Key Vote 107th Congress > Senate > Vote 483
Clerk session vote number: 103
Description: To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes.
Bill summary: Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 -
Title I: Commodity Programs - Subtitle A: Direct Payments and Counter-Cyclical Payments
- (Sec. 1101) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary), for purposes of making direct and counter-cyclical payments, to give a farm owner the opportunity to elect one of four base acre calculation methods which shall apply to all covered commodities (wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, rice, soybeans, and other oilseeds) on a farm.
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Identifies the applicable method for nonelection. Provides for base acre adjustment upon conservation reserve contract termination or acreage release. Authorizes an owner to permanently reduce a commodity's base acres.
(Sec. 1102) Directs the Secretary to establish payment yields for each farm for each covered commodity. States that: (1) the yield shall be the payment yield in effect for the 2002 crop of the commodity; or (2) if no yield is available the Secretary shall establish an appropriate payment yield based upon similar yields in the area.
Directs the Secretary to establish soybean and other oilseed yields for a farm by determining the average yield from 1998 through 2001, excluding years where the planted oilseed acreage was zero.
Sets forth crop acreage base and payment yield update provisions.
(Sec. 1103) Directs the Secretary to make direct payments for FY 2002 through 2007. Sets forth payment rates for wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, rice, soybeans, and other oilseeds. States that the annual payment amount for a crop shall be the product of the payment rate, acreage, and yield. Authorizes up to 50 percent in advance payments.
(Sec. 1104) Directs the Secretary to make counter-cyclical payments for crop years 2002 through 2007 whenever the effective rate is less than the target price. States that the effective price shall be equal to the sum of: (1) the higher of the national average market price during the 12-month marketing year for the commodity or the national average loan rate for the commodity, and (2) the direct payment rate for the commodity. Authorizes partial payments.
Sets forth covered commodity target prices for: (1) crop years 2002 and 2003; and (2) crop years 2004 through 2007. States that: (1) the payment rate for counter-cyclical payments shall be equal to: (1) the difference between the target price and the effective price for the commodity; and (2) the payment amount for such payments shall be equal to the product of the payment rate, acreage, and yield.
(Sec. 1105) Sets forth contract elements. Provides for: (1) tenant and sharecropper protection; and (2) equitable contract payment sharing among eligible producers.
(Sec. 1106) Permits planting flexibility on base acres, with exceptions for tree-or perennial-grown fruits, most vegetables, and wild rice, unless the base acreage commodity is destroyed before harvest.
(Sec. 1107) Terminates the Secretary's authority to make production flexibility contract payments on the date of the enactment of this Act, unless requested by the producer. Reduces any direct payments due a producer by any FY 2002 payments made under a production flexibility contract.
(Sec. 1108) Makes the provisions of this subtitle effective through crop year 2007.
Subtitle B: Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments
- (Sec. 1201) Directs the Secretary to make nonrecourse marketing assistance loans to producers of specified commodities through crop year 2007. Requires producers to comply with appropriate conservation and wetland provisions.
Directs the Secretary to make loans to a producer with covered commodities commingled in an unlicensed storage facility if the producer agrees to immediately redeem the loan collateral.
Terminates FY 2002 marketing loan assistance under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (FAIRA).
(Sec. 1202) Sets forth crop year 2002 through 2003 and 2004 through 2007 loan rates for: (1) wheat; (2) corn; (3) grain sorghum; (4) barley; (5) oats; (6) upland cotton; (7) extra long staple cotton; (8) rice; (9) soybeans; (10) other oilseeds; (11) graded wool; (12) nongraded wool; (13) honey; (14) dry peas; (15) lentils; (16) small chickpeas; and (17) mohair.
(Sec. 1203) Provides for a market loan term of nine months with no extensions.
(Sec. 1204) Permits producers of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, soybeans, other oilseeds, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, wool, mohair, and honey to repay marketing assistance loans at the lesser of: (1) the loan rate for the commodity plus interest; or (2) a loan rate that will minimize forfeitures, accumulation of stocks, storage costs, allow competitive marketing, and minimize State and county discrepancies.
Permits producers of: (1) upland cotton and rice to repay marketing assistance loans at a rate that is the lesser of the loan rate for the commodity plus interest, or the prevailing world market price (adjusted to U.S. quality and location); and (2) extra long staple cotton to repay marketing assistance loans at the loan rate plus interest.
(Sec. 1205) Directs the Secretary to make loan deficiency payments to producers who, although eligible for a marketing assistance loan, agree to forgo a loan in favor of receiving a payment. Authorizes loan deficiency payments for unshorn pelts, hay, or silage derived from a loan commodity.
States that: (1) the loan deficiency payment shall be the product of the payment rate and the quantity of the loan commodity produced, excluding any commodity for which the producer obtained a loan; and (2) the payment rate shall be the amount by which the loan rate exceeds the repayment rate. Sets forth payment rates for unshorn pelts, hay, and silage. Exempts extra long staple cotton from such provisions.
Sets forth loan deficiency payment rules for producers of wool, mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, and small chickpeas who lost beneficial interest in the crop before publication of certain implementing regulations.
Amends FAIRA to extend to crop year 2001 loan deficiency payment availability to producers who, although not eligible for marketing assistance loans, produce a contract commodity.
(Sec. 1206) Directs the Secretary to make payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments through crop year 2007 to producers who: (1) elect to use wheat, barley, or oats acreage for grazing; and (2) agree to forgo any other harvesting of such crops on the acreage. States that: (1) the payment shall be the product of the loan deficiency payment rate and the payment quantity; and (2) such acreage, including triticale acreage, shall be ineligible for Federal crop insurance.
Directs the Secretary to make payments through crop year 2007 to producers with triticale acreage used for grazing if the producer agrees to forgo any other harvesting of triticale on the acreage.
(Sec. 1207) Sets forth special marketing loan provisions for upland cotton through July 31, 2008. (Removes the 1.25 cent threshold through July 31, 2006.)
Directs the President to carry out, under specified cotton price related circumstances: (1) a special import quota through July 31, 2008; and (2) a limited global import quota for upland cotton.
(Sec. 1208) Directs the Secretary, through July 31, 2008, to make payments to producers and exporters of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton in order to maintain and expand such cotton's domestic and export use.
(Sec. 1209) Directs the Secretary to make recourse loans available to producers of high moisture feed grains (corn and grain sorghum) and seed cotton through crop year 2007. Terminates crop year 2002 loan authority under FAIRA.
Subtitle C: Peanuts -
(Sec. 1302) Sets forth payment yield and payment acre provisions for peanuts.
(Sec. 1303) Directs the Secretary to make direct payments: (1) to historic peanut producers (producers who planted or were prevented from planting 1998 through 2001 crops) for the 2002 crop year; and (2) for each of the 2003 through 2007 crop years, to producers on a farm on which payment yield and base acres have been assigned. Establishes a $36 per ton payment rate. Authorizes producers to elect 50 percent advance payments.
(Sec. 1304) Directs the Secretary to make counter-cyclical payments available when the effective price is less than the target price ($495 per ton) to: (1) historic producers for the 2002 crop year; and (2) producers on a farm on which payment yield and base acres have been assigned for crop years 2003 through 2007. Sets forth effective price, payment rate, and payment amount provisions. Provides for a partial payment option.
(Sec. 1305) Requires producers to comply with specified conservation, wetland, planting flexibility, and agricultural use provisions.
(Sec. 1306) Permits planting flexibility on peanut acres, with exceptions for fruits, most vegetables, and wild rice. Prohibits planting of trees and perennials on base acres. Exempts from such limitations: (1) any region with a history of double-cropping; or (2) a farm or a producer that has a history of planting such agriculture commodities.
(Sec. 1307) Directs the Secretary to: (1) make nine-month nonrecourse marketing loans available to peanut producers through crop year 2007 at $355 per ton, including certain instances of commingled peanuts; and (2) provide related storage costs through crop year 2006. Requires compliance with conservation and wetlands provisions.
Authorizes loan deficiency payments for producers who are eligible for but forgo such loans, with a special determination rate for crop year 2002.
(Sec. 1308) Requires Federal or Federal-State inspection of all U.S.-marketed peanuts.
Terminates the Peanut Administrative Committee. Directs the Secretary to establish a Peanut Standards Board to assist in establishing peanut standards.
Authorizes appropriations, in addition to other funds that may be available, to carry out such activities.
(Sec. 1309) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to terminate the peanut marketing quota program. Directs the Secretary to offer eligible peanut quota holders a compensation contract through FY 2006, which shall be the product of the farm poundage quota and $0.11. Authorizes producers to elect a single lump-sum payment in lieu of five installment payments.
Eliminates peanuts from certain eminent domain provisions.
(Sec. 1310) Amends FAIRA to terminate the peanut price support program.
Sets forth crop insurance provisions for crop year 2002 peanuts.
Subtitle D: Sugar -
(Sec. 1401) Amends FAIRA to direct the Secretary to carry out the sugar program through nonrecourse (currently recourse) loans, including loans to processors of in-process sugars and syrups at 80 percent of sugarcane and sugar beet rates.
Makes current foreign subsidy-based mandatory loan rate reductions for domestic sugar discretionary.
Directs the Secretary to operate the sugar program at no cost to the Federal Government by avoiding sugar forfeiture to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Authorizes CCC to accept processor bids for sugar inventory purchases in exchange for reduced production.
Sets forth producer and importer reporting requirements.
Provides for the substitution of refined sugar in certain sugar export and polyhydric alcohol programs.
Extends the sugar program through crop year 2007.
Makes CCC interest rate provisions inapplicable to sugarcane, sugar beets, and in-process sugar.
(Sec. 1402) Directs CCC to establish a sugar storage and handling facility loan program for processors of domestically produced sugarcane and sugar beets.
(Sec. 1403) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to provide for estimates of: (1) U.S. sugar consumption; and (2) total U.S. sugar supply.
Revises sugar marketing allotment provisions. Directs the United States Trade Representative to: (1) determine the annual amount of cane sugar quota used by each supplying country (as defined by this Act); and (2) permit reallocation of the unused quota among such countries.
Subtitle E: Dairy
- (Sec. 1501) Extends the dairy price support program through 2007 (at $9.90 per hundredweight for milk containing 3.67 percent butterfat). Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) maintain such level through purchases of cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk; and (2) modify butter and nonfat dry milk prices up to twice a year.
(Sec. 1502) Directs the Secretary to provide market loss payments from December 1, 2001, through September 30, 2005, to milk producers in all States Provides that the producer payment amount shall equal 45 percent of the difference between $16.94 and the price per hundredweight of Class I fluid milk in Boston under the applicable Federal milk marketing order. Limits single operation producer payments to 2.4 million pounds of milk marketed per year.
(Sec. 1503) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the dairy export incentive program through 2007. Amends Federal law to extend the dairy indemnity program through 2007.
(Sec. 1504) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to revise dairy product mandatory reporting provisions.
(Sec. 1505) Amends the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 respecting dairy importers to provide for: (1) National Dairy Promotion and Research Board representation; (2) referenda voting eligibility; and (3) assessments at rates equal to domestic producers. Defines "imported dairy product." Prohibits importer assessments from being used for foreign export promotion.
(Sec. 1506) Amends the Fluid Milk Promotion Act to: (1) repeal the December 31, 2002, milk order termination date; and (2) revise the definitions of "fluid milk product" and "fluid milk processor."
(Sec. 1507) Directs the Secretary to conduct a national dairy policy study.
(Sec. 1508) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the effects of: (1) terminating Federal milk price and management programs; (2) granting congressional consent to State price and management efforts; and (3) including in the identity of fluid milk a required minimum protein content.
Subtitle F: Administration -
(Sec. 1601) Directs the Secretary to use CCC funds, facilities, and authorities to carry out this title.
Authorizes the Secretary to make expenditure adjustments if expenditures will exceed total allowable domestic support levels under the Uruguay Round Agreement.
(Sec. 1602) Extends through 2007: (1) specified suspensions of permanent price support authority respecting loan commodities, peanuts, sugar, and milk under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949; and (2) a specified suspension of wheat and corn marketing quota provisions.
(Sec. 1603) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise limitations on direct payments, counter-cyclical payments, marketing loan gains, and loan deficiency payments.
Limits: (1) direct and counter-cyclical payments to a person for corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, wheat, soybeans, minor oilseeds, cotton, rice, and peanuts to $40,000 and $65,000, respectively; and (2) marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments to a person for corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, wheat, soybeans, minor oilseeds, cotton, rice peanuts, wool, mohair, honey, lentils, dry peas, and small chickpeas to $75,000.
(Sec. 1604) States that through crop year 2007, an individual or entity shall not receive any of the following benefits during a crop year if the average adjusted gross income of the individual or entity exceeds $2.5 million unless not less than 75 percent of the average adjusted gross income of the individual or entity is derived from farming, ranching, or forestry operations: (1) direct or counter-cyclical payments; (2) marketing loan or loan deficiency payments; or (3) payments under title XII of this Act or title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
(Sec. 1605) Establishes the Commission on the Application of Payment Limitations for Agriculture.
(Sec. 1606) Amends FAIRA to include title I of this Act within the criteria for: (1) commodity loan adjustments; (2) producer liability for deficiencies; and (3) loan administrative authority.
(Sec. 1609) Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act permit CCC use of private sector entities.
(Sec. 1610) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to reduce the reserve stock level for Flue-cured tobacco from 100 million pounds (farm sales weight) to 60 million pounds or ten percent of the national marketing quota.
(Sec. 1611) Directs the Secretary to: (1) allow special farm reconstitutions in lieu of leases and transfer of tobacco allotments and quotas for crop year 2002; and (2) study the effects on producer limitations on moving tobacco quotas to a farm other than the farm to which the quota was originally assigned.
(Sec. 1612) Provides that producers may assign any payments received under this Act by providing notice as prescribed by the Secretary.
(Sec. 1613) Authorizes the Secretary and State Executive Directors of the Farm Service Agency and State Conservationists with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to grant relief from loan and other benefit ineligibility under specified circumstances.
(Sec. 1615) Directs the Secretary to include in projections of net farm income an estimate of net farm income: (1) earned by U.S. commercial producers; and (2) attributable to commercial producers of livestock, and loan and non-loan commodities.
(Sec. 1616) Directs the Secretary to provide hard white wheat incentive payments for crop years 2003 through 2005 to producers who demonstrate that buyers and end-users are available.
(Sec. 1617) Authorizes the Secretary to use CCC funds to make specified supplemental payments to agricultural producers who did not receive such payments before October 1, 2001.
(Sec. 1618) Permits producers in Erie County, Pennsylvania, to retain erroneously paid loan deficiency and marketing loan benefits.
Title II: Conservation - Subtitle A: Conservation Security
- (Sec. 2001) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary to establish a FY 2003 through 2007 conservation security program to assist owners and operators adopt or maintain conservation practices on production land. Includes among such practices promotion of: soil, water, air, energy; and plant and animal life.
Defines eligible providers and lands (excludes lands in the conservation, grassland, and wetland reserve programs, and certain other converted lands).
Requires a participant to submit a conservation security plan. Establishes three tiers of conservation contracts, and bases a participant's annual payments upon implemented tiers. Sets forth related program and operating provisions.
(Sec. 2002) Prohibits the Secretary from delegating compliance determination authority with respect to the highly erodible land and wetland programs.
(Sec. 2003) Authorizes the Secretary to designate and provide incentives for special projects to enhance technical and financial assistance to owners, operators, and producers to address agriculture-related natural resource issues. Obligates specified funds for such projects.
(Sec. 2004) Authorizes the Secretary to provide agricultural conservation program incentives to: (1) beginning farmers and ranchers; (2) Indian tribes; and (3) limited resource agricultural producers.
(Sec. 2005) Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to coordinate land retirement and agricultural working land conservation programs in order to: (1) eliminate redundancy; (2) streamline program delivery; and (3) improve producer services.
Subtitle B: Conservation Reserve
- (Sec. 2101) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise and extend the conservation reserve program through 2007. Provides a one-year extension for contracts expiring in 2002.
Revises eligible land provisions, including expansion of marginal pastureland eligibility, and inclusion of wildlife resources. Increases maximum program acreage enrollment.
Extends the pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage through 2007. Eliminates provisions limiting the program to Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Increases maximum program acreage enrollment, and revises State acreage limitations. Permits wetland enrollment of ten-acre tracts (payment eligibility limited to five acres).
Sets forth owner-operator and Secretarial duties. Revises haying and grazing provisions. Permits wind turbine and biomass activities.
Sets forth payment and contract provisions.
Authorizes the conversion of highly erodible cropland devoted to vegetative cover to: (1) hardwood trees, windbreaks, shelterbelts, or wildlife corridors; or (2) wetland.
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the conservation reserve program's economic and social effects on rural communities.
Subtitle C: Wetlands Reserve Program
- (Sec. 2201) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the wetlands reserve program through 2007.
(Sec. 2202) Increases maximum acreage enrollment. Eliminates enrollment method percentages.
(Sec. 2203) Revises easement provisions.
Subtitle D: Environmental Quality Incentives
- (Sec. 2301) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise and extend the environmental quality incentives program through 2007. Reduces minimum program contracts. Provides increased cost-share assistance for limited resource and beginning farmers. Eliminates the prohibition on cost-share payments for construction of certain animal waste management facilities. Modifies incentive payment provisions. Targets 60 percent of cost-share and incentive payments for livestock production practices.
Revises provisions respecting: (1) priorities; and (2) producer and Secretarial duties.
Sets forth plan requirements for confined livestock feeding operations.
Increases payment limitation provisions, including: (1) eliminating annual limitations; and (2) increasing aggregate limitations.
Eliminates temporary program provisions.
Authorizes the Secretary to make cost-share grants to stimulate innovative approaches to leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection.
Directs the Secretary, in carrying out the environmental quality incentives program, to promote ground and surface water conservation by providing cost-share payments, incentive payments, and loans to producers to: (1) improve irrigation systems; (2) convert to less water-intensive agricultural commodities, or to dryland farming; (3) improve water storage through measures such as water banking and groundwater recharge; and (4) mitigate the effects of drought.
Obligates specified amounts for FY 2002 through 2007 for the environmental quality incentives program, with a specified set-aside for water conservation activities in Klamath Basin, California and Oregon.
Subtitle E: Grassland Reserve
- (Sec. 2401) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to establish a grassland reserve program for land that is or has historically been natural grass or shrubland, and has significant potential for animal or plant restoration. Provides for: (1) a maximum enrollment of two million acres; and (2) enrollment through a 10-year, 15-year, or 20-year rental agreement, a 30-year rental agreement or permanent or 30-year easement; or in a State that imposes a maximum duration for easements, an easement for the maximum duration allowed under State law.
Authorizes the Secretary to delegate an easement to a private conservation or land trust organization, or a State agency.
Subtitle F: Other Conservation Programs
- (Sec. 2501) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act with respect to the agricultural management assistance program to: (1) limit the program to Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming; and (2) increase FY 2003 through 2007 funding.
(Sec. 2502) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize appropriations through FY 2007 for: (1) the conservation of private grazing land program, including establishment of two grazing management demonstration districts; and (2) the wildlife habitat incentive.
Directs the Secretary to establish the national grassroots water protection program to more effectively use onsite technical assistance capabilities of State rural water associations that operate wellhead or groundwater protection programs. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out the Great Lakes basin program for soil erosion and sediment control; and (2) provide related grants, technical assistance, and education programs.
Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 2503) Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations for the farmland protection program (to be carried out through the Natural Resources Conservation Service). Eliminates acreage limitations. Includes within the program: (1) land containing historic or archaeological resources; and (2) certain forest land. Expands participating entity eligibility. Authorizes the Secretary to use specified funds to provide matching market viability grants and technical assistance. (Transfers program authority from FAIRA to the Food Security Act of 1985.)
(Sec. 2504) Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to revise the resource conservation and development program. Provides technical and financial assistance through councils for conservation and development projects. Makes the authorization of appropriations permanent. Renames the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Board as the Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board.
(Sec. 2505) Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act respecting rehabilitation of water project structural measures to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY 2007; (2)
increase FY 2003 through 2005 authorizations; and (3) make specified CCC funds available through FY 2007.
(Sec. 2506) Amends FAIRA to authorize the Secretary to: (1) use, license, or transfer National Natural Resources Conservation Foundation symbols, slogans, and logos; and (2) use the revenues for conservation purposes.
(Sec. 2507) Directs the Secretary to transfer specified CCC funds to the Bureau of Reclamation Water and Related Resources Account to provide water to at-risk natural desert terminal lakes.
Subtitle G: Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program
- Directs the Secretary to carry out the Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program under which Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, a local entity with jurisdiction over Delmarva Peninsula land, or any combination of such State and local entities may submit a conservation corridor plan to integrate Department and State or local agriculture and forestry conservation programs. Provides for 50 percent cost-sharing, unless the Secretary authorizes a greater Federal share. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
Subtitle H: Funding and Administration
- Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise certain funding provisions to: (1) provide CCC funding through FY 2007 for the conservation reserve, wetlands reserve, and conservation security programs; (2) use specified FY 2002 through 2007 CCC amounts for the farmland protection, grassland reserve, environmental quality incentives, and wildlife habitat incentives programs; and (3) eliminate the livestock production set-aside.
Eliminates certain provisions respecting the use of other agencies and State and local agricultural committees.
Title III: Trade - Subtitle A: Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and Related Statutes
- Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) respecting the food for peace program to: (1) extend the program through 2007; (2) make the amount of funds available for eligible organizations on a percent rather than fixed amount basis; (3) permit commodity sale proceeds to be denominated in other than the local currency; (4) extend through FY 2007 and increase maximum assistance tonnage levels; (5) extend the Food Aid Consultative Group through 2007; (6) eliminate the maximum annual expenditure level; (7) extend funding authority for certain commodity prepositioning through FY 2007; (8) extend authorization of appropriations through FY 2007 for stockpiling, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable pre-packaged goods; (9) extend the micronutrient fortification program through FY 2007 (ends the program's pilot status); and (10) extend the John Ogonowski farmer-to-farmer program through FY 2007 (increases minimum funding provisions and includes Caribbean Basin and Sub-Saharan countries within the program framework).
Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
- (Sec. 3101) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to direct the Secretary to develop an agricultural exporter website.
(Sec. 3102) Extends the export credit guarantee program, including required guarantees for processed and high-value products, through FY 2007. Authorizes appropriations to cover the costs of loan guarantees exceeding 180 days. (Extends the guarantee period to 360 days, subject to authorization of such appropriations.)
(Sec. 3103) Extends market access program funding through FY 2007.
(Sec. 3104) Extends the export enhancement program through FY 2007. Expands the definition of "unfair trade practices" to include certain: (1) agricultural pricing practices by state trading enterprises; (2) trade or sanitary restrictions; (3) subsidies; and (4) restrictions on U.S. imports.
(Sec. 3105) Extends funding for the foreign market development cooperator program through FY 2007.
(Sec. 3106) Extends the food for progress program through 2007 Defines an "eligible entity" as: (1) the government of an emerging agricultural country; (2) an intergovernmental organization; (3) a private voluntary organization; (4) a nonprofit agricultural organization; (5) a nongovernmental organization; or (6) any other private entity. Defines "eligible commodity."
Prohibits program distributions that will reduce domestic commodity amounts below levels traditionally available for domestic feeding programs.
States that CCC funds in excess of $40 million may be used in FY 2002 through 2007 only if authorized in advance by appropriations.
Establishes minimum commodity tonnages (400,000 metric tons) for each of FY 2002 through 2007.
Increases administrative expense amounts. Authorizes program fund use for humanitarian or development purposes.
(Sec. 3107) Authorizes the President to establish the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program to provide agricultural commodities and financial and technical assistance for: (1) school-based food programs; and (2) maternal, infant, and child nutrition programs. Encourages the President to seek multinational and private sector involvement. Obligates specified CCC funds for FY 2003, and authorizes FY 2004 through 2007 appropriations.
Subtitle C: Miscellaneous
- (Sec. 3201) Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 respecting foreign currency use in the surplus commodities for developing or friendly countries program. Encourages the Secretary to finalize program agreements by December 31 of each fiscal year.
(Sec. 3202) Amends the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act to extend the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust (food security commodity trust) through FY 2007.
(Sec. 3203) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend funds through FY 2007 for the promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets program.
(Sec. 3204) Establishes in the Department of Agriculture (Department) the biotechnology and agricultural trade program, which shall seek to remove significant nontariff trade barriers to U.S. agricultural exports. Authorizes such activities to be carried under: (1) this section; (2) the emerging markets program; and (3) the Cochran Fellowship Program. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec.3205) Directs the Secretary to establish a specialty crops technical assistance program to mitigate or remove sanitary or phytosanitary trade barriers. Makes funding or commodities of equal value available through FY 2007.
(Sec. 3206) Directs the Secretary to consult with specified committees on implementation of a global market strategy for the Department that: (1) identifies export opportunities; (2) ensures Department coordination with other agencies; and (3) removes overseas trade barriers.
(Sec. 3207) Directs the Secretary to report on U.S. international food aid programs that evaluate: (1) the implications of storage and transportation capacity and funding for the use of perishable agricultural commodities and semiperishable agricultural commodities; and (2) the feasibility of the transport of lambs and other live animals.
(Sec. 3208) Directs the Secretary to report on the feasibility of instituting a fee program to cover Department costs incurred in providing commercial services abroad..
(Sec. 3209) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. foreign assistance programs should play an increased role in the fight against terrorism; (2) the United States should lead international efforts to provide increased financial assistance to countries with impoverished and disadvantaged populations that are the breeding grounds for terrorism; and (3) the United States Agency for International Development and the Department should substantially increase humanitarian, economic development, and agricultural assistance to foster international peace and stability and the promotion of human rights.
(Sec. 3210) Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the principal U.S. negotiating objective with respect to agricultural trade in all multilateral, regional, and bilateral negotiations is to obtain competitive opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports substantially equivalent to the competitive opportunities afforded foreign exports in U.S. markets, and to achieve fairer and more open conditions of agricultural trade in bulk and value-added commodities; (2) reaching a successful agreement on agriculture should be the top U.S. priority in World Trade Organization talks; (3) if primary export competitors of the United States fail to reduce their domestic supports and eliminate export subsidies the United States should take steps to increase its negotiating leverage; and (4) the United States Trade Representative should consult closely with the House and Senate agricultural committees.
Title IV: Nutrition Programs
- Food Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2002 -
Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program
- (Sec. 4101) Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 exclude from income for food stamp program (program) purposes legally obligated child support payments made by a household member on behalf of a person not a member of such household. Allows a State to continue to provide a child support deduction, rather than such exclusion. Requires determination of such deduction before computing the excess shelter expense deduction.
Allows a State to use information from child support enforcement agencies to determine the amount of child support paid for program purposes.
(Sec. 4102) Excludes from income for program purposes deferred educational and veterans' educational assistance, State complementary assistance payments, and certain medical assistance not included as income under specified provisions of titles IV and XIX of the Social Security Act.
(Sec. 4103) Establishes the standard deduction at 8.31 percent of the inflation-indexed Federal poverty income guideline used for program eligibility. Includes comparable provisions for Guam and the Virgin Islands.
(Sec. 4104) Revises provisions respecting: (1) utility allowances; (2) resources; (3) deduction determinations; and (4) housing.
(Sec. 4108) Authorizes the Secretary to select alternative methods to issue emergency food stamps to disaster victims.
(Sec. 4109) Authorizes a State to reduce household reporting requirements.
(Sec. 4110) Eliminates the requirement that electronic benefit transfer systems not cost the Federal Government more than paper issuance systems.
(Sec. 4111) Requires an annual report on electronic benefit transfer systems.
(Sec. 4112) Authorizes a State, subject to prior pilot program determination of feasibility, to provide a standardized monthly benefit to residents of group homes and substance abuse centers, which shall be issued to the facility as representative of the residents.
(Sec. 4113) Authorizes program benefit redemptions through group living arrangements under specified circumstances.
(Sec. 4114) Requires a State that has a program website to make on-line applications available in each language in which printed applications are available.
(Sec. 4115) Authorizes a State agency to provide up to five months of transitional program benefits to households moving from the temporary assistance for needy families program (TANF).
(Sec. 4116) Directs the Secretary to use specified FY 2002 through 2007amounts for grants to eligible entities to develop and implement: (1) program application and eligibility determination systems; or (2) measures to improve program access.
(Sec. 4117) States that retailer notices of adverse action shall be delivered as the Secretary determines will provide evidence of delivery.
(Sec. 4118) Revises program quality control provisions.
(Sec. 4119) Revises provisions respecting: (1) State performance calculations; and (2) State high performance bonuses for FY 2003 and 2004, and FY 2005 and subsequent fiscal years.
(Sec. 4221) Extends employment and training program funding allocations through FY 2007.
Allocates additional FY 2002 through 2007 amounts to States that ensure availability of specified work opportunities.
Repeals the: (1) 80 percent set-aside for able-bodied adults without dependents; (2) maintenance-of-effort requirement to access new unmatched funds; (3) limits on the amount States are reimbursed for each work slot offered; and (4) $25 monthly cap on the amount States may reimburse participants for transportation and other work expenses.
(Sec. 4222) Extends: (1) reductions in program administrative payment provisions through FY 2007; (2) cash payment pilot programs through October 1, 2007; and (3) program authorization of appropriations through FY 2007.
(Sec. 4123) Authorizes the Secretary to grant waivers to nongovernmental entities for program research.
(Sec. 4124) Consolidates, and extends through FY 2007, the block grant funding structure for nutrition assistance in American Samoa and Puerto Rico. Provides for inflation adjustments. Authorizes Puerto Rico to use specified FY 2002 and 2003 grant amounts for data processing and benefit transfer modernization.
(Sec. 4125) Extends and increases community food project funding through FY 2007.
Directs the Secretary to contract with, or make a grant to, one nongovernmental organization to coordinate with Federal, State, and local entities, and nongovernmental organizations to gather information, and recommend programs to address common community problems, including: (1) loss of farms and ranches; (2) rural poverty; (3) welfare dependency; and (4) hunger. Obligates specified funds through FY 2007.
(Sec. 4126) Extends commodity purchase funding for the emergency food assistance program through FY 2007.
Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution
- (Sec. 4201) Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to: (1) extend the Secretary's authority to provide commodities for nutrition assistance programs though FY 2007; and (2) extend the commodity supplemental food program through FY 2007, and redistribute administrative and program funds to provide an inflation-indexed grant per assigned caseload slot for administrative costs.
Makes additional funds available for certain States for the commodity supplemental food program.
(Sec. 4202) Amends the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments Act of 1987 to permit commodity donations to other specified programs.
(Sec. 4203) Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend the distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition projects authority through September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 4204) Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations for emergency food assistance through FY 2007. Makes: (1) administrative expenses ineligible for reimbursement; (2) storage costs eligible for reimbursement; and (3) gleaning an eligible commodity source.
Subtitle C: Child Nutrition and Related Programs
- Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to: (1) revise from October1, 2001, to October 1, 2003, the beginning period for which commodities other than those under a direct commodity expenditure provision may be used to meet a minimum 12 percent commodity assistance school lunch program requirement; (2) exclude from FY 2002 and 2003 income calculations certain military housing allowances in determining eligibility for free and reduced-price meals school meals; and (3) extend Buy American preference to items grown or produced in Puerto Rico.
(Sec. 4303) Directs the Secretary to encourage institutions participating in the school lunch and breakfast programs to purchase locally produced foods. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 4305) Directs the Secretary to carry out a fresh fruit and vegetable distribution program during the 2002 school year in each of four States (25 primary or secondary schools in each State) and on one Indian reservation. Directs: (1) participating schools to publicize the program; and (2) the Secretary, through the Economic Research Service, to evaluate the program. Obligates specified funds for the program.
(Sec. 4306) Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to exclude certain military housing allowances from income eligibility calculations for the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC).
(Sec. 4307) Directs the Secretary to make specified CCC funds available for the WIC farmers' market nutrition program within 30 days of enactment of the Food Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2002.
Subtitle D: Miscellaneous
- (Sec. 4401) Amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to: (1) eliminate the seven-year eligibility limit for supplemental security income (SSI) benefits for blind or disabled aliens who were lawfully residing in the United States on August 22, 1996; (2) make all legal immigrant children under 18 years old, regardless of U.S. entry date, eligible for the SSI and food stamp programs, beginning in FY 2004, and (3) as of April 1, 2003, makes aliens eligible for the food stamp program who have resided in the United States as a"qualified alien" for at least five years from the date of U.S. entry.
(Sec. 4402) Directs the Secretary to carry out a senior farmers' market nutrition program. Obligates specified CCC funds for the program through FY 2007.
(Sec. 4403) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a nutrition information and awareness pilot program in up to five States to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and convey related health promotion messages. Authorizes specified FY2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 4404) Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 2002 - Establishes the Congressional Hunger Fellows Program and the Congressional Hunger Fellows Trust Fund in order to establish Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowships, respectively, to address hunger and other humanitarian needs in the United States and abroad. Authorizes specified appropriations.
Title V: Credit: Subtitle A: Farm Ownership Loans
- (Sec. 5001) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to make direct farm ownership loans available to a farmer or rancher who has participated (currently, operates) in the business operations of a farm or ranch for at least three years.
(Sec. 5002) Authorizes the use of a direct farm ownership loan to refinance a "bridge loan'' made by a commercial lender to a beginning farmer or rancher who has been approved for, but has not yet received, a farm ownership loan.
(Sec. 5003) Provides certain Indian farmers or ranchers on Indian reservation land with 95 percent operating loan guarantees.
(Sec. 5004) Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee loans made under State beginning farmer or rancher programs.
(Sec. 5005) Increases the loan term to 15 years and Department financing to 40 percent as part of the down payment program for beginning farmers and ranchers.
(Sec. 5006) Directs the Secretary, upon determination that guarantees of contract land sales present a comparable risk to commercial lender risks, to carry out a FY 2003 through 2007 pilot program in at least five States to guarantee up to five loans in each State made by a private land seller to a beginning farmer or rancher on a contract land sale basis if the loan meets underwriting criteria and a commercial lending institution serves as escrow agent.
Subtitle B: Operating Loans
- (Sec. 5101) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to eliminate the prohibition on direct operating loans for farmers who have operated a farm or ranch for more than five years.
Directs the Secretary to waive certain limitations for a direct loan to a farmer or rancher whose farm or ranch is subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe and whose loan is secured by one or more security instruments that are subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe if the Secretary determines that commercial credit is not generally otherwise available.
Authorizes the Secretary to grant a borrower a one-time, two-year waiver for a direct operating loan if the borrower: (1) has a viable farm or ranch operation; (2) applied for credit from at least two commercial lenders and was unable to obtain a commercial loan (including a loan guaranteed by the Secretary); and (3) successfully has completed, or will complete within one year, borrower training.
(Sec. 5102) Suspends the limitation on the period for which borrowers are eligible for loan guarantee assistance through December 31, 2006.
Subtitle C: Emergency Loans
- (Sec. 5201) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize emergency loans for animal- or plant-caused quarantines.
Subtitle D: Administrative Provisions
- (Sec. 5301) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies of the direct and guaranteed loan programs under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, each of which shall include an examination of the number, average principal amount, and delinquency and default rates of loans provided or guaranteed during two specified periods.
(Sec. 5302) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development to make limited liability companies eligible to receive farm ownership loans, farm operating loans, and natural disaster emergency loans.
(Sec. 5304) Eliminates: (1) the requirement that county committees certify that certain loan reviews have been conducted; and (2) authority to contract for private loan service and debt collection.
(Sec. 5305) Includes among interest options on a direct loan that is being rewritten the interest rate in effect on the date that a borrower applies for servicing.
(Sec. 5306) Eliminates the requirement that county committees certify that certain annual reviews of borrower credit histories have been conducted.
(Sec. 5307) Increases the loan amount for which a simplified loan guarantee application may be used to $125,000.
(Sec. 5308) Increases to 135 days the preference period for a beginning farmer or rancher to purchase Department inventory farmland. Directs the Secretary to: (1) combine or divide property parcels to maximize such purchases; and (2) offer to sell or grant farmland preservation easements on inventory land.
(Sec. 5309) Authorizes the Secretary to administer the certified lender and preferred certified lender programs through central offices established in States or multi-State areas.
(Sec. 5310) Increases to 30 percent the amount of land that an applicant may own under the definition of a "qualified beginning farmer or rancher." Excludes from the definition of` "debt forgiveness'' any write-down as part of a discrimination complaint resolution against the Secretary.
(Sec. 5311) Increases FY 2003 through 2007 loan authorization levels for the direct and the guaranteed loan programs.
(Sec. 5312) Extends the obligation of funds for direct operating loans to beginning farmers and ranchers through FY 2007.
(Sec. 5313) Makes the interest rate reduction program permanent. Replaces the current aggregate funding limit with a specified fiscal year limit. Obligates at least 15 percent of program funds for beginning farmers and ranchers.
(Sec. 5314) Authorizes the Secretary to modify the amortization (25-year maximum) of a recapture payment on which a payment has become delinquent if: (1) the default is due to circumstances beyond the control of the borrower; and (2) the borrower made good faith repayment attempts.
(Sec. 5315) Allocates specified unused State funds for disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
(Sec. 5316) Authorizes the Secretary to waive borrower training certification requirements.
(Sec. 5318) Requires annual (currently biannual) borrower review.
(Sec. 5319) Permits loan eligibility for a borrower who has received debt forgiveness on not more than one occasion from a major disaster or emergency designated by the President on or after April 4, 1996, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Sec. 5320) Directs the Secretary to use trained State, county, or area agricultural committee personnel to make and service loans. Makes such personnel and Department personnel eligible for loans and loan guarantees.
Subtitle E: Farm Credit -
(Sec. 5401) Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to eliminate certain prior approval requirements for multi-lender Farm Credit System institutions.
(Sec. 5402) Authorizes cooperative banks to finance the export of "agricultural supplies." (Current law is limited to farm supplies.)
(Sec. 5403) Authorizes the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation to reduce premiums for Government Sponsored Enterprise-guaranteed loans (as defined by this Act).
Subtitle F: General Provisions
- (Sec. 5501) Makes specified technical amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Title VI: Rural Development - Subtitle A: Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
- (Sec. 6001) Authorizes the Secretary to make or insure loans to communities that have been designated as rural empowerment zones or rural enterprise communities, or as rural enterprise communities: (1) for the installation or improvement of essential community facilities including necessary related equipment; and (2) to furnish financial assistance or other planning aid.
(Sec. 6002) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to eliminate the fiscal year cap on authorization of appropriations for water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants..
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to private entities to capitalize revolving funds for water and wastewater projects. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6003) Authorizes appropriations for rural business opportunity grants through FY 2007.
(Sec. 6004) Obligates funds for children's day care facilities.
(Sec. 6005) Directs the Secretary to establish a national rural water and wastewater circuit rider program modeled after the national rural water association rural water circuit rider program. Authorizes specified appropriations beginning in FY 2003.
(Sec. 6006) Directs the Secretary to make grants to multijurisdictional regional planning and development entities for grants (75 percent maximum Federal share) to local governments to improve their infrastructure, services, and development capabilities. Gives priority to an organization that: (1) serves a rural area that is undergoing out-migration, or has a median household income that is less than the nonmetropolitan household income of the applicable State; and (2) has a history of providing substantive assistance to local governments and economic development organizations. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6007) Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee, and sets forth requirements for, loan guarantees for water, wastewater, and essential community facilities loans, including loans financed by bonds issued respecting tribal college and university essential community facilities.
(Sec. 6008) Authorizes the Secretary to make cost-share grants to tribal colleges and universities for essential community facilities in rural areas. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6009) Expands the scope of the emergency community water assistance grant program to include situations of imminent decline. Increases grant caps for water shortage-related repair projects. Obligates specified amounts for rural water and waste facility grants. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations, in addition to such obligations.
(Sec. 6010) Authorizes appropriations for water and waste facility grants for Indian tribes.
(Sec. 6011) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007 for water systems for rural and Native villages in Alaska.
(Sec. 6012) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to private nonprofit organizations for loans to eligible limited-income individuals for the construction, refurbishing, and servicing of individual household water well systems in rural areas. Authorizes specified FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6013) Makes renewable energy systems, including wind energy systems and anaerobic digestors, eligible for loans and loan guarantees.
(Sec. 6014) Makes a nonprofit or other tax exempt entity whose principal office is located on an existing or former Indian reservation, or in a city or town of fewer than 5,000 people eligible for rural business grants.
(Sec. 6015) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007 for: (1) rural cooperative development grants (limits 1994 institution matching requirements); and (2) broadcasting system grants.
(Sec. 6017) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) make business and industry loan guarantees for the purchase of start-up capital stock for a venture that will process agricultural commodities or otherwise process value-added agricultural products; and (2) make or guarantee such loans to a metropolitan-based cooperative if used for a rural project. Permits refinancing use of such loans under specified circumstances.
(Sec. 6018) Allows the use of rural development loans and grants for other purposes if the Secretary determines that the original project no longer appropriate.
(Sec. 6019) Directs the Secretary to provide simplified guarantee applications for specified loan circumstances.
(Sec. 6020) Defines "rural' and "rural area" for purposes of: (1) water and waste disposal grants and direct and guaranteed loans; (2) community facility loans and grants; (3) multijurisdictional regional planning organizations and national rural development partnership; and (4) the rural business investment program.
(Sec. 6021) Establishes the National Rural Development Partnership composed of the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (established by this Act) and State development councils (authorized by this Act). Includes among Partnership purposes: (1) enhancement of State and local rural development capacities; and (2) engagement of Federal, State, local, tribal, and private and nonprofit sectors in such efforts.
Authorizes specified appropriations through FY 2007. Provides for State rural development council matching requirements.
Terminates the Partnership five years after enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 6022) Directs the Secretary to make grants (70 percent Federal share through year three, 50 percent for years four and five) to establish and operate a regional rural telework institute which shall: (1) serve as a clearinghouse for telework research and development and information-sharing; (2) conduct outreach activities; (3) develop and share best practices within the region and throughout the United States; (4) develop telework projects and joint ventures with the private sector; (5) support private sector businesses that are transitioning to telework; and (6) assist telework projects and individuals at the State and local level.
Directs the Secretary to make grants for equipment and facilities to expand and operate rural telework locations. Authorizes specified FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations, with a specified obligation for the rural telework institute.
(Sec. 6023) Directs the Secretary to establish a historic barn preservation program. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, or enter into contracts with State departments of agriculture or certain nonprofit organizations for historic barn preservation. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6024) Directs the Secretary, through the Rural Utilities Service, to make grants to public and nonprofit entities, and to Service loan borrowers for the Federal share of the cost of acquiring radio transmitters to increase rural coverage by the all hazards weather radio broadcast system of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6025) Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible organizations to train farm workers in agricultural technology and higher value crop skills. Authorizes specified FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6026) Revises objectives for the rural community advancement program. Repeals the rural venture capital demonstration program.
(Sec. 6027) Extends and authorizes appropriations through FY 2007 for the Delta Regional Authority.
Revises provisions respecting: (1) voting procedures; and (2) supplements for Federal grants.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for state-of-the-art technology in animal nutrition and value-added manufacturing to promote economic development in the Lower Mississippi Delta region. Authorizes specified FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations. Includes within such region the Alabama counties of Butler, Conecuh, Escambia, and Monroe.
(Sec. 6028) Establishes the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority which shall develop programs and approve grants for the economic development of the region encompassing Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Allows the Authority to: (1) approve grants to States, local governments, Indian tribes, and public and nonprofit entities for approved economic development projects (such as transportation, job training, and public services); (2) use funds to supplement Federal grant requirements under specified circumstances; and (3) make grants to local development districts (as defined by this Act).
States that Northern Great Plains Inc., a Minnesota nonprofit entity, shall serve as a primary regional resource for the Authority.
Directs the Authority to designate annually, and obligate funds for, distressed counties and areas.
Authorizes specified FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations. Establishes a minimum State allotment.
Terminates the Authority as of October 1, 2007.
(Sec. 6029) Directs the Secretary to establish a Rural Business Investment Program under which the Secretary may: (1) enter into participation agreements with rural business investment companies to promote rural economic development and to establish venture capital programs; and (2) make grants to and guarantee debentures of rural business investment companies. Sets forth Program provisions.
(Sec. 6030) Establishes a rural strategic investment program which shall: (1) provide rural communities with flexible resources to develop comprehensive, collaborative, and locally-based strategic planning processes; and (2) implement innovative community and economic development strategies that optimize regional competitive advantages.
Directs the Secretary to establish a National Board on Rural America which shall carry out the program through grants to Regional Boards for: (1) regional strategic investment planning; and (2) innovative programs.
Provides for program funding through CCC fund transfers.
Subtitle B: Rural Electrification Act of 1936
- (Sec.6101) Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Secretary to guarantee bonds or notes issued by non-profit cooperative or other lender if the proceeds of the bonds or notes are used for electrification or telephone projects eligible for assistance under this Act (including the refinancing of bonds or notes issued for such projects). Prohibits a guarantee on a bond or note whose proceeds are to be used for electricity generation. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates program authority as of September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 6102) Authorizes the Secretary to make telephone loans to State or local governments, Indian tribes, or other public entities for expansion of rural 911 access and integrated emergency communications in rural areas. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 6103) Directs the Secretary to make or guarantee loans to eligible entities (including State and local governments) for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in eligible rural communities (nonmetropolitan statistical areas with populations of not more than 20,000). Gives priority to rural communities without residential broadband service.
Permits loan proceeds to be used to refinance loans for broadband service deployment.
Obligates specified CCC funds for FY 2002 through 2007. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations in addition to such obligated amounts. Authorizes the use of specified television funds for such broadband service.
Terminates program authority after September 30, 2007.
Subtitle C: Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
- (Sec. 6201) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Act of 1990. (Terminates the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Corporation, related grants, and the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Revolving Fund, and transfers assets to the Secretary.)
(Sec. 6202) Directs the Secretary to establish a rural electronic commerce extension program to expand and enhance electronic commerce practices and technology for small businesses and microenterprises in rural areas through grants to development centers and land-grant colleges and universities. Requires 50 percent matching funds, which may be reduced if the recipient serves low-income or minority-owned businesses. Authorizes specified FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations, with set-asides for development center grants.
(Sec. 6203) Authorizes appropriations for rural area telemedicine and distance learning services through FY 2007.
Subtitle D: SEARCH Grants for Small Communities
- Establishes the SEARCH Grant Program under which the Secretary shall, upon State request and through the State Rural Development Directors, award environmental grants to qualifying States for communities of not more than 2,500 persons. Authorizes specified FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
Subtitle E: Miscellaneous
- (Sec. 6401) Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to define ``value-added agricultural product'' as any agricultural commodity or product that: (1) has undergone a change in physical state, or was produced in a manner that enhances its value, as demonstrated through a business plan; and (2) as a result of such change the customer base has been expanded, and a greater portion of the revenue derived from the processing of the agricultural commodity or product is available to the producer of such commodity or product.
Directs the Secretary, for each year beginning on October 1, 2002 through 2006, to use specified CCC funds for grants ($500,000 maximum per recipient) to an independent producer, agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority-controlled producer-based business venture to develop business plans and marketing strategies for value-added agricultural products.
Revises funding limits for the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center from $5 million under current law to five percent of the funding made available under this section.
(Sec. 6402) Directs the Secretary to establish the agriculture innovation center demonstration program to provide grants to eligible entities for assistance to agricultural producers in order to establish and enhance businesses to produce value-added agricultural commodities or products. Obligates specified funds through FY 2004 for such program, including an annual amount for university research on value-added projects' effects on producers and commodity markets.
(Sec. 6403) Amends FAIRA to eliminate the Fund for Rural America.
(Sec. 6404) Amends the Launching Our Communities' Access to Local Television Act to make specified CCC funds available through December 31, 2006, for rural local television broadcast signal loan guarantees.
(Sec. 6405) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to local governments and Indian tribes to train rural firefighters and emergency medical personnel in firefighting, emergency medical practices, and hazardous material and bioagent response. Permits fund use for training center improvement and construction. Obligates specified amounts for training scholarships. Provides CCC funding for FY 2003 through 2007.
(Sec. 6406) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) appoint a Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy; (2) designate within each Federal agency with jurisdiction over rural programs or activities one or more senior officers or employees to provide rural policy leadership; and (3) create an intergovernmental rural policy working group comprised of the Special Assistant to the President for Rural Policy and senior officers and employees.
Title VII: Research and Related Matters - Subtitle A: Extensions
- (Sec. 7101) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend through FY 2007: (1) the national rural information center clearinghouse; (2) the national genetics resources program; (3) high-priority research and extension initiatives; (4) the nutriment management research and extension initiative; (6) the agricultural telecommunications program; and (7) the assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
(Sec. 7102) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize appropriations for grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education through FY 2007. Includes rural economic, community, and business development degrees within the program.
(Sec. 7103) Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007 for: (1) policy research centers; (2) the human nutrition intervention and health promotion research program; (3) the pilot research program to combine medical and agricultural research; (4) the nutrition education program; (5) animal health and disease research programs; (6) research on national and regional animal health or disease problems; (7) grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University (increases FY2002 funding); (8) national research and training virtual centers (as redesignated by this Act); (9) education grant programs for Hispanic-serving institutions; (10) competitive grants for international agricultural science and education programs; (11) agricultural research programs; (12) extension education; (13) aquaculture; (14) rangeland research; and (15) grants for research on the production and marketing of alcohols and industrial hydrocarbons from agricultural commodities and forest products.
(Sec. 7115) Extends: (1) supplemental and alternative crop research project authority through FY 2007; and (2)
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board through September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 7123) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to extend through FY 2007: (1) partnerships for high-value agricultural product quality research; (2) the biobased products pilot program (authorizes appropriations through FY 2017); (3) the integrated research, education, and extension competitive grants program (five-year grant maximum); (4) authorization of appropriations for precision agriculture; (5) authorization of appropriations for the Thomas Jefferson Initiative for Crop Diversification; (6) authorization of appropriations for support for research regarding certain wheat and barley diseases; and (7) authorization of appropriations for the Office of Pest Management Policy.
(Sec. 7126) Amends the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Ac t of 1994 to extend through FY 2007: (1) institutional capacity building grants and authorization of appropriations for such grants; (2) institution research grants; and (3) authorization of appropriations (uncapped) for "1994 Institutions."
(Sec. 7135) Amends the Research Facilities Act to authorize appropriations for agricultural experiment stations research facilities through FY 2007.
(Sec. 7136) Amends the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Grant Act authorize appropriations for competitive, special, and facilities research grants through FY 2007.
(Sec. 7137) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 to authorize appropriations for Federal agricultural research facilities through FY 2007.
(Sec. 7138) Amends the Critical Agricultural Materials Act to authorize appropriations for critical agricultural materials research through FY 2007.
(Sec. 7139) Amend s the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to authorize appropriations through FY 2007 for aquaculture activities of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior.
Subtitle B: Modifications
- (Sec. 7201) Amends the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 with respect to such Institutions to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for institutional payments; (2) revise the list of Institutions; (3) require accreditation in order to receive research grants; and (4) revise the full-time Indian student count formula.
(Sec. 7202) Amends the Hatch Act of 1887 to provide for the carryover and redistribution to another State of unused experiment station funds.
(Sec. 7203) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 with respect to1890 Institutions to revise the authorization of appropriations formulas for extension and research activities.
(Sec. 7204) Allows unexpended fiscal year funds provided to an Institution to be carried over for the following fiscal year. States that if any of such carried-over amounts are not expended by the end of the second fiscal year an equal amount shall be deducted from the Institution's next annual allotment, and redistributed to another Institution.
(Sec. 7205) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to provide permanent CCC funding for the initiative for future agriculture and food systems. Adds minority-serving institutions to the program.
(Sec. 7206) Makes 1994 Institutions eligible for the integrated grant program.
(Sec. 7207) Includes horticulture within the precision agriculture program.
Provides research grants to consortia of land-grant institutions for Karnal bunt disease control in wheat, barley, and triticale.
Authorizes the Secretary to establish a bovine Johne's disease control program. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 7208) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include plant pathogens within the agricultural genome initiative.
Includes the following subjects within high-priority research and extension initiatives: (1) genetically modified agricultural products; (2) wind erosion; (3) crop loss; (4) land use management; (5) water and air quality; (6) revenue and insurance; (7) agrotourism; (8) fruit and vegetable productivity; (9) plant nitrogen fixation; (10) agricultural marketing; (11) environment and private lands; (12) livestock diseases and animal infectious diseases; (13) plant gene expression; (14) childhood obesity; (15) integrated pest management; (16) beef cattle genetics; (17) dairy pipeline cleaner; (18) development of publicly held plants and animals; and (19) sugarcane genetics.
Provides for first-time entity consideration within the assistive technology for farmers with disabilities program.
(Sec. 7209) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to: (1) add a non-land grant institution member to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economic Advisory Board; (2) provide for an Foreign Agricultural Service overseas intern program; (3) include industrial oilseed crops within the program of grants for research on production and marketing of alcohols and industrial hydrocarbons from agricultural and forest products; and (4) authorize rangeland research grants for the Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration.
(Sec. 7210) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to increase the set-aside from biotechnology outlays for biotechnology risk assessment research.
(Sec. 7212) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to provide a phased-in matching grant requirement for 1890 land grant institutions (with waiver authority).
(Sec. 7213) Amends the Hatch Act to provide for a 50 percent matching requirement for land grant institutions in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands (with waiver authority).
(Sec. 7214) Amends the Research Facilities Act to redefine"food and agricultural sciences."
(Sec. 7215) Amends the Smith-Lever Act to eliminate the funding limit on additional agricultural extension-related funding for "1994 Institutions."
(Sec. 7217) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to provide that funds for a competitive agricultural research, education, or extension grant under this or any other Act shall be available for a two-year obligation period.
(Sec. 7218) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to provide funds for the organic agriculture research and extension initiative through FY 2007.
(Sec. 7219) Establishes in the Department the Senior Scientific Research Service.
(Sec. 7220) Directs the Secretary to terminate by January 31, 2003, certain Federal Schedule A civil service appointments for extension workers at land-grant institutions who hold dual government appointments. Provides continued eligibility for specified Federal health, life insurance, retirement, employment credit, and thrift savings benefits, subject to specified limitations.
(Sec. 7221) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize appropriations for biosecurity planning and response for FY 2002 through 2007. States that such grants shall be used to: (1) reduce the vulnerability of the U.S. food and agricultural system to chemical or biological attack; (2) continue partnerships with institutions of higher education and other institutions to help form stable, long-term programs to enhance U.S. biosecurity; (3) make grants to universities and qualified research institutions for research on counterbioterrorism; and (4) counter or otherwise respond to chemical or biological attack.
Directs the Secretary to make grants to colleges or universities to expand or upgrade security at their agricultural research facilities. Authorizes appropriations.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that funding for the Agricultural Research Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and other Department agencies with biosecurity responsibilities should be increased to improve the agencies' capacities to conduct research and analysis of, and respond to, bioterrorism and animal and plant diseases.
(Sec.7223) Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, as amended by this Act, to authorize appropriations for carbon cycle research through FY 2007.
Subtitle C: Repeal of Certain Activities and Authorities
- (Sec. 7301) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to repeal provisions respecting: (1) the food safety national conference and related reports; and (2) reimbursement of certain sheep promotion expenses.
(Sec. 7303) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal the market expansion research program.
(Sec. 7304) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to repeal provisions respecting the national advisory board on agricultural weather.
(Sec. 7305) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 to repeal provisions respecting the agricultural information exchange with Ireland. and (2) the pesticide resistance and expansion of education studies.
(Sec. 7308) Amends the Research Facilities Act to repeal the provision respecting the agricultural research facilities task force.
Subtitle D: New Authorities
- (Sec. 7402) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize the Secretary to make grants for the acquisition of special purpose scientific research equipment for the food and agricultural sciences programs of eligible colleges or universities; or State cooperative institutions. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 7403) Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out agricultural research, education, or extension activities, to cooperate with one or more other Federal agencies (including the National Science Foundation) in issuing joint requests for proposals, or awarding grants, for similar or related projects or activities.
Authorizes joint peer review panels for grant evaluations.
(Sec. 7404) Requires the Secretary to establish a task force to evaluate the purpose and impact of the Agricultural Research Service on agricultural research. Obligates specified FY 2003 Service funds for such evaluation.
(Sec. 7405) Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program to foster training, education, outreach, and technical assistance for beginning farmers or ranchers. States that such grants shall: (1) be made to a collaborative State, local tribal, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities; (2) not exceed a three-year term; (3) have a 25 percent matching requirement; and (4) obligate not less than 25 percent of funds for farm workers, and limited resource and socially disadvantaged beginning farmers or ranchers.
Directs the Secretary to establish beginning farmer and rancher education teams to conduct educational programs in diverse geographical areas of the United States.
Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 7406) Expresses the sense of Congress that Federal investments in food and agricultural research should at least double over the next five years.
(Sec. 7407) Directs the Secretary to ensure that segregated data on the production and marketing of organic agricultural products is included in the ongoing baseline of agricultural production and marketing data.
(Sec. 7408) Directs the Secretary, through the Agricultural Research Service (including the National Agricultural Library) and the Economic Research Service, to facilitate access by research and extension professionals, farmers, and other interested persons in the United States, to organic research conducted abroad.
(Sec. 7409) Directs the Secretary to report on the extent to which producers and handlers of organic agricultural products are contributing to Department research and promotion programs.
(Sec. 7410) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should review and report on certain recommendations concerning food safety, ecological research, monitoring needs for transgenic crops with plant incorporated protectants, and the environmental effects of transgenic plants.
(Sec. 7411) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study to evaluate nutrient banking for the purpose of enhancing the health and viability of watersheds in areas with large concentrations of animal producing units.
(Sec. 7412) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary, through the Administrator of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, to make grants to the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, the Boy Scouts of America, the National 4-H Council, and the National FFA Organization for pilot projects to expand their programs in rural areas and small towns. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
Subtitle E: Miscellaneous
- (Sec.7503) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize the Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions in insular areas (the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau), to strengthen the capacity of such institutions to carry out distance food and agricultural education programs using digital network technologies. Directs the Secretary to make related resident instruction grants.
Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 7504) Amends the Plant Protection Act to direct the Secretary, upon request of State, local, or tribal authorities, to: (1) determine whether methyl bromide treatments or applications required by State, local, or tribal authorities to prevent the introduction, establishment, or spread of plant pests (including diseases) or noxious weeds should be authorized as an official control or official requirement (prohibits such treatments unless the Secretary finds there is no other registered, feasible alternative); and (2) establish a program to identify alternatives to methyl bromide.
(Sec. 7505) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary, through the Foreign Agricultural Service, to establish a grant program to develop agricultural biotechnology for developing countries. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 7506) States that the limitation on the authority of the Agricultural Research Service to purchase land using certain funds appropriated under the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 shall not apply to the purchase of land for a research farm for the National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia.
Title VIII: Forestry - Subtitle A: Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
- (Sec. 8001) Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to repeal the forestry incentives and stewardship incentive programs.
(Sec. 8002) Directs the Secretary, in coordination with State authorities, to establish a forest land enhancement program, which shall provide: (1) financial assistance to State foresters; and (2) cost-share assistance to nonindustrial private forest landowners who agree to develop a management plan and implement approved activities for at least ten years. Includes among approved objectives and activities: (1) timber production; (2) water quality protection; (3) enhancement of forest habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas; (4) energy conservation; (5) hazardous fuels reduction; and (6) invasive species control. Obligates specified CCC funds for the program through September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 8003) Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with State authorities respecting forest management fire protection. Directs the Secretary to establish a community and private land fire assistance program (which shall be federally administered and State implemented) to augment and focus Federal firefighting activities on Federal, State, and local levels. Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle B: Amendments to Other Laws
- (Sec. 8101) Amends the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 to: (1) direct the Secretary to establish a sustainable forestry outreach initiative; and (2) authorize FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations for renewable resources extension activities.
(Sec.8102) Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 to extend authorization of appropriations for the Office of International Forestry through FY 2007.
Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions
- Expresses congressional reaffirmation of the importance of the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act.
Title IX: Energy
- (Sec. 9002) Requires, with cost-based, Solid Waste Disposal Act, and flexibility exemptions, Federal agencies to comply with biobased product procurement guidelines developed under this Act. Requires: (1) the Secretary to prepare such guidelines; (2) the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to implement such policies; and (3) each Federal agency to develop a biobased procurement policy. Authorizes appropriations. Obligates specified FY 2002 through 2007 CCC funds for biobased product testing, with discretionary preference for products for which private firms share testing costs.
(Sec. 9003) Directs the Secretary to make cost-share grants to eligible entities to develop and construct biorefineries for projects that demonstrate the commercial viability of biomass conversion to fuels or chemicals. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 9004) Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible entities for a biodiesel fuel education program. Obligates specified CCC funds for FY 2003 through 2007.
(Sec. 9005) Directs the Secretary to make cost-share grants to eligible entities to assist farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to become more energy efficient, and in using renewable energy technology and resources, including provision of farm and ranch energy audits. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 9006) Directs the Secretary to make additional loans, loan guarantees, and cost-share grants to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. Obligates specified CCC funds for FY 2003 through 2007.
(Sec. 9007) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Energy to enter into a memorandum of cooperation in the application of hydrogen and fuel cell technology programs for rural communities and agricultural producers.
(Sec. 9008) Amends the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to: (1) revise funding provisions to provide CCC funding through FY2007, and authorize additional specified appropriations for FY 2002 through 2007; and (2) extend authority through September 30, 2007.
(Sec. 9009) Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary, in cooperation with departments and agencies participating in the U.S. Global Change Research Program and with eligible entities, to carry out research to promote understanding of: (1) the flux of carbon in soils and plants (including trees); and (2) the exchange of other greenhouse gases from agriculture. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
Authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with departments and agencies participating in the U.S. Global Change Research Program, local extension agents, agricultural experts from institutions of higher education, and other local agricultural or conservation organizations, to implement extension projects (including on-farm projects with direct involvement of agricultural producers) to monitor the carbon sequestering benefits of conservation practices and the exchange of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture which demonstrate methods of measuring and monitoring: (1) changes in carbon content and other carbon pools in soils and plants (including trees); and (2) the exchange of other greenhouse gases. Authorizes FY 2002 through 20087 appropriations.
(Sec. 9010) Directs the Secretary to continue the bioenergy (biodiesel and fuel grade ethanol) program of payments to eligible producers to encourage increased purchases of eligible commodities for the purpose of expanding bioenergy production. Obligates specified CCC funds for FY 2003 through 2006.
Title X: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Crop Insurance
- (Sec. 10001) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to provide crop insurance for sweet potatoes.
(Sec. 10002) Removes the time limit on the prohibition of continuous coverage.
(Sec. 10003) Requires that certain quality loss adjustment procedures be made by the 2004 reinsurance year.
Directs the Secretary to accept evidence of the quality of agricultural commodities delivered to: (1) U.S. licensed warehouse operators; (2) State licensed warehouse operators who have entered into a CCC storage agreement; and (3) warehouse operators who are not State licensed but are in compliance with State warehouse law, and who have entered into a CCC storage agreement.
(Sec. 10004) Directs CCC to carry out the adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program in effect for the 2002 reinsurance year through at least the 2004 reinsurance year. Expands the program to include at least eight counties in each of California and Pennsylvania.
(Sec. 10005) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation should address producer needs through pilot program expansion and coverage under the Federal Crop Insurance Act, including: (1) crop revenue insurance for pecan producers in Georgia; and (2) continuous wheat crop coverage in Kansas.
(Sec. 10006) Directs the Secretary to report on specialty crop insurance.
Subtitle B: Disaster Assistance
- (Sec. 10101) Amends FAIRA to include sea grass and sea oats within the noninsured crop disaster assistance program.
(Sec. 10102) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to eliminate the annual cap for emergency grants to assist low-income migrant and seasonal farm workers.
(Sec. 10103) Amends the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 regarding loans to seed producers who were unsecured creditors of a seed company that filed for bankruptcy in 2000 to lengthen such loans from 18 months to 36 months.
(Sec. 10104) Authorizes the Secretary to provide dairy and other livestock producers who have suffered economic losses with assistance, including feed assistance and indemnity payments.
(Prohibits CCC fund use for such assistance.) Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 10105) Directs the Secretary to use specified CCC funds for FY 2002 to make payments to apple producers for the loss of markets during the 2000 crop year.
(Sec. 10106) Directs the Secretary to use specified CCC funds to make a grant to New York State for onion producers in Orange County, New York, who have suffered crop losses during one or more of the 1996 through 2000 crop years.
(Sec. 10107) Directs the Secretary to provide emergency disaster assistance for the commercial fishery failure with respect to Northeast multispecies fisheries. Directs such funds' use to support a voluntary fishing capacity reduction program in the Northeast multispecies fishery that: (1) is certified by the Secretary of Commerce; and (2) permanently revokes multispecies limited access permits so as to obtain expedited fishing capacity reduction and prevent capacity replacement. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the program one year after enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 10108) Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the feasibility of expanding crop insurance and noninsured crop assistance eligibility to agricultural producers experiencing disaster conditions caused primarily by Federal action restricting irrigation water access, including lack of water access caused by the Secretary of the Interior's failure to fulfill a contract in accordance with the Central Valley Project Improvement Act.
Subtitle C: Tree Assistance Program
- Directs the Secretary to provide assistance (replanting assistance and/or seedlings) to eligible commercial orchardists who have suffered qualifying tree losses (greater than 15 percent mortality rate) caused by a natural disaster. Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle D: Animal Welfare
- (Sec. 10301) Amends the Animal Welfare Act to exclude birds, rats, and mice bred for research from coverage under such Act.
(Sec. 10302) Makes it unlawful, with respect to live bird fighting ventures in a State where such ventures would not be in violation of State law, for a person to sponsor or exhibit a bird in a fighting venture only if the person knew that any bird in the fighting venture was knowingly bought, sold, delivered, transported, or received in interstate or foreign commerce for the purpose of such participation.
(Sec. 10303) Increases monetary penalties for animal welfare violations. Includes within "intrastate or foreign commerce" movement from a State into a foreign country.
(Sec. 10304) Directs the National Research Council to report on the implications of including rats, mice, and birds within the definition of "animal" under Animal Welfare Act regulations.
(Sec. 10305) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should continue violation tracking and reporting under the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958, fully enforce such Act to ensure humane livestock slaughter and worker safety, and bring about improvement of products and economies in slaughtering operations. States that U.S. policy should be that livestock handling and slaughter should be carried out only by humane methods.
Subtitle E: Animal Health Protection
- Animal Health Protection Act - Authorizes the Secretary, with notice to the Secretary of the Treasury, to restrict the importation, entry, or further movement in the United States, or order the destruction or removal, of animals (including livestock) and related conveyances and facilities for reasons of: (1) livestock pest or disease control; or (2) humane treatment. Authorizes related activities respecting exportation, interstate movement, cooperative agreements, enforcement and penalties, seizure, and quarantine and disease and pest eradication.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) establish a veterinary accreditation program; (2) produce and sell sterile screwworms to foreign countries and international organizations; and (3) enter into reimbursable fee agreements for preclearance abroad of animals or articles for movement into the United States.
Sets forth enforcement and criminal and civil penalties with respect to violations of such provisions.
Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer necessary funds in a livestock pest or disease related emergency.
Subtitle F: Livestock
- (Sec. 10501) Amends Federal law to make permanent the provision allowing the Postal Service to require air carriers to accept day-old poultry as mail if the air carrier allows the shipment of any live animals as cargo. Extends coverage to honeybees.
(Sec. 10502) Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to include "swine contractor" as a covered entity under such Act.
(Sec. 10503) Provides that notwithstanding any provision in a contract or marketing agreement between a livestock or poultry producer and a processor for a term of one year or more that provides for information confidentiality, a party to the contract shall not be prohibited from discussing the contract with Federal, State, or specified contract-related parties.
(Sec. 10504) Authorizes the Secretary to develop a program to maintain in all U.S. regions a sufficient number of Federal and State veterinarians who are well trained in recognition and diagnosis of exotic and endemic animal diseases.
(Sec. 10505) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend the pseudorabies eradication program through FY 2007.
Subtitle G: Specialty Crops
- (Sec. 10601) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to authorize the Secretary to issue marketing orders for caneberries (including raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries).
(Sec. 10602) Amends Federal law to increase the amount of certain funds (section 32) available for agricultural exports without specified limitations.
(Sec. 10603) Directs the Secretary to use specified funds to purchase fruits, vegetables, and other specialty food crops. Obligates specified amounts for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions in accordance with the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. Directs the Secretary to provide for the Secretary of Defense to serve as the related servicing agency.
(Sec. 10604) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to revise specified protection provisions for purchasers of farm products.
(Sec. 10605) Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to direct the Secretary to carry out a farmers' market promotion program of grants to eligible entities for projects to establish, expand, and promote farmers' markets. Authorizes FY 2002 through 2007 appropriations.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) work with State Governors to develop programs to train farmers' market managers; (2) establish a program to train cooperative extension service employees in direct marketing techniques; and (3) work with producers to develop farmers' markets.
(Sec. 10606) Directs the Secretary, through the Agricultural Marketing Service, to use specified FY 2002 CCC funds to establish a national organic certification cost-share program.
(Sec. 10607) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to exempt certified organic products from commodity promotion assessments.
(Sec. 10608) Directs the Secretary to establish a cranberry reserve program to purchase wetlands or buffer strips adjacent to a wetland that: (1) is used, and has a history of being used, for cranberry cultivation, or is an integral component of a cranberry operation; and (2) is located in an environmentally sensitive area. Authorizes specified appropriations.
Subtitle H: Administration
- (Sec. 107901) Amends Federal law with respect to the initial rate of basic pay for county committee employees.
(Sec. 10702) Amends the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to Commodity Futures Trading Commission employee pay comparability.
(Sec. 10703) Sets forth provisions with respect to Department overtime and holiday pay.
(Sec. 10704) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish within the Department the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights.
(Sec. 10705) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to make the Graduate School's financial records available to the Comptroller General for audit purposes.
(Sec. 10706) Directs the Secretary to: (1) use specified CCC funds to cover commodity program administrative costs (obligates funds for the information management system); and (2) develop an information management system for common use by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Farm Service Agency, which shall be available for use by other agencies and approved insurance providers. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2008 appropriations for the information management system.
(Sec. 10707) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary to carry out an outreach and technical assistance program to assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in: (1) owning and operating farms and ranches; and (2) participating in Department programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, eligible entities to provide related information and technical assistance. Authorizes specified appropriations for each of FY 2002 through 2007.
(Sec. 10708) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to ensure compilation and disclosure of data to assess and hold the Department accountable for the nondiscriminatory participation of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in Department programs.
Subtitle I: General Provisions
- (Sec. 10801) Amends the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act to extend cotton classification services through FY 2007.
(Sec. 10802) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a public education program respecting the use of biotechnology in producing food for human consumption. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007 (Sec. 10803) Authorizes the Secretary, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to provide financial and technical assistance to the Chino Dairy Preserve Project, San Bernadino County, California.
(Sec. 10804) Prohibits the Grasslands Research Laboratory, El Reno, Oklahoma, from being transferred or declared surplus before December 31, 2007.
(Sec. 10805) Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute for independent research on the effects of alternative domestic, foreign, and trade policies on the agricultural sector, including effects on: (1) commodity prices; (2) supply and demand conditions for similar products; (3) Federal costs; (4) farm income; (5) food costs; and (6) trade volume. Authorizes FY 2003 through 2007 appropriations.
(Sec. 10806) Requires for purposes of the misbranded food and import and export provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that: (1) fish be classified within the family Ictaluridae to be considered "catfish" (thereby excluding the fish Pangasius bocourti from such consideration); and (2) ``ginseng'' or any name that includes the word ``ginseng'' shall be used in reference to an herb or herbal ingredient that is part of the plant of one of the species of the genus Panax.
(Sec. 10807) Establishes the Food Safety Commission, which shall make recommendations to enhance U.S. food system safety. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of certain required reports.
(Sec. 10808) Directs the Secretary to conduct an education program regarding the availability and safety of processes and treatments that eliminate or reduce pathogen levels in meat, meat food products, poultry, and poultry products. Authorizes appropriations.
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food that is pasteurized as misbranded unless: (1) such food has been subjected to a safe process or treatment that is: (1) prescribed by regulation as pasteurization for such food; and (2) reasonably certain to eliminate most resistant microorganisms of public health significance for at least the shelf live of the food, and is the subject of a notification to the Secretary.
(Sec. 10809) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate a proposed and a final rule governing the labeling of irradiated food. Provides that pending completion of such process any person may seek FDA approval of an irradiation labeling claim.
(Sec. 10810) Revises criminal penalties for violations of the Plant Protection Act.
(Sec. 10811) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to require that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service conduct airport preclearance quarantine inspections of persons, baggage, cargo and other items destined from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Directs that such provision shall not be implemented unless the Service's appropriation for inspection, quarantine, and regulatory activities is increased by $3 million in a FY 2003 appropriations Act.
(Sec. 10812) Amends Federal law to extend congressional consent to the interstate compact respecting restoration of Atlantic salmon to the Connecticut River Basin and creation of the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission for an additional 20 years.
(Sec. 10813) Amends the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 to treat as timely filed an application for a FY 2000 payment (currently FY 2002) from Pine Point School, School District 25, Minnesota.
(Sec. 10814) Amends Federal law to extend certain family farm bankruptcy provisions for seven months.
(Sec. 10815) Directs the Secretary to report on: (1) the scope and causes of nonambulatory livestock; (2) humane treatment of nonambulatory livestock; and (3) the extent to which nonambulatory livestock may present handling and disposition problems for stockyards, market agencies, and dealers. States that if necessary, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations for the humane treatment, handling, and disposition of nonambulatory livestock.
(Sec. 10816) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require a retailer of a covered commodity (beef, lamb, pork, wild or farm-raised fish, perishable agricultural commodities or peanuts, but not processed items containing such commodities) to inform consumers at the final point of sale of a commodity's country of origin. States that U.S. designation of origin may be used only if the article is exclusively from an animal, fish, peanut, or perishable commodity that is, as appropriate, born, hatched, produced, raised, harvested, and slaughtered, or processed in the United States. Exempts food service establishments from such requirements.
Prohibits the Secretary from using a mandatory country of origin identification system, but permits use of certain current certification programs. Provides for violation warnings and fines.
Subtitle J: Miscellaneous Studies and Reports
- (Sec. 10901) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies or make reports respecting: (1) specialty crop purchases; (2) the promotion, marketing, and purchasing of U.S. poached and canned salmon under Department food and nutrition programs; (3) the effects of farm program payments on farmers and farm infrastructure, including a Texas-based rice production study; (4) geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and (5) the operation of agricultural and natural resource programs on tribal lands.
(Sec. 10903) Directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies of: (1) the effects on producers of updating agricultural yield bases; and (2) State actions taken under the tobacco settlement agreement.
(Sec. 10905) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the feasibility of providing adequate fish passage at the Chiloquin Dam on the Sprague River, Oregon.
(Sec. 10907) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies respecting: (1) the transmission of spongiform encephalopathy in deer, elk, and moose; (2) chronic wasting disease (including the risks that chronic wasting disease poses to livestock); and (3) the number of doses of livestock disease vaccines that should be available, are currently available, and necessary acquisition actions to protect against livestock diseases that could be introduced into the United States.
(Sec. 10909) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report on the electronic commerce sale and use of agricultural pesticides.
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Bill titles: To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2007, and for other purposes.; To provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2011.; Animal Health Protection Act; Congressional Hunger Fellows Act of 2002; Food Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2002
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
