Title XII — Miscellaneous

115th Congress · Approved Dec 20, 2018 · 132 Stat. 4490

TITLE XII Miscellaneous

Subtitle A Livestock

SEC. 12101. Animal Disease Prevention and Management.

(a)

Definition.— Section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(18) Veterinary countermeasure.—The term ‘veterinary countermeasure’ means any biological product (including an animal vaccine or diagnostic), pharmaceutical product (including a therapeutic), non-pharmaceutical product (including a disinfectant), or other product or equipment to prevent, detect, respond to, or mitigate harm to public or animal health resulting from, animal pests or diseases.”

(b)

Animal Disease Preparedness and Response.— Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A) is amended—

(1)

by striking the section heading and inserting “ animal disease prevention and management”;

(2)

in subsection (a), by striking “ (a) Definition of Eligible Laboratory.—In this section,” and inserting the following:

“(a) National Animal Health Laboratory Network.—

“(1) Definition of eligible laboratory.—In this subsection,”

(3)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, and moving the margins of such clauses (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right;

(B)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving the margins of such subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right;

(4)

by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively, and moving the margins of such paragraphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; and

(5)

by adding at the end the following:

“(b) National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program.—

“(1) Program required.—The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (referred to in this section as ‘the Program’), to address the increasing risk of the introduction and spread within the United States of animal pests and diseases affecting the economic interests of the livestock and related industries of the United States, including the maintenance and expansion of export markets.

“(2) Program activities.—Activities under the Program shall include, to the extent practicable, the following:

“(A) Enhancing animal pest and disease analysis and surveillance.

“(B) Expanding outreach and education.

“(C) Targeting domestic inspection activities at vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum.

“(D) Enhancing and strengthening threat identification technology.

“(E) Improving biosecurity.

“(F) Enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities, including training additional emergency response personnel.

“(G) Conducting technology development to enhance electronic sharing of animal health data for risk analysis between State and Federal animal health officials.

“(H) Enhancing the development and effectiveness of animal health technologies to treat and prevent animal disease, including—

“(i) veterinary biologics and diagnostics;

“(ii) animal drugs for minor uses and minor species;

“(iii) animal medical devices; and

“(iv) emerging veterinary countermeasures.

“(I) Such other activities as determined appropriate by the Secretary, in consultation with eligible entities specified in paragraph (3).

“(3) Eligible entities.—To carry out the Program, the Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements or other legal instruments, as authorized under section 10413 (referred to in this section as ‘agreements’) with eligible entities, to be selected by the Secretary, which may include any of the following entities, either individually or in combination:

“(A) A State department of agriculture.

“(B) The office of the chief animal health official of a State.

“(C) An entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure program (as defined in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C))).

“(D) A college of veterinary medicine, including a veterinary emergency team at such college.

“(E) A State or national livestock producer organization with direct and significant economic interest in livestock production.

“(F) A State emergency agency.

“(G) A State, national, allied, or regional veterinary organization or specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“(H) An Indian Tribe.

“(I) A Federal agency.

“(4) Special funding considerations.—In entering into agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to applications submitted by—

“(A) a State department of agriculture or an office of the chief animal health official of a State; or

“(B) an eligible entity that will carry out program activities in a State or region in which—

“(i) an animal pest or disease is a Federal concern; or

“(ii) the Secretary determines a potential exists for the spread of an animal pest or disease after taking into consideration—

“(I) the agricultural industries in the State or region;

“(II) factors contributing to animal pest or disease in the State or region, such as the climate, natural resources, and geography of, and native and exotic wildlife species and other disease vectors in, the State or region; and

“(III) the movement of animals in the State or region.

“(5) Consultation.—For purposes of setting priorities under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with eligible entities specified in paragraph (3). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to consultation carried out under this paragraph.

“(6) Application.—

“(A) In general.—An eligible entity specified in paragraph (3) seeking to enter into an agreement under the Program shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary may require.

“(B) Notification.—The Secretary shall notify each applicant of—

“(i) the requirements to be imposed on the eligible entity that is the recipient of funds under the Program for auditing of, and reporting on, the use of such funds; and

“(ii) the criteria to be used to ensure activities supported using such funds are based on sound scientific data or thorough risk assessments.

“(C) Non-federal contributions.—When deciding whether to enter into an agreement under the Program with an eligible entity described in paragraph (3), the Secretary—

“(i) may take into consideration an eligible entity’s ability to contribute non-Federal funds to carry out such an agreement; and

“(ii) shall not require such an eligible entity to make such a contribution as a condition to enter into an agreement.

“(7) Use of funds.—

“(A) Use consistent with terms of cooperative agreement.—The recipient of funds under the Program shall use the funds for the purposes and in the manner provided in the agreement under which the funds are provided.

“(B) Sub-agreement.—Nothing in this section prevents an eligible entity from using funds received under the Program to enter into sub-agreements with another eligible entity or with a political subdivision of a State that has legal responsibilities relating to animal disease prevention, surveillance, or rapid response.

“(8) Reporting requirement.—Not later than 90 days after the date of completion of an activity conducted using funds provided under the Program, the recipient of such funds shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the purposes and results of the activities.”

(c)

National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank.— Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsection (b), is further amended by inserting after subsection (b) (as added by subsection (b)(5) of this section) the following:

“(c) National Animal Vaccine Bank.—

“(1) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures bank (to be known as the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank and referred to in this subsection as the ‘Vaccine Bank’) to benefit the domestic interests of the United States.

“(2) Elements of vaccine bank.—Through the Vaccine Bank, the Secretary shall—

“(A) maintain sufficient quantities of veterinary countermeasures to appropriately and rapidly respond to the most damaging animal diseases affecting or with potential to affect human health or the economy of the United States; and

“(B) leverage, when appropriate, the mechanisms and infrastructure that have been developed for the management, storage, and distribution of the National Veterinary Stockpile.

“(3) Priority for response to foot and mouth disease.—The Secretary shall prioritize the acquisition and maintenance of sufficient quantities of foot and mouth disease vaccine and accompanying diagnostic products for the Vaccine Bank. As part of such prioritization, the Secretary may offer to enter into one or more contracts with one or more entities that are capable of producing foot and mouth disease vaccine and that have surge production capacity of the vaccine.”

(d)

Funding.— Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is further amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:

“(d) Funding.—

“(1) Mandatory funding.—

“(A) Fiscal years 2019 through 2022.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $120,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, of which not less than $5,000,000 shall be made available for each of those fiscal years to carry out subsection (b).

“(B) Subsequent fiscal years.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, of which not less than $18,000,000 shall be made available for each of those fiscal years to carry out subsection (b).

“(2) Authorization of appropriations.—

“(A) National animal health laboratory network.—In addition to the funds made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out subsection (a).

“(B) National animal disease preparedness and response program; national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures bank.—In addition to the funds made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out subsections (b) and (c).

“(C) Additionality.—The funds authorized for appropriation under this paragraph are in addition to any funds authorized or otherwise made available under this section or section 10417.

“(3) Administrative costs.—

“(A) Secretary.—Of the funds made available under this section or section 10417 to carry out the National Animal Health Laboratory Network under subsection (a) and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program under subsection (b), not more than 4 percent may be retained by the Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred by the Secretary.

“(B) Eligible entities.—Of the funds made available under this section or section 10417 to carry out the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program under subsection (b), not more than 10 percent may be retained by an eligible entity that receives funds under any agreement entered into under such subsection, including any sub-agreement under paragraph (7)(B) of such subsection to pay administrative costs incurred by the eligible entity to carry out activities under the Program.

“(4) Duration of availability.—Funds made available under this subsection, including any proceeds credited under paragraph (5), shall remain available until expended.

“(5) Proceeds from veterinary countermeasures sales.—Any proceeds of a sale of veterinary countermeasures from the Vaccine Bank shall be—

“(A) deposited into the Treasury of the United States; and

“(B) credited to the account for the operation of the Vaccine Bank to be made available for expenditure without further appropriation.

“(6) Limitations on use of funds for certain purposes.—Funds made available under the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and the Vaccine Bank shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition or expansion of an existing building or facility, including site grading and improvement and architect fees.

“(e) Availability and Purpose of Funding.—

“(1) In general.—Using the funds made available under subsection (d), the Secretary of Agriculture shall offer to enter into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other legal instruments under subsections (a) through (c) during each of the fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

“(2) Effect.—Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to terminate a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other legal instrument entered into during the period specified in such paragraph.”

SEC. 12102. Sheep Production and Marketing Grant Program.

Section 209(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1627a(c)) is amended by striking “ $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2014” and inserting “ $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2019”.

SEC. 12103. Feasibility Study on Livestock Dealer Statutory Trust.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer statutory trust.

(b)

Contents.— The study conducted under subsection (a) shall—

(1)

analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer statutory trust would affect buyer and seller behavior in markets for livestock (as defined in section 2(a) of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 182));

(2)

examine how the establishment of a livestock dealer statutory trust would affect seller recovery in the event of a livestock dealer payment default;

(3)

consider what potential effects a livestock dealer statutory trust would have on credit availability, including impacts on lenders and lending behavior and other industry participants;

(4)

examine unique circumstances common to livestock dealers and how those circumstances could impact the functionality of a livestock dealer statutory trust;

(5)

study the feasibility of the industry-wide adoption of electronic funds transfer or another expeditious method of payment to provide sellers of livestock protection from nonsufficient funds payments;

(6)

assess the effectiveness of statutory trusts in other segments of agriculture, whether similar effects could be experienced under a livestock dealer statutory trust, and whether authorizing the Secretary to appoint an independent trustee under the livestock dealer statutory trust would improve seller recovery;

(7)

consider the effects of exempting dealers with average annual purchases under a de minimis threshold from being subject to the livestock dealer statutory trust; and

(8)

analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer statutory trust would affect the treatment of sellers of livestock as it relates to preferential transfer in bankruptcy.

(c)

Report.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 12104. Definition of Livestock.

Section 602(2) of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471(2)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking “ fish” and all that follows through “ that—” and inserting “ llamas, alpacas, live fish, crawfish, and other animals that—”.

SEC. 12105. National Aquatic Animal Health Plan.

Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322) is amended—

(1)

by striking subsection (d); and

(2)

by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).

SEC. 12106. Veterinary Training.

Section 10504 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8318) is amended—

(1)

by inserting “ and veterinary teams, including those based at colleges of veterinary medicine,” after “ veterinarians”; and

(2)

by inserting before the period at the end the following: “ and who are capable of providing effective services before, during, and after emergencies”.

SEC. 12107. Report on Fsis Guidance and Outreach to Small Meat Processors.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall offer to enter into a contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-grant college of agriculture (as those terms are defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101)) to review the effectiveness of existing Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance materials and other tools used by small and very small establishments, as defined by regulations issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, operating under Federal inspection, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, including—

(1)

the effectiveness of the outreach conducted by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to small and very small establishments;

(2)

the effectiveness of the guidance materials and other tools used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to assist small and very small establishments; and

(3)

the responsiveness of Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel to inquiries and issues from small and very small establishments.

(b)

Report.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes—

(1)

the results of the review conducted under subsection (a); and

(2)

recommendations on measures the Food Safety and Inspection Service should take to improve regulatory clarity and consistency and ensure all guidance materials and other tools take into account small and very small establishments.

SEC. 12108. Regional Cattle and Carcass Grading Correlation and Training Centers.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall establish not more than 3 regional centers, to be known as Cattle and Carcass Grading Correlation and Training Centers (referred to in this section as the “Centers”), to provide education and training for cattle and carcass beef graders of the Agricultural Marketing Service, cattle producers, and other professionals involved in the reporting, delivery, and grading of feeder cattle, live cattle, and carcasses—

(1)

to limit the subjectivity in the application of beef grading standards;

(2)

to provide producers with greater confidence in the price of the producers’ cattle; and

(3)

to provide investors with both long and short positions more assurance in the cattle delivery system.

(b)

Location.— The Centers shall be located near cattle feeding and slaughter populations and areas shall be strategically identified in order to capture regional variances in cattle production.

(c)

Administration.— Each Center shall be organized and administered by offices of the Department of Agriculture in operation on the date on which the respective Center is established, or in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies or academic institutions.

(d)

Training Program.— The Centers shall offer intensive instructional programs involving classroom and field training work for individuals described in subsection (a).

(e)

Coordination of Resources.— Each Center, in carrying out the functions of the Center, shall make use of information generated by the Department of Agriculture, the State agricultural extension and research stations, relevant designated contract markets, and the practical experience of area cattle producers, especially cattle producers cooperating in on-farm demonstrations, correlations, and research projects.

(f)

Prohibition on Construction.— Funds made available to carry out this section shall not be used for the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this section to provide a Center with payment for the cost of the rental of a space determined to be necessary by the Center for conducting training under this section and may accept donations (including in-kind contributions) to cover such cost.

Subtitle B Agriculture and Food Defense

SEC. 12201. Repeal of Office of Homeland Security.

Section 14111 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8911) is repealed.

SEC. 12202. Office of Homeland Security.

Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 221. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

“(a) Definition of Agriculture and Food Defense.—In this section, the term ‘agriculture and food defense’ means any action to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, or recover from a naturally occurring, unintentional, or intentional threat to the agriculture and food system.

“(b) Authorization.—The Secretary shall establish in the Department the Office of Homeland Security.

“(c) Executive Director.—The Office of Homeland Security shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be known as the Executive Director of Homeland Security.

“(d) Duties.—The Executive Director of Homeland Security shall—

“(1) serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense;

“(2) coordinate activities of the Department, including policies, processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense;

“(3) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department with other Federal departments and agencies in activities relating to homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense, and provide for interagency coordination and data sharing;

“(4)

(A) coordinate in the Department the gathering of information relevant to early warning and awareness of threats and risks to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and

“(B) share that information with, and provide assistance with interpretation and risk characterization of that information to, the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), law enforcement agencies, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j));

“(5) liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to assist in the development of periodic assessments and intelligence estimates, or other intelligence products, that support the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector;

“(6) coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement of exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness and response;

“(7) produce a Department-wide centralized strategic coordination plan to provide a high-level perspective of the operations of the Department relating to homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense; and

“(8) carry out other appropriate duties, as determined by the Secretary.

“(e) Agriculture and Food Threat Awareness Partnership Program.—

“(1) Interagency exchange program.—The Secretary, in partnership with the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) and fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)) that have analysis and intelligence capabilities relating to the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, shall establish and carry out an interagency exchange program of personnel and information to improve communication and analysis for the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector.

“(2) Collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.—To carry out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary may—

“(A) enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements or contracts with Federal, State, or local authorities that have analysis and intelligence capabilities and expertise relating to the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and

“(B) carry out any other activity under any other authority of the Secretary that is appropriate to engage the authorities described in subparagraph (A) for the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, as determined by the Secretary.”

SEC. 12203. Agriculture and Food Defense.

(a)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Animal.— The term “animal” has the meaning given the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).

(2)

Disease or pest of concern.— The term “disease or pest of concern” means a plant or animal disease or pest that—

(A)

is—

(i)

a transboundary disease; or

(ii)

an established disease; and

(B)

is likely to pose a significant risk to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector that warrants efforts at prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

(3)

Established disease.— The term “established disease” means a plant or animal disease or pest that—

(A)

(i)

if it becomes established, poses an imminent threat to agriculture in the United States; or

(ii)

has become established, as defined by the Secretary, within the United States; and

(B)

requires management.

(4)

High-consequence plant transboundary disease.— The term “high-consequence plant transboundary disease” means a transboundary disease that is—

(A)

(i)

a plant disease; or

(ii)

a plant pest; and

(B)

of high consequence, as determined by the Secretary.

(5)

Pest.— The term “pest”—

(A)

with respect to a plant, has the meaning given the term “plant pest” in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702); and

(B)

with respect to an animal, has the meaning given the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).

(6)

Plant.— The term “plant” has the meaning given the term in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702).

(7)

Plant health management strategy.— The term “plant health management strategy” means a strategy to timely control and eradicate a plant disease or plant pest outbreak, including through mitigation (such as chemical control), surveillance, the use of diagnostic products and procedures, and the use of existing resistant seed stock.

(8)

Transboundary disease.—

(A)

In general.— The term “transboundary disease” means a plant or animal disease or pest that is within 1 or more countries outside of the United States.

(B)

Inclusion.— The term “transboundary disease” includes a plant or animal disease or pest described in subparagraph (A) that—

(i)

has emerged within the United States; or

(ii)

has been introduced within the United States.

(9)

Veterinary countermeasure.— The term “veterinary countermeasure” has the meaning given such term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302).

(b)

Disease or Pest of Concern Response Planning.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary shall—

(A)

establish a list of diseases or pests of concern by—

(i)

developing a process to solicit and receive expert opinion and evidence relating to the diseases or pests of concern entered on the list; and

(ii)

reviewing all available evidence relating to the diseases or pests of concern entered on the list, including classified information; and

(B)

periodically update the list established under subparagraph (A).

(2)

Response plans.—

(A)

Comprehensive strategic response plan or plans.— The Secretary shall develop, in collaboration with appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local officials, a comprehensive strategic response plan or plans, as appropriate, for the diseases or pests of concern that are entered on the list established under paragraph (1).

(B)

State or region response plan or plans.— The Secretary shall provide information to a State or region to assist in producing a response plan or plans that shall include a concept of operations for a disease or pest of concern or a platform concept of operations for responses to similar diseases or pests of concern that are determined to be a priority to the State or region that shall, as appropriate—

(i)

describe the appropriate interactions among, and roles of—

(I)

Federal, State, Tribal, and units of local government; and

(II)

plant or animal industry partners;

(ii)

include a decision matrix or dynamic decision modeling tools that, as appropriate, include—

(I)

information and timing requirements necessary for the use of veterinary countermeasures;

(II)

plant health management strategies;

(III)

deployment of other key materials and resources; and

(IV)

parameters for transitioning from outbreak response to disease management;

(iii)

identify key response performance metrics to establish—

(I)

benchmarking to provide assessments of capabilities, capacity, and readiness to achieve response goals and objectives;

(II)

progressive exercise evaluation; and

(III)

continuing improvement of a response plan, including by providing for—

(aa)

ongoing exercises;

(bb)

improvement planning and the implementation of corrective actions to enhance a response plan over time; and

(cc)

strategic information to guide investment in any appropriate research to mitigate the risk of a disease or pest of concern; and

(iv)

be updated periodically, including in response to—

(I)

an exercise evaluation; or

(II)

new risk information becoming available regarding a disease or pest of concern.

(3)

Coordination of plans.— Pursuant to section 221(d)(6) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, as added by section 12202, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, assist in coordinating with other appropriate Federal, State, regional, or local officials in the exercising of the plans developed under paragraph (2).

(c)

National Plant Diagnostic Network.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary shall establish in the Department of Agriculture a National Plant Diagnostic Network to monitor and surveil through diagnostics threats to plant health from diseases or pests of concern in the United States.

(2)

Requirements.— The National Plant Diagnostic Network established under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

provide for increased awareness, surveillance, early identification, rapid communication, warning, and diagnosis of a threat to plant health from a disease or pest of concern to protect natural and agricultural plant resources;

(B)

coordinate and collaborate with agencies of the Department of Agriculture and State agencies and authorities involved in plant health;

(C)

establish diagnostic laboratory standards;

(D)

establish regional hubs throughout the United States that provide expertise, leadership, and support to diagnostic labs relating to the agricultural crops and plants in the covered regions of those hubs; and

(E)

establish a national repository for records of endemic or emergent diseases and pests of concern.

(3)

Head of network.—

(A)

In general.— The Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture shall serve as the head of the National Plant Diagnostic Network.

(B)

Duties.— The head of the National Plant Diagnostic Network shall—

(i)

coordinate and collaborate with land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in carrying out the requirements under paragraph (2), including through cooperative agreements described in paragraph (4);

(ii)

partner with the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for assistance with plant health regulation and inspection; and

(iii)

coordinate with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, in carrying out activities relating to the National Plant Diagnostic Network, including the sharing of biosurveillance information.

(4)

Collaboration with land-grant colleges and universities.— The Secretary shall seek to establish cooperative agreements with land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) that have the appropriate level of skill, experience, and competence with plant diseases or pests of concern.

(5)

Authorization of appropriations.— In addition to the amount authorized to carry out this subtitle under section 12205, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

(d)

National Plant Disease Recovery System.—

(1)

Recovery system.— The Secretary shall establish in the Department of Agriculture a National Plant Disease Recovery System to engage in strategic long-range planning to recover from high-consequence plant transboundary diseases.

(2)

Requirements.— The National Plant Disease Recovery System established under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

coordinate with disease or pest of concern concept of operations response plans;

(B)

make long-range plans for the initiation of future research projects relating to high-consequence plant transboundary diseases;

(C)

establish research plans for long-term recovery;

(D)

plan for the identification and use of specific genotypes, cultivars, breeding lines, and other disease-resistant materials necessary for crop stabilization or improvement; and

(E)

establish a watch list of high-consequence plant transboundary diseases for the purpose of making long-range plans under subparagraph (B).

SEC. 12204. Biological Agents and Toxins List.

Section 212(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended—

(1)

in subclause (III), by striking “ and” at the end;

(2)

by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause (V); and

(3)

by inserting after subclause (III) the following:

“(IV)

(aa) whether such inclusion would have a substantial negative impact on the research and development of solutions for the animal or plant disease caused by the agent or toxin; and

“(bb) whether the negative impact described in item (aa) would substantially outweigh the risk posed by the agent or toxin to animal or plant health if it is not included on the list; and”

SEC. 12205. Authorization of Appropriations.

In addition to other amounts made available under this subtitle, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

Subtitle C Historically Underserved Producers

SEC. 12301. Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.

(a)

Repeal.—

(1)

In general.— Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is repealed.

(2)

Conforming amendments.—

(A)

Section 226B(e)(2)(B) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(e)(2)(B)) is amended by striking “ the beginning farmer and rancher development program established under section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f).” and inserting “ the beginning farmer and rancher development grant program established under subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).”.

(B)

Section 251(f)(1)(D) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(D)) is amended by striking clause (iv) and inserting the following:

“(iv) The beginning farmer and rancher development grant program established under subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).”

(C)

Section 7506(e) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614c(e)) is amended—

(i)

in paragraph (2)(C)—

(I)

by striking clause (v);

(II)

by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) as clauses (ii) through (v), respectively;

(III)

by inserting before clause (ii) (as so redesignated) the following:

“(i) each grant and cooperative agreement awarded under subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);”

(IV)

in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by striking “ 450i(b)(2));” and inserting “ 3157(b)(2));”; and

(V)

in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by adding “ and” at the end; and

(ii)

in paragraph (4)—

(I)

by striking subparagraph (E);

(II)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as subparagraphs (B) through (E), respectively;

(III)

by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) the following:

“(A) subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279);”

(IV)

in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), by striking “ 450i(b));” and inserting “ 3157(b));”;

(V)

in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by adding “ or” at the end; and

(VI)

in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), by striking “ ; or” and inserting a period.

(b)

Outreach and Education for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers, Veteran Farmers and Ranchers, and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers.— Section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended—

(1)

by striking the section heading and inserting “ farming opportunities training and outreach”;

(2)

by redesignating subsection (i) as paragraph (5) (and moving the margins of such paragraph 2 ems to the right) and moving such paragraph (as so redesignated) so as to follow subsection (a)(4);

(3)

by redesignating subsections (a) (as amended by paragraph (2)), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), and (h) as subsections (c), (g), (k), (h), (a), (i), and (j), respectively, and moving the subsections so as to appear in alphabetical order;

(4)

by moving paragraph (5) of subsection (a) (as so redesignated) so as to appear at the end of subsection (c) (as so redesignated) and redesignating such paragraph as paragraph (6);

(5)

in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)—

(A)

by striking the subsection designation and heading and inserting the following:

“(a) Definitions.—In this section:”

(B)

by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (6) as paragraphs (6), (5), (1), (3), and (4), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;

(C)

in paragraphs (1), (5), and (6) (as so redesignated), by striking “ As used in this section, the” each place it appears and inserting “ The”;

(D)

in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)—

(i)

in the paragraph heading, by striking “ agriculture” and inserting “ agricultural”; and

(ii)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ agriculture” and inserting “ agricultural”; and

(E)

by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) the following:

“(2) Beginning farmer or rancher.—The term ‘beginning farmer or rancher’ means a person that—

“(A)

(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; or

“(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 years; and

“(B) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may establish.”

(6)

by inserting after subsection (a) (as so redesignated) the following:

“(b) Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach.—The Secretary shall carry out this section to encourage and assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers in the ownership and operation of farms and ranches through—

“(1) education and training; and

“(2) equitable participation in all agricultural programs of the Department.”

(7)

in subsection (c) (as so redesignated and as amended by paragraph (4))—

(A)

in the subsection heading, by inserting “ for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers” after “ Assistance”;

(B)

by striking paragraph (4);

(C)

by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (6) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (1), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order;

(D)

in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ The term” and inserting “ In this subsection, the term”;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking “ subsection (a)” and inserting “ this subsection”; and

(iii)

in subparagraph (F), by striking “ 450b))” and inserting “ 5304))”;

(E)

in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)—

(i)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out” and inserting “ Using funds made available under subsection (l), the Secretary of Agriculture shall, for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, carry out”; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking “ agricultural” and inserting “ agricultural, forestry, and related”;

(iii)

by striking “ agricultural” and inserting “ agricultural, forestry, and related”;

(F)

in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking “ (1)” in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and inserting “ (2)”; and

(G)

in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

by striking the subparagraph heading and inserting “ Outreach and technical assistance.—”;

(II)

by striking “ (2)” and inserting “ (3)”; and

(III)

by inserting “ to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers” after “ assistance”;

(ii)

in subparagraph (C), by striking “ (1)” and inserting “ (2)”;

(iii)

in subparagraph (D), by adding at the end the following:

“(v) The number of farms or ranches started, maintained, or improved as a result of funds made available under the program.

“(vi) Actions taken by the Secretary in partnership with eligible entities to enhance participation in agricultural programs by veteran farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.

“(vii) The effectiveness of the actions described in clause (vi).”

; and

(iv)

by adding at the end the following:

“(E) Maximum term and amount of grant, contract, or agreement.—A grant, contract, or agreement entered into under subparagraph (A) shall be—

“(i) for a term of not longer than 3 years; and

“(ii) in an amount that is not more than $250,000 for each year of the grant, contract, or agreement.

“(F) Priority.—In making grants and entering into contracts and other agreements under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental and community-based organizations with an expertise in working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers.

“(G) Regional balance.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographical diversity of eligible entities to which grants are made and contracts and other agreements are entered into under subparagraph (A).

“(H) Prohibition.—A grant, contract, or other agreement under subparagraph (A) may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.

“(I) Peer review.—The Secretary shall establish a fair and efficient external peer review process that—

“(i) the Secretary shall use in making grants and entering into contracts and other agreements under subparagraph (A); and

“(ii) shall include a broad representation of peers of the eligible entity.

“(J) Input from eligible entities.—The Secretary shall seek input from eligible entities providing technical assistance under this subsection not less than once each year to ensure that the program is responsive to the eligible entities providing that technical assistance.”

(8)

by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) the following:

“(d) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant Program.—

“(1) In general.—Using funds made available under subsection (l), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall, for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, make competitive grants or enter into cooperative agreements to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.

“(2) Included programs and services.—Initiatives described in paragraph (1) may include programs or services, as appropriate, relating to—

“(A) basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices;

“(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer and succession strategies;

“(C) entrepreneurship and business training;

“(D) technical assistance to help beginning farmers or ranchers acquire land from retiring farmers and ranchers;

“(E) financial and risk management training, including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit;

“(F) natural resource management and planning;

“(G) diversification and marketing strategies;

“(H) curriculum development;

“(I) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;

“(J) resources and referral;

“(K) farm financial benchmarking;

“(L) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veteran farmers and ranchers;

“(M) farm safety and awareness;

“(N) food safety and recordkeeping; and

“(O) other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers and ranchers.

“(3) Eligibility.—

“(A) In general.—To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection, the recipient of the grant or participant in the cooperative agreement shall be a collaborative State, Tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities.

“(B) Inclusions.—A recipient of a grant or a participant that enters into a cooperative agreement described in subparagraph (A) may include—

“(i) a State cooperative extension service;

“(ii) a Federal, State, municipal, or Tribal agency;

“(iii) a community-based or nongovernmental organization;

“(iv) a college or university (including an institution awarding an associate’s degree) or foundation maintained by a college or university; or

“(v) any other appropriate partner, as determined by the Secretary.

“(4) Terms of grants or cooperative agreement.—A grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall—

“(A) be for a term of not longer than 3 years; and

“(B) provide not more than $250,000 for each year.

“(5) Matching requirement.—

“(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), to be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection, a recipient or participant shall provide a match in the form of cash or in-kind contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of the funds provided by the grant or cooperative agreement.

“(B) Exception.—The Secretary may waive or reduce the matching requirement in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines such a waiver or modification is necessary to effectively reach an underserved area or population.

“(6) Evaluation criteria.—In making grants or entering into cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall evaluate, with respect to applications for the grants or cooperative agreements—

“(A) relevancy;

“(B) technical merit;

“(C) achievability;

“(D) the expertise and track record of 1 or more applicants;

“(E) the consultation of beginning farmers and ranchers in design, implementation, and decisionmaking relating to an initiative described in paragraph (1);

“(F) the adequacy of plans for—

“(i) a participatory evaluation process;

“(ii) outcome-based reporting; and

“(iii) the communication of findings and results beyond the immediate target audience; and

“(G) other appropriate factors, as determined by the Secretary.

“(7) Regional balance.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographical diversity of recipients of grants or participants in cooperative agreements under this subsection.

“(8) Priority.—In making grants or entering into cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include nongovernmental, community-based organizations and school-based educational organizations with expertise in new agricultural producer training and outreach.

“(9) Prohibition.—A grant made or cooperative agreement entered into under this subsection may not be used for the planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of a building or facility.

“(10) Coordination permitted.—A recipient of a grant or participant in a cooperative agreement under this subsection may coordinate with a recipient of a grant or cooperative agreement under section 1680 in addressing the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers with disabilities.

“(11) Consecutive awards.—A grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection may be made to a recipient or participant for consecutive years.

“(12) Peer review.—

“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish a fair and efficient external peer review process, which the Secretary shall use in making grants or entering into cooperative agreements under this subsection.

“(B) Requirement.—The peer review process under subparagraph (A) shall include a review panel composed of a broad representation of peers of the applicant for the grant or cooperative agreement that are not applying for a grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection.

“(13) Participation by other farmers and ranchers.—Nothing in this subsection prohibits the Secretary from allowing a farmer or rancher who is not a beginning farmer or rancher (including an owner or operator that has ended, or expects to end within 5 years, active labor in a farming or ranching operation as a producer, retiring farmers, and non-farming landowners) from participating in a program or service under this subsection, to the extent that the Secretary determines that such participation—

“(A) is appropriate; and

“(B) will not detract from the primary purpose of increasing opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers.

“(14) Education teams.—

“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish beginning farmer and rancher education teams to develop curricula, conduct educational programs and workshops for beginning farmers and ranchers in diverse geographical areas of the United States, or provide training and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or ranchers or for trainers and service providers that work with beginning farmers or ranchers.

“(B) Curriculum.—In promoting the development of curricula, educational programs and workshops, or training and technical assistance initiatives under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include content tailored to specific audiences of beginning farmers and ranchers, based on crop diversity or regional diversity.

“(C) Composition.—In establishing an education team under subparagraph (A) for a specific program or workshop, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable—

“(i) obtain the short-term services of specialists with knowledge and expertise in programs serving beginning farmers and ranchers; and

“(ii) use officers and employees of the Department with direct experience in programs of the Department that may be taught as part of the curriculum for the program or workshop.

“(D) Cooperation.—

“(i) In general.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent practicable, with—

“(I) State cooperative extension services;

“(II) Federal, State, and Tribal agencies;

“(III) community-based and nongovernmental organizations;

“(IV) colleges and universities (including an institution awarding an associate’s degree) or foundations maintained by a college or university; and

“(V) other appropriate partners, as determined by the Secretary.

“(ii) Cooperative agreements.—The Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the terms of any cooperation under subparagraph (A).

“(15) Curriculum and training clearinghouse.—The Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes available to beginning farmers and ranchers education curricula and training materials and programs, which may include online courses for direct use by beginning farmers and ranchers.

“(e) Application Requirements.—In making grants and entering into contracts and other agreements, as applicable, under subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall make available a simplified application process for an application for a grant that requests less than $50,000.”

(9)

by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:

“(f) Stakeholder Input.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall seek stakeholder input from—

“(1) beginning farmers and ranchers;

“(2) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;

“(3) veteran farmers and ranchers;

“(4) national, State, Tribal, and local organizations and other persons with expertise in operating programs for—

“(A) beginning farmers and ranchers;

“(B) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; or

“(C) veteran farmers and ranchers;

“(5) the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricultural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Public Law 102–554);

“(6) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers established under section 14008 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2279 note; Public Law 110–246); and

“(7) the Tribal Advisory Committee established under subsection (b) of section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921).”

(10)

in paragraph (3) of subsection (h) (as so redesignated), by inserting “ and not later than March 1, 2020,” after “ 1991,”; and

(11)

by adding at the end the following:

“(l) Funding.—

“(1) Mandatory funding.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section—

“(A) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020;

“(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

“(C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and

“(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter.

“(2) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

“(3) Reservation of funds.—Of the amounts made available to carry out this section—

“(A) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection (c); and

“(B) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection (d).

“(4) Allocation of funds.—

“(A) In general.—Not less than 5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out subsection (d) for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that address the needs of—

“(i) limited resource beginning farmers and ranchers, as defined by the Secretary;

“(ii) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers that are beginning farmers and ranchers; and

“(iii) farmworkers desiring to become farmers or ranchers.

“(B) Veteran farmers and ranchers.—Not less than 5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out subsection (d) for a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services that address the needs of veteran farmers and ranchers.

“(5) Interagency funding.—Any agency of the Department may participate in any grant, contract, or agreement entered into under this section by contributing funds, if the contributing agency determines that the objectives of the grant, contract, or agreement will further the authorized programs of the contributing agency.

“(6) Administrative expenses.—Not more than 5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year may be used for expenses relating to the administration of this section.

“(7) Limitation on indirect costs.—A recipient of a grant or a party to a contract or other agreement under subsection (c) or (d) may not use more than 10 percent of the funds received for the indirect costs of carrying out a grant, contract, or other agreement.”

SEC. 12302. Urban Agriculture.

Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) (as amended by section 12202) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 222. OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION.

“(a) Office.—

“(1) In general.—The Secretary shall establish in the Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.

“(2) Director.—The Secretary shall appoint a senior official to serve as the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (referred to in this section as the ‘Director’).

“(3) Mission.—The mission of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production shall be to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including—

“(A) community gardens and farms located in urban areas, suburbs, and urban clusters;

“(B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green walls;

“(C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical technology farms;

“(D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; and

“(E) other innovations in agricultural production, as determined by the Secretary.

“(4) Responsibilities.—The Director shall be responsible for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described in paragraph (3), including by—

“(A) managing programs, including for community gardens, urban farms, rooftop agriculture, and indoor vertical production;

“(B) advising the Secretary;

“(C) coordinating with the agencies and officials of the Department to update relevant programs;

“(D) engaging in stakeholder relations and developing external partnerships;

“(E) identifying common State and municipal best practices for navigating local policies;

“(F) coordinating networks of community gardens and facilitating connections to local food banks, in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Service; and

“(G) collaborating with other Federal agencies.

“(b) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Committee’) to advise the Secretary on—

“(A) the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices; and

“(B) any other aspects of the implementation of this section.

“(2) Membership.—

“(A) In general.—The Committee shall be composed of 12 members, of whom—

“(i) 4 shall be individuals who are agricultural producers, of whom—

“(I) 2 individuals shall be agricultural producers located in an urban area or urban cluster; and

“(II) 2 individuals shall be farmers that use innovative technology;

“(ii) 2 shall be representatives from an institution of higher education or extension program;

“(iii) 1 shall be an individual who represents a nonprofit organization, which may include a public health, environmental, or community organization;

“(iv) 1 shall be an individual who represents business and economic development, which may include a business development entity, a chamber of commerce, a city government, or a planning organization;

“(v) 1 shall be an individual with supply chain experience, which may include a food aggregator, wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual who has direct-to-consumer market experience;

“(vi) 1 shall be an individual from a financing entity; and

“(vii) 2 shall be individuals with related experience or expertise in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices, as determined by the Secretary.

“(B) Initial appointments.—The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section.

“(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.—

“(A) In general.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years.

“(B) Initial appointments.—Of the members first appointed to the Committee—

“(i) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 3 years;

“(ii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and

“(iii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 1 year.

“(C) Vacancies.—Any vacancy in the Committee—

“(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and

“(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the same manner as the original appointment.

“(D) Consecutive terms.—An initial appointee of the committee may serve an additional consecutive term if the member is reappointed by the Secretary.

“(4) Meetings.—

“(A) Frequency.—The Committee shall meet not fewer than 3 times per year.

“(B) Initial meeting.—Not later than 180 days after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the Committee.

“(5) Duties.—

“(A) In general.—The Committee shall—

“(i) develop recommendations and advise the Director on policies, initiatives, and outreach administered by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production;

“(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research and extension activities relating to urban, indoor, and other innovative agricultural practices;

“(iii) identify new and existing barriers to successful urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices; and

“(iv) provide additional assistance and advice to the Director as appropriate.

“(B) Reports.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Committee is established, and every 2 years through 2023, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the recommendations developed under subparagraph (A).

“(6) Personnel matters.—

“(A) Compensation.—A member of the Committee shall serve without compensation.

“(B) Travel expenses.—A member of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.

“(7) Termination.—

“(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B).

“(B) Extensions.—Before the date on which the Committee terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee for 1 or more 2-year periods.

“(c) Grants.—The Director shall award competitive grants to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production to any of the following eligible entities:

“(1) A nonprofit organization.

“(2) A unit of local government.

“(3) A Tribal government.

“(4) Any school that serves any of grades kindergarten through grade 12.

“(d) Pilot Projects.—

“(1) Urban and suburban county committees.—

“(A) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program for not fewer than 5 years that establishes 10 county committees in accordance with section 8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II)) to operate in counties located in urban or suburban areas with a high concentration of urban or suburban farms.

“(B) Effect.—Nothing in this paragraph requires or precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency office in a county in which a county committee is established under subparagraph (A).

“(C) Report.—For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing a summary of—

“(i) the status of the pilot program under subparagraph (A);

“(ii) meetings and other activities of the committees established under that subparagraph; and

“(iii) the types and volume of assistance and services provided to farmers in counties in which county committees are established under that subparagraph.

“(2) Increasing community compost and reducing food waste.—

“(A) In general.—The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall carry out pilot projects under which the Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements with local or municipal governments in not fewer than 10 States to develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.

“(B) Eligible entities and purposes of pilot projects.—Under a cooperative agreement entered into under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide assistance to municipalities, counties, local governments, or city planners, as appropriate, to carry out planning and implementing activities that will—

“(i) generate compost;

“(ii) increase access to compost for agricultural producers;

“(iii) reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer;

“(iv) improve soil quality;

“(v) encourage waste management and permaculture business development;

“(vi) increase rainwater absorption;

“(vii) reduce municipal food waste; and

“(viii) divert food waste from landfills.

“(C) Evaluation and ranking of applications.—

“(i) Criteria.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of pilot projects under this paragraph.

“(ii) Consideration.—In selecting, undertaking, or funding pilot projects under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider any commonly known significant impact on existing food waste recovery and disposal by commercial, marketing, or business relationships.

“(iii) Priority.—In selecting a pilot project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to an application for a pilot project that—

“(I) anticipates or demonstrates economic benefits;

“(II) incorporates plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners;

“(III) integrates other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts; and

“(IV) provides for collaboration with multiple partners.

“(D) Matching requirement.—The recipient of assistance for a pilot project under this paragraph shall provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both from sources other than funds provided through the grant in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant.

“(E) Evaluation.—The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this paragraph to assess different solutions for increasing access to compost and reducing municipal food waste, including an evaluation of—

“(i) the amount of Federal funds used for each project; and

“(ii) a measurement of the outcomes of each project.

“(e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.”

SEC. 12303. Tribal Advisory Committee.

Section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921) is amended—

(1)

by striking “ The Secretary” and inserting the following:

“(a) In General.—The Secretary”

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

“(b) Tribal Advisory Committee.—

“(1) Definitions.—In this subsection:

“(A) Indian tribe.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

“(B) Relevant committees of congress.—The term ‘relevant committees of Congress’ means—

“(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;

“(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and

“(iii) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.

“(C) Tribal organization.—The term ‘tribal organization’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

“(2) Establishment of committee.—

“(A) In general.—The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee, to be known as the Tribal Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Committee’) to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters relating to Tribal and Indian affairs.

“(B) Facilitation.—The Committee shall facilitate, but not supplant, government-to-government consultation between the Department of Agriculture (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Department’) and Indian tribes.

“(3) Membership.—

“(A) Composition.—The Committee shall be composed of 11 members, of whom—

“(i) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary;

“(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;

“(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate;

“(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;

“(v) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;

“(vi) 2 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and

“(vii) 2 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.

“(B) Nominations.—The Secretary shall accept nominations for members of the Committee from any of the following:

“(i) An Indian tribe.

“(ii) A tribal organization.

“(iii) A national or regional organization with expertise in issues relating to the duties of the Committee described in paragraph (4).

“(C) Diversity.—To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall ensure that the members of the Committee represent a diverse set of expertise on issues relating to geographic regions, Indian tribes, and the agricultural industry.

“(D) Limitation.—No member of the Committee shall be an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

“(E) Period of appointment; vacancies.—

“(i) In general.—Each member of the Committee—

“(I) subject to clause (ii), shall be appointed to a 3-year term; and

“(II) may be reappointed to not more than 3 consecutive terms.

“(ii) Initial staggering.—The first 3 appointments by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be for a 2-year term.

“(iii) Vacancies.—Any vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment not more than 90 days after the date on which the position becomes vacant.

“(F) Meetings.—

“(i) In general.—The Committee shall meet in person not less than twice each year.

“(ii) Office of tribal relations representative.—Not fewer than 1 representative from the Office of Tribal Relations of the Department shall be present at each meeting of the Committee.

“(iii) Department of interior representative.—The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior (or a designee) shall be present at each meeting of the Committee.

“(iv) Nonvoting representatives.—The individuals described in clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be nonvoting representatives at meetings of the Committee.

“(4) Duties of committee.—The Committee shall—

“(A) identify evolving issues of relevance to Indian tribes relating to programs of the Department;

“(B) communicate to the Secretary the issues identified under subparagraph (A);

“(C) submit to the Secretary recommendations for, and solutions to—

“(i) the issues identified under subparagraph (A);

“(ii) issues raised at the Tribal, regional, or national level; and

“(iii) issues relating to any Tribal consultation carried out by the Department;

“(D) discuss issues and proposals for changes to the regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department that impact Indian tribes;

“(E) identify priorities and provide advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal consultation on issues at the Tribal, regional, or national level regarding the Department;

“(F) ensure that pertinent issues of the Department are brought to the attention of an Indian tribe in a timely manner so that timely feedback from an Indian tribe can be obtained; and

“(G) identify and propose solutions to any interdepartmental barrier between the Department and other Federal agencies.

“(5) Reports.—

“(A) In general.—Not less frequently than once each year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes—

“(i) the activities of the Committee during the previous year; and

“(ii) recommendations for legislative or administrative action for the following year.

“(B) Response from secretary.—Not more than 45 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit a written response to that report to—

“(i) the Committee; and

“(ii) the relevant committees of Congress.

“(6) Compensation of members.—Members of the Committee shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Committee.

“(7) Federal advisory committee act exemption.—Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Committee.”

SEC. 12304. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordination.

Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506 and 12301(a)(1)) is further amended by inserting after section 7403 (7 U.S.C. 3119b note; Public Law 107–171) the following:

“SEC. 7404. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION.

“(a) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) Beginning farmer or rancher.—The term ‘beginning farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given such term in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).

“(2) National coordinator.—The term ‘National Coordinator’ means the National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator established under subsection (b)(1).

“(3) State coordinator.—The term ‘State coordinator’ means a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator designated under subsection (c)(1)(A).

“(4) State office.—The term ‘State office’ means—

“(A) a State office of—

“(i) the Farm Service Agency;

“(ii) the Natural Resources Conservation Service;

“(iii) the Rural Business-Cooperative Service; or

“(iv) the Rural Utilities Service; or

“(B) a regional office of the Risk Management Agency.

“(b) National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.—

“(1) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of National Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinator.

“(2) Duties.—

“(A) In general.—The National Coordinator shall—

“(i) advise the Secretary and coordinate activities of the Department on programs, policies, and issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers; and

“(ii) in consultation with the applicable State food and agriculture council, determine whether to approve a plan submitted by a State coordinator under subsection (c)(3)(B).

“(B) Discretionary duties.—Additional duties of the National Coordinator may include—

“(i) developing and implementing new strategies—

“(I) for outreach to beginning farmers and ranchers; and

“(II) to assist beginning farmers and ranchers with connecting to owners or operators that have ended, or expect to end within 5 years, actively owning or operating a farm or ranch; and

“(ii) facilitating interagency and interdepartmental collaboration on issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers.

“(3) Reports.—Not less frequently than once each year, the National Coordinator shall distribute within the Department and make publicly available a report describing the status of steps taken to carry out the duties described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).

“(4) Contracts and cooperative agreements.—In carrying out the duties under paragraph (2), the National Coordinator may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), cooperative extension services (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), or a nonprofit organization—

“(A) to conduct research on the profitability of new farms in operation for not less than 5 years in a region;

“(B) to develop educational materials;

“(C) to conduct workshops, courses, training, or certified vocational training; or

“(D) to conduct mentoring activities.

“(c) State Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators.—

“(1) In general.—

“(A) Designation.—The National Coordinator, in consultation with State food and agriculture councils and directors of State offices, shall designate in each State a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among employees of State offices.

“(B) Requirements.—To be designated as a State coordinator, an employee shall—

“(i) be familiar with issues relating to beginning farmers and ranchers; and

“(ii) have the ability to coordinate with other Federal departments and agencies.

“(2) Training.—The Secretary shall develop a training plan to provide to each State coordinator knowledge of programs and services available from the Department for beginning farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the needs of all production types and sizes of agricultural operations.

“(3) Duties.—A State coordinator shall—

“(A) coordinate technical assistance at the State level to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing programs of the Department;

“(B) develop and submit to the National Coordinator for approval under subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii) a State plan to improve the coordination, delivery, and efficacy of programs of the Department to beginning farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the needs of all types of production methods and sizes of agricultural operation, at each county and area office in the State;

“(C) oversee implementation of an approved State plan described in subparagraph (B);

“(D) work with outreach coordinators in the State offices to ensure appropriate information about technical assistance is available at outreach events and activities; and

“(E) coordinate partnerships and joint outreach efforts with other organizations and government agencies serving beginning farmers and ranchers.”

SEC. 12305. Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator.

Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506, section 12301(a)(1), and 12304) is further amended by inserting after section 7404, as added by section 12304, the following:

“SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR.

“(a) Authorization.—The Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator.

“(b) Duties.—The Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator shall—

“(1) promote the role of youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural education in motivating and preparing young people to pursue careers in the agriculture, food, and natural resources systems;

“(2) work to help build youth awareness of the reach and importance of agriculture, across a diversity of fields and disciplines;

“(3) identify short-term and long-term interests of the Department and provide opportunities, resources, input, and coordination with programs and agencies of the Department to youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural education, including the development of internship opportunities;

“(4) share, internally and externally, the extent to which active steps are being taken to encourage collaboration with, and support of, youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural education;

“(5) provide information to youth involved in food and agriculture organizations concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, participation in agricultural programs, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher programs;

“(6) serve as a resource for assisting youth involved in food and agriculture organizations in applying for participation in agriculture; and

“(7) advocate on behalf of youth involved in food and agriculture organizations in interactions with employees of the Department.

“(c) Contracts and Cooperative Agreements.—For purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator shall consult with the cooperative extension and the land-grant university systems, and may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, cooperative extension and the land-grant university systems, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, or nonprofit organizations for—

“(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability of small farms;

“(2) the development of educational materials;

“(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified vocational training;

“(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or

“(5) the provision of internship opportunities.”

SEC. 12306. Availability of Department of Agriculture Programs for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers.

(a)

Definition of Veteran Farmer or Rancher.— Paragraph (7) of subsection (a) (as redesignated by section 12301(b)(3)) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A), by striking “ or” at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; or”; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

“(C) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so defined) during the most recent 10-year period.”

(b)

Federal Crop Insurance.—

(1)

Definition of veteran farmer or rancher.— Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)) (as amended by section 11101) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(14) Veteran farmer or rancher.—The term ‘veteran farmer or rancher’ means a farmer or rancher who—

“(A) has served in the Armed Forces (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and

“(B)

(i) has not operated a farm or ranch;

“(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 5 years; or

“(iii) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so defined) during the most recent 5-year period.”

(2)

Crop insurance.— Section 508 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is amended—

(A)

in subsection (b)(5)(E)—

(i)

by striking “ The Corporation” and inserting the following:

“(i) In general.—The Corporation”

; and

(ii)

in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking the period at the end and inserting the following:

“(ii) Coordination.—The Corporation shall coordinate with other agencies of the Department that provide programs or services to farmers and ranchers described in clause (i) to make available coverage under the waiver under that clause and to share eligibility information to reduce paperwork and avoid duplication.”

(B)

in subsection (e)(8)—

(i)

in the paragraph heading, by inserting “ and veteran” after “ beginning”; and

(ii)

by inserting “ or veteran farmer or rancher” after “ beginning farmer or rancher” each place it appears; and

(C)

in subsection (g)—

(i)

in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting “ or veteran farmer or rancher” after “ beginning farmer or rancher” each place it appears; and

(ii)

in paragraph (4)(B)(ii)(II), by inserting “ and veteran farmers or ranchers” after “ beginning farmers or ranchers”.

(3)

Education and risk management assistance.— Paragraph (3) of section 524(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)), as redesignated by section 11125(a)(3), is amended—

(A)

in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking “ and” at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

“(F) veteran farmers or ranchers.”

(c)

Down Payment Loan Program.— Section 310E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(1), by striking “ qualified beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers” and inserting “ eligible farmers or ranchers”;

(2)

in subsection (d)—

(A)

in paragraph (2)(A), by striking “ recipients of the loans” and inserting “ farmers or ranchers”;

(B)

by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

“(3) encourage retiring farmers and ranchers to assist in the sale of their farms and ranches to eligible farmers or ranchers by providing seller financing;”

(C)

in paragraph (4), by striking “ for beginning farmers or ranchers or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers” and inserting the following:

“(A) beginning farmers or ranchers;

“(B) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as defined in section 355(e); or

“(C) veteran farmers or ranchers, as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)); and”

; and

(D)

in paragraph (5), by striking “ a qualified beginning farmer or rancher or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher” and inserting “ an eligible farmer or rancher”; and

(3)

by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:

“(e) Definition of Eligible Farmer or Rancher.—In this section, the term ‘eligible farmer or rancher’ means—

“(1) a qualified beginning farmer or rancher;

“(2) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, as defined in section 355(e); and

“(3) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).”

(d)

Interest Rate Reduction Program.— Section 351(e)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1999(e)(2)(B)) is amended—

(1)

in the subparagraph heading, by inserting “ and veteran” after “ Beginning”;

(2)

in clause (i), by inserting “ or veteran farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))” before the period at the end; and

(3)

in clause (ii), by striking “ beginning”.

(e)

National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach, and Technical Assistance Program.— Section 405(c) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(c)) is amended by inserting “ veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))),” after “ socially disadvantaged farmers,”.

(f)

Administration and Operation of Noninsured Crop Assistance Program.— Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (k)(2), by inserting “ , or a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))” before the period at the end; and

(2)

in subsection (l), in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by section 1601(7)(D))—

(A)

in the paragraph heading, by inserting “ veteran,” before “ and socially”; and

(B)

by inserting “ and veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))” before “ in exchange”.

(g)

Funding for Transition Option for Certain Farmers or Ranchers.— Section 1241(a)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking “ beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers” and inserting “ covered farmers or ranchers, as defined in section 1235(f)(1)”.

(h)

Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance.—

(1)

Definition of covered producer.— Section 1501(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(a)) is amended—

(A)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; and

(B)

by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following:

“(1) Covered producer.—The term ‘covered producer’ means an eligible producer on a farm that is—

“(A) as determined by the Secretary—

“(i) a beginning farmer or rancher;

“(ii) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; or

“(iii) a limited resource farmer or rancher; or

“(B) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).”

(2)

Emergency assistance for livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish.— Section 1501(d) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(4) Payment rate for covered producers.—In the case of a covered producer that is eligible to receive assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide reimbursement of 90 percent of the cost of losses described in paragraph (1) or (2).”

Subtitle D Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 Amendments

SEC. 12401. Office of Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs.

(a)

Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture.— Section 218(a)(1) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918(a)(1)) is amended by striking “ Relations” and inserting “ Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs”.

(b)

Succession.— Any official who is serving as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations on the date of enactment of this Act and who was appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall not be required to be reappointed as a result of the change made to the name of that position under the amendment made by subsection (a).

SEC. 12402. Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

Section 219 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6919) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (3), by striking “ and” at the end;

(B)

in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

“(5) establish and periodically update the website described in subsection (d); and

“(6) in carrying out the duties described in paragraphs (1) through (5), consult with and provide technical assistance to any Federal agency, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor.”

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

“(d) Website Required.—

“(1) In general.—The website required under subsection (b)(5) shall include the following:

“(A) Positions identified within the Department of Agriculture that are available to veterans for apprenticeships.

“(B) Apprenticeships, programs of training on the job, and programs of education that are approved for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code.

“(C) Employment skills training programs for members of the Armed Forces carried out pursuant to section 1143(e) of title 10, United States Code.

“(D) Information designed to assist businesses, nonprofit entities, educational institutions, and farmers interested in developing apprenticeships, on-the-job training, educational, or entrepreneurial programs for veterans in navigating the process of having a program approved by a State approving agency for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, including—

“(i) contact information for relevant offices in the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, and Small Business Administration;

“(ii) basic requirements for approval by each State approving agency;

“(iii) recommendations with respect to training and coursework to be used during apprenticeships or on-the-job training that will enable a veteran to be eligible for agricultural programs; and

“(iv) examples of successful programs and curriculums that have been approved for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code (with consent of the organization and without any personally identifiable information).

“(2) Review of website.—

“(A) In general.—Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine if the website required under subsection (b)(5) is effective in providing veterans the information required under paragraph (1).

“(B) Ineffective website.—If the Secretary determines that the website is not effective under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—

“(i) notify the agriculture and veterans committees described in subparagraph (C) of that determination; and

“(ii) not earlier than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary provides notice under clause (i), terminate the website.

“(C) Agriculture and veterans committees.—The agriculture and veterans committees referred to in subparagraph (B)(i) are—

“(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;

“(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;

“(iii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives; and

“(iv) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate.

“(e) Consultation Required.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with organizations that serve veterans.

“(f) Report.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall submit a report on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs for veterans to—

“(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives;

“(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives;

“(C) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and

“(D) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate.

“(2) Contents of report.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—

“(A) a summary of the measures taken to carry out subsections (b) and (c);

“(B) a description of the information provided to veterans under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b);

“(C) recommendations for best informing veterans of the programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b);

“(D) a summary of the contracts or cooperative agreements entered into under subsection (c);

“(E) a description of the programs implemented under subsection (c);

“(F) a summary of the employment outreach activities directed to veterans;

“(G) recommendations for how opportunities for veterans in agriculture should be developed or expanded;

“(H) a summary of veteran farm lending data and a summary of shortfalls, if any, identified by the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison in collecting data with respect to veterans engaged in agriculture; and

“(I) recommendations, if any, on how to improve activities under subsection (b).

“(g) Public Dissemination of Information.—

“(1) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall make publicly available and share broadly, including by posting on the website of the Department—

“(A) the report of the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; and

“(B) the information disseminated under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).

“(2) Further dissemination.—Not later than the day before the date on which the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison makes publicly available the information under paragraph (1), the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall provide that information to the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor.”

SEC. 12403. Civil Rights Analyses.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall conduct civil rights impact analyses in accordance with Departmental Regulation 4300-004 issued by the Department of Agriculture on October 17, 2016, with respect to the Department of Agriculture’s employment, federally-conducted programs and activities, and federally-assisted programs and activities.

(b)

Study; Report.—

(1)

Study.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States (referred to in this section as the “Comptroller General”) shall conduct a study describing—

(A)

the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture in processing and resolving civil rights complaints;

(B)

minority participation rates in farm programs, including a comparison of overall farmer and rancher participation with minority farmer and rancher participation by considering particular aspects of the programs of the Department of Agriculture for producers, such as ownership status, program participation, usage of permits, and waivers;

(C)

the realignment of the civil rights functions of the Department of Agriculture, as outlined in Secretarial Memorandum 1076–023 (March 9, 2018), including an analysis of whether that realignment has any negative implications on the civil rights functions of the Department;

(D)

efforts of the Department of Agriculture to identify actions, programs, or activities of the Department of Agriculture that may adversely affect employees, contractors, or beneficiaries (including participants) of the action, program, or activity based on the membership of the employees, contractors, or beneficiaries in a group that is protected under Federal law from discrimination in employment, contracting, or provision of an action, program, or activity, as applicable; and

(E)

efforts of the Department of Agriculture to strategically plan actions to decrease discrimination and civil rights complaints within the Department of Agriculture or in the carrying out of the programs and authorities of the Department of Agriculture.

(2)

Report.— Not later than 60 days after the date of completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit a report describing the results of the study to—

(A)

the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and

(B)

the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.

SEC. 12404. Farm Service Agency.

(a)

In General.— Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by striking “ consolidated farm” and inserting “ farm”;

(2)

in subsection (b), in the subsection heading, by striking “ of Consolidated Farm Service Agency”; and

(3)

by striking “ Consolidated Farm” each place it appears and inserting “ Farm”.

(b)

Conforming Amendments.—

(1)

Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) is amended—

(A)

in subsection (c), by striking “ Consolidated Farm” each place it appears and inserting “ Farm”; and

(B)

in subsection (e)(2), by striking “ Consolidated Farm” each place it appears and inserting “ Farm”.

(2)

Section 271(2)(A) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(A)) is amended by striking “ Consolidated Farm” each place it appears and inserting “ Farm”.

(3)

Section 275(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995(b)) is amended by striking “ Consolidated Farm” each place it appears and inserting “ Farm”.

SEC. 12405. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation.

(a)

Office of Risk Management.— Section 226A(d)(1) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6933(d)(1)) is amended by striking “ Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services” and inserting “ Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation”.

(b)

Multiagency Task Force.— Section 242(b)(3) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6952(b)(3)) is amended by striking “ Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services” and inserting “ Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation”.

(c)

Food Aid Consultative Group.— Section 205(b)(2) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725(b)(2)) is amended by striking “ Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services” and inserting “ Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs”.

(d)

Interagency Committee on Minority Careers in International Affairs.— Section 625(c)(1)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1131c(c)(1)(A)) is amended by striking “ Under Secretary” and all that follows through “ designee” and inserting “ Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, or the designee of that Under Secretary”.

SEC. 12406. Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

(a)

Changing Name of Office.—

(1)

In general.— Section 226B of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) is amended—

(A)

in the section heading, by striking “ advocacy and outreach” and inserting “ partnerships and public engagement”; and

(B)

by striking “ Advocacy and Outreach” each place it appears in subsections (a)(2), (b)(1), and (d)(4)(B) and inserting “ Partnerships and Public Engagement”.

(2)

References.— Beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, any reference to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach established under section 226B of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) in any provision of Federal law shall be deemed to be a reference to the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

(b)

Increasing Outreach.— Section 226B of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)(1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking “ and” at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (B)—

(i)

in clause (ii), by striking “ and” at the end;

(ii)

in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following new clauses:

“(iv) limited resource producers; and

“(v) veteran farmers and ranchers; and”

; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

“(C) to promote youth outreach.”

; and

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting “ veteran farmers and ranchers,” after “ beginning farmers or ranchers,”;

(B)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ or socially disadvantaged” and inserting “ socially disadvantaged, or veteran”; and

(C)

in paragraph (5), by inserting “ veteran farmers or ranchers,” after “ beginning farmers or ranchers,”.

(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.— Section 226B(f)(3)(B) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(f)(3)(B)) is amended by striking “ 2018” and inserting “ 2023”.

SEC. 12407. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development.

Section 231 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking “ is authorized to” and inserting “ shall”; and

(2)

in subsection (b), by striking “ If the Secretary” and all that follows through “ the Under Secretary shall” and inserting “ The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development shall”.

SEC. 12408. Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.

(a)

Rate of Pay.—

(1)

In general.— Section 232(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6942(b)) is amended to read as follows:

“(b) Administrator.—

“(1) Appointment.—The Rural Utilities Service shall be headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President.

“(2) Compensation.—The Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service shall receive basic pay at a rate not to exceed the maximum amount of compensation payable to a member of the Senior Executive Service under subsection (b) of section 5382 of title 5, United States Code.”

(2)

Conforming amendment.— Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking “ Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture.”.

(b)

Other Amendment Relating to Administrator.— Section 748 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (7 U.S.C. 918b) is amended by inserting “ the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through” before “ the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service”.

SEC. 12409. Rural Health Liaison.

Subtitle C of title II of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 236. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON.

“(a) Authorization.—The Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of Rural Health Liaison.

“(b) Duties.—The Rural Health Liaison shall—

“(1) in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, coordinate the role of the Department with respect to rural health;

“(2) integrate across the Department the strategic planning and activities relating to rural health;

“(3) improve communication relating to rural health within the Department and between Federal agencies;

“(4) advocate on behalf of the health care and relevant infrastructure needs in rural areas;

“(5) provide to stakeholders, potential grant applicants, Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian Tribes, private organizations, and academic institutions relevant data and information, including the eligibility requirements for, and availability and outcomes of, Department programs applicable to the advancement of rural health;

“(6) maintain communication with public health, medical, occupational safety, and telecommunication associations, research entities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the Department is aware of current and upcoming issues relating to rural health;

“(7) consult on programs, pilot projects, research, training, and other affairs relating to rural health at the Department and other Federal agencies;

“(8) provide expertise on rural health to support the activities of the Secretary as Chair of the Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development; and

“(9) provide technical assistance and guidance with respect to activities relating to rural health to the outreach, extension, and county offices of the Department.”

SEC. 12410. Natural Resources Conservation Service.

(a)

Field Offices.— Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended by section 12404(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(g) Field Offices.—

“(1) In general.—The Secretary shall not close any field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service unless, not later than 30 days before the date of the closure, the Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the closure.

“(2) Employees.—The Secretary shall not permanently relocate any field-based employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural development mission area if doing so would result in a field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the rural development mission area with 2 or fewer employees, unless, not later than 30 days before the date of the permanent relocation, the Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the permanent relocation.

“(3) Sunset.—The requirements under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2023.”

(b)

Technical Corrections.— Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended by subsection (a)) is further amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

by striking paragraph (2);

(B)

by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively;

(C)

in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by inserting “ ; Public Law 101–624” after “ note”; and

(D)

in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by striking “ 3831–3836” and inserting “ 3831 et seq.”; and

(2)

in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (b) and the program under subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837–3837f)” and inserting “ paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (b)”.

(c)

Relocation in Act.—

(1)

In general.— Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended by subsections (a) and (b)) is—

(A)

redesignated as section 228; and

(B)

moved so as to appear at the end of subtitle B of title II (7 U.S.C. 6931 et seq.).

(2)

Conforming amendments.—

(A)

Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) (as amended by section 12404(a)) is amended—

(i)

in subsection (b)(5), by striking “ section 246(b)” and inserting “ section 228(b)”; and

(ii)

in subsection (g)(2), by striking “ section 246(b)” and inserting “ section 228(b)”.

(B)

Section 271(2)(F) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(F)) is amended by striking “ section 246(b)” and inserting “ section 228(b)”.

SEC. 12411. Office of the Chief Scientist.

(a)

In General.— Section 251(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(e)) is amended—

(1)

in the subsection heading, by striking “ Research, Education, and Extension Office” and inserting “ Office of the Chief Scientist”;

(2)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ Research, Education, and Extension Office” and inserting “ Office of the Chief Scientist”;

(3)

in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “ Research, Education, and Extension Office” and inserting “ Office of the Chief Scientist”;

(4)

in paragraph (3)(C), by striking “ subparagraph (A) shall not exceed 4 years” and inserting “ clauses (i) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be for not less than 3 years”;

(5)

by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;

(6)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

“(4) Additional leadership duties.—In addition to selecting the Division Chiefs under paragraph (3), using available personnel authority under title 5, United States Code, the Under Secretary shall select personnel—

“(A) to oversee implementation, training, and compliance with the scientific integrity policy of the Department;

“(B)

(i) to integrate strategic program planning and evaluation functions across the programs of the Department; and

“(ii) to help prepare the annual report to Congress on the relevance and adequacy of programs under the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary;

“(C) to assist the Chief Scientist in coordinating the international engagements of the Department with the Department of State and other international agencies and offices of the Federal Government; and

“(D) to oversee other duties as may be required by Federal law or Department policy.”

(7)

in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking “ Notwithstanding” and inserting the following:

“(i) Authorization of appropriations.—There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to fund the costs of Division personnel.

“(ii) Additional funding.—In addition to amounts made available under clause (i), notwithstanding”

; and

(B)

in subparagraph (C)—

(i)

in clause (i), by striking “ and” at the end;

(ii)

in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

“(iii) provides strong staff continuity to the Office of the Chief Scientist.”

; and

(8)

in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by striking “ Research, Education and Extension Office” and inserting “ Office of the Chief Scientist”.

(b)

Conforming Amendments.—

(1)

Section 251(f)(5)(B) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(5)(B)) is amended by striking “ Research, Education and Extension Office” and inserting “ Office of the Chief Scientist”.

(2)

Section 296(b)(6)(B) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)(6)(B)) is amended by striking “ Research, Education, and Extension Office” and inserting “ Office of the Chief Scientist”.

SEC. 12412. Appointment of National Appeals Division Hearing Officers.

Section 272(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6992(e)) is amended to read as follows:

“(e) Division Personnel.—

“(1) In general.—The Director shall recommend to the Secretary persons for appointment as hearing officers as are necessary for the conduct of hearings under section 277. The Director shall appoint such other employees as are necessary for the administration of the Division. A hearing officer or other employee of the Division shall have no duties other than those that are necessary to carry out this subtitle. Each position of the Division shall be filled by an individual who is not a political appointee.

“(2) Political appointee.—In this subsection, the term ‘political appointee’ means an individual occupying—

“(A) a position described under sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Executive Schedule);

“(B) a noncareer position in the Senior Executive Service, as described under section 3132(a)(7) of that title;

“(C) a position in the executive branch of the Government of a confidential or policy-determining character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; or

“(D) a position which has been excepted from the competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.”

SEC. 12413. Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subtitle J (7 U.S.C. 7011 et seq.) as subtitle K; and

(2)

by inserting after subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 7005 et seq.) the following:

“Subtitle J— Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

“SEC. 287. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.

“(a) Establishment.—There is established in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

“(b) Appointment.—The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

“(c) Functions.—

“(1) Principal functions.—The Secretary shall delegate to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs those functions and duties under the jurisdiction of the Department that are related to trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

“(2) Additional functions.—The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall perform such other functions and duties as may be—

“(A) required by law; or

“(B) prescribed by the Secretary.”

SEC. 12414. Repeals.

(a)

Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.— The following provisions of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 are repealed:

(1)

Section 211 (7 U.S.C. 6911).

(2)

Section 213 (7 U.S.C. 6913).

(3)

Section 214 (7 U.S.C. 6914).

(4)

Section 217 (7 U.S.C. 6917).

(5)

Section 247 (7 U.S.C. 6963).

(6)

Section 252 (7 U.S.C. 6972).

(7)

Section 295 (7 U.S.C. 7013).

(b)

Other Provision.— Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 6935) is repealed.

(c)

Rule of Construction.— Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall be construed as affecting—

(1)

the authority of the Secretary to continue to carry out a function vested in, and performed by, the Secretary as of the date of enactment of this Act under any provision of Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections (a) and (b); or

(2)

the authority of an agency, office, officer, or employee of the Department of Agriculture to continue to perform all functions delegated or assigned to the agency, office, officer, or employee as of the date of enactment of this Act any provision of Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections (a) and (b).

SEC. 12415. Technical Corrections.

(a)

Office of Risk Management.— Section 226A(a) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6933(a)) is amended by striking “ Subject to subsection (e), the Secretary” and inserting “ The Secretary”.

(b)

Correction of Error.—

(1)

Assistant secretaries of agriculture.— Section 218 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918) (as in effect on the day before the effective date of the amendments made by section 2(a)(1) of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–166; 126 Stat. 1283, 1295)) is amended by striking “ Senate.” in subsection (b) and all that follows through “ responsibility for—” in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of subsection (d) and inserting the following:

“(c) Duties of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights.—The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights responsibility for—”

(2)

Effective date.— The amendments made by paragraph (1) take effect on the effective date described in section 6(a) of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–166; 126 Stat. 1295).

SEC. 12416. Termination of Authority.

Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(9) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the amendments made to this title by section 772 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018.

“(10) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the amendments made to this title by the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.”

Subtitle E Other Miscellaneous Provisions

PART I Miscellaneous Agriculture Provisions

SEC. 12501. Acer Access and Development Program.

Section 12306(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 1632c(f)) is amended by striking “ 2018” and inserting “ 2023”.

SEC. 12502. Protecting Animals with Shelter.

(a)

Crimes Related to Domestic Violence and Stalking Targeting Pets.—

(1)

Interstate stalking.— Section 2261A of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A)—

(i)

in clause (ii), by striking “ or” at the end; and

(ii)

by inserting after clause (iii) the following:

“(iv) the pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse of that person; or”

; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)(A)—

(i)

by inserting after “ to a person” the following: “ , a pet, a service animal, an emotional support animal, or a horse”; and

(ii)

by striking “ or (iii)” and inserting “ (iii), or (iv)”.

(2)

Interstate violation of protection order.— Section 2262 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—

(A)

in subsection (a)—

(i)

in paragraph (1), by inserting after “ another person” the following: “ or the pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse of that person”; and

(ii)

in paragraph (2), by inserting after “ proximity to, another person” the following “ or the pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse of that person”; and

(B)

in subsection (b)(5), by inserting after “ in any other case,” the following: “ including any case in which the offense is committed against a pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse,”.

(3)

Restitution to include veterinary services.— Section 2264 of title 18, United States Code, is amended in subsection (b)(3)—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (G);

(B)

in subparagraph (E), by striking “ and” at the end; and

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

“(F) veterinary services relating to physical care for the victim’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse; and”

(4)

Definitions.— Section 2266 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:

“(11) Pet.—The term ‘pet’ means a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other animal that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes.

“(12) Emotional support animal.—The term ‘emotional support animal’ means an animal that is covered by the exclusion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is not a service animal.

“(13) Service animal.—The term ‘service animal’ has the meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).”

(b)

Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program.—

(1)

Grant program.—

(A)

In general.— The Secretary, acting in consultation with the Office of the Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall award grants under this subsection to eligible entities to carry out programs to provide the assistance described in paragraph (3) with respect to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses of such victims.

(B)

Memorandum of understanding.— The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the head of another Department or agency, as appropriate, to carry out any of the authorities provided to the Secretary under this section.

(2)

Application.—

(A)

In general.— An eligible entity seeking a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, including—

(i)

a description of the activities for which a grant under this subsection is sought;

(ii)

such assurances as the Secretary determines to be necessary to ensure compliance by the entity with the requirements of this subsection; and

(iii)

a certification that the entity, before engaging with any individual domestic violence victim, will disclose to the victim any mandatory duty of the entity to report instances of abuse and neglect (including instances of abuse and neglect of pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses).

(B)

Additional requirements.— In addition to the requirements of subparagraph (A), each application submitted by an eligible entity under that subparagraph shall—

(i)

not include proposals for any activities that may compromise the safety of a domestic violence victim, including—

(I)

background checks of domestic violence victims; or

(II)

clinical evaluations to determine the eligibility of such a victim for support services;

(ii)

not include proposals that would require mandatory services for victims or that a victim obtain a protective order in order to receive proposed services; and

(iii)

reflect the eligible entity’s understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

(C)

Rules of construction.— Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require—

(i)

domestic violence victims to participate in the criminal justice system in order to receive services; or

(ii)

eligible entities receiving a grant under this subsection to breach client confidentiality.

(3)

Use of funds.— Grants awarded under this subsection may only be used for programs that provide—

(A)

emergency and transitional shelter and housing assistance for domestic violence victims with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses, including assistance with respect to any construction or operating expenses of newly developed or existing emergency and transitional pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse shelter and housing (regardless of whether such shelter and housing is co-located at a victim service provider or within the community);

(B)

short-term shelter and housing assistance for domestic violence victims with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses, including assistance with respect to expenses incurred for the temporary shelter, housing, boarding, or fostering of the pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses of domestic violence victims and other expenses that are incidental to securing the safety of such a pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse during the sheltering, housing, or relocation of such victims;

(C)

support services designed to enable a domestic violence victim who is fleeing a situation of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to—

(i)

locate and secure—

(I)

safe housing with the victim’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse; or

(II)

safe accommodations for the victim’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse; or

(ii)

provide the victim with pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse related services, such as transportation, care services, and other assistance; or

(D)

for the training of relevant stakeholders on—

(i)

the link between domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the abuse and neglect of pets, service animals, emotional support animals, and horses;

(ii)

the needs of domestic violence victims;

(iii)

best practices for providing support services to such victims;

(iv)

best practices for providing such victims with referrals to victims’ services; and

(v)

the importance of confidentiality.

(4)

Grant conditions.— An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection shall, as a condition of such receipt, agree—

(A)

to be bound by the nondisclosure of confidential information requirements of section 40002(b)(2) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(b)(2)); and

(B)

that the entity shall not condition the receipt of support, housing, or other benefits provided pursuant to this subsection on the participation of domestic violence victims in any or all of the support services offered to such victims through a program carried out by the entity using grant funds.

(5)

Duration of assistance provided to victims.—

(A)

In general.— Subject to subparagraph (B), assistance provided with respect to a pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse of a domestic violence victim using grant funds awarded under this subsection shall be provided for a period of not more than 24 months.

(B)

Extension.— An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection may extend the 24-month period referred to in subparagraph (A) for a period of not more than 6 months in the case of a domestic violence victim who—

(i)

has made a good faith effort to acquire permanent housing for the victim and the victim’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse during that 24-month period; and

(ii)

has been unable to acquire such permanent housing within that period.

(6)

Report to the secretary.— Not later than 1 year after the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant under this subsection and each year thereafter in which the grant funds are used, the entity shall submit to the Secretary a report that contains, with respect to assistance provided by the entity to domestic violence victims with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses using grant funds received under this subsection, information on—

(A)

the number of domestic violence victims with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses provided such assistance; and

(B)

the purpose, amount, type of, and duration of such assistance.

(7)

Report to congress.—

(A)

Reporting requirement.— Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains a compilation of the information contained in the reports submitted under paragraph (6).

(B)

Availability of report.— The Secretary shall transmit a copy of the report submitted under subparagraph (A) to—

(i)

the Office on Violence Against Women of the Department of Justice;

(ii)

the Office of Community Planning and Development of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and

(iii)

the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services.

(8)

Authorization of appropriations.—

(A)

In general.— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

(B)

Limitation.— Of the amount made available under subparagraph (A) in any fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be used for evaluation, monitoring, salaries, and administrative expenses.

(9)

Definitions.— In this subsection:

(A)

Domestic violence victim defined.— The term “domestic violence victim” means a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

(B)

Eligible entity.— The term “eligible entity” means—

(i)

a State;

(ii)

a unit of local government;

(iii)

an Indian tribe; or

(iv)

any other organization that has a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (as determined by the Secretary), including—

(I)

a domestic violence and sexual assault victim service provider;

(II)

a domestic violence and sexual assault coalition;

(III)

a community-based and culturally specific organization;

(IV)

any other nonprofit, nongovernmental organization; and

(V)

any organization that works directly with pets, service animals, emotional support animals, or horses and collaborates with any organization referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), including—

(aa)

an animal shelter; and

(bb)

an animal welfare organization.

(C)

Emotional support animal.— The term “emotional support animal” means an animal that is covered by the exclusion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is not a service animal.

(D)

Pet.— The term “pet” means a domesticated animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other animal that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes.

(E)

Service animal.— The term “service animal” has the meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(F)

Other terms.— Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, terms used in this section shall have the meaning given such terms in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)).

(c)

Sense of Congress.— It is the sense of Congress that States should encourage the inclusion of protections against violent or threatening acts against the pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse of a person in domestic violence protection orders.

SEC. 12503. Marketing Orders.

Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608e–1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by inserting “ cherries, pecans,” after “ walnuts,”.

SEC. 12504. Establishment of Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison.

Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended by sections 12202, 12302, and 12403, is further amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 224. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON.

“(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to coordinate Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental programs, and other efforts, to measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste in accordance with this section.

“(b) In General.—The Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison shall—

“(1) coordinate food loss and waste reduction efforts within the Department of Agriculture and with other Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration;

“(2) support and promote Federal programs to measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste and increase food recovery;

“(3) provide information to, and serve as a resource for, entities engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food recovery, including information about the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, participation in Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental programs;

“(4) raise awareness of the liability protections afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791) to persons engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food recovery; and

“(5) make recommendations with respect to expanding innovative food recovery models and reducing the incidence of food loss and waste.

“(c) Cooperative Agreements.—For purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or nonprofit organizations for—

“(1) the development of educational materials;

“(2) the conduct of workshops and courses; or

“(3) the conduct of research on best practices with respect to food loss and waste reduction and food recovery.

“(d) Study on Food Waste.—The Secretary shall conduct a study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison, to evaluate and determine—

“(1) methods of measuring food waste;

“(2) standards for the volume of food waste;

“(3) factors that contribute to food waste;

“(4) the cost and volume of food loss;

“(5) the effectiveness of existing liability protections afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791); and

“(6) measures to ensure that programs contemplated, undertaken, or funded by the Department of Agriculture do not disrupt existing food waste recovery and disposal efforts by commercial, marketing, or business relationships.

“(e) Reports.—

“(1) Initial report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Food Loss and Waste Liaison shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results of the study conducted under subsection (d).

“(2) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains, with respect to the preceding year—

“(A) an estimate of the quantity of food waste during such year; and

“(B) the results of the food waste reduction and loss prevention activities carried out or led by the Department of Agriculture.”

SEC. 12505. Report on Business Centers.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 365 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report evaluating each business center established in the Department of Agriculture.

(b)

Inclusions.— The report under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

an examination of the effectiveness of each business center in carrying out its mission, including any recommendations to improve the operation of and function of any of those business centers; and

(2)

an evaluation of—

(A)

the impact the business centers have on customer service of the Department of Agriculture;

(B)

the impact on the annual budget for agencies the budget offices of which have been relocated to the business center, and the effectiveness of funds used to support the business centers, including an accounting of all discretionary and mandatory funding provided to the business center for conservation and farm services from—

(i)

the Natural Resources Conservation Service;

(ii)

the Farm Service Agency; and

(iii)

the Risk Management Agency;

(C)

funding described in subparagraph (B) spent on information technology modernizations;

(D)

the impact that the business centers have had on the human resources of the Department of Agriculture, including hiring;

(E)

any concerns or problems with the business centers; and

(F)

any positive or negative impact that the business centers have had on the functionality of the Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 12506. Report on Personnel.

For the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a biannual report describing the number of staff years and employees of each agency of the Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 12507. Report on Absent Landlords.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the effects of absent landlords on the long-term economic health of agricultural production, including the effect of absent landlords on—

(1)

land valuation;

(2)

soil health; and

(3)

the economic stability of rural communities.

(b)

Contents.— The report under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

a description of the positive and negative effects of an absent landlord on the land owned by the landlord, including—

(A)

the effect of an absent landlord on the long-term value of the land; and

(B)

the environmental and economic impact of an absent landlord on the surrounding community; and

(2)

recommendations to policymakers concerning how to mitigate those effects when necessary.

SEC. 12508. Century Farms Program.

The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary recognizes any farm that—

(1)

a State department of agriculture or similar statewide agricultural organization recognizes as a Century Farm; or

(2)

(A)

is defined as a farm or ranch under section 4284.902 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act);

(B)

has been in continuous operation for at least 100 years; and

(C)

has been owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years, as verified through deeds, wills, abstracts, tax statements, or other similar legal documents considered appropriate by the Secretary.

SEC. 12509. Report on Importation of Live Dogs.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the importation of live dogs into the United States.

(b)

Contents.— The report submitted under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to the importation of live dogs into the United States for each of the 3 most recent calendar years for which data are available—

(1)

the total number of live dogs imported;

(2)

the number of live dogs imported as personal pets;

(3)

the number of live dogs imported for resale (as defined in section 18(a) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2148(a));

(4)

the number of live dogs for which importation was requested but denied due to the proposed importation failing to meet the requirements under—

(A)

section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2148);

(B)

section 71.51 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations); or

(C)

any other Federal law; and

(5)

any recommendations of the Secretary for modifications to Federal law (including regulations) relating to the importation of live dogs, including for the protection of public health.

(c)

Provision of Information.— To facilitate the preparation of the report submitted under subsection (a), not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each provide to the Secretary of Agriculture all available data and information relating to the importation of live dogs into the United States, including—

(1)

the data described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b) for each of the 3 most recent calendar years for which data is available; and

(2)

any recommendations for modifications to Federal law (including regulations) relating to the importation of live dogs, including for the protection of public health.

SEC. 12510. Tribal Promise Zones.

(a)

In General.— In this section, the term “Tribal Promise Zone” means an area that—

(1)

is nominated by 1 or more Indian tribes (as defined in section 4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13))) for designation as a Tribal Promise Zone (in this section referred to as a “nominated zone”);

(2)

has a continuous boundary; and

(3)

the Secretary designates as a Tribal Promise Zone, after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Education, the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Transportation, and other agencies as appropriate.

(b)

Authorization and Number of Designations.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall nominate a minimum number of nominated zones, as determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes, to be designated as Tribal Promise Zones.

(c)

Period of Designations.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary shall designate nominated zones as Tribal Promise Zones before January 1, 2020.

(2)

Effective dates of designations.— The designation of any Tribal Promise Zone shall take effect—

(A)

for purposes of priority consideration in Federal grant programs and initiatives (other than this section), upon execution of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement with the Secretary; and

(B)

for purposes of this section, on January 1 of the first calendar year beginning after the date of the execution of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement.

(3)

Termination of designations.— The designation of any Tribal Promise Zone shall end on the earlier of—

(A)

(i)

with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone not described in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date that such designation takes effect; or

(ii)

with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone described in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period beginning on the date the area was designated as a Tribal Promise Zone before the date of the enactment of this Act; or

(B)

the date of the revocation of such designation.

(4)

Application to certain zones already designated.— In the case of any area designated as a Tribal Promise Zone by the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this Act, such area shall be deemed a Tribal Promise Zone designated under this section (notwithstanding whether any such designation has been revoked before the date of the enactment of this Act) and shall reduce the number of Tribal Promise Zones remaining to be designated under paragraph (1).

(d)

Limitations on Designations.— No area may be designated under this section unless—

(1)

the entities nominating the area have the authority to nominate the area of designation under this section;

(2)

such entities provide written assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the competitiveness plan described in the application under subsection (e) for such area will be implemented and that such entities will provide the Secretary with such data regarding the economic conditions of the area (before, during, and after the area’s period of designation as a Tribal Promise Zone) as the Secretary may require; and

(3)

the Secretary determines that any information furnished is reasonably accurate.

(e)

Application.— No area may be designated under this section unless the application for such designation—

(1)

demonstrates that the nominated zone satisfies the eligibility criteria described in subsection (a); and

(2)

includes a competitiveness plan that—

(A)

addresses the need of the nominated zone to attract investment and jobs and improve educational opportunities;

(B)

leverages the nominated zone’s economic strengths and outlines targeted investments to develop competitive advantages;

(C)

demonstrates collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders;

(D)

outlines a strategy that connects the nominated zone to drivers of regional economic growth; and

(E)

proposes a strategy for focusing on increased access to high quality affordable housing and improved public safety.

(f)

Selection Criteria.—

(1)

In general.— From among the nominated zones eligible for designation under this section, the Secretary shall designate Tribal Promise Zones on the basis of—

(A)

the effectiveness of the competitiveness plan submitted under subsection (e) and the assurances made under subsection (d);

(B)

unemployment rates, poverty rates, vacancy rates, crime rates, and such other factors as the Secretary may identify, including household income, labor force participation, and educational attainment; and

(C)

other criteria as determined by the Secretary.

(2)

Minimal standards.— The Secretary may set minimal standards for the levels of unemployment and poverty that must be satisfied for designation as a Tribal Promise Zone.

SEC. 12511. Precision Agriculture Connectivity.

(a)

Findings.— Congress finds the following:

(1)

Precision agriculture technologies and practices allow farmers to significantly increase crop yields, eliminate overlap in operations, and reduce inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pesticides, water, and fuel.

(2)

These technologies allow farmers to collect data in real time about their fields, automate field management, and maximize resources.

(3)

Studies estimate that precision agriculture technologies can reduce agricultural operation costs by up to 25 dollars per acre and increase farm yields by up to 70 percent by 2050.

(4)

The critical cost savings and productivity benefits of precision agriculture cannot be realized without the availability of reliable broadband Internet access service delivered to the agricultural land of the United States.

(5)

The deployment of broadband Internet access service to unserved agricultural land is critical to the United States economy and to the continued leadership of the United States in global food production.

(6)

Despite the growing demand for broadband Internet access service on agricultural land, broadband Internet access service is not consistently available where needed for agricultural operations.

(7)

The Federal Communications Commission has an important role to play in the deployment of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land to promote precision agriculture.

(b)

Task Force.—

(1)

Definitions.— In this subsection:

(A)

(i)

The term “broadband Internet access service” means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to, and receive data from, all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to, and enable the operation of, the communications service, but excluding dial up internet access service.

(ii)

Such term includes any service the Commission finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service described in clause (i).

(B)

The term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission.

(C)

The term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.

(D)

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(E)

The term “Task Force” means the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States established under paragraph (2).

(2)

Establishment.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish the Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States.

(3)

Duties.—

(A)

In general.— The Task Force shall consult with the Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, and collaborate with public and private stakeholders in the agriculture and technology fields to—

(i)

identify and measure current gaps in the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land;

(ii)

develop policy recommendations to promote the rapid, expanded deployment of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land, with a goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95 percent of agricultural land in the United States by 2025;

(iii)

promote effective policy and regulatory solutions that encourage the adoption of broadband Internet access service on farms and ranches and promote precision agriculture;

(iv)

recommend specific new rules or amendments to existing rules of the Commission that the Commission should issue to achieve the goals and purposes of the policy recommendations described in clause (ii);

(v)

recommend specific steps that the Commission should take to obtain reliable and standardized data measurements of the availability of broadband Internet access service as may be necessary to target funding support, from future programs of the Commission dedicated to the deployment of broadband Internet access service, to unserved agricultural land in need of broadband Internet access service; and

(vi)

recommend specific steps that the Commission should consider to ensure that the expertise of the Secretary and available farm data are reflected in future programs of the Commission dedicated to the infrastructure deployment of broadband Internet access service and to direct available funding to unserved agricultural land where needed.

(B)

No duplicate data reporting.— In performing the duties of the Commission under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall ensure that no provider of broadband Internet access service is required to report data to the Commission that is, on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, required to be reported by the provider of broadband Internet access service.

(C)

Hold harmless.— The Task Force and the Commission shall not interpret the phrase “future programs of the Commission”, as used in clauses (v) and (vi) of subparagraph (A), to include the universal service programs of the Commission established under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254).

(D)

Consultation.— The Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, shall explain and make available to the Task Force the expertise, data mapping information, and resources of the Department that the Department uses to identify cropland, ranchland, and other areas with agricultural operations that may be helpful in developing the recommendations required under subparagraph (A).

(E)

List of available federal programs and resources.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Commission shall jointly submit to the Task Force a list of all Federal programs or resources available for the expansion of broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural land to assist the Task Force in carrying out the duties of the Task Force.

(4)

Membership.—

(A)

In general.— The Task Force shall be—

(i)

composed of not more than 15 voting members who shall—

(I)

be selected by the Chairman of the Commission, in consultation with the Secretary; and

(II)

include—

(aa)

agricultural producers representing diverse geographic regions and farm sizes, including owners and operators of farms of less than 100 acres;

(bb)

an agricultural producer representing tribal agriculture;

(cc)

Internet service providers, including regional or rural fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service providers and telecommunications infrastructure providers;

(dd)

representatives from the electric cooperative industry;

(ee)

representatives from the satellite industry;

(ff)

representatives from precision agriculture equipment manufacturers, including drone manufacturers, manufacturers of autonomous agricultural machinery, and manufacturers of farming robotics technologies;

(gg)

representatives from State and local governments; and

(hh)

representatives with relevant expertise in broadband network data collection, geospatial analysis, and coverage mapping; and

(ii)

fairly balanced in terms of technologies, points of view, and fields represented on the Task Force.

(B)

Period of appointment; vacancies.—

(i)

In general.— A member of the Committee appointed under subparagraph (A)(i) shall serve for a single term of 2 years.

(ii)

Vacancies.— Any vacancy in the Task Force—

(I)

shall not affect the powers of the Task Force; and

(II)

shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(C)

Ex-officio member.— The Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the Task Force.

(5)

Reports.— Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Commission establishes the Task Force, and annually thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the Chairman of the Commission a report, which shall be made public not later than 30 days after the date on which the Chairman receives the report, that details—

(A)

the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet access service coverage of agricultural land;

(B)

the projected future connectivity needs of agricultural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and

(C)

the steps being taken to accurately measure the availability of broadband Internet access service on agricultural land and the limitations of current, as of the date of the report, measurement processes.

(6)

Termination.— The Commission shall renew the Task Force every 2 years until the Task Force terminates on January 1, 2025.

(c)

No Additional Funds Authorized.— No additional funds is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. This section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.

SEC. 12512. Improvements to United States Drought Monitor.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary shall coordinate with the Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance the collection of data to improve the accuracy of the United States Drought Monitor.

(b)

Utilization.— To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall utilize a consistent source or sources of data for programs that are based on drought or precipitation indices, such as the livestock forage disaster program established under section 1501(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)) or policies or plans of insurance established under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.).

(c)

Review.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of—

(1)

the types of data currently utilized by the United States Drought Monitor;

(2)

the geographic coverage and density of existing data collection sites; and

(3)

other meteorological or climatological data that is being collected by other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and non-Federal entities that could be utilized by the United States Drought Monitor.

(d)

Improvements.—

(1)

In general.— Upon the completion of the review prescribed in subsection (c), the Secretary shall—

(A)

seek to expand the collection of relevant data in States or geographic areas where coverage is currently lacking as compared to other States or geographic areas; and

(B)

to the maximum extent practicable, develop standards to allow the integration of meteorological or climatological data into the United States Drought Monitor derived from—

(i)

in-situ soil moisture profile measuring devices;

(ii)

citizen science (as defined in the Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act (15 U.S.C. 3724)), including data from the Cooperative Observer Program of the National Weather Service; and

(iii)

other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and non-Federal entities.

(2)

Authorization of appropriations.— There is to be authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

SEC. 12513. Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives.

(a)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Dairy business.— The term “dairy business” means a business that develops, produces, markets, or distributes dairy products.

(2)

Initiative.— The term “initiative” means a dairy product and business innovation initiative established under subsection (b).

(b)

Establishment.— The Secretary shall establish not less than 3 regionally-located dairy product and business innovation initiatives for the purposes of—

(1)

diversifying dairy product markets to reduce risk and develop higher-value uses for dairy products;

(2)

promoting business development that diversifies farmer income through processing and marketing innovation; and

(3)

encouraging the use of regional milk production.

(c)

Selection of Initiatives.— An initiative—

(1)

shall be positioned to draw on existing dairy industry resources, including activities conducted by the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and other dairy promotion entities, research capacity, academic and industry expertise, a density of dairy farms or farmland suitable for dairying, and dairy businesses; and

(2)

may serve a certain product niche, such as specialty cheese, or serve dairy businesses with dairy products derived from the milk of a specific type of dairy animal, including dairy products made from cow milk, sheep milk, and goat milk.

(d)

Entities Eligible To Host Initiative.—

(1)

In general.— Subject to paragraph (2), any of the following entities may submit to the Secretary an application to host an initiative:

(A)

A State department of agriculture or other State entity.

(B)

A nonprofit organization.

(C)

An institution of higher education.

(D)

A cooperative extension service.

(2)

Capacity of eligible entity.— Any entity described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) shall be eligible to submit an application under that paragraph if the entity has—

(A)

a capacity to provide consultation and expertise necessary to advance the purpose and activities of the proposed initiative; and

(B)

expertise in grant distribution and tracking.

(3)

Ineligible entity.— A dairy promotion program shall not be eligible to host an initiative under this section.

(e)

Partners.—

(1)

In general.— An entity described in subsection (d)(1) may establish as a partner an organization or entity described in paragraph (2)—

(A)

prior to the submission of the application under that subsection; or

(B)

after approval of the application, in consultation with the Secretary.

(2)

Partner described.— A partner under paragraph (1) shall be an organization or entity with expertise or experience in dairy, including the marketing, research, education, or promotion of dairy.

(f)

Activities of Initiatives.—

(1)

Direct assistance to dairy businesses.— An initiative shall provide nonmonetary assistance directly to dairy businesses through private consultation or widely available distribution—

(A)

by the entity that hosts the initiative under subsection (d)(1);

(B)

through contracting with industry experts;

(C)

through the provision of technical assistance, such as informational websites, webinars, conferences, trainings, plant tours, and field days; or

(D)

through research institutions, including cooperative extension services.

(2)

Types of assistance.— Eligible forms of assistance include—

(A)

business consulting, including business plan development for processed dairy products, strategic planning assistance, and distribution and supply chain innovation;

(B)

marketing and branding assistance, including market messaging, packaging innovation, consumer assessments, innovation in emerging market opportunities, and evaluation of regional, national, and international markets;

(C)

assistance in product innovation, including the development of value-added products, innovation in byproduct reprocessing and use maximization, and dairy product production training, including in new, rare, or innovative techniques; and

(D)

other nonmonetary assistance, as determined by the Secretary.

(3)

Grants to dairy businesses.—

(A)

In general.— An initiative shall provide grants on a competitive basis to new and existing dairy businesses for the purposes of—

(i)

modernization, specialization, and grazing transition on dairy farms;

(ii)

value chain and commodity innovation and facility and process updates for dairy processors; and

(iii)

product development, packaging, and marketing of dairy products.

(B)

Grants to certain entities.— An initiative may provide a grant on a noncompetitive basis to an entity that receives assistance under paragraph (1) to advance the business activities recommended as a result of that assistance.

(C)

Grant amounts.— Grants provided under this paragraph shall not exceed $500,000, unless a greater amount is approved by the Secretary.

(4)

Consultation.— An entity that hosts an initiative shall consult with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, the Secretary, and the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service in carrying out the initiative.

(5)

Conflict of interest.—

(A)

In general.— The Secretary shall establish guidelines and procedures to prevent any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest by an initiative (including a partner of the initiative) during the allocation of direct assistance under paragraph (1) or grant funding under paragraph (3).

(B)

Penalty.— The Secretary may suspend or terminate an initiative if the initiative (including a partner of the initiative) is found to be in violation of the guidelines and procedures established under subparagraph (A).

(g)

Distribution of Funds.—

(1)

In general.— Using the funds made available to carry out this section, the Secretary—

(A)

shall provide not less than 3 awards to eligible entities described in subsection (d) for the purposes of carrying out the activities under subsection (f); and

(B)

is encouraged to award funds under subparagraph (A) in multiyear funding allocations.

(2)

Use of funds.— Not less than 50 percent of the funds made available under subsection (i) shall be allocated to grants under subsection (f)(3).

(3)

Priority.— An entity hosting an initiative shall give priority to the provision of direct assistance under subsection (f)(1) and grants under subsection (f)(3) to—

(A)

dairy farms and dairy businesses with limited access to other forms of assistance;

(B)

employee-owned dairy businesses;

(C)

cooperatives; and

(D)

dairy businesses that seek to create dairy products that add substantial value in processing or marketing, such as specialty cheeses.

(4)

Requirement.— Assistance or a grant shall not be made available to a foreign person making direct investment (as those terms are defined in section 801.2 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) in the United States in the case of—

(A)

direct assistance under subsection (f)(1) that is provided to a specific dairy business and is not publicly available, as determined by the Secretary; or

(B)

a grant under subsection (f)(3).

(5)

Supplementation.— To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that funds provided to an initiative supplement, and do not duplicate or replace, existing dairy product research, development, and promotion activities.

(h)

Report.— Not later than January 31, 2022, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the outcomes of the program under this section and any related activities and opportunities to further increase dairy innovation.

(i)

Authorization of Appropriations.— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each fiscal year.

SEC. 12514. Report on Funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Other Extension Programs.

(a)

In General.— Not later than 2 years after the date on which the census of agriculture required to be conducted in calendar year 2017 under section 2 of the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) is released, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the funding necessary to adequately address the needs of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, activities carried out under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), and research and extension programs carried out at an 1890 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)) or an institution designated under the Act of July 2, 1862 (commonly known as the “First Morrill Act”) (12 Stat. 503, chapter 130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), to provide adequate services for the growth and development of the economies of rural communities based on the changing demographic in the rural and farming communities in the various States.

(b)

Requirements.— In preparing the report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall focus on the funding needs of the programs described in subsection (a) with respect to carrying out activities relating to small and diverse farms and ranches, veteran farmers and ranchers, value-added agriculture, direct-to-consumer sales, and specialty crops.

SEC. 12515. Prohibition on Slaughter of Dogs and Cats for Human Consumption.

(a)

In General.— Except as provided in subsection (c), no person may—

(1)

knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption; or

(2)

knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell, or donate—

(A)

a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption; or

(B)

a dog or cat part for human consumption.

(b)

Scope.— Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to conduct—

(1)

in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign commerce; or

(2)

within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

(c)

Exception for Indian Tribes.— The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) carrying out any activity described in subsection (a) for the purpose of a religious ceremony.

(d)

Penalty.— Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for each violation.

(e)

Effect On State Law.— Nothing in this section—

(1)

limits any State or local law or regulation protecting the welfare of animals; or

(2)

prevents a State or unit of local government from adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation that is more stringent than this section.

SEC. 12516. Labeling Exemption for Single Ingredient Foods and Products.

The food labeling requirements under section 403(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343(q)) shall not require that the nutrition facts label of any single-ingredient sugar, honey, agave, or syrup, including maple syrup, that is packaged and offered for sale as a single-ingredient food bear the declaration “Includes X g Added Sugars.”.

SEC. 12517. South Carolina Inclusion in Virginia/carolina Peanut Producing Region.

Section 1308(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7958(c)(2)(B)(iii)) is amended by striking “ Virginia and North Carolina” and inserting “ Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina”.

SEC. 12518. Forest Service Hire Authority.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary of Agriculture may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such title, a qualified candidate described in subsection (b) directly to a position with the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service for which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards.

(b)

Qualifications.— Subsection (a) applies to a former resource assistant (as defined in section 203 of the Public Land Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1722)) who—

(1)

completed a rigorous internship with a land managing agency, such as the Forest Service Resource Assistant Program;

(2)

successfully fulfilled the requirements of the internship program; and

(3)

earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).

(c)

Limitation.— The direct hire authority under this section may not be exercised with respect to a specific qualified candidate after the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date on which the candidate completed the undergraduate or graduate degree, as the case may be, or has successfully fulfilled the requirements of the internship program, whichever is later.

SEC. 12519. Conversion Authority.

The Secretary may, notwithstanding subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive or excepted service, noncompetitively convert to an appointment in the competitive service, in an agency or office within the Department of Agriculture, a recent graduate or student who is a United States citizen and has been awarded and successfully completed a scholarship program granted to the individual by the Department through the 1890 National Scholars Program or the 1994 Tribal Scholars Program carried out by the Department, provided the individual meets the requirements for such conversion and meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards, as determined by the Secretary. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed as requiring the Secretary to convert an individual under the authority under such sentence.

SEC. 12520. Authorization of Protection Operations for the Secretary of Agriculture and Others.

(a)

In General.— The Department of Agriculture is authorized to employ qualified law enforcement officers or special agents to provide—

(1)

protection for the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary during the performance of official duties by each such officer and during any activity that is preliminary or postliminary to the performance of official duties by each such officer;

(2)

protection, incidental to the protection provided pursuant to paragraph (1), to an individual accompanying each such officer who is participating in an activity or event relating to the official duties of each such officer when there is an articulable threat to such individual;

(3)

continuous protection to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary (including during periods not described in paragraph (1)) if there is an articulable threat of physical harm, in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary; and

(4)

protection of another senior officer representing the Secretary (including a person nominated to be the Secretary during the pendency of such nomination) if there is an articulable threat of physical harm, in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary.

(b)

Authorities of the Protective Operation.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary may authorize officers or special agents employed pursuant to subsection (a)—

(A)

to carry firearms;

(B)

to conduct criminal investigations into potential threats to the security of persons protected under this section;

(C)

to make arrests without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of such officer or special agent;

(D)

to perform protective intelligence work, including identifying and mitigating potential threats and conducting advance work to review security matters relating to sites and events; and

(E)

to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies.

(2)

Guidelines.— The authority conveyed under this section shall be exercised in accordance with any—

(A)

guidelines issued by the Attorney General; and

(B)

such additional guidelines as may be issued by the Secretary.

(c)

Exception.— The authorities granted under this section may be exercised notwithstanding section 1343(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code.

(d)

Report.— Not later than September 30, 2019, and each September 30 through 2024, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the protection provided, and accounting for the expenditures made, pursuant to this section.

PART II National Oilheat Research Alliance

SEC. 12531. National Oilheat Research Alliance.

(a)

In General.— Section 713 of the National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106–469) is amended by striking “ 18 years” and inserting “ 28 years”.

(b)

Limitation on Obligations of Funds.— The National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106–469) is amended by inserting after section 707 the following:

“SEC. 708. LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OF FUNDS.

“(a) In General.—In each calendar year of the covered period, the Alliance may not obligate an amount greater than the sum of—

“(1) 75 percent of the amount of assessments estimated to be collected under section 707 in that calendar year;

“(2) 75 percent of the amount of assessments actually collected under section 707 in the most recent calendar year for which an audit report has been submitted under section 706(f)(2)(B) as of the beginning of the calendar year for which the amount that may be obligated is being determined, less the estimate made pursuant to paragraph (1) for that most recent calendar year; and

“(3) amounts permitted in preceding calendar years to be obligated pursuant to this subsection that have not been obligated.

“(b) Excess Amounts Deposited in Escrow Account.—Assessments collected under section 707 in excess of the amount permitted to be obligated under subsection (a) in a calendar year shall be deposited in an escrow account for the duration of the covered period.

“(c) Treatment of Amounts in Escrow Account.—

“(1) In general.—During the covered period, the Alliance may not obligate, expend, or borrow against amounts required under subsection (b) to be deposited in the escrow account.

“(2) Interest.—Any interest earned on amounts described in paragraph (1) shall be—

“(A) deposited in the escrow account; and

“(B) unavailable for obligation for the duration of the covered period.

“(d) Release of Amounts in Escrow Account.—Beginning on October 1, 2028, the Alliance may withdraw and obligate any amount in the escrow account.

“(e) Covered Period Defined.—In this section, the term ‘covered period’ means the period that begins on February 6, 2019, and ends on September 30, 2028.”

(c)

Conforming Amendments.— The National Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106–469) is amended—

(1)

in section 706(d)(1), by striking “ not exceed 7 percent of the amount of assessments collected in any calendar year, except that during the first year of operation of the Alliance such expenses and amounts shall not exceed 10 percent of the amount of assessments” and inserting “ not exceed 7 percent of the amount of assessments collected in any calendar year that are permitted to be obligated in that calendar year”; and

(2)

in section 707—

(A)

in subsection (e), by inserting “ that are permitted to be obligated” after “ amount of assessments collected in the State” each place it appears; and

(B)

in subsection (f), by inserting “ and permitted to be obligated” after “ assessments collected” each place it appears.

Subtitle F General Provisions

SEC. 12601. Baiting of Migratory Game Birds.

(a)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Normal agricultural operation.— The term “normal agricultural operation” has the meaning given the term in section 20.11 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).

(2)

Post-disaster flooding.— The term “post-disaster flooding” means the destruction of a crop through flooding in accordance with practices required by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for agricultural producers to obtain crop insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) on land on which a crop was not harvestable due to a natural disaster (including any hurricane, storm, tornado, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, drought, fire, snowstorm, or other catastrophe that is declared a major disaster by the President in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170)) in the crop year—

(A)

in which the natural disaster occurred; or

(B)

immediately preceding the crop year in which the natural disaster occurred.

(3)

Rice ratooning.— The term “rice ratooning” means the agricultural practice of harvesting rice by cutting the majority of the aboveground portion of the rice plant but leaving the roots and growing shoot apices intact to allow the plant to recover and produce a second crop yield.

(b)

Regulations to Exclude Rice Ratooning and Post-disaster Flooding.— Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall revise part 20 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding, when carried out as part of a normal agricultural operation, do not constitute baiting.

(c)

Reports.— Not less frequently than once each year—

(1)

the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Secretary of the Interior a report that describes any changes to normal agricultural operations across the range of crops grown by agricultural producers in each region of the United States in which the official recommendations described in section 20.11(h) of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), are provided to agricultural producers; and

(2)

the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and after seeking input from the heads of State departments of fish and wildlife or the Regional Migratory Bird Flyway Councils of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall publicly post a report on the impact that rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding have on the behavior of migratory game birds that are hunted in the area in which rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding, respectively, have occurred.

SEC. 12602. Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund.

Section 12314 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2101 note; Public Law 113–79) is amended—

(1)

by striking “ 2018” each place it appears and inserting “ 2023”;

(2)

by striking “ calendar year 2013” each place it appears and inserting “ the prior calendar year”;

(3)

in subsection (b)(2)—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;

(B)

in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking “ (2) Twenty-five” and inserting the following:

“(2)

(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), twenty-five”

(C)

in subparagraph (A)(ii) (as so designated), by striking “ subparagraph (A)” and inserting “ clause (i)”; and

(D)

by adding at the end the following:

“(B)

(i) A yarn spinner shall not receive an amount under subparagraph (A) that exceeds the cost of pima cotton that—

“(I) was purchased during the prior calendar year; and

“(II) was used in spinning any cotton yarns.

“(ii) The Secretary shall reallocate any amounts reduced by reason of the limitation under clause (i) to spinners using the ratio described in subparagraph (A), disregarding production of any spinner subject to that limitation.”

(4)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ (b)(2)(A)” and inserting “ (b)(2)(A)(i)”;

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking “ and” at the end;

(C)

in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and

(D)

by adding at the end the following:

“(4) the dollar amount of pima cotton purchased during the prior calendar year—

“(A) that was used in spinning any cotton yarns; and

“(B) for which the producer maintains supporting documentation.”

(5)

in subsection (e)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ by the Secretary—” and inserting “ by the Secretary not later than March 15 of the applicable calendar year.”; and

(B)

by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and

(6)

in subsection (f), by striking “ subsection (b)—” in the matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through “ not later than” in paragraph (2) and inserting “ subsection (b) not later than”.

SEC. 12603. Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund.

Section 12315 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 7101 note; Public Law 113–79) is amended—

(1)

by striking “ 2019” each place it appears and inserting “ 2023”;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “ the payment—” and inserting “ the payment, payments in amounts authorized under that paragraph.”; and

(II)

by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)

in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking “ 4002(c)—” and inserting “ 4002(c), payments in amounts authorized under that paragraph.”; and

(II)

by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and

(B)

in paragraph (2), by striking “ submitted—” in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows through “ to the Secretary” in subparagraph (B) and inserting “ submitted to the Secretary”; and

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “ subsection (b)—” and inserting “ subsection (b) not later than April 15 of the year of the payment.”; and

(B)

by striking paragraphs (1) and (2).

SEC. 12604. Wool Research and Promotion.

Section 12316(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 7101 note; Public Law 113–79) is amended by striking “ 2015 through 2019” and inserting “ 2019 through 2023”.

SEC. 12605. Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund.

(a)

Definition of Citrus.— In this section, the term “citrus” means edible fruit of the family Rutaceae, including any hybrid of that fruit and any product of that hybrid that is produced for commercial purposes in the United States.

(b)

Establishment of Trust Fund.— There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund, to be known as the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund (referred to in this section as the “Citrus Trust Fund”), consisting of such amounts as shall be transferred to the Citrus Trust Fund pursuant to subsection (d).

(c)

Use of Fund.— From amounts in the Citrus Trust Fund, the Secretary shall, beginning in fiscal year 2019, carry out the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program in section 412(j) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(j)).

(d)

Funding.— Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall transfer to the Citrus Trust Fund $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 12606. Extension of Merchandise Processing Fees.

Section 503 of the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Public Law 112–41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) is amended by striking “ February 24, 2027” and inserting “ May 26, 2027”.

SEC. 12607. Reports on Land Access and Farmland Ownership Data Collection.

(a)

Land Access.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Chief Economist, shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report identifying—

(1)

the barriers that prevent or hinder the ability of beginning farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))) and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as defined in such section) to acquire or access farmland;

(2)

the extent to which Federal programs, including agricultural conservation easement programs, land transition programs, and financing programs, are improving—

(A)

farmland access and tenure for beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and

(B)

farmland transition and succession; and

(3)

the regulatory, operational, or statutory changes that are necessary to improve—

(A)

the ability of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to acquire or access farmland;

(B)

farmland tenure for beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and

(C)

farmland transition and succession.

(b)

Farmland Ownership.— The Secretary shall collect and, not less frequently than once every 3 years report, data and analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (as those terms are defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))). In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall, at a minimum—

(1)

collect and distribute comprehensive reporting of trends in farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers to entry, profitability, and viability of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;

(2)

develop surveys and report statistical and economic analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers to entry, profitability, and viability of beginning farmers and ranchers, including a regular follow-on survey to each Census of Agriculture with results of the follow-on survey made public not later than 3 years after the previous Census of Agriculture; and

(3)

require the National Agricultural Statistics Service to include in the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land survey questions relating to—

(A)

the extent to which non-farming landowners are purchasing and holding onto farmland for the sole purpose of real estate investment;

(B)

the impact of these farmland ownership trends on the successful entry and viability of beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;

(C)

the extent to which farm and ranch land with undivided interests and no administrative authority identified have farms or ranches operating on that land; and

(D)

the impact of land tenure patterns, categorized by—

(i)

race, gender, and ethnicity; and

(ii)

region.

(c)

Authorization of Appropriations.— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 12608. Reauthorization of Rural Emergency Medical Services Training and Equipment Assistance Program.

Section 330J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–15) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a), by striking “ in rural areas” and inserting “ in rural areas or to residents of rural areas”;

(2)

by striking subsections (b) through (f) and inserting the following:

“(b) Eligibility; Application.—To be eligible to receive grant under this section, an entity shall—

“(1) be—

“(A) an emergency medical services agency operated by a local or tribal government (including fire-based and non-fire based); or

“(B) an emergency medical services agency that is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and

“(2) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

“(c) Use of Funds.—An entity—

“(1) shall use amounts received through a grant under subsection (a) to—

“(A) train emergency medical services personnel as appropriate to obtain and maintain licenses and certifications relevant to service in an emergency medical services agency described in subsection (b)(1);

“(B) conduct courses that qualify graduates to serve in an emergency medical services agency described in subsection (b)(1) in accordance with State and local requirements;

“(C) fund specific training to meet Federal or State licensing or certification requirements; and

“(D) acquire emergency medical services equipment; and

“(2) may use amounts received through a grant under subsection (a) to—

“(A) recruit and retain emergency medical services personnel, which may include volunteer personnel;

“(B) develop new ways to educate emergency health care providers through the use of technology-enhanced educational methods; or

“(C) acquire personal protective equipment for emergency medical services personnel as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

“(d) Grant Amounts.—Each grant awarded under this section shall be in an amount not to exceed $200,000.

“(e) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) The term ‘emergency medical services’—

“(A) means resources used by a public or private nonprofit licensed entity to deliver medical care outside of a medical facility under emergency conditions that occur as a result of the condition of the patient; and

“(B) includes services delivered (either on a compensated or volunteer basis) by an emergency medical services provider or other provider that is licensed or certified by the State involved as an emergency medical technician, a paramedic, or an equivalent professional (as determined by the State).

“(2) The term ‘rural area’ means—

“(A) a nonmetropolitan statistical area;

“(B) an area designated as a rural area by any law or regulation of a State; or

“(C) a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical area (as determined under the most recent rural urban commuting area code as set forth by the Office of Management and Budget).

“(f) Matching Requirement.—The Secretary may not award a grant under this section to an entity unless the entity agrees that the entity will make available (directly or through contributions from other public or private entities) non-Federal contributions toward the activities to be carried out under the grant in an amount equal to 10 percent of the amount received under the grant.”

; and

(3)

in subsection (g)(1), by striking “ 2002 through 2006” and inserting “ 2019 through 2023”.

SEC. 12609. Commission on Farm Transitions—needs for 2050.

(a)

Establishment.— There is established a commission to be known as the Commission on Farm Transitions–Needs for 2050 (referred to in this section as the “Commission”).

(b)

Study.— The Commission shall conduct a study on issues impacting the transition of agricultural operations from established farmers and ranchers to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including—

(1)

access to, and availability of—

(A)

quality land and necessary infrastructure;

(B)

affordable credit;

(C)

adequate risk management tools; and

(D)

apprenticeship and mentorship programs;

(2)

agricultural asset transfer strategies in use as of the date of the enactment of this Act and improvements to such strategies;

(3)

incentives that may facilitate agricultural asset transfers to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including an assessment of, and recommendations for, how existing and new Federal tax policies—

(A)

facilitate lifetime and estate transfers; and

(B)

impact individuals seeking to farm who do not have family farm lineage or access to farmland;

(4)

the causes of the failures of such transitions, if any; and

(5)

the effectiveness of programs and incentives providing assistance with respect to such transitions in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and opportunities for the revision or improvement of such programs.

(c)

Membership.—

(1)

Composition.— The Commission shall be composed of 10 members, as follows:

(A)

3 members appointed by the Secretary.

(B)

3 members appointed by the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.

(C)

3 members appointed by the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.

(D)

The Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture.

(2)

Federal government employment.— In addition to the Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture, the membership of the Commission may include 1 or more employees of the Department of Agriculture or other Federal agencies.

(3)

Date of appointments.— The appointment of all members of the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(4)

Term; vacancies.—

(A)

Term.— A member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission.

(B)

Vacancies.— A vacancy on the Commission—

(i)

shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and

(ii)

shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

(5)

Initial meeting.— Not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.

(d)

Quorum.— A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.

(e)

Chairperson.— The Secretary shall appoint 1 of the members of the Commission to serve as Chairperson of the Commission.

(f)

Report.— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of the study required by subsection (b), including such recommendations as the Commission considers appropriate.

(g)

Hearings.— The Commission may hold such hearings, meet and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this section.

(h)

Information From Federal Agencies.— The Commission may secure directly from a Federal agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. On request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the agency shall provide the information to the Commission.

(i)

Postal Services.— The Commission may use the United States mail in the same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Government.

(j)

Assistance From Secretary.— The Secretary may provide to the Commission appropriate office space and such reasonable administrative and support services as the Commission may request.

(k)

Compensation of Members.—

(1)

Non-federal employees.— A member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.

(2)

Federal employees.— A member of the Commission who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation in addition to the compensation received for the services of the member as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

(3)

Travel expenses.— A member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Commission.

(l)

Federal Advisory Committee Act.— Sections 9 and 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission or any proceeding of the Commission.

(m)

Termination.— The Commission shall terminate on September 30, 2023.

SEC. 12610. Exceptions under United States Grain Standards Act.

(a)

Geographic Boundaries for Official Agencies.— Section 7 of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (f)(2)—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (iii), and (iv), respectively, and indenting appropriately;

(B)

in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking “ Not more” and inserting the following:

“(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), not more”

(C)

in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking “ Secretary, except that, if” and inserting the following:

“(B) Exceptions.—Subject to subsection (g)(4)(A), if”

(D)

in subparagraph (B) (as so designated), by inserting after clause (i) the following:

“(ii) a person requesting inspection services in that geographic area has not been receiving official inspection services from the current designated official agency for that geographic area;”

; and

(E)

by adding at the end the following:

“(C) Termination of nonuse of service exception.—The exception under subparagraph (B)(ii) may only be terminated if all parties to that exception jointly agree on the termination, unless terminated according to subsection (g)(4)(A).

“(D) Restoration of certain exceptions.—

“(i) Definition of eligible grain handling facility.—In this subparagraph, the term ‘eligible grain handling facility’ means a grain handling facility that—

“(I) was granted an exception under the final rule entitled ‘Exceptions to Geographic Areas for Official Agencies Under the USGSA’ (68 Fed. Reg. 19137 (April 18, 2003)); and

“(II) had that exception revoked between September 30, 2015, and the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

“(ii) Restoration of exceptions.—Within 90 days of notification from an eligible grain handling facility, the Secretary shall restore an exception described in clause (i)(I) with an official agency if—

“(I) the eligible grain handling facility and the former excepted official agency agree to restore that exception; and

“(II) the eligible grain handling facility notifies the Secretary of the preferred date for restoration of the exception within 90 days of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.”

; and

(2)

in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following:

“(4) Effect on exceptions.—

“(A) In general.—The exceptions under clauses (ii) and (iv) of subsection (f)(2)(B) shall not apply if the designation of an official agency is terminated, pursuant to paragraph (1).

“(B) Designation renewed or restored.—If the designation of an official agency is renewed or restored after being terminated under paragraph (1), the Secretary may renew or restore the exceptions under subsection (f)(2)(B) in accordance with that subsection.”

(b)

Unauthorized Weighing Prohibited.— Section 7A(i)(2) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79a(i)(2)) is amended—

(1)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;

(2)

in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking “ Not more” and inserting the following:

“(A) In general.—Subject to subparagraph (B), not more”

(3)

in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking “ Secretary, except that, if” and inserting the following:

“(B) Exceptions.—If”

(4)

in subparagraph (B) (as so designated)—

(A)

in clause (i), by striking “ or” at the end; and

(B)

by inserting after clause (i) the following:

“(ii) a person requesting weighing services in that geographic area has not been receiving official weighing services from the current designated official agency for that geographic area; or”

; and

(5)

by adding after subparagraph (B) (as so designated)—

“(C) Restoration of certain exceptions.—

“(i) Definition of eligible grain handling facility.—In this subparagraph, the term ‘eligible grain handling facility’ means a grain handling facility that—

“(I) was granted an exception under the final rule entitled ‘Exceptions to Geographic Areas for Official Agencies Under the USGSA’ (68 Fed. Reg. 19137 (April 18, 2003)); and

“(II) had that exception revoked between September 30, 2015 and the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

“(I) the eligible grain handling facility and the former excepted official agency agree to restore that exception; and

“(II) the eligible grain handling facility notifies the Secretary of the preferred date for restoration of the exception within 90 days of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.”

(c)

Technical Correction.— Section 7(f)(1) of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(1)) is amended by indenting subparagraph (C) appropriately.

SEC. 12611. Conference Report Requirement Threshold.

Section 14209(a)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2255b(a)(3)(A)) is amended by striking “ $10,000” and inserting “ $50,000”.

SEC. 12612. National Agriculture Imagery Program.

(a)

In General.— The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, shall carry out a national agriculture imagery program to annually acquire aerial imagery during agricultural growing seasons from the continental United States.

(b)

Data.— The aerial imagery acquired under this section shall—

(1)

consist of high resolution processed digital imagery;

(2)

be made available in a format that can be provided to Federal, State, and private sector entities;

(3)

be technologically compatible with geospatial information technology; and

(4)

be consistent with the standards established by the Federal Geographic Data Committee.

(c)

Supplemental Satellite Imagery.— The Secretary of Agriculture may supplement the aerial imagery collected under this section with satellite imagery.

(d)

Authorization of Appropriations.— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $23,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.

SEC. 12613. Report on Inclusion of Natural Stone Products in Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report examining the effect the establishment of a Natural Stone Research and Promotion Board pursuant to the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) would have on the natural stone industry, including how such a program would effect—

(1)

research conducted on, and the promotion of, natural stone;

(2)

the development and expansion of domestic markets for natural stone;

(3)

economic activity of the natural stone industry subject to such a Board;

(4)

economic development in rural areas; and

(5)

benefits to consumers in the United States of natural stone products.

SEC. 12614. Establishment of Food Access Liaison.

(a)

In General.— Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended by sections 12202, 12302, 12403, and 12504, is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 225. FOOD ACCESS LIAISON.

“(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish the position of Food Access Liaison to coordinate Department programs to reduce barriers to food access and monitor and evaluate the progress of such programs in accordance with this section.

“(b) Duties.—The Food Access Liaison shall—

“(1) coordinate the efforts of the Department, including regional offices, to experiment and consider programs and policies aimed at reducing barriers to food access for consumers, including but not limited to participants in nutrition assistance programs;

“(2) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to reduce barriers to food access in accordance with the statutory authorization for each program;

“(3) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to reduce barriers to food access, including retailers, markets, producers, and others involved in food production and distribution, with respect to the availability of, and eligibility for, Department programs;

“(4) raise awareness of food access issues in interactions with employees of the Department;

“(5) make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to efforts to reduce barriers to food access; and

“(6) submit to Congress an annual report with respect to the efforts of the Department to reduce barriers to food access.”

(b)

Technical Assistance.— The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to entities that are participants, or seek to participate, in Department of Agriculture programs related to reduction of barriers to food access.

SEC. 12615. Eligibility for Operators on Heirs Property Land to Obtain a Farm Number.

(a)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Eligible documentation.— The term “eligible documentation”, with respect to land for which a farm operator seeks assignment of a farm number under subsection (b)(1), includes—

(A)

in States that have adopted a statute consisting of an enactment or adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, as approved and recommended for enactment in all States by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2010—

(i)

a court order verifying the land meets the definition of heirs property (as defined in that Act); or

(ii)

a certification from the local recorder of deeds that the recorded owner of the land is deceased and not less than 1 heir of the recorded owner of the land has initiated a procedure to retitle the land in the name of the rightful heir;

(B)

a fully executed, unrecorded tenancy-in-common agreement that sets out ownership rights and responsibilities among all of the owners of the land that—

(i)

has been approved by a majority of the ownership interests in that property;

(ii)

has given a particular owner the right to manage and control any portion or all of the land for purposes of operating a farm or ranch; and

(iii)

was validly entered into under the authority of the jurisdiction in which the land is located;

(C)

the tax return of a farm operator farming a property with undivided interests for each of the 5 years preceding the date on which the farm operator submits the tax returns as eligible documentation under subsection (b);

(D)

self-certification that the farm operator has control of the land for purposes of operating a farm or ranch; and

(E)

any other documentation identified by the Secretary under subsection (c).

(2)

Farm number.— The term “farm number” has the meaning given the term in section 718.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).

(b)

Farm Number.—

(1)

In general.— The Secretary shall provide for the assignment of a farm number to any farm operator who provides any form of eligible documentation for purposes of demonstrating that the farm operator has control of the land for purposes of defining that land as a farm.

(2)

Eligibility.— Any farm number provided under paragraph (1) shall be sufficient to satisfy any requirement of the Secretary to have a farm number to participate in a program of the Secretary.

(c)

Eligible Documentation.— The Secretary shall identify alternative forms of eligible documentation that a farm operator may provide in seeking the assignment of a farm number under subsection (b)(1).

SEC. 12616. Extending Prohibition on Animal Fighting to the Territories.

(a)

In General.— Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by striking “ Except as provided in paragraph (3), it” and inserting “ It”; and

(B)

by striking paragraph (3);

(2)

by striking subsection (d); and

(3)

by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), respectively.

(b)

Use of Postal Service or Other Interstate Instrumentalities.— Section 26(c) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156(c)) is amended by striking “ (e)” and inserting “ (d)”.

(c)

Criminal Penalties.— Subsection (i) of section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156), as redesignated by section 2(3), is amended by striking “ (e)” and inserting “ (d)”.

(d)

Enforcement of Animal Fighting Prohibitions.— Section 49(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking “ (e)” and inserting “ (d)”.

(e)

Effective Date.— The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 12617. Exemption of Exportation of Certain Echinoderms from Permission and Licensing Requirements.

(a)

Definitions.— In this section:

(1)

Conservation and management.— The term “conservation and management” has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802).

(2)

Marine fisheries commission.— The term “Marine Fisheries Commission” means an interstate commission (as that term is used in the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 (16 USC 4101 et seq.)).

(3)

State jurisdiction.— The term “State jurisdiction” means areas under the jurisdiction and authority of a State as described in section 306(a)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1856(a)(2)).

(b)

Exemption.— Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that—

(1)

except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection (d)(2)—

(A)

fish and wildlife described in subsection (c) are fishery products exempt from the export permission requirements of section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); and

(B)

any person may engage in business as an exporter of fish or wildlife described in subsection (c) without procuring—

(i)

permission under section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); or

(ii)

an export license under subpart I of part 14 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and

(2)

notwithstanding paragraph (1), unless the person has qualified for and obtained an export license described in paragraph (1)(B)(ii), any person that has been convicted of 1 or more violations of a Federal law relating to the importation, transportation, or exportation of wildlife shall not be permitted, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the most recent conviction, to engage in business as an exporter of fish or wildlife described in subsection (c).

(c)

Covered Fish or Wildlife.— The fish or wildlife referred to in subsection (b) are members of the species Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (commonly known as the “green sea urchin”), including any products of that species, that—

(1)

do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 23 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations);

(2)

(A)

are harvested in waters under State jurisdiction; or

(B)

are imported for processing in the United States pursuant to an import license as required under section 14.91 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and not exempt from import license requirements under section 14.92 of that title (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act); and

(3)

are exported for purposes of human or animal consumption.

(d)

Information Collection on Exports.—

(1)

In general.— The State agency that regulates or otherwise oversees a State fishery in which the fish and wildlife described in subsection (c) are harvested shall annually transmit the conservation and management data (as defined in subsection (a)) to the Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board of the applicable Marine Fisheries Commission.

(2)

Privacy.— Such data thereafter shall not be released and shall be maintained as confidential by such applicable Marine Fisheries Commission, including data requested under the section 552 of title 5, United States Code, unless disclosure is required under court order or unless the data is essential for an enforcement action under Federal wildlife management laws.

(3)

Exclusion.— The exemption under subsection (b)(1) shall not apply in a State if—

(A)

the State fails to transmit the data required under paragraph (1); or

(B)

the applicable Marine Fisheries Commission determines, in consultation with the primary research agency of such Commission, after notice and an opportunity to comment, that the data required under paragraph (1) fails to prove that the State agency or official is engaged in conservation and management of the fish or wildlife described in subsection (c).

SEC. 12618. Data on Conservation Practices.

Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 1247. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

“(a) Data on Conservation Practices.—The Secretary shall identify available data sets within the Department of Agriculture regarding the use of conservation practices and the effect of such practices on farm and ranch profitability (including such effects relating to crop yields, soil health, and other risk-related factors).

“(b) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes—

“(1) a summary of the data sets identified under subsection (a);

“(2) a summary of the steps the Secretary would have to take to provide access to such data sets by university researchers, including taking into account any technical, privacy, or administrative considerations;

“(3) a summary of safeguards the Secretary employs when providing access to data to university researchers;

“(4) a summary of appropriate procedures to maximize the potential for research benefits while preventing any violations of privacy or confidentiality; and

“(5) recommendations for any necessary authorizations or clarifications of Federal law to allow access to such data sets to maximize the potential for research benefits.”

SEC. 12619. Conforming Changes to Controlled Substances Act.

(a)

In General.— Section 102(16) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended—

(1)

by striking “ (16) The” and inserting “ (16)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the”; and

(2)

by striking “ Such term does not include the” and inserting the following:

“(B) The term ‘marihuana’ does not include—

“(i) hemp, as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; or

“(ii) the”

(b)

Tetrahydrocannabinol.— Schedule I, as set forth in section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)), is amended in subsection (c)(17) by inserting after “ Tetrahydrocannabinols” the following: “ , except for tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)”.