1. Waiver under specialty crop research initiative
In general— Section 412(g)(3) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(g)(3)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “An entity” and inserting “Subject to subparagraph (C), an entity”; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(C) Waiver—The Secretary may waive the matching funds requirement under subparagraph (A) with respect to a grant made under this section if the Secretary determines that—
“(i) the research conducted using grant funds—
“(I) will benefit a specific specialty crop; and
“(II) are likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally, including specialty crops; or
“(ii)
“(I) the grant involves scientifically important research; and
“(II) the recipient of such grant is unable to satisfy such matching funds requirement.”
Application— The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to grants awarded on or after October 1, 2019.