bill provides funds in this account to be 
transferred to the Rural Development Salaries and Expenses 
account.
     Child Nutrition Programs.--The bill includes 
authority to transfer section 32 funds to these programs.
     Foreign Agricultural Service, Salaries and 
Expenses.--The bill allows for the transfer of funds from the 
Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loan Program Account.
     Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loans 
Program.--The bill provides for transfer of funds to the 
Foreign Agricultural Service and to the Farm Production and 
Conservation Business Center, Salaries and Expenses account.
     Food and Drug Administration, Salaries and 
Expenses.--The bill allows funds to be transferred among 
certain activities.
     Food and Drug Administration, FDA Innovation 
Account, Cures Act.--The bill allows funds to be transferred 
from the 21st Century Cures Act to the Food and Drug 
Administration, Salaries and Expenses account.
     Commodity Futures Trading Commission.--The bill 
allows certain funds to be transferred to a no-year account in 
the Treasury.
     General Provisions.--Section 702 of the bill 
allows unobligated balances of discretionary funds to be 
transferred to the Working Capital Fund.

                              Rescissions

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following lists the rescissions 
included in the accompanying bill:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Program or Activity                        Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
USDA FNS (prior year balances)......................        $500,000,000
USDA FSA (unobligated balances).....................       2,275,000,000
USDA RD (unobligated balances)......................         500,000,000
USDA RD (unobligated balances)......................       1,000,000,000
USDA FSA (unobligated balances).....................       2,000,000,000
USDA AMS............................................         505,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Compliance With Rule XIII, CL. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)

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

              RICHARD B. RUSSELL NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
               NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  Sec. 9. (a)(1)(A) Lunches served by schools participating in 
the school lunch program under this Act shall meet minimum 
nutritional requirements prescribed by the Secretary on the 
basis of tested nutritional research, except that the minimum 
nutritional requirements--
          (i) shall not be construed to prohibit the 
        substitution of foods to accommodate the medical or 
        other special dietary needs of individual students; and
          (ii) shall, at a minimum, be based on the weekly 
        average of the nutrient content of school lunches.
  (B) The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and 
training, including technical assistance and training in the 
preparation of lower-fat versions of foods commonly used in the 
school lunch program under this Act, to schools participating 
in the school lunch program to assist the schools in complying 
with the nutritional requirements prescribed by the Secretary 
pursuant to subparagraph (A) and in providing appropriate meals 
to children with medically certified special dietary needs. The 
Secretary shall provide additional technical assistance to 
schools that are having difficulty maintaining compliance with 
the requirements.
          (2) Fluid milk.--
                  (A) In general.--Lunches served by schools 
                participating in the school lunch program under 
                this Act--
                          (i) shall offer students a variety of 
                        fluid milk. Such milk shall be 
                        consistent with the most recent Dietary 
                        Guidelines for Americans published 
                        under section 301 of the National 
                        Nutrition Monitoring and Related 
                        Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341);
                          (ii) may offer students flavored and 
                        unflavored fluid milk and lactose-free 
                        fluid milk; and
                          (iii) shall provide a substitute for 
                        fluid milk for students whose 
                        disability restricts their diet, on 
                        receipt of a written statement from a 
                        licensed physician that identifies the 
                        disability that restricts the student's 
                        diet and that specifies the substitute 
                        for fluid milk.
                  (B) Substitutes.--
                          (i) Standards for substitution.--A 
                        school may substitute for the fluid 
                        milk provided under subparagraph (A), a 
                        nondairy beverage that is nutritionally 
                        equivalent to fluid milk and meets 
                        nutritional standards established by 
                        the Secretary (which shall, among other 
                        requirements to be determined by the 
                        Secretary, include fortification of 
                        calcium, protein, vitamin A, and 
                        vitamin D to levels found in cow's 
                        milk) for students who cannot consume 
                        fluid milk because of a medical or 
                        other special dietary need other than a 
                        disability described in subparagraph 
                        (A)(iii).
                          (ii) Notice.--The substitutions may 
                        be made if the school notifies the 
                        State agency that the school is 
                        implementing a variation allowed under 
                        this subparagraph, and if the 
                        substitution is requested by written 
                        statement of a medical authority or by 
                        a student's parent or legal guardian 
                        that identifies the medical or other 
                        special dietary need that restricts the 
                        student's diet, except that the school 
                        shall not be required to provide 
                        beverages other than beverages the 
                        school has identified as acceptable 
                        substitutes.
                          (iii) Excess expenses borne by school 
                        food authority.--Expenses incurred in 
                        providing substitutions under this 
                        subparagraph that are in excess of 
                        expenses covered by reimbursements 
                        under this Act shall be paid by the 
                        school food authority.
                  (C) Restrictions on sale of milk 
                prohibited.--A school that participates in the 
                school lunch program under this Act shall not 
                directly or indirectly restrict the sale or 
                marketing of fluid milk products by the school 
                (or by a person approved by the school) at any 
                time or any place--
                          (i) on the school premises; or
                          (ii) at any school-sponsored event.
  (3) Students in senior high schools that participate in the 
school lunch program under this Act (and, when approved by the 
local school district or nonprofit private schools, students in 
any other grade level) shall not be required to accept offered 
foods they do not intend to consume, and any such failure to 
accept offered foods shall not affect the full charge to the 
student for a lunch meeting the requirements of this subsection 
or the amount of payments made under this Act to any such 
school for such lunch.
          (4) Provision of information.--
                  (A) Guidance.--Prior to the beginning of the 
                school year beginning July 2004, the Secretary 
                shall issue guidance to States and school food 
                authorities to increase the consumption of 
                foods and food ingredients that are recommended 
                for increased serving consumption in the most 
                recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
                published under section 301 of the National 
                Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act 
                of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341).
                  (B) Rules.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this paragraph, the 
                Secretary shall promulgate rules, based on the 
                most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 
                that reflect specific recommendations, 
                expressed in serving recommendations, for 
                increased consumption of foods and food 
                ingredients offered in school nutrition 
                programs under this Act and the Child Nutrition 
                Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.).
                  (C) Procurement and processing of food 
                service products and commodities.--The 
                Secretary shall--
                          (i) identify, develop, and 
                        disseminate to State departments of 
                        agriculture and education, school food 
                        authorities, local educational 
                        agencies, and local processing 
                        entities, model product specifications 
                        and practices for foods offered in 
                        school nutrition programs under this 
                        Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) to ensure that 
                        the foods reflect the most recent 
                        Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
                        published under section 301 of the 
                        National Nutrition Monitoring and 
                        Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
                        5341);
                          (ii) not later than 1 year after the 
                        date of enactment of this 
                        subparagraph--
                                  (I) carry out a study to 
                                analyze the quantity and 
                                quality of nutritional 
                                information available to school 
                                food authorities about food 
                                service products and 
                                commodities; and
                                  (II) submit to Congress a 
                                report on the results of the 
                                study that contains such 
                                legislative recommendations as 
                                the Secretary considers 
                                necessary to ensure that school 
                                food authorities have access to 
                                the nutritional information 
                                needed for menu planning and 
                                compliance assessments; and
                          (iii) to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, in purchasing and 
                        processing commodities for use in 
                        school nutrition programs under this 
                        Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), purchase the 
                        widest variety of healthful foods that 
                        reflect the most recent Dietary 
                        Guidelines for Americans.
          (5) Water.--Schools participating in the school lunch 
        program under this Act shall make available to children 
        free of charge, as nutritionally appropriate, potable 
        water for consumption in the place where meals are 
        served during meal service.
  (b)(1)(A) Not later than June 1 of each fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall prescribe income guidelines for determining 
eligibility for free and reduced price lunches during the 12-
month period beginning July 1 of such fiscal year and ending 
June 30 of the following fiscal year. The income guidelines for 
determining eligibility for free lunches shall be 130 percent 
of the applicable family size income levels contained in the 
nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of 
Management and Budget, as adjusted annually in accordance with 
subparagraph (B). The income guidelines for determining 
eligibility for reduced price lunches for any school year shall 
be 185 percent of the applicable family size income levels 
contained in the nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed 
by the Office of Management and Budget, as adjusted annually in 
accordance with subparagraph (B). The Office of Management and 
Budget guidelines shall be revised at annual intervals, or at 
any shorter interval deemed feasible and desirable.
  (B) The revision required by subparagraph (A) of this 
paragraph shall be made by multiplying--
          (i) the official poverty line (as defined by the 
        Office of Management and Budget); by
          (ii) the percentage change in the Consumer Price 
        Index during the annual or other interval immediately 
        preceding the time at which the adjustment is made.
Revisions under this subparagraph shall be made not more than 
30 days after the date on which the consumer price index data 
required to compute the adjustment becomes available.
  (2)(A) Following the determination by the Secretary under 
paragraph (1) of this subsection of the income eligibility 
guidelines for each school year, each State educational agency 
shall announce the income eligibility guidelines, by family 
size, to be used by schools in the State in making 
determinations of eligibility for free and reduced price 
lunches. Local school authorities shall, each year, publicly 
announce the income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced 
price lunches on or before the opening of school.
          (B) Applications and descriptive material.--
                  (i) In general.--Applications for free and 
                reduced price lunches, in such form as the 
                Secretary may prescribe or approve, and any 
                descriptive material, shall be distributed to 
                the parents or guardians of children in 
                attendance at the school, and shall contain 
                only the family size income levels for reduced 
                price meal eligibility with the explanation 
                that households with incomes less than or equal 
                to these values would be eligible for free or 
                reduced price lunches.
                  (ii) Income eligibility guidelines.--Forms 
                and descriptive material distributed in 
                accordance with clause (i) may not contain the 
                income eligibility guidelines for free lunches.
                  (iii) Contents of descriptive material.--
                          (I) In general.--Descriptive material 
                        distributed in accordance with clause 
                        (i) shall contain a notification that--
                                  (aa) participants in the 
                                programs listed in subclause 
                                (II) may be eligible for free 
                                or reduced price meals; and
                                  (bb) documentation may be 
                                requested for verification of 
                                eligibility for free or reduced 
                                price meals.
                          (II) Programs.--The programs referred 
                        to in subclause (I)(aa) are--
                                  (aa) the special supplemental 
                                nutrition program for women, 
                                infants, and children 
                                established by section 17 of 
                                the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 
                                (42 U.S.C. 1786);
                                  (bb) the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program 
                                established under the Food and 
                                Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                                2011 et seq.);
                                  (cc) the food distribution 
                                program on Indian reservations 
                                established under section 4(b) 
                                of the Food and Nutrition Act 
                                of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)); and
                                  (dd) a State program funded 
                                under 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.).
          (3) Household applications.--
                  (A) Definition of household application.--In 
                this paragraph, the term ``household 
                application'' means an application for a child 
                of a household to receive free or reduced price 
                school lunches under this Act, or free or 
                reduced price school breakfasts under the Child 
                Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), 
                for which an eligibility determination is made 
                other than under paragraph (4) or (5).
                  (B) Eligibility determination.--
                          (i) In general.--An eligibility 
                        determination shall be made on the 
                        basis of a complete household 
                        application executed by an adult member 
                        of the household or in accordance with 
                        guidance issued by the Secretary.
                          (ii) Electronic signatures and 
                        applications.--A household application 
                        may be executed using an electronic 
                        signature if--
                                  (I) the application is 
                                submitted electronically; and
                                  (II) the electronic 
                                application filing system meets 
                                confidentiality standards 
                                established by the Secretary.
                  (C) Children in household.--
                          (i) In general.--The household 
                        application shall identify the names of 
                        each child in the household for whom 
                        meal benefits are requested.
                          (ii) Separate applications.--A State 
                        educational agency or local educational 
                        agency may not request a separate 
                        application for each child in the 
                        household that attends schools under 
                        the same local educational agency.
                  (D) Verification of sample.--
                          (i) Definitions.--In this 
                        subparagraph:
                                  (I) Error prone 
                                application.--The term ``error 
                                prone application'' means an 
                                approved household application 
                                that--
                                          (aa) indicates 
                                        monthly income that is 
                                        within $100, or an 
                                        annual income that is 
                                        within $1,200, of the 
                                        income eligibility 
                                        limitation for free or 
                                        reduced price meals; or
                                          (bb) in lieu of the 
                                        criteria established 
                                        under item (aa), meets 
                                        criteria established by 
                                        the Secretary.
                                  (II) Non-response rate.--The 
                                term ``non-response rate'' 
                                means (in accordance with 
                                guidelines established by the 
                                Secretary) the percentage of 
                                approved household applications 
                                for which verification 
                                information has not been 
                                obtained by a local educational 
                                agency after attempted 
                                verification under 
                                subparagraphs (F) and (G).
                          (ii) Verification of sample.--Each 
                        school year, a local educational agency 
                        shall verify eligibility of the 
                        children in a sample of household 
                        applications approved for the school 
                        year by the local educational agency, 
                        as determined by the Secretary in 
                        accordance with this subsection.
                          (iii) Sample size.--Except as 
                        otherwise provided in this paragraph, 
                        the sample for a local educational 
                        agency for a school year shall equal 
                        the lesser of--
                                  (I) 3 percent of all 
                                applications approved by the 
                                local educational agency for 
                                the school year, as of October 
                                1 of the school year, selected 
                                from error prone applications; 
                                or
                                  (II) 3,000 error prone 
                                applications approved by the 
                                local educational agency for 
                                the school year, as of October 
                                1 of the school year.
                          (iv) Alternative sample size.--
                                  (I) In general.--If the 
                                conditions described in 
                                subclause (IV) are met, the 
                                verification sample size for a 
                                local educational agency shall 
                                be the sample size described in 
                                subclause (II) or (III), as 
                                determined by the local 
                                educational agency.
                                  (II)  3,000/3 percent 
                                option.--The sample size 
                                described in this subclause 
                                shall be the lesser of 3,000, 
                                or 3 percent of, applications 
                                selected at random from 
                                applications approved by the 
                                local educational agency for 
                                the school year, as of October 
                                1 of the school year.
                                  (III)  1,000/1 percent plus 
                                option.--
                                          (aa) In general.--The 
                                        sample size described 
                                        in this subclause shall 
                                        be the sum of--
                                                  (AA) the 
                                                lesser of 
                                                1,000, or 1 
                                                percent of, all 
                                                applications 
                                                approved by the 
                                                local 
                                                educational 
                                                agency for the 
                                                school year, as 
                                                of October 1 of 
                                                the school 
                                                year, selected 
                                                from error 
                                                prone 
                                                applications; 
                                                and
                                                  (BB) the 
                                                lesser of 500, 
                                                or \1/2\ of 1 
                                                percent of, 
                                                applications 
                                                approved by the 
                                                local 
                                                educational 
                                                agency for the 
                                                school year, as 
                                                of October 1 of 
                                                the school 
                                                year, that 
                                                provide a case 
                                                number (in lieu 
                                                of income 
                                                information) 
                                                showing 
                                                participation 
                                                in a program 
                                                described in 
                                                item (bb) 
                                                selected from 
                                                those approved 
                                                applications 
                                                that provide a 
                                                case number (in 
                                                lieu of income 
                                                information) 
                                                verifying the 
                                                participation.
                                          (bb) Programs.--The 
                                        programs described in 
                                        this item are--
                                                  (AA) the 
                                                supplemental 
                                                nutrition 
                                                assistance 
                                                program 
                                                established 
                                                under the Food 
                                                and Nutrition 
                                                Act of 2008 (7 
                                                U.S.C. 2011 et 
                                                seq.);
                                                  (BB) the food 
                                                distribution 
                                                program on 
                                                Indian 
                                                reservations 
                                                established 
                                                under section 
                                                4(b) of the 
                                                Food and 
                                                Nutrition Act 
                                                of 2008 (7 
                                                U.S.C. 
                                                2013(b)); and
                                                  (CC) a State 
                                                program funded 
                                                under 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.) 
                                                that the 
                                                Secretary 
                                                determines 
                                                complies with 
                                                standards 
                                                established by 
                                                the Secretary 
                                                that ensure 
                                                that the 
                                                standards under 
                                                the State 
                                                program are 
                                                comparable to 
                                                or more 
                                                restrictive 
                                                than those in 
                                                effect on June 
                                                1, 1995.
                                  (IV) Conditions.--The 
                                conditions referred to in 
                                subclause (I) shall be met for 
                                a local educational agency for 
                                a school year if--
                                          (aa) the nonresponse 
                                        rate for the local 
                                        educational agency for 
                                        the preceding school 
                                        year is less than 20 
                                        percent; or
                                          (bb) the local 
                                        educational agency has 
                                        more than 20,000 
                                        children approved by 
                                        application by the 
                                        local educational 
                                        agency as eligible for 
                                        free or reduced price 
                                        meals for the school 
                                        year, as of October 1 
                                        of the school year, 
                                        and--
                                                  (AA) the 
                                                nonresponse 
                                                rate for the 
                                                preceding 
                                                school year is 
                                                at least 10 
                                                percent below 
                                                the nonresponse 
                                                rate for the 
                                                second 
                                                preceding 
                                                school year; or
                                                  (BB) in the 
                                                case of the 
                                                school year 
                                                beginning July 
                                                2005, the local 
                                                educational 
                                                agency attempts 
                                                to verify all 
                                                approved 
                                                household 
                                                applications 
                                                selected for 
                                                verification 
                                                through use of 
                                                public agency 
                                                records from at 
                                                least 2 of the 
                                                programs or 
                                                sources of 
                                                information 
                                                described in 
                                                subparagraph 
                                                (F)(i).
                          (v) Additional selected 
                        applications.--A sample for a local 
                        educational agency for a school year 
                        under clauses (iii) and (iv)(III)(AA) 
                        shall include the number of additional 
                        randomly selected approved household 
                        applications that are required to 
                        comply with the sample size 
                        requirements in those clauses.
                  (E) Preliminary review.--
                          (i) Review for accuracy.--
                                  (I) In general.--Prior to 
                                conducting any other 
                                verification activity for 
                                approved household applications 
                                selected for verification, the 
                                local educational agency shall 
                                ensure that the initial 
                                eligibility determination for 
                                each approved household 
                                application is reviewed for 
                                accuracy by an individual other 
                                than the individual making the 
                                initial eligibility 
                                determination, unless otherwise 
                                determined by the Secretary.
                                  (II) Waiver.--The 
                                requirements of subclause (I) 
                                shall be waived for a local 
                                educational agency if the local 
                                educational agency is using a 
                                technology-based solution that 
                                demonstrates a high level of 
                                accuracy, to the satisfaction 
                                of the Secretary, in processing 
                                an initial eligibility 
                                determination in accordance 
                                with the income eligibility 
                                guidelines of the school lunch 
                                program.
                          (ii) Correct eligibility 
                        determination.--If the review indicates 
                        that the initial eligibility 
                        determination is correct, the local 
                        educational agency shall verify the 
                        approved household application.
                          (iii) Incorrect eligibility 
                        determination.--If the review indicates 
                        that the initial eligibility 
                        determination is incorrect, the local 
                        educational agency shall (as determined 
                        by the Secretary)--
                                  (I) correct the eligibility 
                                status of the household;
                                  (II) notify the household of 
                                the change;
                                  (III) in any case in which 
                                the review indicates that the 
                                household is not eligible for 
                                free or reduced-price meals, 
                                notify the household of the 
                                reason for the ineligibility 
                                and that the household may 
                                reapply with income 
                                documentation for free or 
                                reduced-price meals; and
                                  (IV) in any case in which the 
                                review indicates that the 
                                household is eligible for free 
                                or reduced-price meals, verify 
                                the approved household 
                                application.
                  (F) Direct verification.--
                          (i) In general.--Subject to clauses 
                        (ii) and (iii), to verify eligibility 
                        for free or reduced price meals for 
                        approved household applications 
                        selected for verification, the local 
                        educational agency may (in accordance 
                        with criteria established by the 
                        Secretary) first obtain and use income 
                        and program participation information 
                        from a public agency administering--
                                  (I) the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program 
                                established under the Food and 
                                Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                                2011 et seq.);
                                  (II) the food distribution 
                                program on Indian reservations 
                                established under section 4(b) 
                                of the Food and Nutrition Act 
                                of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b));
                                  (III) the temporary 
                                assistance for needy families 
                                program funded under part A of 
                                title IV of the Social Security 
                                Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
                                  (IV) the State medicaid 
                                program under title XIX of the 
                                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                1396 et seq.); or
                                  (V) a similar income-tested 
                                program or other source of 
                                information, as determined by 
                                the Secretary.
                          (ii) Free meals.--Public agency 
                        records that may be obtained and used 
                        under clause (i) to verify eligibility 
                        for free meals for approved household 
                        applications selected for verification 
                        shall include the most recent available 
                        information (other than information 
                        reflecting program participation or 
                        income before the 180-day period ending 
                        on the date of application for free 
                        meals) that is relied on to 
                        administer--
                                  (I) a program or source of 
                                information described in clause 
                                (i) (other than clause 
                                (i)(IV)); or
                                  (II) the State plan for 
                                medical assistance under title 
                                XIX of the Social Security Act 
                                (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) in--
                                          (aa) a State in which 
                                        the income eligibility 
                                        limit applied under 
                                        section 1902(l)(2)(C) 
                                        of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                        1396a(l)(2)(C)) is not 
                                        more than 133 percent 
                                        of the official poverty 
                                        line described in 
                                        section 1902(l)(2)(A) 
                                        of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                        1396a(l)(2)(A)); or
                                          (bb) a State that 
                                        otherwise identifies 
                                        households that have 
                                        income that is not more 
                                        than 133 percent of the 
                                        official poverty line 
                                        described in section 
                                        1902(l)(2)(A) of that 
                                        Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                        1396a(l)(2)(A)).
                          (iii) Reduced price meals.--Public 
                        agency records that may be obtained and 
                        used under clause (i) to verify 
                        eligibility for reduced price meals for 
                        approved household applications 
                        selected for verification shall include 
                        the most recent available information 
                        (other than information reflecting 
                        program participation or income before 
                        the 180-day period ending on the date 
                        of application for reduced price meals) 
                        that is relied on to administer--
                                  (I) a program or source of 
                                information described in clause 
                                (i) (other than clause 
                                (i)(IV)); or
                                  (II) the State plan for 
                                medical assistance under title 
                                XIX of the Social Security Act 
                                (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) in--
                                          (aa) a State in which 
                                        the income eligibility 
                                        limit applied under 
                                        section 1902(l)(2)(C) 
                                        of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                        1396a(l)(2)(C)) is not 
                                        more than 185 percent 
                                        of the official poverty 
                                        line described in 
                                        section 1902(l)(2)(A) 
                                        of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                        1396a(l)(2)(A)); or
                                          (bb) a State that 
                                        otherwise identifies 
                                        households that have 
                                        income that is not more 
                                        than 185 percent of the 
                                        official poverty line 
                                        described in section 
                                        1902(l)(2)(A) of that 
                                        Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                        1396a(l)(2)(A)).
                          (iv) Evaluation.--Not later than 3 
                        years after the date of enactment of 
                        this subparagraph, the Secretary shall 
                        complete an evaluation of--
                                  (I) the effectiveness of 
                                direct verification carried out 
                                under this subparagraph in 
                                decreasing the portion of the 
                                verification sample that must 
                                be verified under subparagraph 
                                (G) while ensuring that 
                                adequate verification 
                                information is obtained; and
                                  (II) the feasibility of 
                                direct verification by State 
                                agencies and local educational 
                                agencies.
                          (v) Expanded use of direct 
                        verification.--If the Secretary 
                        determines that direct verification 
                        significantly decreases the portion of 
                        the verification sample that must be 
                        verified under subparagraph (G), while 
                        ensuring that adequate verification 
                        information is obtained, and can be 
                        conducted by most State agencies and 
                        local educational agencies, the 
                        Secretary may require a State agency or 
                        local educational agency to implement 
                        direct verification through 1 or more 
                        of the programs described in clause 
                        (i), as determined by the Secretary, 
                        unless the State agency or local 
                        educational agency demonstrates (under 
                        criteria established by the Secretary) 
                        that the State agency or local 
                        educational agency lacks the capacity 
                        to conduct, or is unable to implement, 
                        direct verification.
                  (G) Household verification.--
                          (i) In general.--If an approved 
                        household application is not verified 
                        through the use of public agency 
                        records, a local educational agency 
                        shall provide to the household written 
                        notice that--
                                  (I) the approved household 
                                application has been selected 
                                for verification; and
                                  (II) the household is 
                                required to submit verification 
                                information to confirm 
                                eligibility for free or reduced 
                                price meals.
                          (ii) Phone number.--The written 
                        notice in clause (i) shall include a 
                        toll-free phone number that parents and 
                        legal guardians in households selected 
                        for verification can call for 
                        assistance with the verification 
                        process.
                          (iii) Followup activities.--If a 
                        household does not respond to a 
                        verification request, a local 
                        educational agency shall make at least 
                        1 attempt to obtain the necessary 
                        verification from the household in 
                        accordance with guidelines and 
                        regulations promulgated by the 
                        Secretary.
                          (iv) Contract authority for school 
                        food authorities.--A local educational 
                        agency may contract (under standards 
                        established by the Secretary) with a 
                        third party to assist the local 
                        educational agency in carrying out 
                        clause (iii).
                  (H) Verification deadline.--
                          (i) General deadline.--
                                  (I) In general.--Subject to 
                                subclause (II), not later than 
                                November 15 of each school 
                                year, a local educational 
                                agency shall complete the 
                                verification activities 
                                required for the school year 
                                (including followup 
                                activities).
                                  (II) Extension.--Under 
                                criteria established by the 
                                Secretary, a State may extend 
                                the deadline established under 
                                subclause (I) for a school year 
                                for a local educational agency 
                                to December 15 of the school 
                                year.
                          (ii) Eligibility changes.--Based on 
                        the verification activities, the local 
                        educational agency shall make 
                        appropriate modifications to the 
                        eligibility determinations made for 
                        household applications in accordance 
                        with criteria established by the 
                        Secretary.
                  (I) Local conditions.--In the case of a 
                natural disaster, civil disorder, strike, or 
                other local condition (as determined by the 
                Secretary), the Secretary may substitute 
                alternatives for--
                          (i) the sample size and sample 
                        selection criteria established under 
                        subparagraph (D); and
                          (ii) the verification deadline 
                        established under subparagraph (H).
                  (J) Individual review.--In accordance with 
                criteria established by the Secretary, the 
                local educational agency may, on individual 
                review--
                          (i) decline to verify no more than 5 
                        percent of approved household 
                        applications selected under 
                        subparagraph (D); and
                          (ii) replace the approved household 
                        applications with other approved 
                        household applications to be verified.
                  (K) Feasibility study.--
                          (i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        conduct a study of the feasibility of 
                        using computer technology (including 
                        data mining) to reduce--
                                  (I) overcertification errors 
                                in the school lunch program 
                                under this Act;
                                  (II) waste, fraud, and abuse 
                                in connection with this 
                                paragraph; and
                                  (III) errors, waste, fraud, 
                                and abuse in other nutrition 
                                programs, as determined to be 
                                appropriate by the Secretary.
                          (ii) Report.--Not later than 180 days 
                        after the date of enactment of this 
                        paragraph, the Secretary shall submit 
                        to the Committee on Education and the 
                        Workforce of the House of 
                        Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate a report describing--
                                  (I) the results of the 
                                feasibility study conducted 
                                under this subsection;
                                  (II) how a computer system 
                                using technology described in 
                                clause (i) could be 
                                implemented;
                                  (III) a plan for 
                                implementation; and
                                  (IV) proposed legislation, if 
                                necessary, to implement the 
                                system.
          (4) Direct certification for children in supplemental 
        nutrition assistance program households.--
                  (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (D), 
                each State agency shall enter into an agreement 
                with the State agency conducting eligibility 
                determinations for the supplemental nutrition 
                assistance program established under the Food 
                and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et 
                seq.).
                  (B) Procedures.--Subject to paragraph (6), 
                the agreement shall establish procedures under 
                which a child who is a member of a household 
                receiving assistance under the supplemental 
                nutrition assistance program shall be certified 
                as eligible for free lunches under this Act and 
                free breakfasts under the Child Nutrition Act 
                of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), without 
                further application.
                  (C) Certification.--Subject to paragraph (6), 
                under the agreement, the local educational 
                agency conducting eligibility determinations 
                for a school lunch program under this Act and a 
                school breakfast program under the Child 
                Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) 
                shall certify a child who is a member of a 
                household receiving assistance under the 
                supplemental nutrition assistance program as 
                eligible for free lunches under this Act and 
                free breakfasts under the Child Nutrition Act 
                of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), without 
                further application.
                  (D) Applicability.--This paragraph applies 
                to--
                          (i) in the case of the school year 
                        beginning July 2006, a school district 
                        that had an enrollment of 25,000 
                        students or more in the preceding 
                        school year;
                          (ii) in the case of the school year 
                        beginning July 2007, a school district 
                        that had an enrollment of 10,000 
                        students or more in the preceding 
                        school year; and
                          (iii) in the case of the school year 
                        beginning July 2008 and each subsequent 
                        school year, each local educational 
                        agency.
                  (E) Performance awards.--
                          (i) In general.--Effective for each 
                        of the school years beginning July 1, 
                        2011, July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013, 
                        the Secretary shall offer performance 
                        awards to States to encourage the 
                        States to ensure that all children 
                        eligible for direct certification under 
                        this paragraph are certified in 
                        accordance with this paragraph.
                          (ii) Requirements.--For each school 
                        year described in clause (i), the 
                        Secretary shall--
                                  (I) consider State data from 
                                the prior school year, 
                                including estimates contained 
                                in the report required under 
                                section 4301 of the Food, 
                                Conservation, and Energy Act of 
                                2008 (42 U.S.C. 1758a); and
                                  (II) make performance awards 
                                to not more than 15 States that 
                                demonstrate, as determined by 
                                the Secretary--
                                          (aa) outstanding 
                                        performance; and
                                          (bb) substantial 
                                        improvement.
                          (iii) Use of funds.--A State agency 
                        that receives a performance award under 
                        clause (i)--
                                  (I) shall treat the funds as 
                                program income; and
                                  (II) may transfer the funds 
                                to school food authorities for 
                                use in carrying out the 
                                program.
                          (iv) Funding.--
                                  (I) In general.--On October 
                                1, 2011, and each subsequent 
                                October 1 through October 1, 
                                2013, out of any funds in the 
                                Treasury not otherwise 
                                appropriated, the Secretary of 
                                the Treasury shall transfer to 
                                the Secretary--
                                          (aa) $2,000,000 to 
                                        carry out clause 
                                        (ii)(II)(aa); and
                                          (bb) $2,000,000 to 
                                        carry out clause 
                                        (ii)(II)(bb).
                                  (II) Receipt and 
                                acceptance.--The Secretary 
                                shall be entitled to receive, 
                                shall accept, and shall use to 
                                carry out this clause the funds 
                                transferred under subclause 
                                (I), without further 
                                appropriation.
                          (v) Payments not subject to judicial 
                        review.--A determination by the 
                        Secretary whether, and in what amount, 
                        to make a performance award under this 
                        subparagraph shall not be subject to 
                        administrative or judicial review.
                  (F) Continuous improvement plans.--
                          (i) Definition of required 
                        percentage.--In this subparagraph, the 
                        term ``required percentage'' means--
                                  (I) for the school year 
                                beginning July 1, 2011, 80 
                                percent;
                                  (II) for the school year 
                                beginning July 1, 2012, 90 
                                percent; and
                                  (III) for the school year 
                                beginning July 1, 2013, and 
                                each school year thereafter, 95 
                                percent.
                          (ii) Requirements.--Each school year, 
                        the Secretary shall--
                                  (I) identify, using data from 
                                the prior year, including 
                                estimates contained in the 
                                report required under section 
                                4301 of the Food, Conservation, 
                                and Energy Act of 2008 (42 
                                U.S.C. 1758a), States that 
                                directly certify less than the 
                                required percentage of the 
                                total number of children in the 
                                State who are eligible for 
                                direct certification under this 
                                paragraph;
                                  (II) require the States 
                                identified under subclause (I) 
                                to implement a continuous 
                                improvement plan to fully meet 
                                the requirements of this 
                                paragraph, which shall include 
                                a plan to improve direct 
                                certification for the following 
                                school year; and
                                  (III) assist the States 
                                identified under subclause (I) 
                                to develop and implement a 
                                continuous improvement plan in 
                                accordance with subclause (II).
                          (iii) Failure to meet performance 
                        standard.--
                                  (I) In general.--A State that 
                                is required to develop and 
                                implement a continuous 
                                improvement plan under clause 
                                (ii)(II) shall be required to 
                                submit the continuous 
                                improvement plan to the 
                                Secretary, for the approval of 
                                the Secretary.
                                  (II) Requirements.--At a 
                                minimum, a continuous 
                                improvement plan under 
                                subclause (I) shall include--
                                          (aa) specific 
                                        measures that the State 
                                        will use to identify 
                                        more children who are 
                                        eligible for direct 
                                        certification, 
                                        including improvements 
                                        or modifications to 
                                        technology, information 
                                        systems, or databases;
                                          (bb) a timeline for 
                                        the State to implement 
                                        those measures; and
                                          (cc) goals for the 
                                        State to improve direct 
                                        certification results.
                  (G) Without further application.--
                          (i) In general.--In this paragraph, 
                        the term ``without further 
                        application'' means that no action is 
                        required by the household of the child.
                          (ii) Clarification.--A requirement 
                        that a household return a letter 
                        notifying the household of eligibility 
                        for direct certification or eligibility 
                        for free school meals does not meet the 
                        requirements of clause (i).
          (5) Discretionary certification.--Subject to 
        paragraph (6), any local educational agency may certify 
        any child as eligible for free lunches or breakfasts, 
        without further application, by directly communicating 
        with the appropriate State or local agency to obtain 
        documentation of the status of the child as--
                  (A) a member of a family that is receiving 
                assistance under the temporary assistance for 
                needy families program funded under part A of 
                title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                601 et seq.) that the Secretary determines 
                complies with standards established by the 
                Secretary that ensure that the standards under 
                the State program are comparable to or more 
                restrictive than those in effect on June 1, 
                1995;
                  (B) a homeless child or youth (defined as 1 
                of the individuals described in section 725(2) 
                of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2));
                  (C) served by the runaway and homeless youth 
                grant program established under the Runaway and 
                Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.);
                  (D) a migratory child (as defined in section 
                1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6399)); or
                  (E)(i) a foster child whose care and 
                placement is the responsibility of an agency 
                that administers a State plan under part B or E 
                of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 621 et seq.); or
                  (ii) a foster child who a court has placed 
                with a caretaker household.
          (6) Use or disclosure of information.--
                  (A) In general.--The use or disclosure of any 
                information obtained from an application for 
                free or reduced price meals, or from a State or 
                local agency referred to in paragraph (3)(F), 
                (4), or (5), shall be limited to--
                          (i) a person directly connected with 
                        the administration or enforcement of 
                        this Act or the Child Nutrition Act of 
                        1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) 
                        (including a regulation promulgated 
                        under either Act);
                          (ii) a person directly connected with 
                        the administration or enforcement of--
                                  (I) a Federal education 
                                program;
                                  (II) a State health or 
                                education program administered 
                                by the State or local 
                                educational agency (other than 
                                a program carried out under 
                                title XIX or XXI of the Social 
                                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et 
                                seq.; 42 U.S.C. 1397aa et 
                                seq.)); or
                                  (III) a Federal, State, or 
                                local means-tested nutrition 
                                program with eligibility 
                                standards comparable to the 
                                school lunch program under this 
                                Act;
                          (iii)(I) the Comptroller General of 
                        the United States for audit and 
                        examination authorized by any other 
                        provision of law; and
                          (II) notwithstanding any other 
                        provision of law, a Federal, State, or 
                        local law enforcement official for the 
                        purpose of investigating an alleged 
                        violation of any program covered by 
                        this paragraph or paragraph (3)(F), 
                        (4), or (5);
                          (iv) a person directly connected with 
                        the administration of the State 
                        medicaid program under title XIX of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et 
                        seq.) or the State children's health 
                        insurance program under title XXI of 
                        that Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.) 
                        solely for the purposes of--
                                  (I) identifying children 
                                eligible for benefits under, 
                                and enrolling children in, 
                                those programs, except that 
                                this subclause shall apply only 
                                to the extent that the State 
                                and the local educational 
                                agency or school food authority 
                                so elect; and
                                  (II) verifying the 
                                eligibility of children for 
                                programs under this Act or the 
                                Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
                                U.S.C. 1771 et seq.); and
                          (v) a third party contractor 
                        described in paragraph (3)(G)(iv).
                  (B) Limitation on information provided.--
                Information provided under clause (ii) or (v) 
                of subparagraph (A) shall be limited to the 
                income eligibility status of the child for whom 
                application for free or reduced price meal 
                benefits is made or for whom eligibility 
                information is provided under paragraph (3)(F), 
                (4), or (5), unless the consent of the parent 
                or guardian of the child for whom application 
                for benefits was made is obtained.
                  (C) Criminal penalty.--A person described in 
                subparagraph (A) who publishes, divulges, 
                discloses, or makes known in any manner, or to 
                any extent not authorized by Federal law 
                (including a regulation), any information 
                obtained under this subsection shall be fined 
                not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more 
                than 1 year, or both.
                  (D) Requirements for waiver of 
                confidentiality.--A State that elects to 
                exercise the option described in subparagraph 
                (A)(iv)(I) shall ensure that any local 
                educational agency or school food authority 
                acting in accordance with that option--
                          (i) has a written agreement with 1 or 
                        more State or local agencies 
                        administering health programs for 
                        children under titles XIX and XXI of 
                        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 
                        et seq. and 1397aa et seq.) that 
                        requires the health agencies to use the 
                        information obtained under subparagraph 
                        (A) to seek to enroll children in those 
                        health programs; and
                          (ii)(I) notifies each household, the 
                        information of which shall be disclosed 
                        under subparagraph (A), that the 
                        information disclosed will be used only 
                        to enroll children in health programs 
                        referred to in subparagraph (A)(iv); 
                        and
                          (II) provides each parent or guardian 
                        of a child in the household with an 
                        opportunity to elect not to have the 
                        information disclosed.
                  (E) Use of disclosed information.--A person 
                to which information is disclosed under 
                subparagraph (A)(iv)(I) shall use or disclose 
                the information only as necessary for the 
                purpose of enrolling children in health 
                programs referred to in subparagraph (A)(iv).
          (7) Free and reduced price policy statement.--
                  (A) In general.--After the initial 
                submission, a local educational agency shall 
                not be required to submit a free and reduced 
                price policy statement to a State educational 
                agency under this Act unless there is a 
                substantive change in the free and reduced 
                price policy of the local educational agency.
                  (B) Routine change.--A routine change in the 
                policy of a local educational agency (such as 
                an annual adjustment of the income eligibility 
                guidelines for free and reduced price meals) 
                shall not be sufficient cause for requiring the 
                local educational agency to submit a policy 
                statement.
          (8) Communications.--
                  (A) In general.--Any communication with a 
                household under this subsection or subsection 
                (d) shall be in an understandable and uniform 
                format and, to the maximum extent practicable, 
                in a language that parents and legal guardians 
                can understand.
                  (B) Electronic availability.--In addition to 
                the distribution of applications and 
                descriptive material in paper form as provided 
                for in this paragraph, the applications and 
                material may be made available electronically 
                via the Internet.
          (9) Eligibility for free and reduced price lunches.--
                  (A) Free lunches.--Any child who is a member 
                of a household whose income, at the time the 
                application is submitted, is at an annual rate 
                which does not exceed the applicable family 
                size income level of the income eligibility 
                guidelines for free lunches, as determined 
                under paragraph (1), shall be served a free 
                lunch.
                  (B) Reduced price lunches.--
                          (i) In general.--Any child who is a 
                        member of a household whose income, at 
                        the time the application is submitted, 
                        is at an annual rate greater than the 
                        applicable family size income level of 
                        the income eligibility guidelines for 
                        free lunches, as determined under 
                        paragraph (1), but less than or equal 
                        to the applicable family size income 
                        level of the income eligibility 
                        guidelines for reduced price lunches, 
                        as determined under paragraph (1), 
                        shall be served a reduced price lunch.
                          (ii) Maximum price.--The price 
                        charged for a reduced price lunch shall 
                        not exceed 40 cents.
                  (C) Duration.--Except as otherwise specified 
                in paragraph (3)(E), (3)(H)(ii), and section 
                11(a), eligibility for free or reduced price 
                meals for any school year shall remain in 
                effect--
                          (i) beginning on the date of 
                        eligibility approval for the current 
                        school year; and
                          (ii) ending on a date during the 
                        subsequent school year determined by 
                        the Secretary.
  (10) No physical segregation of or other discrimination 
against any child eligible for a free lunch or a reduced price 
lunch under this subsection shall be made by the school nor 
shall there be any overt identification of any child by special 
tokens or tickets, announced or published list of names, or by 
other means.
  (11) Any child who has a parent or guardian who (A) is 
responsible for the principal support of such child and (B) is 
unemployed shall be served a free or reduced price lunch, 
respectively, during any period (i) in which such child's 
parent or guardian continues to be unemployed and (ii) the 
income of the child's parents or guardians during such period 
of unemployment falls within the income eligibility criteria 
for free lunches or reduced price lunches, respectively, based 
on the current rate of income of such parents or guardians. 
Local educational agencies shall publicly announce that such 
children are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, and 
shall make determinations with respect to the status of any 
parent or guardian of any child under clauses (A) and (B) of 
the preceding sentence on the basis of a statement executed in 
such form as the Secretary may prescribe by such parent or 
guardian. No physical segregation of, or other discrimination 
against, any child eligible for a free or reduced price lunch 
under this paragraph shall be made by the school nor shall 
there be any overt identification of any such child by special 
tokens or tickets, announced or published lists of names, or by 
any other means.
  (12)(A) A child shall be considered automatically eligible 
for a free lunch and breakfast under this Act and the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), respectively, 
without further application or eligibility determination, if 
the child is--
          (i) a member of a household receiving assistance 
        under the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
        authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
        U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
          (ii) a member of a family (under the State program 
        funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)) that the Secretary 
        determines complies with standards established by the 
        Secretary that ensure that the standards under the 
        State program are comparable to or more restrictive 
        than those in effect on June 1, 1995;
          (iii) enrolled as a participant in a Head Start 
        program authorized under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
        9831 et seq.), on the basis of a determination that the 
        child meets the eligibility criteria prescribed under 
        section 645(a)(1)(B) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
        9840(a)(1)(B));
                  (iv) a homeless child or youth (defined as 1 
                of the individuals described in section 725(2) 
                of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)));
                  (v) served by the runaway and homeless youth 
                grant program established under the Runaway and 
                Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.);
                  (vi) a migratory child (as defined in section 
                1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6399)); or
                  (vii)(I) a foster child whose care and 
                placement is the responsibility of an agency 
                that administers a State plan under part B or E 
                of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 621 et seq.); or
                          (II) a foster child who a court has 
                        placed with a caretaker household.
  (B) Proof of receipt of supplemental nutrition assistance 
program benefits or assistance under the State program funded 
under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
601 et seq.) that the Secretary determines complies with 
standards established by the Secretary that ensure that the 
standards under the State program are comparable to or more 
restrictive than those in effect on June 1, 1995, or of 
enrollment or participation in a Head Start program on the 
basis described in subparagraph (A)(iii), shall be sufficient 
to satisfy any verification requirement imposed under this 
subsection.
          (13) Exclusion of certain military housing 
        allowances.--The amount of a basic allowance provided 
        under section 403 of title 37, United States Code, on 
        behalf of a member of a uniformed service for housing 
        that is acquired or constructed under subchapter IV of 
        chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, or any 
        related provision of law, shall not be considered to be 
        income for the purpose of determining the eligibility 
        of a child who is a member of the household of the 
        member of a uniformed service for free or reduced price 
        lunches under this Act.
          (14) Combat pay.--
                  (A) Definition of combat pay.--In this 
                paragraph, the term ``combat pay'' means any 
                additional payment under chapter 5 of title 37, 
                United States Code, or otherwise designated by 
                the Secretary to be appropriate for exclusion 
                under this paragraph, that is received by or 
                from a member of the United States Armed Forces 
                deployed to a designated combat zone, if the 
                additional pay--
                          (i) is the result of deployment to or 
                        service in a combat zone; and
                          (ii) was not received immediately 
                        prior to serving in a combat zone.
                  (B) Exclusion.--Combat pay shall not be 
                considered to be income for the purpose of 
                determining the eligibility for free or reduced 
                price meals of a child who is a member of the 
                household of a member of the United States 
                Armed Forces.
          (15) Direct certification for children receiving 
        medicaid benefits.--
                  (A) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
                          (i) Eligible child.--The term 
                        ``eligible child'' means a child--
                                  (I)(aa) who is eligible for 
                                and receiving medical 
                                assistance under the Medicaid 
                                program; and
                                  (bb) who is a member of a 
                                family with an income as 
                                measured by the Medicaid 
                                program before the application 
                                of any expense, block, or other 
                                income disregard, that does not 
                                exceed 133 percent of the 
                                poverty line (as defined in 
                                section 673(2) of the Community 
                                Services Block Grant Act (42 
                                U.S.C. 9902(2), including any 
                                revision required by such 
                                section)) applicable to a 
                                family of the size used for 
                                purposes of determining 
                                eligibility for the Medicaid 
                                program; or
                                  (II) who is a member of a 
                                household (as that term is 
                                defined in section 245.2 of 
                                title 7, Code of Federal 
                                Regulations (or successor 
                                regulations) with a child 
                                described in subclause (I).
                          (ii) Medicaid program.--The term 
                        ``Medicaid program'' means the program 
                        of medical assistance established under 
                        title XIX of the Social Security Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
                  (B) Demonstration project.--
                          (i) In general.--The Secretary, 
                        acting through the Administrator of the 
                        Food and Nutrition Service and in 
                        cooperation with selected State 
                        agencies, shall conduct a demonstration 
                        project in selected local educational 
                        agencies to determine whether direct 
                        certification of eligible children is 
                        an effective method of certifying 
                        children for free lunches and 
                        breakfasts under section 9(b)(1)(A) of 
                        this Act and section 4(e)(1)(A) of the 
                        Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
                        1773(e)(1)(A)).
                          (ii) Scope of project.--The Secretary 
                        shall carry out the demonstration 
                        project under this subparagraph--
                                  (I) for the school year 
                                beginning July 1, 2012, in 
                                selected local educational 
                                agencies that collectively 
                                serve 2.5 percent of students 
                                certified for free and reduced 
                                price meals nationwide, based 
                                on the most recent available 
                                data;
                                  (II) for the school year 
                                beginning July 1, 2013, in 
                                selected local educational 
                                agencies that collectively 
                                serve 5 percent of students 
                                certified for free and reduced 
                                price meals nationwide, based 
                                on the most recent available 
                                data; and
                                  (III) for the school year 
                                beginning July 1, 2014, and 
                                each subsequent school year, in 
                                selected local educational 
                                agencies that collectively 
                                serve 10 percent of students 
                                certified for free and reduced 
                                price meals nationwide, based 
                                on the most recent available 
                                data.
                          (iii) Purposes of the project.--At a 
                        minimum, the purposes of the 
                        demonstration project shall be--
                                  (I) to determine the 
                                potential of direct 
                                certification with the Medicaid 
                                program to reach children who 
                                are eligible for free meals but 
                                not certified to receive the 
                                meals;
                                  (II) to determine the 
                                potential of direct 
                                certification with the Medicaid 
                                program to directly certify 
                                children who are enrolled for 
                                free meals based on a household 
                                application; and
                                  (III) to provide an estimate 
                                of the effect on Federal costs 
                                and on participation in the 
                                school lunch program under this 
                                Act and the school breakfast 
                                program established by section 
                                4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 
                                1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) of direct 
                                certification with the Medicaid 
                                program.
                          (iv) Cost estimate.--For each of 2 
                        school years of the demonstration 
                        project, the Secretary shall estimate 
                        the cost of the direct certification of 
                        eligible children for free school meals 
                        through data derived from--
                                  (I) the school meal programs 
                                authorized under this Act and 
                                the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 
                                (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.);
                                  (II) the Medicaid program; 
                                and
                                  (III) interviews with a 
                                statistically representative 
                                sample of households.
                  (C) Agreement.--
                          (i) In general.--Not later than July 
                        1 of the first school year during which 
                        a State agency will participate in the 
                        demonstration project, the State agency 
                        shall enter into an agreement with the 
                        1 or more State agencies conducting 
                        eligibility determinations for the 
                        Medicaid program.
                          (ii) Without further application.--
                        Subject to paragraph (6), the agreement 
                        described in subparagraph (D) shall 
                        establish procedures under which an 
                        eligible child shall be certified for 
                        free lunches under this Act and free 
                        breakfasts under section 4 of the Child 
                        Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773), 
                        without further application (as defined 
                        in paragraph (4)(G)).
                  (D) Certification.--For the school year 
                beginning on July 1, 2012, and each subsequent 
                school year, subject to paragraph (6), the 
                local educational agencies participating in the 
                demonstration project shall certify an eligible 
                child as eligible for free lunches under this 
                Act and free breakfasts under the Child 
                Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), 
                without further application (as defined in 
                paragraph (4)(G)).
                  (E) Site selection.--
                          (i) In general.--To be eligible to 
                        participate in the demonstration 
                        project under this subsection, a State 
                        agency shall submit to the Secretary an 
                        application at such time, in such 
                        manner, and containing such information 
                        as the Secretary may require.
                          (ii) Considerations.--In selecting 
                        States and local educational agencies 
                        for participation in the demonstration 
                        project, the Secretary may take into 
                        consideration such factors as the 
                        Secretary considers to be appropriate, 
                        which may include--
                                  (I) the rate of direct 
                                certification;
                                  (II) the share of individuals 
                                who are eligible for benefits 
                                under the supplemental 
                                nutrition assistance program 
                                established under the Food and 
                                Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                                2011 et seq.) who participate 
                                in the program, as determined 
                                by the Secretary;
                                  (III) the income eligibility 
                                limit for the Medicaid program;
                                  (IV) the feasibility of 
                                matching data between local 
                                educational agencies and the 
                                Medicaid program;
                                  (V) the socioeconomic profile 
                                of the State or local 
                                educational agencies; and
                                  (VI) the willingness of the 
                                State and local educational 
                                agencies to comply with the 
                                requirements of the 
                                demonstration project.
                  (F) Access to data.--For purposes of 
                conducting the demonstration project under this 
                paragraph, the Secretary shall have access to--
                          (i) educational and other records of 
                        State and local educational and other 
                        agencies and institutions receiving 
                        funding or providing benefits for 1 or 
                        more programs authorized under this Act 
                        or the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
                        U.S.C. 1771 et seq.); and
                          (ii) income and program participation 
                        information from public agencies 
                        administering the Medicaid program.
                  (G) Report to congress.--
                          (i) In general.--Not later than 
                        October 1, 2014, the Secretary shall 
                        submit to the Committee on Education 
                        and Labor of the House of 
                        Representatives and the Committee on 
                        Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
                        the Senate, an interim report that 
                        describes the results of the 
                        demonstration project required under 
                        this paragraph.
                          (ii) Final report.--Not later than 
                        October 1, 2015, the Secretary shall 
                        submit a final report to the committees 
                        described in clause (i).
                  (H) Funding.--
                          (i) In general.--On October 1, 2010, 
                        out of any funds in the Treasury not 
                        otherwise appropriated, the Secretary 
                        of the Treasury shall transfer to the 
                        Secretary to carry out subparagraph (G) 
                        $5,000,000, to remain available until 
                        expended.
                          (ii) Receipt and acceptance.--The 
                        Secretary shall be entitled to receive, 
                        shall accept, and shall use to carry 
                        out subparagraph (G) the funds 
                        transferred under clause (i), without 
                        further appropriation.
  (c) School lunch programs under this Act shall be operated on 
a nonprofit basis. Commodities purchased under the authority of 
section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, may be donated by the 
Secretary to schools, in accordance with the needs as 
determined by local school authorities, for utilization in the 
school lunch program under this Act as well as to other schools 
carrying out nonprofit school lunch programs and institutions 
authorized to receive such commodities. The requirements of 
this section relating to the service of meals without cost or 
at a reduced cost shall apply to the lunch program of any 
school utilizing commodities donated under any provision of 
law.
  (d)(1) The Secretary shall require as a condition of 
eligibility for receipt of free or reduced price lunches that 
the member of the household who executes the application 
furnish the last 4 digits of the social security account number 
of the parent or guardian who is the primary wage earner 
responsible for the care of the child for whom the application 
is made, or that of another appropriate adult member of the 
child's household, as determined by the Secretary.
  (2) No member of a household may be provided a free or 
reduced price lunch under this Act unless--
          (A) appropriate documentation relating to the income 
        of such household (as prescribed by the Secretary) has 
        been provided to the appropriate local educational 
        agency so that the local educational agency may 
        calculate the total income of such household;
          (B) documentation showing that the household is 
        participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
        program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 has 
        been provided to the appropriate local educational 
        agency;
          (C) documentation has been provided to the 
        appropriate local educational agency showing that the 
        family is receiving assistance under the State program 
        funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security 
        Act that the Secretary determines complies with 
        standards established by the Secretary that ensure that 
        the standards under the State program are comparable to 
        or more restrictive than those in effect on June 1, 
        1995;
          (D) documentation has been provided to the 
        appropriate local educational agency showing that the 
        child meets the criteria specified in clauses (iv) or 
        (v) of subsection (b)(12)(A);
          (E) documentation has been provided to the 
        appropriate local educational agency showing the status 
        of the child as a migratory child (as defined in 
        section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
        Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6399));
          (F)(i) documentation has been provided to the 
        appropriate local educational agency showing the status 
        of the child as a foster child whose care and placement 
        is the responsibility of an agency that administers a 
        State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq.); or
                  (ii) documentation has been provided to the 
                appropriate local educational agency showing 
                the status of the child as a foster child who a 
                court has placed with a caretaker household; or
          (G) documentation has been provided to the 
        appropriate local educational agency showing the status 
        of the child as an eligible child (as defined in 
        subsection (b)(15)(A)).
  (e) A school or school food authority participating in a 
program under this Act may not contract with a food service 
company to provide a la carte food service unless the company 
agrees to offer free, reduced price, and full-price 
reimbursable meals to all eligible children.
  (f) Nutritional Requirements.--
          (1) In general.--Schools that are participating in 
        the school lunch program or school breakfast program 
        shall serve lunches and breakfasts that--
                  (A) are consistent with the goals of the most 
                recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
                published under section 301 of the National 
                Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act 
                of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341); and
                  (B) consider the nutrient needs of children 
                who may be at risk for inadequate food intake 
                and food insecurity.
  (2) To assist schools in meeting the requirements of this 
subsection, the Secretary--
          (A) shall--
                  (i) develop, and provide to schools, 
                standardized recipes, menu cycles, and food 
                product specification and preparation 
                techniques; and
                  (ii) provide to schools information regarding 
                nutrient standard menu planning, assisted 
                nutrient standard menu planning, and food-based 
                menu systems; and
          (B) may provide to schools information regarding 
        other approaches, as determined by the Secretary.
  (3) Use of any reasonable approach.--
          (A) In general.--A school food service authority may 
        use any reasonable approach, within guidelines 
        established by the Secretary in a timely manner, to 
        meet the requirements of this subsection, including--
                  (i) using the school nutrition meal pattern 
                in effect for the 1994-1995 school year; and
                  (ii) using any of the approaches described in 
                paragraph (3).
          (B) Nutrient analysis.--The Secretary may not require 
        a school to conduct or use a nutrient analysis to meet 
        the requirements of this subsection.
          (4) Waiver of requirement for weighted averages for 
        nutrient analysis.--During the period ending on 
        September 30, 2010, the Secretary shall not require the 
        use of weighted averages for nutrient analysis of menu 
        items and foods offered or served as part of a meal 
        offered or served under the school lunch program under 
        this Act or the school breakfast program under section 
        4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
  (g) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
subsection, the Secretary shall provide a notification to 
Congress that justifies the need for production records 
required under section 210.10(b) of title 7, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and describes how the Secretary has reduced 
paperwork relating to the school lunch and school breakfast 
programs.
  (h) Food Safety.--
          (1) In general.--A school participating in the school 
        lunch program under this Act or the school breakfast 
        program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 
        1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773) shall--
                  (A) at least twice during each school year, 
                obtain a food safety inspection conducted by a 
                State or local governmental agency responsible 
                for food safety inspections;
                  (B) post in a publicly visible location a 
                report on the most recent inspection conducted 
                under subparagraph (A); and
                  (C) on request, provide a copy of the report 
                to a member of the public.
          (2) State and local government inspections.--Nothing 
        in paragraph (1) prevents any State or local government 
        from adopting or enforcing any requirement for more 
        frequent food safety inspections of schools.
          (3) Audits and reports by states.--[For fiscal year 
        2023] For fiscal year 2024, each State shall annually--
                  (A) audit food safety inspections of schools 
                conducted under paragraphs (1) and (2); and
                  (B) submit to the Secretary a report of the 
                results of the audit.
          (4) Audit by the secretary.--[For fiscal year 2023] 
        For fiscal year 2024, the Secretary shall annually 
        audit State reports of food safety inspections of 
        schools submitted under paragraph (3).
          (5) School food safety program.--
                  (A) In general.--Each school food authority 
                shall implement a school food safety program, 
                in the preparation and service of each meal 
                served to children, that complies with any 
                hazard analysis and critical control point 
                system established by the Secretary.
                  (B) Applicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall 
                apply to any facility or part of a facility in 
                which food is stored, prepared, or served for 
                the purposes of the school nutrition programs 
                under this Act or section 4 of the Child 
                Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
  (i) Single Permanent Agreement Between State Agency and 
School Food Authority; Common Claims Form.--
          (1) In general.--If a single State agency administers 
        any combination of the school lunch program under this 
        Act, the school breakfast program under section 4 of 
        the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773), the 
        summer food service program for children under section 
        13 of this Act, or the child and adult care food 
        program under section 17 of this Act, the agency 
        shall--
                  (A) require each school food authority to 
                submit to the State agency a single agreement 
                with respect to the operation by the authority 
                of the programs administered by the State 
                agency; and
                  (B) use a common claims form with respect to 
                meals and supplements served under the programs 
                administered by the State agency.
          (2) Additional requirement.--The agreement described 
        in paragraph (1)(A) shall be a permanent agreement that 
        may be amended as necessary.
  (j) Purchases of Locally Produced Foods.--The Secretary 
shall--
          (1) encourage institutions receiving funds under this 
        Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 
        et seq.) to purchase unprocessed agricultural products, 
        both locally grown and locally raised, to the maximum 
        extent practicable and appropriate;
          (2) advise institutions participating in a program 
        described in paragraph (1) of the policy described in 
        that paragraph and paragraph (3) and post information 
        concerning the policy on the website maintained by the 
        Secretary; and
          (3) allow institutions receiving funds under this Act 
        and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et 
        seq.), including the Department of Defense Fresh Fruit 
        and Vegetable Program, to use a geographic preference 
        for the procurement of unprocessed agricultural 
        products, both locally grown and locally raised.
  (k) Information on the School Nutrition Environment.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall--
                  (A) establish requirements for local 
                educational agencies participating in the 
                school lunch program under this Act and the 
                school breakfast program established by section 
                4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
                1773) to report information about the school 
                nutrition environment, for all schools under 
                the jurisdiction of the local educational 
                agencies, to the Secretary and to the public in 
                the State on a periodic basis; and
                  (B) provide training and technical assistance 
                to States and local educational agencies on the 
                assessment and reporting of the school 
                nutrition environment, including the use of any 
                assessment materials developed by the 
                Secretary.
          (2) Requirements.--In establishing the requirements 
        for reporting on the school nutrition environment under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                  (A) include information pertaining to food 
                safety inspections, local wellness policies, 
                meal program participation, the nutritional 
                quality of program meals, and other information 
                as determined by the Secretary; and
                  (B) ensure that information is made available 
                to the public by local educational agencies in 
                an accessible, easily understood manner in 
                accordance with guidelines established by the 
                Secretary.
          (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
        subsection such sums as are necessary for each of 
        fiscal years 2011 through 2015.
  (l) Food Donation Program.--
          (1) In general.--Each school and local educational 
        agency participating in the school lunch program under 
        this Act may donate any food not consumed under such 
        program to eligible local food banks or charitable 
        organizations.
          (2) Guidance.--
                  (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days 
                after the date of the enactment of this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall develop and 
                publish guidance to schools and local 
                educational agencies participating in the 
                school lunch program under this Act to assist 
                such schools and local educational agencies in 
                donating food under this subsection.
                  (B) Updates.--The Secretary shall update such 
                guidance as necessary.
          (3) Liability.--Any school or local educational 
        agency making donations pursuant to this subsection 
        shall be exempt from civil and criminal liability to 
        the extent provided under the Bill Emerson Good 
        Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791).
          (4) Definition.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``eligible local food banks or charitable 
        organizations'' means any food bank or charitable 
        organization which is exempt from tax under section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 
        U.S.C. 501(c)(3)).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 26. INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract 
with a nongovernmental organization described in subsection (b) 
to establish and maintain a clearinghouse to provide 
information to nongovernmental groups located throughout the 
United States that assist low-income individuals or communities 
regarding food assistance, self-help activities to aid 
individuals in becoming self-reliant, and other activities that 
empower low-income individuals or communities to improve the 
lives of low-income individuals and reduce reliance on Federal, 
State, or local governmental agencies for food or other 
assistance.
  (b) Nongovernmental Organization.--The nongovernmental 
organization referred to in subsection (a) shall be selected on 
a competitive basis and shall--
          (1) be experienced in the gathering of first-hand 
        information in all the States through onsite visits to 
        grassroots organizations in each State that fight 
        hunger and poverty or that assist individuals in 
        becoming self-reliant;
          (2) be experienced in the establishment of a 
        clearinghouse similar to the clearinghouse described in 
        subsection (a);
          (3) agree to contribute in-kind resources towards the 
        establishment and maintenance of the clearinghouse and 
        agree to provide clearinghouse information, free of 
        charge, to the Secretary, States, counties, cities, 
        antihunger groups, and grassroots organizations that 
        assist individuals in becoming self-sufficient and 
        self-reliant;
          (4) be sponsored by an organization, or be an 
        organization, that--
                  (A) has helped combat hunger for at least 10 
                years;
                  (B) is committed to reinvesting in the United 
                States; and
                  (C) is knowledgeable regarding Federal 
                nutrition programs;
          (5) be experienced in communicating the purpose of 
        the clearinghouse through the media, including the 
        radio and print media, and be able to provide access to 
        the clearinghouse information through computer or 
        telecommunications technology, as well as through the 
        mails; and
          (6) be able to provide examples, advice, and guidance 
        to States, counties, cities, communities, antihunger 
        groups, and local organizations regarding means of 
        assisting individuals and communities to reduce 
        reliance on government programs, reduce hunger, improve 
        nutrition, and otherwise assist low-income individuals 
        and communities become more self-sufficient.
  (c) Audits.--The Secretary shall establish fair and 
reasonable auditing procedures regarding the expenditures of 
funds to carry out this section.
  (d) Funding.--Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the 
Secretary to provide to the organization selected under this 
section, to establish and maintain the information 
clearinghouse, $200,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996, 
$150,000 for fiscal year 1997, $100,000 for fiscal year 1998, 
$166,000 for each of fiscal years 1999 through 2004, and 
$250,000 for each of fiscal years [2010 through 2024] 2010 
through 2025. The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the 
funds and shall accept the funds, without further 
appropriation.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
       DIVISION A--AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG 
ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


DIVISION N--ADDITIONAL CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE VII--NUTRITION AND AGRICULTURE RELIEF

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                        Subtitle B--Agriculture

CHAPTER 1--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 756. RESEARCH.

  There is appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, $20,000,000 for [each of fiscal years 
2021 and 2022] fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter 
for the Agricultural Research Service to address gaps in 
nutrition research at the critical intersections of responsive 
agriculture, quality food production, and human nutrition and 
health.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


               Changes in the Application of Existing Law

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statements are 
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the 
accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the 
application of existing law.
    The bill includes a number of provisions which place 
limitations on the use of funds in the bill or change existing 
limitations and that might, under some circumstances, be 
construed as changing the application of existing law:
    Office of the Secretary.--Language is included to limit the 
amount of funds for official reception and representation 
expenses, as determined by the Secretary and to reimburse 
Departmental Administration for travel expenses incident to the 
holding of hearings.
    Agricultural Research Service.--Language is included that 
allows the Agricultural Research Service to grant easements at 
the Beltsville, MD, agricultural research center and to grant 
easements at any facility for the construction of a research 
facility for use by the agency.
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Integrated 
Activities.--The bill includes language limiting indirect 
costs.
    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.--Language is 
included to limit the amount of funds for representational 
allowances.
    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.--The bill 
includes language regarding State matching funds and the 
brucellosis control program.
    Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.--Language is 
included to allow APHIS to recoup expenses incurred from 
providing technical assistance goods, or services to non-APHIS 
personnel, and to allow transfers of funds for agricultural 
emergencies.
    Agricultural Marketing Service, Limitation on 
Administrative Expenses.--The bill includes language to allow 
AMS to exceed the limitation on administrative expenses by up 
to 10 percent with notification to the Appropriations 
Committees.
    Agricultural Marketing Service, Inspection and Weighing 
Services.--The bill includes authority to exceed the limitation 
on inspection and weighing services by up to 10 percent with 
notification to the Appropriations Committees.
    Food Safety and Inspection Service.--Language is included 
to limit the amount of funds for representational allowances.
    Dairy Indemnity Program.--Language is included by reference 
that allows the Secretary to utilize the services of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation for the purpose of making dairy 
indemnity payments.
    Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account.--
Language is included that deems the pink bollworm a boll weevil 
for the purposes of administering the boll weevil loan program.
    Risk Management Agency.--Language is included to limit the 
amount of funds for official reception and representation 
expenses.
    Commodity Credit Corporation Fund.--Language is included to 
allow certain funds transferred from the Commodity Credit 
Corporation to be used for information resource management.
    Hazardous Waste Management.--Language is included which 
limits the amount of funds that can be spent on operation and 
maintenance costs of CCC hazardous waste sites.
    Rural Development Salaries and Expenses.--Language is 
included to allow funds to be used for advertising and 
promotional activities.
    Rental Assistance Program.--Language is included that 
provides that agreements entered into during the current fiscal 
year be funded for a one-year period. Language also is included 
to renew contracts once during any 12-month period.
    Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program 
Account.--The bill includes language related to loan rates on 
renewable energy loans.
    The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants, and Children (WIC).--Language notwithstands section 
17(h)(10)(B)(ii) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
17 1786), as it relates to management information systems. 
Language is included to purchase infant formula except in 
accordance with law and pay for activities that are not fully 
reimbursed by other departments or agencies unless authorized 
by law.
    Office of Codex Alimentarius.--Language is included to 
limit the amount of funds for official reception and 
representation expenses.
    Foreign Agricultural Service.--Language is included to 
enable the agency to use funds received by an advance or by 
reimbursement to carry out its activities. The bill also limits 
the amount of funds for representation expenses.
    McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child 
Nutrition Program Grants.--Language is included to specify the 
amount of funds available to purchase commodities described by 
subsection 3107(a)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002.
    Food and Drug Administration, Salaries and Expenses.--
Language is included to limit the amount of funds for official 
reception and representation expenses and to limit the usage of 
certain user fees.
    FDA Innovation Account.--The bill provides additional 
transfer authority.
    Commodity Futures Trading Commission.--Language is included 
to limit the amount of funds for official reception and 
representation expenses. Language is also included to allow the 
Commission to record prior year lease obligations and to 
liquidate certain obligations.
    Farm Credit Administration.--The bill includes authority to 
exceed the limitation on assessments by 10 percent with 
notification to the Appropriations Committees and to allow 
certain banks to exceed the statutory cap on export financing.
    General Provisions.--
    Section 701.--The bill includes language regarding 
passenger motor vehicles.
    Section 702.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Working Capital Fund of the Department of Agriculture.
    Section 703.--The bill includes language limiting funding 
provided in the bill to one year unless otherwise specified.
    Section 704.--The bill includes language regarding indirect 
cost share.
    Section 705.--The bill includes language regarding the 
availability of loan funds in Rural Development programs.
    Section 706.--The bill includes language regarding new 
information technology systems.
    Section 707.--The bill includes language regarding fund 
availability in the Agriculture Management Assistance program.
    Section 708.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Utilities Service program eligibility.
    Section 709.--The bill includes language regarding funds 
for information technology expenses.
    Section 710.--The bill includes language prohibiting first-
class airline travel.
    Section 711.--The bill includes language regarding the 
availability of certain funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation.
    Section 712.--The bill includes language regarding funding 
for advisory committees.
    Section 713.--The bill includes language regarding IT 
system regulations.
    Section 714.--The bill includes language regarding Section 
32 activities.
    Section 715.--The bill includes language regarding user fee 
proposals without graphics.
    Section 716.--The bill includes language regarding the 
reprogramming of funds and notification requirements.
    Section 717.--The bill includes language regarding fees for 
the guaranteed business and industry loan program.
    Section 718.--The bill includes language regarding the 
appropriations hearing process.
    Section 719.--The bill includes language regarding 
government-sponsored news stories.
    Section 720.--The bill includes language regarding details 
and assignments of Department of Agriculture employees.
    Section 721.--The bill includes language regarding spend 
plans.
    Section 722.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 723.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Development programs.
    Section 724.--The bill includes language regarding USDA 
loan program levels.
    Section 725.--The bill includes language regarding credit 
card refunds and rebates.
    Section 726.--The bill includes language regarding blue 
catfish.
    Section 727.--The bill includes language regarding the 
definition of the term ``variety'' in SNAP.
    Section 728.--The bill includes language regarding 
nutrition research.
    Section 729.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Secretary's authority with respect to the 502 guaranteed loan 
programs.
    Section 730.--The bill includes language regarding new user 
fees.
    Section 731.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 732.--The bill includes language relating to 
overtime and holiday pay for FSIS inspectors.
    Section 733.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 734.--The bill includes language regarding country 
or regional audits.
    Section 735.--The bill includes language regarding U.S. 
iron and steel products in public water or wastewater systems.
    Section 736.--The bill includes language regarding 
lobbying.
    Section 737.--The bill includes language regarding Packers 
and Stockyards.
    Section 738.--The bill includes language regarding new 
hires.
    Section 739.--The bill includes language regarding a pilot 
program.
    Section 740.--The bill includes language related to 
persistent poverty counties.
    Section 741.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 742.--The bill includes language related to 
investigational use of drugs or biological products.
    Section 743.--The bill includes language related to the 
growing, harvesting, packing and holding of certain produce.
    Section 744.--The bill includes language related to the 
school breakfast program.
    Section 745.--The bill includes language regarding hemp.
    Section 746.--The bill includes language related to 
matching fund requirements.
    Section 747.--The bill includes language regarding land 
ownership reports.
    Section 748.--The bill includes language regarding a 
rescission of funds.
    Section 749.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 750.--The bill includes language regarding Food for 
Peace.
    Section 751.--The bill includes language relating to the 
use of raw or processed poultry products from the People's 
Republic of China in various domestic nutrition programs.
    Section 752.--The bill includes language regarding 
nutrition program requirements.
    Section 753.--The bill includes language related to certain 
school food lunch prices.
    Section 754.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Wuhan Institute of Virology.
    Section 755.--The bill includes language related to 
biotechnology risk assessment research.
    Section 756.--The bill includes language related to certain 
reorganizations within the Department of Agriculture.
    Section 757.--The bill includes language regarding Critical 
Race Theory.
    Section 758.--The bill includes language related to the 
Agriculture Conservation Experiences Services Program.
    Section 759.--The bill includes language related to the 
ReConnect program.
    Section 760.--The bill includes language related to the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act.
    Section 761.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 762.--The bill includes language regarding sodium.
    Section 763.--The bill includes language regarding 
information technology.
    Section 764.--The bill includes language regarding 
executive orders.
    Section 765.--The bill includes language regarding land 
purchases.
    Section 766.--The bill includes language regarding child 
nutrition program requirements.
    Section 767.--The bill includes language regarding the WIC 
food package.
    Section 768.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 769.--The bill includes language regarding FDA 
regulations.
    Section 770.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Development programs.
    Section 771.--The bill includes language regarding a tribal 
child nutrition pilot.
    Section 772.--The bill includes language regarding official 
flags.
    Section 773.--The bill includes language regarding 
discrimination.
    Section 774.--The bill includes language regarding 
listeria.
    Section 775.--The bill includes language regarding Rural 
Development loans.
    Section 776.--The bill includes language regarding the 
Spending Reduction Account.

                  Appropriations Not Authorized by Law

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following table lists the 
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not 
authorized by law for the period concerned:

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

 BUDGETARY IMPACT OF THE AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG 
ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2024, PREPARED 
   IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO 
         SECTION 308(A) OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974

                        [IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS]

                   COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares 
the levels of new budget authority provided in the bill with 
the appropriate allocation under section 302(b) of the Budget 
Act.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                      FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 
308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
following table contains five-year projections associated with 
the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill as 
provided to the Committee by the Congressional Budget Office.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

          FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 
308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
Congressional Budget Office has provided the following 
estimates of new budget authority and outlays provided by the 
accompanying bill for financial assistance to State and local 
governments.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                           Committee Hearings

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following hearings were used to 
develop or consider the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act, 2023:
    The Subcommittee held an oversight hearing on March 9, 
2023, entitled ``USDA Inspector General.'' The Subcommittee 
received testimony from:
      Ms. Phyllis K. Fong, Inspector General, USDA 
Office of Inspector General
      Steve Rickrode, Acting Assistant Inspector 
General for Audit, USDA Office of Inspector General
      Jenny Rone, Assistant Inspector General for 
Analytics and Innovation, USDA Office of Inspector General
      Kevin M. Tyrrell, Assistant Inspector General for 
Investigations, USDA Office of Inspector General
    The Subcommittee held a hearing on March 23, 2023, entitled 
``Member Day.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from:
      The Honorable Kim Schrier
      The Honorable Jill N. Tokuda
      The Honorable Mike Flood
    The Subcommittee held a hearing on March 28, 2023, entitled 
``The FY 2024 Budget Request for the Commodity Futures Trading 
Commission.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from:
      The Honorable Rostin Behnam, Chairman, Commodity 
Futures Trading Commission.
    The Subcommittee held a hearing on March 29, 2023, entitled 
``The FY 2024 Budget Request for the Food and Drug 
Administration.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from:
      Robert M. Califf M.D., MACC, Commissioner, Food 
and Drug Administration
    The Subcommittee held a budget hearing on March 30, 2023, 
entitled: ``The FY 2024 Budget Request for the Department of 
Agriculture.'' The Subcommittee received testimony from:
      The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary, the 
Department of Agriculture
      Mr. John Rapp, Director of the Office of Budget 
and Program Analysis, Department of Agriculture

   Disclosure of Earmarks and Congressionally Directed Spending Items

    The following table is submitted in compliance with clause 
9 of rule XXI, and lists the congressional earmarks (as defined 
in paragraph (e) of clause 9) contained in the bill or in this 
report. Neither the bill nor the report contain any limited tax 
benefits or limited tariff benefits as defined in paragraphs 
(f) or (g) of clause 9 of rule XXI.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


                            DISSENTING VIEWS

    This is a dreadful bill that we very strongly oppose.
    As Secretary Vilsack said, the bill is ``pathetic, 
punitive, and petty.''
    It takes food from women, infants, and children by slashing 
the monthly funds provided for WIC participants to buy fruits 
and vegetables by as much as 70% and drastically underfunding 
the WIC account itself at a time of rising participation and 
food costs.
    It favors farmer foreclosure over farming by rescinding the 
funds provided to assist farmers and ranchers who are 
underwater in their FSA loans. To date, USDA has helped 20,000 
farmers get out from under the financial burdens. The producers 
who remain to be served as those who took extraordinary 
personal financial risks to try to stay current on their loans 
and who will need one-on-one assistance from USDA.
    It handicaps the ability of the Secretary to assist farmers 
under the Commodity Credit Corporation. This is based on the 
belief that the Secretary somehow ``over-used'' CCC, when in 
fact his use of $10 billion is dwarfed by his predecessor's 
drawdown of $52 billion. That was so excessive Congress had to 
twice refill the CCC to prevent USDA not being able to meet 
obligations to farmers under existing programs.
    It harms women of child-bearing age by reversing FDA's 2021 
decision to remove the in-person dispensing requirement for 
Mifepristone. The experts on this issue are not Republicans on 
the Appropriations Committee, but the American College of 
Obstetricians and Gynecologists. They said:

          There is no clinical evidence that in-person 
        dispensing improves the safety of this medication or 
        patient outcomes; instead, this requirement 
        unnecessarily restricted patient access to a safe and 
        effective medication.

    The bill slaps our rural electric coops and their customers 
in the face by rescinding $1 billion from funding that Congress 
said was to be used ``for the long-term resiliency, 
reliability, and affordability of rural electric systems.'' 
This funding is the largest investment in rural electricity 
since 1936.
    An effort to modify language related to purchase of 
agricultural land by our foreign adversaries was unsuccessful. 
This resulted in poorly drafted and ambiguous language being 
added to the bill. No American wants to allow hostile countries 
to control our agricultural land.
    It contains a laundry list of petty, mean-spirited 
provisions that are aimed at LGBTQ Americans, persons of color, 
disabled persons, and underserved communities, which includes 
an enormous swath of rural America.
    Despite decades of litigation over USDA's past 
discriminatory practices against producers of color, women, and 
Native Americans, for which the government has paid billions of 
dollars in compensation, the bill not only prohibits 
implementation of Executive Orders aimed at preventing similar 
practices going forward, but the bill also cuts the Office of 
Civil Rights and the Office of Tribal Relations.
    Although in two successive full committee markups no 
Republican has been able to define it, the bill adopts the 
request of 15 committee members for language banning the 
agencies in the bill from promoting or advancing ``critical 
race theory.'' It is extremely unwise to ban agencies from 
doing something you cannot define.
    In the Farm Services Agency and Rural Development Salaries 
and Expenses accounts, the report is very critical of agency 
staffing, yet both accounts are cut severely below the 
President's request and the 2023 levels. Both, like almost 
every other agency, will also be required to absorb a 5.2% pay 
increase with these diminished funds.
    For some reason, the bill zeroes out the tiny Office of 
Codex Alimentarius, whose whole purpose is to ensure science- 
and rules-based international trade. Its work has protected 
American producers against a laundry list of foreign 
protectionist policies that would shut U.S. products from 
foreign markets.
    In an act of pettiness, the bill zeroes out the USDA Office 
of Communications, in retribution for a USDA press release that 
criticized the Republicans' debt limit legislation, despite 
conclusive proof by the Department that the press release was 
lawfully issued.
    A final note on process. After abruptly canceling the 
original scheduled full committee markup, the process was 
halted by chaos in the Republican caucus.
    Perhaps as a distraction, the full committee markup was 
suddenly rescheduled, with major changes needed to address 
offsets lost in the debt limit bill.
    The Democrats were not allowed to see the changes until 21 
hours before the markup. This is an outrageous violation of the 
comity that previously governed the sharing of information 
between the parties and contributed to what was an 
unnecessarily chaotic and confusing markup.
    We will oppose the bill and will work to produce a 
bipartisan bill in conference with an appropriate 302(b) level 
that allows the egregious rescissions in the committee bill to 
be dropped.

                                   Rosa L. DeLauro.
                                   Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

                                  [all]