Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Solving Our Shortages for Seedlings Act” or the “SOS for Seedlings Act”.
Solving Our Shortages for Seedlings Act
A BILL
To address the nationwide shortage of tree seedlings, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Seedling strategy
In general— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall develop and implement a national strategy to increase the capacity of Federal, State, Tribal, and private nurseries to address the nationwide shortage of tree seedlings.
Elements— The strategy required under subsection (a) shall—
be based on the best available science and data; and
identify and address—
regional seedling shortages of bareroot and container tree seedlings;
regional reforestation opportunities and the seedling supply necessary to fulfill such opportunities;
opportunities to enhance seedling diversity and close gaps in seed inventories; and
barriers to expanding, enhancing, or creating new infrastructure to increase nursery capacity.
Sec. 3 Federal nurseries
Section 2 of the Act of June 9, 1930 (16 U.S.C. 576a; commonly known as the “Knutson-Vandenberg Act”), is amended by striking “each fiscal year after year ending June 30, 1934, not to exceed $400,000,” and inserting “each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, $25,000,000,”.
Sec. 4 Loan program for State, Tribal, and private nurseries
In general— The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out a loan program to make or guarantee qualified nursery loans to eligible entities under this section.
Application— To be eligible to receive a qualified nursery loan or loan guarantee under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary of Agriculture an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan to maintain the genetic and physical quality of seedlings of the eligible entity.
Priority— In making qualified nursery loans or loan guarantees under this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall give priority to eligible entities that—
are small businesses, in particular small businesses located in rural areas;
create or support jobs, particularly in rural areas; and
serve regions with high demand for reforestation.
Qualified nursery project— A loan or loan guarantee under this section may only be used to carry out a qualified nursery project to—
develop, expand, enhance, or improve nursery capacity or infrastructure;
establish nurseries; or
develop or implement quality control measures at nurseries.
Loan and loan guarantee terms—
Amount guaranteed— The portion of a loan that the Secretary of Agriculture may guarantee under this section may not be greater than 80 percent of the principal amount of such loan.
Repayment— The period of repayment for a loan made under this section shall not exceed 20 years.
Administrative provisions—
Limitation on authority— The total amount of qualified nursery loans made or guaranteed under this section by the Secretary may not exceed $1,000,000,000.
Distribution— The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that loans made or guaranteed under this section are distributed across diverse geographic regions.
Definitions— In this section:
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means—
a State, Tribal, or local government; or
a domestic private, non-profit, or cooperative organization.
Nursery— The term ‘nursery means a State, Tribal, or local government or private owned facility that grows, stores, extracts, or monitors bareroot or container tree seedlings.
Qualified nursery loan— The term qualified nursery loan means a low-interest loan, the proceeds of which are used to cover the costs to the borrower of carrying out a qualified nursery project described in subsection (d).