---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 7031"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "7031"
heading: "Electronic filing and retrieval"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/7031"
units:
  - "Chapter 98 — Department of Agriculture Reorganization"
  - "Subchapter X — Freedom to E-File"
---

# §7031. Electronic filing and retrieval

- (a) **In general—** Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000, in accordance with [subsection (c)](#c), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3) of Agriculture (referred to in this subchapter as the “[Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3)”) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, establish an Internet-based system that enables agricultural producers to access all forms of the agencies of the [Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1) of Agriculture (referred to in this subchapter as the “[Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1)”) specified in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Applicability—** The agencies referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) are the following:
  - (1) The Farm Service Agency.
  - (2) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  - (3) The rural development components of the [Department](/usc/7/6902.md?p=1) included in the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3)’s service center initiative regarding [State](/usc/7/198.md?p=5) and field office collocation implemented pursuant to [section 6915 of this title](/usc/7/6915.md).
  - (4) The agricultural producer programs component of the Commodity Credit Corporation administered by the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
- (c) **Implementation—** In carrying out [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3) shall—
  - (1) provide a method by which agricultural producers may—
    - (A) download from the Internet the forms of the agencies specified in [subsection (b)](#b); and
    - (B) submit completed forms via electronic facsimile, mail, or similar means;
  - (2) redesign the forms by incorporating into the forms user-friendly formats and self-help guidance materials; and
  - (3) ensure that the agencies specified in [subsection (b)](#b)—
    - (A) use computer hardware and software that is compatible among the agencies and will operate in a common computing environment; and
    - (B) develop common Internet user-interface locations and applications to consolidate the agencies’ news, information, and program materials.
- (d) **Progress reports—** Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000, the [Secretary](/usc/7/6902.md?p=3) shall submit to Congress a report that describes the progress made toward implementing the Internet-based system required under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–222, § 2, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 353.)