Key Vote 112th Congress > Senate > Vote 399
Clerk session vote number: 164
Description: An original bill to reauthorize agricultural programs through 2017, and for other purposes.
Bill summary: Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012 -
Title I: Commodity Programs - Subtitle A: Repeals and Reforms -
(Sec. 1101) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to repeal, but continue for crop year 2012: (1) direct payments, (2) countercyclical payments, and (3) the average crop revenue election program (ACRE).
(Sec. 1105) Authorizes agriculture risk coverage (ARC) payments for covered commodities for the 2013-2017 crop years.
Requires producers to make a one-time, binding
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election to receive either individual or county coverage for all covered commodities and all acres under the control of the producer.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make ARC payments when a producer's actual crop revenue for a covered commodity is less than the agriculture risk coverage guarantee. Establishes the agriculture risk guarantee as 89% of the benchmark revenue (obtained by multiplying the five-year individual or county yield by the five-year national average price).
Sets forth payment rate and payment amount provisions.
(Sec. 1106) Requires producers to comply with specified requirements, including conservation and wetland provisions, in order to qualify for ARC payments.
Terminates ARC payments upon a change in the interest of the producer unless the transferee assumes all ARC obligations.
Subtitle B: Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments -
(Sec. 1201) Defines loan commodity as wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, long grain rice, medium grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, other oilseeds, graded wool, nongraded wool, mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas.
Directs the Secretary to make nonrecourse marketing assistance loans available to producers for each of the 2013-2017 crops of each loan commodity.
Requires producers to comply with specified requirements, including conservation and wetland provisions, in order to qualify for such loans.
Sets forth a special rule for peanuts. Permits a producer to obtain marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments through a marketing association or cooperative. Sets forth related storage provisions.
(Sec. 1202) Establishes the following 2013-2017 crop year marketing assistance loan rates: (1) $2.94 per bushel for wheat; (2) $1.95 per bushel for corn; (3) $1.95 per bushel for grain sorghum; (4) $1.95 per bushel for barley; (5) $1.39 per bushel for oats; (6) for base upland cotton the simple average of the adjusted prevailing world price for the two preceding marketing years, but in no case less than $0.47 per pound or more than $0.52 per pound; (7) $0.7977 per pound for extra long staple cotton; (8) $6.50 per hundredweight for long grain rice; (9) $6.50 per hundredweight for medium grain rice; (10) $5.00 per bushel for soybeans; (11) $10.09 per hundredweight for sunflower seed, rapeseed, canola, safflower, flaxseed, mustard seed, crambe, sesame seed, and other oilseeds designated by the Secretary; (12) $5.40 per hundredweight for dry peas; (13) $11.28 per hundredweight for lentils; (14) $7.43 per hundredweight for small chickpeas; (15) $11.28 per hundredweight for large chickpeas; (16) $1.15 per pound for graded wool; (17) $0.40 per pound for nongraded wool; (18) $4.20 per pound for mohair; (19) $0.69 per pound for honey; and (20) $355 per ton for peanuts.
Directs the Secretary to establish a single county loan rate for each kind of other oilseed.
(Sec. 1203) Establishes a nine-month marketing assistance loan term. Prohibits extensions.
(Sec. 1204) Authorizes producers to repay a marketing assistance loan for a commodity (other than upland cotton, long grain rice, medium grain rice, extra long staple cotton, peanuts and confectionery and each other kind of sunflower seed [other than oil sunflower seed]) at a rate that is the lesser of: (1) the loan rate for the commodity plus interest; (2) a rate that is based on average market prices for the commodity during the preceding 30-day period that will minimize benefit discrepancies across state and county boundaries; or (3) a rate that will minimize loan forfeitures, minimize accumulated federal commodity stocks and related storage costs, allow the commodity to be freely marketed domestically and internationally, and minimize benefit discrepancies across state and county boundaries.
Authorizes producers to repay a marketing assistance loan for upland cotton, long grain rice, and medium grain rice at a rate that is the lesser of: (1) the loan rate established for the commodity plus interest, or (2) the prevailing world market price for the commodity.
Authorizes producers to repay a marketing assistance loan for extra long staple cotton at a rate established for the commodity plus interest.
Directs the Secretary to prescribe formulas to determine the prevailing world market price for upland cotton, long grain rice, and medium grain rice.
Provides for adjustment of prevailing world market prices for upland cotton.
Authorizes producers to repay a marketing assistance loan for confectionery and each other kind of sunflower seed (other than oil sunflower seed) at a rate that is the lesser of: (1) the loan rate established for the commodity plus interest, or (2) the repayment rate for oil sunflower seed.
Directs the Secretary to make cotton storage payments for the 2013-2017 crop years in the same manner and at the same rates as made available for the 2006 crop of cotton, except that the rates shall be reduced by 20%.
Authorizes producers to repay a marketing assistance loan for peanuts at a rate that is the lesser of: (1) the loan rate established for peanuts plus interest, or (2) a rate that will minimize loan forfeitures, minimize accumulated federal commodity stocks and related storage costs, and allow the commodity to be freely marketed domestically and internationally.
Authorizes temporary repayment rate adjustments in the event of severe marketing, transportation, or infrastructure disruptions.
(Sec. 1205) Authorizes the Secretary to make loan deficiency payments to: (1) producers that, although eligible to obtain a marketing assistance loan with respect to a loan commodity, forgo the loan in return for loan deficiency payments; and (2) producers of unshorn pelts, hay, and silage even though such producers are not eligible for marketing assistance loans.
Establishes the loan deficiency payment computation as the payment rate for the commodity multiplied by the quantity of the commodity produced.
Sets forth payment rate computations for unshorn pelts and for hay and silage.
States that this section shall not apply to extra long staple cotton.
(Sec. 1206) Directs the Secretary to make payments in lieu of deficiency payments to producers electing to use wheat, barley, or oat acreage for livestock grazing through crop year 2017. Makes payments through crop year 2017 available to producers of triticale acreage used for grazing if such producers forgo any other triticale harvesting on such acreage.
Establishes the payment computation as the loan deficiency payment rate for the commodity multiplied by the quantity of the commodity produced.
Makes such acreage ineligible for crop insurance indemnity or noninsured crop assistance coverage.
(Sec. 1207) Provides for special import quotas through July 31, 2018, and limited global import quotas for upland cotton based upon specified price conditions.
Directs the Secretary to provide monthly adjustment assistance of 3 cents per pound beginning on August 1, 2012, to domestic users of upland cotton during the previous monthly period regardless of such cotton's origin. Requires that such assistance be used for acquisition, construction, installation, modernization, conversion, or expansion of land, plant, buildings, equipment, facilities, or machinery.
(Sec. 1208) Directs the Secretary to make payments through July 31, 2018, to domestic users and exporters of U.S.-produced extra long staple cotton to expand such cotton's domestic use and exports.
Requires payments to be made when: (1) for a consecutive four-week period, the world market price for the lowest priced competing growth of extra long staple cotton is below the prevailing U.S. price for a competing growth of extra long staple cotton; and (2) the lowest priced competing growth of extra long staple cotton is less than 134% of the loan rate for extra long staple cotton.
(Sec. 1209) Makes recourse loans available through crop year 2017 for: (1) high moisture feed grains (corn and grain sorghum with high moisture content), and (2) seed cotton.
(Sec. 1210) Authorizes the Secretary to make loan rate adjustments for: (1) any loan commodity (other than cotton) for differences in grade, type, quality, and location; (2) cotton for differences in quality; and (3) long grain rice and medium grain rice for differences in grade and quality.
Subtitle C: Sugar -
(Sec. 1301) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to direct the Secretary to make nonrecourse loans through crop year 2017 to processors of: (1) domestically grown sugarcane at 18.75 cents per pound, and (2) domestically grown sugar beets at a rate that is equal to 128.5% of the loan rate per pound of raw cane sugar through crop year 2017.
Directs the Secretary to make sugarcane and sugar beet quantity estimates through crop year 2017 for: (1) human consumption, (2) carryover stocks, (3) carry-in stocks, (4) domestic processing, and (5) imports.
Subtitle D: Dairy - Part 1: Dairy Production Margin Protection and Dairy Market Stabilization Programs -
(Sec. 1402) Directs the Secretary to calculate average feed cost and actual dairy production margins using specified data.
Subpart A: Dairy Production Margin Protection Program -
(Sec. 1411) Directs the Secretary to establish a dairy production margin protection program under which participating dairy operations are paid: (1) basic production margin protection program payments when dairy production margins are less than threshold levels, and (2) supplemental production margin protection program payments if purchased by a participating dairy operation.
(Sec. 1412) States that all U.S. dairy operations shall be eligible to participate in the production margin protection program if they register for basic or supplemental coverage.
Authorizes a dairy operation: (1) to elect to participate in either the milk income loss program or the production margin protection program for the duration of the transition period in which both programs are in existence, and (2) that elects to participate in the milk income loss program to transfer to the production margin protection program during the transition period.
Establishes an administrative fee (based on pounds of milk marketed) for the production margin protection program. Waives such fee for limited-resource operations.
(Sec. 1413) Sets forth production history provisions.
(Sec. 1414) Directs the Secretary to make a payment to participating dairy operations whenever the average actual dairy production margin for a consecutive two-month period is less than $4 per hundredweight of milk.
Establishes the basic production margin protection payment for a participating dairy operation for a consecutive two-month period as the product of: (1) the difference between the average actual dairy production margin for the consecutive two-month period and $4, except that if the difference is more than $4 the Secretary shall use $4; and (2) the lesser of 80% of the production history of the participating dairy operation, divided by six, or the actual quantity of milk marketed by the participating dairy operation during the consecutive two-month period.
(Sec. 1415) Authorizes a participating dairy operation to annually purchase supplemental production margin protection in 50-cent increments (not to exceed $8) to cover between 25%-90% of its annual production history.
Requires a participating dairy operation to pay an annual premium based on coverage percentage, annual production history, and production.
(Sec. 1416) States that a participating dairy operation that fails to pay the required administration fee or that is in arrears on premium payments for supplemental production margin protection: (1) remains legally obligated to pay the fee or premiums, and (2) may not receive basic production margin protection payments or supplemental production margin protection payments until the fees or premiums are fully paid.
Subpart B: Dairy Market Stabilization Program -
(Sec. 1431) Directs the Secretary to establish a dairy market stabilization program to assist in balancing the supply of milk with demand when participating dairy operations are experiencing low or negative operating margins.
Authorizes participating dairy operations to elect either of two methods for calculating the stabilization program base.
(Sec. 1432) Directs the Secretary to announce that the stabilization program is in effect and order reduced payments by handlers to participating dairy operations that exceed the applicable percentage of the participating dairy operation's stabilization program base whenever: (1) the actual dairy production margin has been $6 or less per hundredweight of milk for each of the immediately preceding two months, or (2) the actual dairy production margin has been $4 or less per hundredweight of milk for the immediately preceding month.
(Sec. 1433) Directs the Secretary to establish a process to collect from participating dairy operations and handlers necessary milk marketing information for each month during which the stabilization program is in effect.
(Sec. 1434) Requires handlers to reduce payments to each participating dairy operation from whom the handler receives milk during any month in which payment reductions are in effect.
Sets forth three reduction calculations which shall be applied based upon actual dairy production margins.
(Sec. 1435) Requires handlers after the end of each month during which stabilization payment reductions are in effect to remit to the Secretary an amount equal to the amount by which payments to participating dairy operations are reduced by the handler.
Directs the Secretary to use such funds to purchase dairy products for donation to food banks and other programs and expand dairy product consumption.
(Sec. 1436) Suspends the stabilization program if: (1) the actual dairy production margin is greater than $6 per hundredweight of milk for two consecutive months; (2) the actual dairy production margin is equal to or less than $6 (but greater than $5) for two consecutive months and, during the same two consecutive months, the U.S. price for cheddar cheese is equal to or greater than the world price of cheddar cheese or the U.S. price for nonfat dry milk is equal to or greater than the world price of skim milk powder; (3) the actual dairy production margin is equal to or less than $5 (but greater than $4) for two consecutive months and, during the same two consecutive months, the U.S. price for cheddar cheese is more than 5% above the world price of cheddar cheese or the U.S. price for nonfat dry milk is more than 5% above the world price of skim milk powder; or (4) the actual dairy production margin is equal to or less than $4 for two consecutive months and, during the same two consecutive months, the U.S. price for cheddar cheese is more than 7% above the world price of cheddar cheese or the U.S. price for nonfat dry milk is more than 7% above the world price of skim milk powder.
(Sec. 1437) Makes it unlawful for any person subject to the stabilization program to willfully fail or refuse to provide, or delay the timely reporting of, accurate information and remittance of funds to the Secretary.
Authorizes the Secretary to take specified actions to enforce compliance.
(Sec. 1438) Authorizes the Secretary to conduct periodic audits of participating dairy operations and handlers. Directs the Secretary to submit audit results to Congress
(Sec. 1439) Directs: (1) the Secretary to order the Office of the Chief Economist to conduct a study of the dairy market stabilization program's impacts, and (2) the Office of the Chief Economist to summit a related report to Congress.
Subpart C: Administration -
(Sec. 1451) Terminates the production margin protection program on December, 31, 2017.
(Sec. 1452) Directs the Secretary to promulgate administrative and enforcement regulations for the production margin protection, supplemental production margin protection, and market stabilization programs.
Part II: Dairy Market Transparency -
(Sec. 1461) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require at least monthly reports to the Secretary from: (1) each manufacturer concerning the price, quantity, and moisture content of dairy products sold by the manufacturer and any other product characteristics that may aid price discovery in the dairy markets; and (2) each manufacturer and other person storing dairy products, including dairy products in cold storage, concerning information on the quantity of dairy products stored.
(Sec. 1462) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish an information clearinghouse to educate the public about the federal milk marketing order system; and (2) conduct a study of the feasibility of establishing two classes of milk, a fluid class and a manufacturing class, to replace the existing four-class system in administering federal milk marketing orders.
Part III: Repeal or Reauthorization of Other Dairy-Related Provisions -
(Sec. 1471) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to repeal: (1) the dairy price support program, and (2) the milk income loss contract program as of June 30, 2013.
(Sec. 1472) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal the dairy export incentive program.
(Sec. 1473) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend the dairy forward pricing program through September 30, 2017 (permits contracts to extend through September 30, 2020).
(Sec. 1474) Extends the dairy indemnity program through 2017.
(Sec. 1475) Amends the the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 to extend the dairy promotion and research program through September 30, 2017.
(Sec. 1476) Amends the the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend the Federal Milk Marketing Order Review Board.
Part IV: Federal Milk Marketing Order Reform -
(Sec. 1481) Requires the Secretary to provide an analysis of the effects of amending each federal milk marketing order.
Part V: Effective Date -
Makes this subtitle, except as otherwise provided for, effective on October 1, 2012.
Subtitle E: Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Program -
(Sec. 1501) Directs the Secretary to use Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to make livestock indemnity payments (at 65% of an animal's market value) through FY2017 to eligible producers on farms that have incurred excess livestock death losses due to: (1) attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves; or (2) adverse weather, including hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme cold.
Establishes a livestock forage disaster program to provide one source for livestock forage disaster assistance for weather-related forage losses by combining: (1) the livestock forage assistance functions of the non insured crop disaster assistance program and the emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish program; and (2) the livestock forage disaster program.
Directs the Secretary to use CCC funds through FY2017 for assistance for forage losses: (1) due to drought on land that is native or improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover, or is planted to a crop planted specifically for the purpose of providing grazing for covered livestock; (2) on federally-managed rangeland due to a fire; and (3) due to weather-related conditions other than drought or fire on land that is native or improved pasture land with permanent vegetative cover, or is planted to a crop planted specifically for the purpose of providing grazing for covered livestock.
Directs the Secretary to use CCC funds through FY2017 for: (1) emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to disease, adverse weather, or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires; and (2) assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that planted trees for commercial purposes but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster, and to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers that have a production history for commercial purposes on planted or existing trees but lost the trees as a result of a natural disaster (requires tree mortality to exceed 15%).
Subtitle F: Administration -
(Sec. 1601) Directs the Secretary to use CCC funds, facilities, and authorities to carry out this title.
Directs the Secretary: (1) if expenditures under this title that are subject to the total allowable domestic support levels under the Uruguay Round Agreements exceed the allowable levels for any applicable reporting period, to make adjustments in the amount of the expenditures during that period to ensure that the expenditures do not exceed the allowable levels, and (2) to notify Congress before making any such adjustments.
(Sec. 1602) Suspends permanent price support authority under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949 for covered commodities, cotton, and sugar through crop year 2017, and for milk through December 31, 2017.
(Sec. 1603) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to limit the total amount of ARC payments received by a person or legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership) for any crop year to $50,000 for: (1) one or more covered commodities except peanuts, and (2) $50,000 for peanuts.
Limits total amount of marketing loan gains and loan deficiency payments received by a person or legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership) for any crop year for: (1) peanuts to $75,000, and (2) one or more other covered commodities to $75,000.
(Sec. 1604) Removes individuals who serve in active personal management roles from "active farmer" eligibility for certain agricultural benefits.
Considers a person to be actively engaged in farming if the person: (1) makes a significant contribution of management to the farming operation, (2) is the only person in the farming operation qualifying as actively engaged in farming, and (3) does not use such management contribution to qualify as actively engaged in more than one farming operation.
(Sec. 1605) Prohibits a person or legal entity from receiving specified agricultural benefits during a crop, fiscal, or program year if the average adjusted gross income of such person or entity (over the three taxable years preceding the most immediately preceding complete taxable year) exceeds $750,000.
(Sec. 1606) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend specified direct reimbursement payments for geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through FY2017.
(Sec. 1607) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to extend personal liability protection for a deficiency arising from the sale of the collateral securing any nonrecourse loan made to loans made under this Act.
(Sec. 1608) Directs the Secretary to: (1) reconcile with the Social Security Administration (SSA) at least twice each year the social security numbers of all individuals who receive benefits under this title to determine if the individuals are alive, and (2) preclude the issuance of payments to, and on behalf of, deceased individuals not eligible for payments.
(Sec. 1609) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to extend and revise certain administrative and appeals provisions regarding the USDA National Appeals Division.
(Sec. 1610) Makes specified technical corrections to the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
(Sec. 1611) Requires that assignment of certain conservation and environmental payments be done in accordance with USDA regulations.
(Sec. 1612) Authorizes the Secretary to track the benefits provided to individuals and entities under titles I and II of this Act.
(Sec. 1613) Provides that in carrying out this title and title II, if the Secretary approves a document, the Secretary shall not subsequently determine the document is inadequate or invalid because of the lack of authority of any person signing the document on behalf of the applicant or any other individual, entity, general partnership, or joint venture, or the documents relied upon were determined inadequate or invalid, unless the person signing the program document knowingly and willfully falsified the evidence of signature authority or a signature.
(Sec. 1614) Directs the Secretary to: (1) seek to reduce administrative burdens and costs to producers by streamlining and reducing paperwork, forms, and other administrative requirements; and (2) on October 1, 2013, make available to the Farm Service Agency to carry out this title $100 million.
Title II: Conservation - Subtitle A: Conservation Reserve Program -
(Sec. 2001) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the conservation reserve program (CRP) through FY2017.
Makes grasslands eligible for CRP enrollment, but limits enrollment to 1.5 million acres at any one time during FY2013 through FY2017. Authorizes the Secretary to give priority to land with expiring program contracts.
Sets forth maximum CRP acreage enrollments for FY2012 through FY 2017.
Eliminates designation of the Chesapeake Bay Region, the Great Lakes Region, and the Long Island Sound Region as watershed areas.
(Sec. 2002) Extends the farmable wetland program through FY2017. Eliminates the program's pilot program designation.
(Sec. 2003) Revises CRP duties of owners and operators.
(Sec. 2004) Sets forth CRP duties of the Secretary.
(Sec. 2005) Authorizes incentive payments for thinning and other practices to improve the condition of land planted to trees, windbreaks, shelter belts, and wildlife corridors.
Revises rental calculation provisions. Directs the Secretary to make annual grassland payments in an amount that is not more than 75% of the land's grazing value.
Eliminates payment-in-commodity authority. (Permits cash payments only.)
(Sec. 2006) Sets forth provisions regarding transition of CRP land from a retiring farmer or rancher to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.
(Sec. 2007) Repeals the provision permitting the conversion of highly erodible cropland devoted to vegetative cover to hardwood trees, windbreaks, shelter belts, or wildlife corridors.
(Sec. 2008) States that amendments made by this title shall take effect on October 1, 2012, except the acreage enrollment limitations in section 2001(d) which shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
Sets forth CRP transition provisions for existing and updating of existing contracts.
Subtitle B: Conservation Stewardship Program -
(Sec. 2101) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the conservation stewardship program through FY2017.
Includes among program changes the following:
revising program definitions;
eliminating the 10% cap on enrollment of nonindustrial private forest land;
requiring a producer contract to demonstrate that the producer is meeting the stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns;
including among contract ranking criteria the extent to which priority resource concerns will be addressed to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold by the end of the contract period;
requiring a producer to have control of the land that is being enrolled in the program;
revising the duties of the Secretary;
requiring a renewing producer to meet the stewardship threshold for at least two additional priority resource concerns.
establishing annual acreage enrollment limitations at 10,348,000 acres through FY2021;
limiting aggregate payments to a person or entity to $200,000 during FY2013 through FY2017; and
providing outreach and technical assistance for specialty crop and organic producers.
Makes the provisions of this section effective on October 1, 2012.
Subtitle C: Environmental Quality Incentives Program -
(Sec. 2201) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to: (1) include the development of wildlife habitat as a purpose of the environmental quality incentives program, and (2) eliminate as a program purpose the reduction of administrative burdens on producers.
(Sec. 2202) Eliminates the definition of "national organic program" as the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
Redefines "organic system plan" as an organic plan approved under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
(Sec. 2203) Extends the the environmental quality incentives program through FY2017.
Includes among program changes the following:
eliminating the one-year minimum contract requirement;
revising program practices that may be used to determine forgone payment amounts;
making farmers and ranchers who are veterans eligible for advance payments and cost share rates;
requiring the return of unused advance payments within 90 days;
requiring that 60% of FY2013 through FY2017 program funds be used for livestock production practices, and that 5% of such funds be used for wildlife habitat practices;
eliminating discretionary funding for federally recognized Native American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations; and
providing payments for wildlife habitat development.
(Sec. 2204) Revises application evaluation provisions.
(Sec. 2205) Provides that duties of producers shall apply to enrolled lands. (Current law refers to farm, ranch, or forest land.)
(Sec. 2206) Applies program limitations to the period FY2013 through FY2017 in lieu of a six-year period.
(Sec. 2207) Extends conservation innovation grants and payments through FY2017.
Requires the Secretary to submit a program report to Congress every two years.
(Sec. 2208) Makes the amendments of this subtitle effective on October 1, 2012. States that such amendments shall not affect contracts entered into prior to such date.
Subtitle D: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program -
(Sec. 2301) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary to establish an agricultural conservation easement program to conserve eligible land and natural resources through easements or other interests in land. (Combines the purposes and coordinates the functions of the wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, and the farmland protection program.)
Sets forth agricultural land and wetland easement provisions.
Makes the provisions of this subtitle effective on October 1, 2012.
Subtitle E: Regional Conservation Partnership Program -
(Sec. 2401) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary to establish a regional conservation partnership program to: (1) combine the purposes and coordinate the functions of the agricultural water enhancement program, the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, the cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and the Great Lakes basin program; (2) further the conservation use of soil, water, wildlife, and related natural resources on a regional or watershed scale; and (3) encourage partners to cooperate with producers in meeting or avoiding the need for regulatory requirements related to production on eligible land and implementing projects that affect multiple agricultural or nonindustrial private forest operations on a local, state, or regional basis.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a partnership agreement for up to five years, with a one-time extension for up to 12 months.
Sets forth provisions regarding duties of partners and assistance to producers, including alternative funding arrangements.
Provides program funding for FY2013 through FY2017. Sets forth funding allocation provisions.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate up to six critical conservation areas (five-year maximum designation), and (2) submit a program report to Congress every two years.
Makes the provisions of this subtitle effective on October 1, 2012.
Subtitle F: Other Conservation Programs -
(Sec. 2501) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the conservation of private grazing land program.
(Sec. 2502) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the grass roots source water protection program.
(Sec. 2503) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the voluntary public access and habitat incentive program.
Directs the Secretary to report to Congress every two years on the program's effectiveness.
(Sec. 2504) Permits funding for the agriculture conservation experienced services program to come from any of the conservation programs under the Food Security Act of 1985, except the CRP.
Makes this section effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2505) Amends the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the small watershed rehabilitation program.
(Sec. 2506) Amends the Food, Security, and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to establish a terminal lakes assistance program (in lieu of the desert lakes program) for the purchase of eligible private land (including land in which a state has a property interest resulting from a state water law) impacted by flooded or terminal lakes and their associated watershed or riparian resources.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to states for eligible land purchases.
States that: (1) the sale of any such land shall be voluntary, and (2) any such purchased land shall lose eligibility for other federal benefits.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, through the Commissioner of Reclamation, to use specified CCC funds to administer and provide financial assistance for water and assistance to a terminal lake through willing sellers or willing participants only to: (1) lease water; (2) purchase land, water appurtenant to the land, and related interests; and (3) carry out research and conservation activities for associated fish, wildlife, plant, and habitat resources.
Prohibits such funds from being used for assistance to the Great Salt Lake in Utah, lakes that are considered dry lakes, or other lakes that do not meet the purposes of this section.
Authorizes appropriations.
Subtitle G: Funding and Administration -
(Sec. 2601) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize the use of CCC funds through FY 2017 for: (1) the conservation reserve program, including specified amounts for tree thinning and transferring of contract land from retiring owners and operators to beginning and disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; (2) the agricultural conservation easement program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the conservation stewardship program; and (5) the environmental quality incentives program.
Makes the provisions of this section effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2602) Makes funds available for technical assistance.
Directs the Secretary to submit a related report to Congress.
(Sec. 2603) Replaces the annual regional conservation programs equity allocation of $15 million with an allocation of at least 0.6% amount of such funds for states that show that they can use an aggregate allocation of at least such amount.
(Sec. 2604) Extends the beginning and socially disadvantaged farmer and rancher set-aside for the environmental quality incentives and the conservation stewardship programs through FY2017.
Provides preference for farmers and ranchers who are veterans.
(Sec. 2605) Revises specified enrollment and assistance reporting requirements.
(Sec. 2606) Revises and consolidates specified conservation administrative provisions in order to minimize the burden on applicants by:
making farmers and ranchers who are veterans eligible for incentives;
directing the Secretary to establish a single initial application and to review the application process for each conservation program;
stating that conservation payments, including easement or rental payments, are in addition to other specified payments that an eligible producer may receive; and
authorizing the Secretary, in carrying out the environmental quality incentives and the conservation stewardship programs, to enter into alternative funding arrangements with Indian tribes.
(Sec. 2607) Directs the Secretary to promulgate implementing regulations.
(Sec. 2608) Directs the Secretary to review and update as necessary state technical operating standards.
(Sec. 2609) Makes a producer violating certain conservation requirements under the highly erodible land or wetlands programs ineligible for insurance premiums paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
Subtitle H: Repeal of Superseded Program Authorities and Transitional Provisions -
(Sec. 2701) Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to repeal the comprehensive conservation enhancement program.
(Sec. 2702) Repeals the emergency forestry conservation reserve program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2703) Repeals the wetlands reserve program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2704) Repeals the farmland protection program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2705) Repeals the grassland reserve program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2706) Repeals the agricultural water enhancement program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2707) Repeals the wildlife habitat incentive program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2708) Repeals the Great Lakes basin program.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2709) Repeals the Chesapeake Bay watershed program.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2710) Repeals the cooperative conservation partnership initiative.
States that such repeal shall not affect contracts entered into before October 1, 2012.
Makes this provision effective on October 1, 2012.
(Sec. 2711) Repeals the environmental easement program.
(Sec. 2712) Makes specified technical amendments to the Food Security Act of 1985.
Title III: Trade - Subtitle A: Food for Peace Act -
(Sec. 3001) Amends the Food for Peace Act to increase to 15% the maximum amount of emergency and non emergency food assistance (title II) funds available to private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and intergovernmental organizations.
(Sec. 3002) Extends authority of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through FY 2013 and subsequent fiscal years to assess the types and quality of agricultural commodities and products donated for food aid. Authorizes funding through FY2017.
Expands the scope of such authority to include:
adoption of new specifications or improvement of existing specifications for micronutrient fortified food aid products;
development of new program guidance to facilitate improved matching of products to nutritional intent;
development of improved guidance for implementing partners on how to address nutritional deficiencies that emerge among recipients for whom food assistance is the sole source of diet in certain emergency programs; and
evaluation of the performance and cost-effectiveness of new or modified specialized food products and program approaches designed to meet the nutritional needs of the most vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and lactating mothers and children under the age of five.
(Sec. 3003) Extends minimum emergency and nonemergency food assistance levels through FY2017.
(Sec. 3004) Extends the termination date for the Food Aid Consultative Group to December 31, 2017.
(Sec. 3005) Extends funding for monitoring of emergency food assistance through FY2017.
(Sec. 3006) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for stockpiling and rapid transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged food.
(Sec. 3007) Prohibits a commodity from being made available unless its rate of return (as defined in this section) is at least 70%.
Authorizes the Administrator to waive such limitation. (Requires submission of a related report to Congress.)
(Sec. 3008) Authorizes up to 20% of funds to be used to pay the costs of activities conducted in recipient countries by nonprofit voluntary organizations, cooperatives, or intergovernmental agencies or organizations.
(Sec. 3009) Extends funding through FY2017 to procure, transport, and store agricultural commodities for prepositioning within the United States and in foreign countries.
Authorizes funds to be used for agricultural product testing.
(Sec. 3010) Extends authority to enter into agreements to finance sales or to provide other assistance under such Act until December 31, 2017.
(Sec. 3011) Revises minimum food assistance levels under title II to provide that: (1) of the amounts made available to carry out emergency and non emergency food assistance programs not less than 20% nor more than 30% for each of FY2013 through FY2017 shall be expended for nonemergency food assistance programs, and (2) the amount made available for nonemergency food assistance programs shall not be less than $275 million for any fiscal year.
(Sec. 3012) Eliminates the provision requiring a report describing efforts taken by the Administrator and the Secretary to improve planning for food and transportation procurement.
(Sec. 3013) Extends micronutrient fortification programs through FY2017.
(Sec. 3014) Extends and increases funding for the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter farmer-to-farmer program through FY2017.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for programs: (1) for sub-Saharan African and Caribbean Basin countries, and (2) for certain developing or middle-income countries or emerging markets.
(Sec. 3015) Prohibits title II assistance from being provided to North Korea.
Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if in the U.S. national interest.
Subtitle B: Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 -
(Sec. 3101) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to extend export credit guarantee programs through FY2017.
(Sec. 3102) Extends the market access program through FY2017.
(Sec. 3103) Extends the foreign market cooperator program through FY2017.
Subtitle C: Other Agricultural Trade Laws -
(Sec. 3201) Amends the Food for Progress Act to extend funding for the food for progress program through FY2017.
Eliminates the FY2009 Malawi program provision.
Authorizes up to 20% of funds to be used by nonprofit voluntary organizations, cooperatives, or intergovernmental agencies or organizations for activities in recipient countries.
Prohibits a commodity from being made available unless its rate of return (as defined in this section) is at least 70%.
Authorizes the Administrator to waive such limitation. Requires submission of a related report to Congress.
(Sec. 3202) Amends the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act to extend authority to replenish stocks of eligible commodities to maintain the trust through FY2017.
(Sec. 3203) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend through FY 2017: (1) funding of export credit guarantees for exports to emerging democracies, and (2) authority to make U.S. expertise available to assess the food and rural business systems needs of emerging democracies.
(Sec. 3204) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend funding for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program through FY2017.
(Sec. 3205) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend funding for specialty crop technical assistance through FY2017.
(Sec. 3206) Amends the the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the Global Crop Diversity Trust.
(Sec. 3207) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for local and regional food aid procurement projects. Directs the Secretary to submit a related annual report to Congress.
Authorizes the Secretary to give a preference to eligible organizations that have, or are working toward, projects under the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.
(Sec. 3208) States that the purpose of this section is to establish a pilot program to integrate all U.S.-funded emergency and long-term development activities in order to improve food security in the Horn of Africa to: (1) reduce the impacts of future crises, (2) enhance local capacity for emergency response, (3) enhance sustainability of long-term development programs targeting poor and vulnerable households, and (4) reduce the need for repeated costly emergency operations.
Directs the Administrator to initiate a study, and submit a related report to Congress, regarding prior programs to support resilience in the Horn of Africa conducted by: (1) other donor countries; (2) private voluntary organizations; (3) the world food program of the United Nations (U.N.); and (4) multilateral institutions, including the World Bank.
Directs the Administrator to provide grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible organizations to carry out field-based projects that build resilience in the Horn of Africa.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 3209) Directs the Secretary to develop a study that takes into consideration a reorganization of international trade functions for Department imports and exports, and submit a related report to Congress.
Title IV: Nutrition - Subtitle A: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -
(Sec. 4001) Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the food distribution on Indian reservations program.
(Sec. 4002) Permits only a low-income home energy assistance program payment in excess of $10 annually to be used in calculating the standard utility allowance for purposes of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly the food stamp program) benefits.
Authorizes a state to delay implementation of this section for up to 180 days for households that currently receive such allowance.
(Sec. 4003) Limits SNAP eligibility for college students to students participating in career and technical training programs that may be completed in not more than four years, including remedial courses, basic adult education, literacy, or English as a second language.
(Sec. 4004) Terminates SNAP benefits for a household in which a member receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings until the household meets the allowable financial resources and income eligibility requirements.
(Sec. 4005) Requires participating retail food stores to: (1) offer perishable goods in at least three staple food categories, and (2) provide adequate electronic benefit transfer service (EBT).
Requires, with specified exceptions, participating retail food stores (including restaurants participating in a state option restaurant program intended to serve the elderly, disabled, and homeless) to pay 100% of the costs of acquiring, and arranging for the implementation of, EBT point-of-sale equipment and supplies.
Prohibits a state from issuing manual vouchers unless the Secretary determines that such vouchers are necessary, such as in the event of an EBT system failure or a disaster situation.
Requires all parties providing EBT services to maintain unique terminal identification number information through the SNAP EBT routing system.
Excludes from SNAP retail stores whose liquor and tobacco sales exceed 45% of total sales.
(Sec. 4006) States that if a household makes excessive requests for replacement of its EBT card the Secretary may require a state agency to decline to issue a replacement card unless the household provides an explanation for the card's loss.
Requires states in implementing such provision to protect vulnerable persons, such as disabled persons, crime victims, or homeless persons.
States that nothing in this section shall affect SNAP eligibility.
(Sec. 4007) Directs the Secretary to permit a retail food store to redeem benefits through electronic means other than wired point of sale devices for EBT transactions if the store: (1) establishes recipient protections regarding privacy, ease of use, access, and support similar to the protections provided in retail food stores; (2) bears the costs of obtaining, installing, and maintaining mobile technologies; (3) demonstrates that foods purchased with benefits issued through mobile technologies are purchased at a price not higher than the price of the same foods purchased by other methods used by the retail food store; and (4) provides adequate transaction documentation.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish demonstration projects before authorizing such mobile technologies in all states; (2) submit a related report to Congress; and (3) authorize implementation of such programs by January 16, 2016, unless the Secretary determines such implementation is not in the best interests of SNAP.
(Sec. 4008) Authorizes the use of SNAP benefits for shares of community-supported agriculture (CSA).
(Sec. 4009) Sets forth additional responsibilities for state agencies before restaurants may participate in a restaurant meals program.
Prohibits a private establishment that contracts with a state agency to offer meals at concessional prices from being authorized to accept SNAP benefits unless the Secretary determines that such establishment's participation is required to meet a documented need.
Authorizes participating restaurants to continue to accept SNAP benefits without meeting the additional requirements for up to 180 days.
Directs the Secretary to submit a related annual report to Congress.
(Sec. 4010) Establishes a 25% tolerance level for reporting SNAP errors in the quality control system.
(Sec. 4011) Authorizes a state agency to use high performance bonus payments only to carry out SNAP, including investments in: (1) technology; (2) improvements in administration and distribution; and (3) actions to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.
(Sec. 4012) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for SNAP.
(Sec. 4013) Provides specified funding beginning in FY2013 and for each subsequent fiscal year for community food projects.
(Sec. 4014) Extends commodity purchase authority for the emergency food assistance program through FY2017.
Makes annual commodity funding available for a two-year period.
Amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for emergency food program infrastructure grants.
(Sec. 4015) Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to include physical activity as an eligible use of SNAP nutrition education funds.
(Sec. 4016) Provides specified funding beginning in FY2013 and for each subsequent fiscal year to provide USDA with additional resources to prevent SNAP trafficking by strengthening recipient and retail food store program integrity.
(Sec. 4017) Makes specified technical and conforming amendments.
Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution Programs -
(Sec. 4101) Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through FY2017 the Secretary's authority to purchase and distribute agricultural commodities to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food assistance programs.
(Sec. 4102) Extends the commodity supplemental food program through FY2107.
Phases out women, infants, and children from program participation.
(Sec. 4103) Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend authority for the distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition projects through FY2017.
(Sec. 4104) Makes specified technical and conforming amendments.
Subtitle C: Miscellaneous -
(Sec. 4201) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend authority for fresh fruit and vegetable purchases for school and service institution distribution through FY2017.
(Sec. 4202) Extends funding for the senior farmers' market nutrition program through FY2017.
(Sec. 4203) Repeals authority for the nutrition information and awareness pilot program.
(Sec. 4204) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to provide funding for the whole-grain products program through FY2015.
(Sec. 4205) Revises the hunger-free communities program to: (1) eliminate hunger-free communities infrastructure grants, (2) establish a category of incentive grants for projects to increase fruit and vegetable purchases by SNAP participants (limits the federal cost share to 50%), (3) authorize appropriations through FY2017 for collaborative grants, and (4) direct the Secretary to use specified funds for incentive grants for each of FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 4206) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to establish a healthy food financing initiative to improve access to healthy foods in under served areas, create quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities by providing loans and grants to fresh food retailers to overcome higher entry costs in underserved areas.
Authorizes funds to be used to provide loans to finance eligible projects or partnerships to: (1) expand or preserve the availability of staple foods in underserved areas by maintaining or increasing the number of retail outlets that offer perishable food and staple food items, and (2) accept SNAP benefits.
Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 4207) Directs the Secretary, in addition to the commodities delivered under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, to purchase eligible pulse crops (dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas) and pulse crop products for the school lunch and school breakfast programs. Requires a related program evaluation report to Congress.
Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 4208) Amends the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 to require that no later than the 2020 report the USDA/ Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dietary Guidelines for Americans include specifications for pregnant women and children under the age of two.
(Sec. 4209) Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) conduct at least five demonstration projects through certain school food authorities to facilitate the purchase of unprocessed and minimally processed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products; and (2) ensure that at least one project is located in the Pacific Northwest Region, the Northeast Region, the Western Region, the Midwest Region, and the Southern Region.
Sets forth priority criteria for selecting participating states.
Title V: Credit - Subtitle A: Farmer Loans, Servicing, and Other Assistance Under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act -
(Sec. 5001) Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (as amended by this Act) to authorize the Secretary to allow: (1) additional legal entities to qualify for farm ownership loans, and (2) other acceptable experiences to qualify for the three-year farming eligibility requirement for direct loans.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the conservation loan and loan guarantee program.
Increases maximum down payment loan program amounts.
Revises direct farm operating loan provisions to: (1) authorize the Secretary to allow additional legal entities to qualify for such loans, (2) change the time calculation for a farmer who has received a loan to be able to receive another loan, (3) establish a pilot loan program to support healthy food for the hungry, (4) require a farmer to obtain hazard insurance on the property to be acquired with the loan, and (5) authorize the Secretary to reserve a portion of the loan to be used by the borrower for family purposes.
Eliminates term limits on guaranteed farm operating loans.
Sets forth loan term and loan restriction provisions.
Revises emergency loan provisions to: (1) authorize the Secretary to allow additional legal entities to qualify for such loans, (2) include for loan eligibility commercial fishermen and eliminate from eligibility equine farmers or ranchers, (3) eliminate the hazard insurance requirement exception for poultry farmers, and (4) revise interest rate provisions.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the new farmer individual development accounts pilot program.
Authorizes specific loan levels for direct and guaranteed farm ownership and farm operating loans through FY2017, including set asides for beginning and low-income farmers.
Subtitle B: Miscellaneous -
(Sec. 5101) Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for state agricultural mediation programs.
(Sec. 5102) Amends the loan and loan guarantee program for Indian tribes and tribal corporations to purchase highly fractioned land within the reservation to: (1) require that loans be direct loans, (2) permit loans to intermediaries to establish revolving loan funds for such purchases, and (3) require the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of the Interior in determining regulations and procedures to define eligible purchasers.
(Sec. 5103) Provides that borrowers who are Indian tribes, members of Indian tribes, or tribal corporations shall only be required to obtain one appraisal by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior.
Title VI: Rural Development - Subtitle A: Reorganization of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act -
(Sec. 6001) Amends the Agricultural Act of 1961 to revise and reorganize the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Eliminates the 10,000 population eligibility limit for rural water and waste disposal grants and loans, and the 20,000 population eligibility limit for rural community facility grants and loans (thus providing such assistance to rural areas with a population limit of 50,000).
Revises criteria for determining areas "rural in character."
Authorizes a unit of local government in an urbanized area, or the Under Secretary for Rural Development, to determine that part of an area is rural.
Revises the definition of "state."
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for: (1) water and waste disposal grants, loans, and loan guarantees; and (2) revolving funds for financing water and wastewater projects.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the emergency and imminent community water assistance program.
Revises the water and waste facility loans and grants to alleviate health risks program to: (1) increase the authorization of appropriations for loans and for grants; (2) make assistance available to rural or native villages in Alaska and Native Hawaiian Home Lands; (3) require matching funds from specified entities; and (4) establish preferences for certain Indian reservations, rural or native villages in Alaska, Native Hawaiian Home Lands, and rural subdivisions (colonias).
Provides funding through FY2017 for solid waste management grants.
Authorizes appropriations for: (1) rural water and wastewater technical assistance and training programs, and (2) the rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.
Authorizes funding for the special evaluation assistance for rural communities and households (SEARCH) program.
Authorizes appropriations for rural water and waste disposal loans, loan guarantees, and grants.
Replaces the community facilities grant program with a community facilities loan, loan guarantee, and grant program which shall: (1) make assistance available to associations, Indian tribes, and public and quasi-public agencies; (2) provide debt restructuring and loan servicing for delinquent community facility program loans to hospitals and health care facilities; (3) give priority to rural communities that have a population of less than 20,000 permanent residents, are experiencing outmigration, have a high percentage of low-income residents, or are isolated from other significant population centers; (4) authorize grants to tribal colleges and universities; and (5) authorize program appropriations.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the Delta Regional Authority.
Combines and revises the rural business opportunity grant program and the rural business enterprise grant program into the rural business development grant program.
Authorizes rural business development grants to be made to governmental entities, Indian tribes, and nonprofit entities: (1) for specified business opportunity projects; and (2) to finance small and emerging business development, rural distance learning, and job training. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
Revises the value-added producer grant program, including establishing priority for projects in which at least 25% of the recipients are beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017. Provides program funding for FY2014 through FY2017.
Revises the rural cooperative development grant program to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2017; (2) exclude from the definition of "United States" the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the other U.S. territories and possessions; and (3) direct the Secretary to chair an interagency working group to ensure coordination with appropriate federal agencies and national and local cooperative organizations.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
Authorizes appropriations and provides funding for the business and industry direct and guaranteed loan program through FY2017. Increases the initial fee to 3%.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the intermediate relending program.
Authorizes appropriations and provides funding for the micro-entrepreneur assistance program through FY2017.
Revises the rural business investment program to: (1) authorize program appropriations through FY2017, (2) revise rural business investment company capital requirements, (3) subject rural business investment companies to examination, and (4) revise reporting requirements.
Sets forth general provisions for loans and grants.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) give priority to multi-jurisdictional community and economic development plans; and (2) guarantee a loan made by any federal or state chartered bank, savings and loan association, cooperative lending agency, or other legally organized lending agency.
Authorizes the Secretary to designate additional rural economic area partnership zones with priority given to rural areas with excessive unemployment or underemployment, a high percentage of low-income residents, or high rates of outmigration.
Directs the Secretary to streamline application procedures.
Directs the Secretary to support the state rural development partnership (comprised of state rural development councils) in order to build the capacity of states, regions, and rural communities to design responses to their rural development needs in a manner that maximizes collaborative public- and private-sector cooperation and minimizes regulatory redundancy. Authorizes: (1) federal cooperation and financial assistance, (2) the creation of state rural development councils, and (3) authorization of appropriations through FY2017. Terminates such provisions on September 30, 2017.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for: (1) the Delta Regional Authority, and (2) the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority. Terminates the Authorities on October 1, 2017.
Directs the Secretary to establish a certified lenders program.
Subtitle B: Rural Electrification -
(Sec. 6101) Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to revise the definition of "rural area" to be the same as under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (as amended by this Act).
(Sec. 6102) Terminates the Secretary's authority to guarantee bonds and notes issued for electrification or telephone purposes on September 30, 2017.
(Sec. 6103) Provides funding through FY2017 for expansion of 911 access.
(Sec. 6104) Includes grants in the loan and loan guarantee program for rural broadband telecommunications services.
Establishes the highest priority for applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have acceptable levels of residential broadband service.
Gives subsequent priority to projects that serve rural communities that: (1) have a population of less than 20,000 permanent residents, (2) are experiencing outmigration, (3) have a high percentage of low-income residents, and (4) are isolated from other significant population centers.
Provides that the grants shall: (1) be carried out in rural areas; (2) not exceed 50% of development costs, except as otherwise provided; and (3) be at higher rates in remote, low-income, low-population communities.
Authorizes the Secretary to carry out pilot programs to address areas that are unserved or have service levels below the minimum acceptable level of broadband service.
Revises reporting requirements.
Authorizes program appropriations through FY2017.
Terminates authority to make grants, loans, and loan guarantees after September 30, 2017.
Subtitle C: Miscellaneous -
(Sec. 6201) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for distance learning and telemedicine.
(Sec. 6202) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to establish the rural energy savings program to provide 0% interest loans to eligible Rural Utilities Service borrowers for loans to qualified consumers to implement energy efficiency measures.
(Sec. 6203) Provides a specified amount of Commodity Credit Corporation funds for pending rural development loan and grant applications.
(Sec. 6204) Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation to jointly conduct, and update triennially, a study regarding the movement of agricultural products, domestically produced renewable fuels and resources for electricity production, and economic development for rural areas.
(Sec. 6205) Directs the Secretary to participate in all policy development proceedings or other proceedings of the Surface Transportation Board that may establish freight rail transportation policy affecting agriculture and rural America.
Title VII: Research, Extension, and Related Matters - Subtitle A: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 -
(Sec. 7101) Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to extend the termination date for the National Agricultural Research Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board until September 30, 2017.
Adds "consult with industry groups" to the Board's duties.
(Sec. 7102) Requires the specialty crop committee to provide for diversity of the represented specialty crops and consult with diverse sectors of the specialty crop industry.
(Sec. 7103) Directs the Secretary to carry out a matching grant program with qualified entities to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services.
Requires a qualifying entity to carry out programs that: (1) relieve veterinarian shortage situations, (2) support private veterinary practices engaged in public health activities, or (3) support practices of veterinarians who are participating in or have successfully completed a specified service requirement.
Makes such grants available for: (1) assistance for establishing or expanding veterinary practices or establishing mobile veterinary facilities; (2) veterinarian, technician, and student recruitment; (3) grants to attend training programs in food safety or food animal medicine; (4) grants to establish or expand accredited education, internship, residency, and fellowship programs; (5) grants to assess veterinarian shortage situations; and (6) grants for continuing education and extension, including veterinary telemedicine and other distance-based education.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2013 and subsequent fiscal years.
(Sec. 7104) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants and fellowships for food and agriculture sciences education.
(Sec. 7105) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for agricultural and food policy research centers.
(Sec. 7106) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and Native Hawaiian serving institutions.
(Sec. 7107) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the nutrition education program.
(Sec. 7108) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for continuing animal health and disease research programs.
(Sec. 7109) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University.
(Sec. 7110) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants to upgrade agriculture and food sciences facilities and equipment at insular area land-grant institutions.
(Sec. 7111) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for education grants programs for Hispanic-serving institutions.
(Sec. 7112) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for competitive grants for international agricultural science and education programs.
(Sec. 7113) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for agricultural research and agricultural research at state agricultural experiment stations.
(Sec. 7114) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for extension education.
(Sec. 7115) Extends the research program for the development of supplemental and alternative crops until September 30, 2017.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
Requires that all grants be competitive grants.
(Sec. 7116) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants to non-land grant colleges of agriculture.
(Sec. 7117) Requires that all research and extension grants to encourage the development, management, and production of aquatic food species be competitive grants.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 7118) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for rangeland research programs.
(Sec. 7119) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for biosecurity planning.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for distance education and resident instruction for insular area institutions of higher education.
Requires that all grants to strengthen such institutions' capacity to carry out distance food and agricultural education programs using digital network technologies be competitive grants.
Subtitle B: Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 -
(Sec. 7201) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to replace the permanent authorization of appropriations with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017 for research and extension projects that promote the best utilization of biological applications.
(Sec. 7202) Replaces the permanent authorization of appropriations with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017 for integrated management and integrated crop research.
(Sec. 7203) Replaces the permanent authorization of appropriations with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017 for the sustainable agriculture technology development and transfer program.
(Sec. 7204) Replaces the permanent authorization of appropriations with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017 for the national training program.
(Sec. 7205) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the national genetics resources program.
(Sec. 7206) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the national agricultural weather information system.
(Sec. 7207) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for high-priority research and extension initiatives.
Revises priority areas.
Authorizes research and extension grants to improve the efficiency of use of corn, soybean meal, cereal grains, and grain byproducts for the poultry and food animal production industries.
Directs the Secretary to carry out a pulse crop health and extension initiative through competitive grants to eligible institutions. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
Directs the Secretary to make grants and enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with eligible multi-institutional consortiums to establish a comprehensive food safety training network.
(Sec. 7208) Extends CCC and additional funding through FY2017 for the organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
(Sec. 7209) Replaces the permanent authorization of appropriations with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017 for the farm business management program.
(Sec. 7210) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to prioritize for funding purposes regional centers of excellence established for specific agricultural commodities, and (2) appropriations through FY2017.
States that a regional center of excellence shall be composed of one or more colleges and universities that provide financial support to the regional center of excellence.
(Sec. 7211) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
(Sec. 7212) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse.
Subtitle C: Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 -
(Sec. 7301) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to consider the relevance of the underlying research and extension programs to the affected industry in evaluating grant applications.
(Sec. 7302) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the integrated research, education, and extension competitive grants program.
(Sec. 7303) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for research regarding wheat, barley, and triticale diseases caused by fusarium graminearum or by tilletia indica.
(Sec. 7304) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants for youth organizations.
(Sec. 7305) Makes CCC funding permanent for the specialty crop research initiative.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the initiative.
(Sec. 7306) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the food animal residue avoidance database program.
(Sec. 7307) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the Office of Pest Management Policy.
(Sec. 7308) Establishes four regional integrated pest management Centers to: (1) strengthen USAID's connection with production agriculture, research, and extension programs, and agricultural stakeholders; (2) increase the effectiveness of providing private and public sector pest management solutions; (3) respond to public and private sector information needs; and (4) improve communication among relevant stakeholders.
Subtitle D: Other Laws -
(Sec. 7401) Amends the Critical Agricultural Materials Act to authorize appropriations through FY2017 to carry out such Act.
(Sec. 7402) Amends the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 to revise the colleges included in the definition of "1994 Institutions."
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for such Institutions.
Directs the Secretary to make two or more institutional capacity building grants through FY2017 to such Institutions.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for research grants for such Institutions.
(Sec. 7403) Amends the Research Facilities Act to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the study, plan, design, structure, and related costs of agricultural research facilities.
(Sec. 7404) Amends the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for competitive, special, and facilities research grants.
Directs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding streamlining the competitive grant process for eligible institutions with limited resources.
(Sec. 7405) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to terminate the pilot program on September 30, 2017, permitting the Secretary to lease real property at the Beltsville (Maryland) Agricultural Research Center or the National Agricultural Library.
(Sec. 7406) Amends the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 to carry out such Act.
(Sec. 7407) Amends the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 to carry out such Act.
(Sec. 7408) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to make CCC funds available through FY2017, and authorize appropriations through FY2017, for the beginning farmer and rancher development program.
Makes beginning farmers and ranchers who are veterans eligible for program set-asides.
Directs the Secretary to use beginning farmer and rancher development funds for state grants to establish and improve local farm safety programs.
Subtitle E: Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Part I - Agricultural Security -
(Sec. 7501) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations through F2017 for the Agricultural Biosecurity Communication Center.
(Sec. 7502) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017: (1) for advanced training programs in agricultural biosecurity planning and response for food science professionals and veterinarians, and (2) to assist states in assessing agricultural disease response capability.
(Sec. 7503) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for research and development of agricultural countermeasures.
(Sec. 7504) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the agricultural biosecurity grant program.
Part II- Miscellaneous -
(Sec. 7511) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to provide that the federal land and facilities at El Reno, Oklahoma, shall not at any time be declared to be excess or surplus federal property or otherwise be conveyed before September 30, 2017.
(Sec. 7512) Revises budget submission and funding provisions.
(Sec. 7513) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the natural products research program.
(Sec. 7514) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the sun grant program.
Removes the designation of certain universities as regional program centers.
Subtitle F: Miscellaneous -
(Sec. 7601) Directs the Secretary to establish (as a nonprofit corporation) the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to: (1) support agricultural research activities focused on addressing key problems of national and international significance; and (2) foster collaboration with agricultural researchers from the federal government, institutions of higher education, industry, and nonprofit organizations.
Makes specified CCC funds available for the Foundation but requires that it secure an equal amount of non-federal matching funds for each dollar spent.
(Sec. 7602) Directs the Secretary, through the National Agricultural Library, to support the dissemination of objective, scholarly, and authoritative agricultural and food law research and information by entering into partnerships with institutions of higher education that have expertise in agricultural and food law research and information.
Prohibits the Secretary from using more than $1 million in each fiscal year of the amounts made available to the Library for such research dissemination.
Title VIII: Forestry - Subtitle A: Repeal of Certain Forestry Programs
- (Sec. 8001) Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act to 1978 to repeal the forest land enhancement program.
(Sec. 8002) Repeals the watershed forestry assistance program.
(Sec. 8003) Repeals the cooperative national forest products marketing program.
(Sec. 8004) Repeals the Hispanic-serving institution agricultural land national resources leadership program.
(Sec. 8005) Repeals the Tribal watershed forestry assistance program.
Subtitle B: Reauthorization of Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 -
(Sec. 8101) Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for state-wide assessment and strategies for forest resources.
(Sec. 8102) Replaces permanent funding authority for the forest stewardship program with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 8103) Replaces permanent funding authority for the forest legacy program with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 8104) Replaces permanent funding authority for the community forest and open space conservation program with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 8105) Replaces permanent funding authority for urban and community forest assistance with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017.
Subtitle C: Reauthorization of Other Forestry-related Laws
- (Sec. 8201) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the rural revitalization technologies program.
(Sec. 8202) Amends the Global Climate Change Prevention Act to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the Office of International Forestry.
(Sec. 8203) Amends the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to state findings concerning the threat to forests posed by the mountain pine beetle in the Western region of the United States.
Directs the Secretary to designate treatment areas on at least one national forest in each state, if requested by the Governor, that the Secretary determines, based on annual forest health surveys, are experiencing declining forest health due to insect or disease infestation.
Authorizes program appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 8204) Authorizes the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to enter into stewardship contracting projects with private persons or other public or private entities to achieve specified land management goals for the national forests and the public lands that meet local and rural community needs.
(Sec. 8205) Amends the healthy forests reserve program to define "acreage owned by Indian tribes."
Extends program funding through FY2017.
Subtitle D: Miscellaneous Provisions -
(Sec. 8301) Amends the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act to: (1) waive the matching funds requirement for 1890 Institutions for allocations below $200,000; and (2) include within the definition of "state" the Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the District of Columbia (DC).
(Sec. 8302) Directs the Secretary to revise the strategic plan for forest inventory and analysis.
Title IX: Energy -
(Sec. 9001) Amends the Food Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to define "renewable chemical" as a monomer, polymer, plastic, formulated product, or chemical substance produced from renewable biomass.
(Sec. 9002) Revises the biobased markets program to require each procuring agency to establish a targeted biobased-only procurement requirement under which it shall issue a certain number of biobased-only contracts when purchasing products or services that include the use of products that are included in a biobased product category designated by the Secretary.
Limits reporting on the availability, relative price, performance, and environmental and public health benefits of biobased materials.
Directs the Secretary to designate intermediate ingredients or feedstocks and assembled and finished biobased products for use in biobased procurement guidelines.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) carry out related auditing and compliance activities; and (2) engage in outreach, educational, and promotional activities to increase awareness of biobased products.
Directs the Secretary to assess the economic impact of the biobased products industry and submit a related report to Congress.
Directs the Secretary, in determining whether products are eligible for the USDA Certified Biobased Product label, to: (1) review and approve forest-related product applications, (2) expedite approval of innovative products developed by the Forest Products Laboratory or its partners, and (3) provide applicants with technical assistance.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
Provides funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 9003) Includes renewable chemical and biobased product manufacturing in the biorefinery assistance program.
Defines "biobased product manufacturing" as the development, construction, and retrofitting of technologically new commercial-scale processing and manufacturing equipment and required facilities to convert renewable chemicals and other biobased outputs of biorefineries into commercial end-user products.
Provides grants and loan guarantees for the development and construction of renewable chemical and biobased product manufacturing facilities.
Provides program funding for FY2013 through FY2015.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 9004) Repeals the repowering assistance program (to reduce or eliminate biorefinery fossil fuel use) and transfers the remaining funds to the rural energy for America program.
(Sec. 9005) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the bioenergy program for advanced biofuels.
(Sec. 9006) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the biodiesel fuel education program.
Provides program funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 9007) Revises the rural energy for America program to: (1) make certain resource conservation councils eligible for grants to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to become more energy efficient, and to use renewable energy technologies and resources; (2) limit grants to the lesser of $500,000 or 25% of grant activity; and (3) provide a three-tiered application process with separate application processes for grants and loan guarantees based on project cost.
Provides program funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 9008) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the biomass research and development program.
Provides program funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 9009) Extends the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers through FY2017.
(Sec. 9010) Revises the biomass crop assistance program to: (1) include land enrolled in the agricultural conservation easement program; (2) redefine eligible material; (3) set one-time establishment payments at not more than 50% of establishment cost, not to exceed $500 per acre; (4) set establishment payments at not more than $750 per acre for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; (5) prohibit payments on land for which payments are received under the conservation reserve program or the agricultural conservation easement program; and (6) provide program funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 9011) Repeals the forest biomass for energy program.
(Sec. 9012) Revises the community wood energy program to make grants to biomass consumer cooperatives to provide consumers with services or discounts for purchasing biomass heating systems, biomass heating products, or delivery and storage of biomass heating products.
Authorizes program appropriations through FY2017.
(Sec. 9013) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to repeal the requirement to conduct a renewable fertilizer study.
Title X: Horticulture -
(Sec. 10001) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the specialty crops market news allocation.
(Sec. 10002) Repeals the specialty crop transportation-to-market program.
(Sec. 10003) Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to make CCC funds available through FY2017, and authorize appropriations through FY2017, for the farmers market and local food promotion program.
Includes in the program local and regional food enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, store, and market locally or regionally produced food products. Designates 50% of available funds for such purpose.
(Sec. 10004) Directs the Secretary to: (1) collect data on the production and marketing of locally or regionally produced agricultural food products and monitor the effectiveness of programs to expand or facilitate local food systems, and (2) submit a related annual report to Congress.
(Sec. 10005) Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding organic production and market data initiatives to: (1) require the Secretary to submit related reports to Congress annually, (2) provide additional funding, and (3) authorize appropriations through FY2017.
Amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 regarding the national organic program to: (1) replace the permanent authorization of appropriations with an authorization of appropriations through FY2017; (2) modernize database and technology systems; (3) make specified CCC funds available for FY2013; and (4) direct the Secretary submit a related report to Congress which shall include a feasibility assessment of establishing an organic research and promotion program.
(Sec. 10006) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for food safety education initiatives.
(Sec. 10007) Repeals the coordinated plant management program and establishes the national clean plant network for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to: (1) produce clean propagative plant material, and (2) maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites throughout the United States.
Revises program funding.
(Sec. 10008) Amends the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary to make grants to states through FY2017 to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Authorizes appropriations for FY2013 and subsequent fiscal years.
Bases grants on value and acreage. (Under current law grants are based on value of production.)
Provides for multi-state project grants involving food safety, plant pests and disease, and crop-specific projects addressing common issues. Authorizes the allocation of grant funds through FY2017.
(Sec. 10009) Amends the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to set forth record keeping, investigations, and enforcement provisions.
(Sec. 10010) Directs the Secretary to report to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) describing how a federal honey identification standard would promote fair dealing and would be in the interest of consumers, the honey industry, and U.S. agriculture.
(Sec. 10011) Makes this title effective on October 1, 2012.
Title XI: Crop Insurance -
(Sec. 11001) Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to make available to crop producers a supplemental coverage option (based on area yield and loss) to cover part of a crop insurance policy deductible.
Triggers such option only if area losses exceed 10% of normal levels.
Provides for: (1) 70% premium coverage by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), and (2) coverage to begin no later than crop year 2013.
(Sec. 11002) Reduces catastrophic risk protection premiums paid by FCIC for a producer by the percentage equal to the difference between the average loss ratio for the crop and 100%, plus a reasonable reserve.
(Sec. 11003) Makes permanent the pilot program under which FCIC pays a portion of the premiums for insurance plans or policies for which the insurable unit is defined as a whole farm or enterprise unit.
(Sec. 11004) Makes separate enterprise units available for irrigated and nonirrigated acreages of crops beginning with crop year 2013.
(Sec. 11005) Directs FCIC, in developing yield guarantees, to use: (1) county data collected by the Risk Management Agency and/or the National Agricultural Statistics Service, or (2) if sufficient county data is not available data considered appropriate by the Secretary.
(Sec. 11006) Revises the adjustment in actual production history used to establish insurable yields beginning with crop year 2013.
(Sec. 11007) Requires FCIC to review any policy or pilot program to carry out research and development for new crop insurance policies and submit such policy or program to the Board of Directors if the policy or program will likely result in a marketable policy and improved coverage.
(Sec. 11008) Revises Board review and approval provisions regarding insurance plan proposals by private sector entities.
Authorizes the Board to establish annual submissions priorities.
(Sec. 11009) Requires applicants to consult with potentially-affected producer groups.
(Sec. 11010) Requires, with respect to a renegotiated Standard Reinsurance Agreement; that: (1) any savings must be used for programs administered by the Risk Management Agency; and (2) that such new Agreement be, to the extend practicable, budget neutral.
(Sec. 11011) Requires FCIC, beginning not later than the 2013 upland cotton crop, to make available to producers of maximum eligible acres of upland cotton an additional policy (the Stacked Income Protection Plan) to provide coverage consistent with the Group Risk Income Protection Plan (and the associated Harvest Revenue Option Endorsement) offered by FCIC for the 2011 crop year.
Requires the Plan to: (1) provide revenue loss coverage of not more than 30% of expected county revenue; (2) have a deductible which is the minimum percent of revenue loss at which indemnities are triggered under the plan, not to be less than 10% of the expected county revenue; (3) be offered to producers in all counties with upland cotton production at a county-wide level, or on a larger geographical basis in counties that lack sufficient data; (4) be available as a stand-alone policy or in addition to any other individual or area policy; (5) establish separate coverage for irrigated and nonirrigated practices; and (6) provide an 80% premium subsidy.
Prohibits upland cotton acreage insured under the supplemental coverage option from Plan eligibility.
(Sec. 11012) Requires FCIC and the Risk Management Agency, beginning with the 2013 crop, to make available a revenue crop insurance program for peanuts based on a price equal to the Rotterdam price index for peanuts, as adjusted to reflect the farmer stock price of peanuts in the United States.
(Sec. 11013) Requires FCIC to establish procedures that allow an agent and approved insurance provider to correct producer name and eligibility information.
(Sec. 11014) Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain and upgrade FCIC information management systems used in the administration and enforcement of this title, (2) implement an acreage reporting streamlining initiative to permit producers to report acreage and other information directly to USDA, and (3) notify Congress not later than July 1, 2013, regarding the status of such initiative.
Provides funding through FY2017 for such purposes.
(Sec. 11015) Authorizes the Board to: (1) approve up to 50% of projected costs to be paid in advance to an applicant for crop insurance policy research and development, and (2) make an additional 25% advance payment.
(Sec. 11016) Requires FCIC to: (1) conduct activities or enter into contracts to develop a whole farm risk management insurance plan (with liability up to $1.5 million) that pays an indemnity if gross farm revenue is below 85% of the average gross farm revenue or the expected gross farm revenue, and (2) submit a related report to Congress.
Authorizes FCIC to provide: (1) coverage for packing, packaging or other on-farm activities; and (2) discounts for producers with diversified operations.
(Sec. 11017) Requires FCIC to: (1) offer to enter into a contract with one or more qualified entities to conduct a study to determine whether offering policies that provide coverage for specialty crops from food safety and contamination issues would benefit agricultural producers, and (2) submit a related report to Congress.
(Sec. 11018) Requires FCIC to: (1) contract with a qualified person to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of insuring swine producers for a catastrophic event, and (2) submit a related report to Congress.
(Sec. 11019) Requires: (1) FCIC to offer to enter into a contract with a qualified entity to conduct research and development regarding a policy to insure producers against reduction in the margin between the market value of freshwater catfish reared in controlled or selected environments and selected production costs, and (2) the Board to review and approve such policy under specified conditions.
(Sec. 11020) Requires FCIC to: (1) offer to enter into one or more contracts with qualified entities to carry out a study to determine the feasibility of insuring commercial poultry production against business disruptions caused by integrator bankruptcy, and a study to determine the feasibility of insuring poultry producers for a catastrophic event; and (2) submit related reports to Congress.
(Sec. 11021) Requires FCIC to: (1) offer, by the 2015 reinsurance year, organic crop producers price elections that reflect the actual retail or wholesale prices received by producers for organic crops, and (2) submit related reports to Congress annually.
(Sec. 11022) Authorizes FCIC to conduct crop insurance policy research and development.
Establishes as one of FCIC's highest research priorities policies that increase participation by producers of under-served agricultural commodities, including sweet sorghum, sorghum for biomass, specialty crops, sugarcane, and dedicated energy crops. (Eliminates from such designation the development of a pasture, range, and forage program.)
(Sec. 11023) Eliminates the requirement that FCIC evaluate pilot programs and submit a report to Congress.
(Sec. 11024) Authorizes FCIC to: (1) conduct a pilot program to provide financial assistance for producers of under-served crops and livestock (including specialty crops) to purchase an index-based weather insurance product from a private insurance company, and (2) pay a portion of the premium for a crop and policy that is not reinsured.
Provides funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 11025) Defines "farm financial benchmarking" as: (1) the process of comparing the performance of an agricultural enterprise against the performance of other similar enterprises, through the use of comparable and reliable data, in order to identify business management strengths, weaknesses, and steps necessary to improve management performance and business profitability; and (2) benchmarking of the type conducted by farm management and producer associations consistent with the activities described in or funded pursuant to the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
(Sec. 11026) Defines "beginning farmer or rancher" as a farmer or rancher who has not actively operated and managed a farm or ranch with a bona fide insurable interest in a crop or livestock as an owner-operator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper for more than five crop years.
Sets forth provisions to assist beginning farmers and ranchers, including waiver of risk protection administrative fees and provision of additional premium assistance.
(Sec. 11027) Revises agricultural management assistance provisions to: (1) eliminate eligibility to only producers in specified states, (2) make assistance available for organic certification cost share assistance (50% of allocated funds), (3) make assistance available for risk management education and community outreach partnerships (26% of allocated funds), and (4) provide grants for specified conservation-related activities to producers in states with a low level of federal crop insurance participation (24% of allocated funds).
Provides program funding for FY2013 through FY2017.
(Sec. 11028) Provides crop insurance premiums at 50 percentage points less than the otherwise applicable subsidy for the first four crop years of planting on native sod acreage.
Requires an annual report to Congress on the change in cropland areas in each county and state.
(Sec. 11029) Makes specified technical amendments.
(Sec. 11030) Requires FCIC and the Risk Management Agency to use plain language when issuing crop insurance regulations and guidance.
Directs the Secretary to improve the crop insurance information website.
(Sec. 11031) Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on crop insurance fraud.
(Sec. 11032) Reduces crop insurance premium subsidies by 15 percentage points for producers with an adjusted gross income greater than $750,000, beginning in crop year 2014.
Title XII: Miscellaneous -
Subtitle A: Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Limited Resource Producers -
(Sec. 12001) Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2017 for outreach and assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and (2) provide mandatory program funding through FY2017.
Includes farmers and ranchers who are veterans in such program.
(Sec. 12002) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
Subtitle B: Livestock: -
(Sec. 12101) Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to establish within USDA a wildlife reservoir zoonotic disease initiative to provide grants for research and development of surveillance methods, vaccines, vaccination delivery systems, or diagnostic tests for covered diseases (a disease affecting domestic livestock that is transmitted primarily from wildlife).
Gives priority to grants that address: (1) brucella abortus (bovine brucellosis), (2) mycobacterium bovis (bovine tuberculosis), or (3) another zoonotic livestock disease that is covered by a high-priority research and extension initiative under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
Authorizes appropriations through FY2017. Obligates at least 30% of such funds for grants that address brucella abortus and mycobacterium bovis.
(Sec. 12102) Amends the Animal Health Protection Act to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for: (1) the trichinae certification program; and (2) activities to prohibit or restrict the exportation of any animal, article, or means of conveyance in order to prevent the dissemination from or within the United States of any livestock pest or disease.
(Sec. 12103) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to authorize appropriations through FY2017 for the national aquatic animal health plan.
(Sec. 12104) Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary to establish a sheep production and marketing grant program. Provides FY2013 funding.
(Sec. 12105) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a feral swine eradication pilot program. Authorizes appropriations through FY2017.
Subtitle C: Other Miscellaneous Programs -
(Sec. 12201) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to direct the Secretary to establish in USDA the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to: (1) provide returning veterans with information about beginning farmer training and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; (2) provide veterans with information concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, agricultural programs participation; and (3) advocate on behalf of veterans with the Department.
(Sec. 12202) Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to provide that USDA may only release certain farm-related information to a state agency, political subdivision, or local governmental agency that is charged with implementing an agriculture or conservation program if the Secretary determines that the state agency, political subdivision, or local governmental agency demonstrates that the disclosure is required for implementing the state program.
States that such information may used solely by the state agency, political subdivision, or local governmental agency, and shall be exempt from public disclosure, including under any state law that allows a citizen to petition for such information.
(Sec. 12203) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for grants to improve the supply, stability, safety, and training of the agricultural labor force.
(Sec. 12204) Amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide coverages based on individual yields (other than for value-loss crops) under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program equivalent to: (1) catastrophic risk protection, or (2) specified additional coverage.
Makes crops and grasses used for grazing, ferns, and tropical fish ineligible for program participation.
Increases program service fees.
Makes additional program coverage available at 50% to 65% of established yield and 100% of average market price.
Reduces the premium for additional coverage by 50% for limited resource, beginning, and socially disadvantaged farmers.
Makes assistance available as soon as possible after October 1, 2013, to producers with 2012 fruit crop losses in counties declared a disaster due to freeze or frost.
(Sec. 12205) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017 for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, the Southwest Border Regional Commission, and the Northern Border Regional Commission.
Allows the cap on administrative expenses to exceed 10% if a Commission receives an annual appropriation of less than $10 million.
(Sec. 12206) Provides that if the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) determines that a population of Canada geese residing on National Park Service land within five miles of any commercial airport is an air traffic risk, USDA, through the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, shall publish a management plan by the first molting season after enactment of this Act which shall provide for the removal of geese on all applicable land within one year of its publication.
Directs the Secretary, by June 1, 2012, to issue a decision on a plan for removing geese from National Park Service (NPS) land near JFK International Airport in New York (such removal to be completed by August 1, 2012).
(Sec. 12207) Amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish an Office of Tribal Relations within the Office of the Secretary.
(Sec. 12208) Amends the the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act to repeal the USDA catfish inspection and grading program.
(Sec. 12209) Expresses the sense of the Senate that nothing in this Act should manipulate prices or interfere with the free market.
(Sec. 12210) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to make grants to state and tribal governments to promote the domestic maple syrup industry, and (2) program appropriations through FY2015.
(Sec. 12211) Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to provide that any area classified as "rural" or a "rural area" at any time between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010, shall continue to be so classified until receipt of data from the 2020 decennial census, if that area has a population of between 10,000 and 35,000 (currently, between 10,000 and 25,000), is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower- and moderate-income families.
(Sec. 12212) Amends the Animal Welfare Act to exclude from regulation the owner of a common domesticated household pet who derives less than a substantial portion of income from a nonprimary source for exhibiting an animal that exclusively resides at the pet owner's residence.
(Sec. 12213) Prohibits any person from knowingly attending an animal fighting venture or causing a minor (a person under the age of 18) to attend such a venture.
Subjects any person who: (1) knowingly attends such venture to a fine and/or imprisonment for up to a year for each violation, and (2) causes a minor to attend such venture to a fine and/or imprisonment for up to three years for each violation.
(Sec. 12214) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate public financing for national party conventions beginning with elections occurring after December 31, 2012.
Requires that any returned funds from a national committee to the Treasury be used for deficit reduction.
(Sec. 12215) Requires sequestration-related reports from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the President, and the Secretary of Defense (DOD).
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Bill titles: An original bill to reauthorize agricultural programs through 2017, and for other purposes.
Links for more info on the vote: congress.gov
