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Calendar No. 540
106th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 106-288
======================================================================
AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2001
_______
May 10, 2000.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Cochran, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 2536]
The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2536)
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes,
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
DIVISION A
Total obligational authority, fiscal year 2001
Amount of bill as reported to the Senate................ $75,346,809,000
Amount of 2000 appropriations acts to date.............. 75,642,006,000
Amount of estimates, 2001............................... 76,844,597,000
The bill as recommended to the Senate:
Under the appropriations provided in 2000........... 295,197,000
Under the estimates for 2001........................ 1,497,788,000
\1\ Includes rescissions pursuant to Public Law 106-113 and excludes
emergency appropriations.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Summary of the Bill
DIVISION A
Page
Overview and summary of the bill................................. 7
Government Performance and Results Act........................... 8
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary.......................................... 10
Executive operations............................................. 11
Office of the Chief Information Officer.......................... 13
Common computing environment..................................... 14
Office of the Chief Financial Officer............................ 14
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration............. 15
Agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments......... 15
Hazardous waste management....................................... 16
Departmental administration...................................... 17
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations.... 18
Office of Communications......................................... 18
Office of the Inspector General.................................. 19
Office of the General Counsel.................................... 19
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and
Economics...................................................... 20
Economic Research Service........................................ 20
National Agricultural Statistics Service......................... 21
Agricultural Research Service.................................... 22
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service..... 42
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs....................................................... 53
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service....................... 54
Agricultural Marketing Service................................... 62
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.......... 66
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety.................... 67
Food Safety and Inspection Service............................... 67
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services....................................................... 69
Farm Service Agency.............................................. 69
Risk Management Agency........................................... 75
Corporations
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation fund.......................... 76
Commodity Credit Corporation fund................................ 77
TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and
Environment.................................................... 82
Natural Resources Conservation Service........................... 82
TITLE III--RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Economic and Community
Development.................................................... 92
Rural Community Advancement Program.............................. 93
Rural Housing Service............................................ 98
Rural Business-Cooperative Service............................... 104
Rural Utilities Service.......................................... 108
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services....................................................... 113
Food and Nutrition Service....................................... 113
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Foreign Agricultural Service..................................... 127
TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
Food and Drug Administration..................................... 135
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission............................. 142
Farm Credit Administration....................................... 143
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
General provisions............................................... 145
Program, project, and activity................................... 145
Compliance with paragraph 7, rule XVI of the standing rules of
the Senate..................................................... 146
DIVISION B
TITLE I
CHAPTER 1
Department of Agriculture:
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service................... 164
Farm Service Agency.......................................... 164
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund...................... 164
Rural Community Advancement Program.......................... 165
Rural Housing Service........................................ 165
Rural Utilities Service...................................... 165
General provisions--this chapter................................. 166
CHAPTER 2
Department of Defense--Civil: Department of the Army: Corps of
Engineers--Civil............................................... 167
Independent Agencies: Appalachian Regional Commission............ 168
CHAPTER 3
Department of the Interior:
Bureau of Land Management.................................... 168
United States Fish and Wildlife Service...................... 169
National Park Service........................................ 170
United States Geological Survey.............................. 170
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement......... 170
Bureau of Indian Affairs..................................... 171
Department of Agriculture: Forest Service........................ 172
CHAPTER 4
Department of Health and Human Services:
Health Care Financing Administration......................... 172
Administration for Children and Families..................... 173
CHAPTER 5
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS
JOINT ITEMS
Capitol Police Board............................................. 173
Architect of the Capitol:
Capitol Buildings and Grounds................................ 173
Capitol Police............................................... 175
General provision--this chapter.................................. 175
CHAPTER 6
Department of Transportation and Related Agencies: National
Transportation Safety Board.................................... 176
CHAPTER 7
Department of the Treasury:
Departmental Offices......................................... 176
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms...................... 177
Independent Agencies: General Services Administration............ 177
CHAPTER 8
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Community Planning
and Development................................................ 178
Independent Agencies: Federal Emergency Management Agency........ 178
CHAPTER 9
General provisions--this title................................... 179
TITLE II
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND OFFSETS
CHAPTER 1
Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service 181
General provisions--this chapter................................. 181
CHAPTER 2
Department of Justice: Radiation Exposure Compensation........... 181
Department of Commerce:
Economic Development Administration.......................... 182
Science and Technology:
National Institute of Standards and Technology........... 182
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.......... 182
Department of State:
Administration of Foreign Affairs............................ 183
International Organizations and Conferences.................. 183
Related Agency: Small Business Administration.................... 184
CHAPTER 3
Department of Energy--Energy Programs: Uranium Enrichment
Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund....................... 184
CHAPTER 4
Department of Labor:
Employment and Training Administration....................... 185
Mine Safety and Health Administration........................ 185
Department of Health and Human Services:
Administration for Children and Families..................... 185
Administration on Aging...................................... 186
General Provisions--Department of Health and Human Services.. 186
Department of Education.......................................... 186
Related Agencies:
Railroad Retirement Board.................................... 187
Social Security Administration............................... 187
General provisions--this chapter................................. 187
CHAPTER 5
Department of Transportation:
Office of the Secretary...................................... 188
U.S. Coast Guard............................................. 188
Federal Aviation Administration.............................. 189
General provisions--this chapter................................. 190
CHAPTER 6
Department of Housing and Urban Development:
Public and Indian Housing.................................... 191
Housing Programs............................................. 192
Management and Administration................................ 192
National Aeronautic and Space Administration................. 192
National Science Foundation.................................. 193
General provisions--this chapter................................. 193
CHAPTER 7
OFFSETS
Department of Agriculture: Office of the Chief Information
Officer........................................................ 194
Department of Justice:
General Administration....................................... 194
United States Parole Commission.............................. 195
Legal Activities............................................. 195
Federal Bureau of Investigation.............................. 195
Immigration and Naturalization Service....................... 195
Office of Justice Programs................................... 196
Department of Commerce:
Science and Technology: National Institute of Standards and
Technol-
ogy........................................................ 196
Related agencies: Small Business Administration.............. 196
Department of Health and Human Services: Departmental Management. 197
Executive Office of the President: Federal Drug Control Programs. 197
Department of Housing and Urban Development: Public and Indian
Hous-
ing............................................................ 197
CHAPTER 8
General provisions--this title................................... 197
TITLE III
General provisions--this division................................ 199
TITLE IV
Food and Medicine for the World Act.............................. 201
Compliance with paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the standing rules of
the Senate..................................................... 202
Budgetary impact of bill......................................... 225
BREAKDOWN BY TITLE
The amounts of obligational authority for each of the six
titles are shown in the following table. A detailed tabulation,
showing comparisons, appears at the end of this report.
Recommendations for individual appropriation items, projects
and activities are carried in this report under the appropriate
item headings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 Committee
2000 \1\ recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I: Agricultural programs.... $35,436,305,000 $34,506,850,000
Title II: Conservation programs... 804,158,000 867,565,000
Title III: Rural economic and 2,187,507,000 2,502,229,000
community development programs...
Title IV: Domestic food programs.. 35,044,106,000 35,213,590,000
Title V: Foreign assistance and 1,055,669,000 1,090,602,000
related programs.................
Title VI: Related agencies........ 1,112,011,000 1,165,973,000
Title VII: General provisions..... 2,250,000 .................
-------------------------------------
Total, new budget 75,642,006,000 75,346,809,000
(obligational) authority...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes rescissions pursuant to Public Law 106-113 and excludes
emergency appropriations.
OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL
The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill
provides funding for a wide array of Federal programs, mostly
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]. These programs
include agricultural research, education, and extension
activities; natural resources conservation programs; farm
income and support programs; marketing and inspection
activities; domestic food programs; rural economic and
community development activities and electrification
assistance; and various export and international activities of
the USDA.
The bill also provides funding for the Food and Drug
Administration [FDA] and the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission [CFTC], and allows the use of collected fees for
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration
[FCA].
Given the budgetary constraints that the Committee faces,
the bill as reported provides the proper amount of emphasis on
agricultural and rural development programs and on other
programs and activities funded by the bill. It is within the
subcommittee's 302(b) allocation.
All accounts in the bill have been closely examined to
ensure that an appropriate level of funding is provided to
carry out the programs of USDA, FDA, CFTC, and FCA. Details on
each of the accounts, the funding level, and the Committee's
justifications behind the funding levels are included in the
report.
The Committee also has encouraged the consideration of
grant and loan applications from various entities. The
Committee expects the Department only to approve those
applications judged meritorious when subjected to the
established review process.
Food Safety
For fiscal year 2001, the Committee recommends
$377,228,000, an increase of $53,029,000 from the fiscal year
2000 level, for United States Department of Agriculture and
Food and Drug Administration activities included in the
President's Food Safety Initiative. The Food Safety Initiative
includes those activities identified in the May 1997 report to
the President entitled: ``Food Safety from Farm-to-Table: A
National Food Safety Initiative.'' It does not include other
Federal food safety programs and activities, Federal meat and
poultry inspection being a notable example. The increases
recommended by the Committee for the President's Food Safety
Initiative, by agency, are as follows:
--$7,372,000 for the Agricultural Marketing Service;
--$5,720,000 for the Agricultural Research Service;
--$8,388,000 for the Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service;
--$7,309,000 for the Food Safety and Inspection Service;
--$240,000 for the Office of the Chief Economist; and
--$24,000,000 for the Food and Drug Administration.
The United States continues to have one of the safest food
supplies in the world. These additional measures are intended
to increase the protection of the American public through the
implementation of science-based food inspection systems and
other technologies to control and detect food safety hazards,
additional research, education on food safety procedures and
safe food handling, enhanced public health surveillance, and a
faster, more efficient response to incidences of foodborne
illness.
Egg safety.--The Committee supports the commitment to egg
safety evidenced by the Administration's Action Plan to
Eliminate Salmonella enteritidis Illnesses Due to Eggs,
published on December 10, 1999. The Committee expects that a
thorough economic impact analysis of the action plan will be
completed prior to the issuance of any proposed rule pursuant
to the plan in order to prevent any undue adverse impact on
producers.
In preparing regulations to implement the plan, the
Committee believes the Administration should consider and
address the following: (1) combining rules on Salmonella
enteritidis (SE) testing and Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point-based prerequisite programs for shell egg
producers in order to expedite the implementation of quality
assurance programs; (2) providing that any requirements for
producers or packers of shell eggs to conduct tests for SE will
contain provisions to defray or reimburse the costs of such
tests to producers or packers in order to maximize incentives
for sound and thorough quality assurance; (3) focusing testing
and diversion requirements on products intended for
consumption, with diversion requirements contingent upon
positive results from end product testing; (4) conforming the
frequency and sequencing of tests to the provisions of existing
national quality assurance programs for shell eggs; (5)
including in the rulemaking a ban on the repackaging of eggs
returned from retail establishments, as well as nationwide
standards for ``sell-by'' or ``best-by'' dates; (6) modifying
the egg warning label proposed by FDA on July 6, 1999, to
ensure that the label is consistent with equivalent labels on
meat and poultry products, and to take into account additional
protective measures in the action plan; (7) proposing a program
to indemnify producers who may be required to divert eggs into
pasteurization, based on the difference in price received for
diverted eggs and shell eggs sold in retail markets; and (8)
providing procedures to assure that any functions assigned to
State agencies under the action plan will be implemented in a
consistent manner in all jurisdictions.
Government Performance and Results Act
Public Law 103-62, the Government Performance and Results
Act [GPRA] of 1993, requires Federal agencies to develop
succinct and precise strategic plans and annual performance
plans that focus on results of funding decisions made by the
Congress. Rather than simply providing details of activity
levels, agencies will set outcome goals based on program
activities and establish performance measures for use in
management and budgeting. In an era of restricted and declining
resources, it is paramount that agencies focus on the
difference they make in citizens' lives.
The Committee supports the concepts of this law and intends
to use the agencies' plans for funding purposes. The Committee
considers GPRA to be a viable way to reduce Federal spending
while achieving a more efficient and effective Government and
will closely monitor compliance with this law. The Committee is
fully committed to the success and outcome of GPRA requirements
as envisioned by the Congress, the administration, and this
Committee.
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $15,435,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\............................... 2,914,000
Committee recommendation................................ 27,914,000
\1\ Includes $1,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113, and ``no-
year'' appropriations of $12,600,000 for the Common Computing
Environment.
\2\ Revised budget request, March 31, 2000 (H. Doc. 106-222).
The Secretary of Agriculture, assisted by the Deputy
Secretary, Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Chief
Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and members of
their immediate staffs, directs and coordinates the work of the
Department. This includes developing policy, maintaining
relationships with agricultural organizations and others in the
development of farm programs, and maintaining liaison with the
Executive Office of the President and Members of Congress on
all matters pertaining to agricultural policy.
The general authority of the Secretary to supervise and
control the work of the Department is contained in the Organic
Act (7 U.S.C. 2201-2202). The delegation of regulatory
functions to Department employees and authorization of
appropriations to carry out these functions is contained in 7
U.S.C. 450c-450g.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Secretary, the Committee recommends
an appropriation of $27,914,000. This amount is $12,479,000
more than the 2000 appropriation and $25,000,000 more than the
budget request.
The Committee provides the increase requested in the budget
for pay costs, along with $25,000,000, to remain available
until expended, for continued funding of information technology
investments in support of the Department's Service Center
Modernization Initiative. The budget proposes to establish a
new account to fund the Common Computing Environment/Service
Center Modernization and requests $75,000,000.
Environmentally preferable products.--The Secretary shall
work with the General Services Administration, the Department
of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other
appropriate agencies to maximize the purchases of
environmentally preferable products, as defined by Executive
Order 13101 on Federal Acquisition, Recycling and Waste
Prevention. Such products are not only useful in improving the
environment, but they can, when the product contains a
substantial amount of agri-based content, also open
considerable markets for farmers.
The Department should actively participate in joint task
forces and other multiagency entities in this area. It should
actively work to properly define standards for agri-based
content of products and work towards the development of such
environmentally preferable products.
Section 416.--The Secretary shall work with representatives
of the dairy industry and appropriate non-government
organizations and others to increase the amount of fortified
dry milk exported under humanitarian assistance programs.
Food Aid for Orphans and Communities Affected by HIV/
AIDS.--The Committee notes that U.S. food aid could make a
critical difference in helping African extended families care
for AIDS orphans. By the end of this year, there will be 13
million orphans, and in a few years, there will be 40 million
orphans in Africa. Food aid can be used for direct nutritional
support or monetized and used in microcredit or other
development projects to help relatives earn enough money to
take in their kin. The United States Agency for International
Development, the World Food Program, and private voluntary
organizations have seen the potential of food aid and
microcredit to help with the AIDS pandemic and have begun to
target programs to communities impacted by AIDS.
The Committee includes language in the bill that requires
the Secretary of Agriculture, to the extent practicable, to
make available $25,000,000 in commodities under Section 416(b)
of the Agricultural Act of 1949 to assist foreign countries in
mitigating the effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) on communities in such
countries. Such assistance includes the provision of
agricultural commodities (1) to address the nutritional needs
of individuals in such communities who have HIV/AIDS; (2) for
households affected by HIV/AIDS; and (3) as part of other aid
or assistance, including microcredit and microenterprise
programs, designed to create or restore sustainable livelihood
strategies in communities affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly
those caring for orphaned children.
Conservation reserve program.--The Committee encourages the
Department to take all necessary administrative actions to
ensure the availability of no less than 4 million acres for
partial field conservation buffer enrollments within the
existing Conservation Reserve Program. Also, the Committee
encourages the Department to extend stewardship incentive
payments to contour grass strips and cross wind trap strips, as
well as any additional conservation practices that may be made
eligible for the continuous sign-up or conservation reserve
enhancement programs.
Executive Operations
Executive operations were established as a result of the
reorganization of the Department to provide a support team for
USDA policy officials and selected Departmentwide services.
Activities under the executive operations include the Office of
the Chief Economist, the National Appeals Division, and the
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
Chief Economist
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $6,408,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 8,612,000
Committee recommendation................................ 7,462,000
\1\ Includes $3,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Office of the Chief Economist advises the Secretary of
Agriculture on the economic implications of Department policies
and programs. The Office serves as the single focal point for
the Nation's economic intelligence and analysis, risk
assessment, energy and new uses, and cost-benefit analysis
related to domestic and international food and agriculture
issues, and is responsible for coordination and review of all
commodity and aggregate agricultural and food-related data used
to develop outlook and situation material within the
Department.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Chief Economist, the Committee
recommends $7,462,000. This amount is $1,054,000 more than the
2000 appropriation and $1,150,000 less than the budget request.
The Committee's recommendation includes the increases
requested in the budget for pay costs, to continue
modernization of weather and economic data systems, and to
enhance the Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit
Analysis.
National Appeals Division
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $11,707,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 12,610,000
Committee recommendation................................ 12,421,000
\1\ Includes $11,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The National Appeals Division conducts administrative
hearings and reviews of adverse program decisions made by the
rural development mission area, the Farm Service Agency, the
Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the National Appeals Division, the Committee recommends
$12,421,000. This amount is $714,000 more than the 2000
appropriation and $189,000 less than the budget request.
The Committee's recommendation includes the increase
requested in the budget for pay costs and $400,000 of the
increase requested for training.
Office of Budget and Program Analysis
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $6,581,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 6,765,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,765,000
\1\ Includes $2,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Office of Budget and Program Analysis provides
direction and administration of the Department's budgetary
functions including development, presentation, and execution of
the budget; reviews program and legislative proposals for
program, budget, and related implications; analyzes program and
resource issues and alternatives, and prepares summaries of
pertinent data to aid the Secretary and departmental policy
officials and agency program managers in the decisionmaking
process; provides departmentwide coordination for and
participation in the presentation of budget-related matters to
the committees of the Congress, the media, and interested
public. The Office also provides departmentwide coordination of
the preparation and processing of regulations and legislative
programs and reports.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, the
Committee recommends $6,765,000. This amount is $184,000 more
than the 2000 appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $6,046,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 14,680,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,046,000
\1\ Includes $5,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Office of the Chief Information Officer was established
in August 1996, pursuant to the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996,
which required the establishment of a Chief Information Officer
for major Federal agencies. This office provides policy
guidance, leadership, coordination, and direction to the
Department's information management and information technology
investment activities in support of USDA program delivery. The
Office provides long-range planning guidance, implements
measures to ensure that technology investments are economical
and effective, coordinates interagency information resources
management projects, and implements standards to promote
information exchange and technical interoperability. In
addition, the Office of the Chief Information Officer is
responsible for certain activities financed under the
Department's working capital fund (7 U.S.C. 2235). The Office
also provides telecommunication and automated data processing
[ADP] services to USDA agencies through the National
Information Technology Center with locations in Fort Collins,
CO, and Kansas City, MO. Direct ADP operational services are
also provided to the Office of the General Counsel, Office of
Communications, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and
executive operations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $10,046,000 for the Office of the
Chief Information Officer. This amount is $4,000,000 more than
the 2000 appropriation and $4,634,000 less than the budget
request.
Included in the Committee's recommendation is an additional
$217,000 for pay cost increases. The Committee is unable to
provide the full increase proposed for a number of program
activities, including expansion of USDA's Cyber Security
Program, strengthening information risk management,
implementation of an information and telecommunications
security architecture, and implementation of E-Government and
E-Commerce initiatives. The remaining increase provided by the
Committee is to be applied to the highest priority needs for
which additional funding is requested in the budget.
Common Computing Environment
Appropriations, 2000.................................... ( \1\ )
Budget estimate, 2001................................... $75,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ ( \2\ )
\1\ A ``no-year'' appropriation of $12,600,000 was made available by
Public Law 106-78 for the Common Computing Environment under the
``Office of the Secretary'' account.
\2\ Funding included under the ``Office of the Secretary'' account.
The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994
requires the Secretary of Agriculture to procure and use
computer systems in a manner that enhances efficiency,
productivity, and client services, and that promotes computer
information sharing among agencies of the Department. The
Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 requires USDA to maximize the value
of information technology acquisitions to improve the
efficiency and effectiveness of USDA programs. Since its
beginning in 1996, the USDA Service Center Modernization
initiative has been working to restructure county field
offices, modernize and integrate business approaches and
replace the current, aging information systems with a modern
Common Computing Environment that optimizes information
sharing, customer service, and staff efficiencies.
committee recommendations
The Committee does not concur with the recommendation in
the budget to establish a separate account to fund information
technology investments in support of the Department's Service
Center Modernization Initiative. The Committee recommends
funding for these investments under the ``Office of the
Secretary'' account.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $4,783,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 6,465,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,171,000
\1\ Excludes the transfer of $177,000 from Departmental Administration.
Under the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, the Chief
Financial Officer is responsible for the continued direction
and oversight of the Department's financial management
operations and systems. The Office is also responsible for the
management and operation of the National Finance Center. In
addition, the Office provides budget, accounting, and fiscal
services to the Office of the Secretary, departmental staff
offices, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of
Communications, and executive operations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the
Committee recommends $5,171,000. This amount is $388,000 more
than the 2000 appropriation and $1,294,000 less than the budget
request.
Included in the Committee's recommendation is an additional
$177,000, reflecting the transfer in fiscal year 2000 of
accounting support services to the Office of the Chief
Financial Officer from Department Administration pursuant to
the Secretary's reorganization authority, and an increase of
$211,000 for pay costs.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $613,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 629,000
Committee recommendation................................ 629,000
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
directs and coordinates the work of the departmental staff in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress relating to real
and personal property management, personnel management, equal
opportunity and civil rights programs, ethics, and other
general administrative functions. In addition, the Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Administration is responsible for
certain activities financed under the Department's working
capital fund (7 U.S.C. 2235).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Administration, the Committee recommends $629,000. This amount
is $16,000 more than the 2000 level and the same as the budget
request.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $140,343,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 182,747,000
Committee recommendation................................ 182,747,000
\1\ Includes $21,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Rental payments.--Annual appropriations are made to finance
the appropriated portion of the payments to the General
Services Administration [GSA] for rental of space and for
related services to all USDA agencies, except the Forest
Service, which is funded by another appropriations bill.
The requirement that GSA charge commercial rent rates to
agencies occupying GSA-controlled space was established by the
Public Buildings Amendments of 1972. The methods used to
establish commercial rent rates in GSA space follow commercial
real estate appraisal practices. Appeal and rate review
procedures are in place to assure that agencies have an
opportunity to contest rates they feel are incorrect.
Building operations and maintenance.--On October 1, 1984,
the General Services Administration [GSA] delegated the
operations and maintenance function for the buildings in the
D.C. complex to the Department. This activity provides
departmental staff and support services to operate, maintain,
and repair the buildings in the D.C. complex. GSA expanded the
delegation to include two additional buildings on October 1,
1986. One building is the Government-owned warehouse for forms
in Lanham, MD, and the other is a leased warehouse for the
excess property operation located at 49 L Street SW,
Washington, DC. GSA retains responsibility for major
nonrecurring repairs. In fiscal year 1998, USDA began
operations and maintenance of the Beltsville office facility.
Strategic space plan.--The Department's headquarters staff
is presently housed in a four-building Government-owned complex
in downtown Washington, DC, and in leased buildings in the
Metropolitan Washington area. In 1995, USDA initiated a plan to
improve the delivery of USDA programs to the American people,
including streamlining the USDA organization. A high-priority
goal in the Secretary's plan is to improve the operation and
effectiveness of the USDA headquarters in Washington. To
implement this goal, a strategy for efficient reallocation of
space to house the restructured headquarters agencies in modern
and safe facilities has been proposed. This USDA strategic
space plan will correct serious problems USDA has faced in its
facility program, including the inefficiencies of operating out
of scattered leased facilities and serious safety hazards which
exist in the Agriculture South Building.
During fiscal year 1998, the Beltsville Office Facility was
completed. This facility was constructed with funds
appropriated to the Department and is located on Government-
owned land in Beltsville, Maryland. Occupancy of the George
Washington Carver Center in Beltsville was substantially
completed by 1999. By summer 2000, the Center will be fully
occupied, housing about 1,200 employees.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For U.S. Department of Agriculture buildings and facilities
and payments for the rental of space and related services, the
Committee recommends $182,747,000. This amount is $42,404,000
more than the 2000 appropriation and the same as the budget
request.
The following table reflects the Committee's specific
recommendations for this account as compared to the fiscal year
2000 and budget request levels:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 budget Committee
2000 estimate request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rental Payments........................................... $115,542,000 $125,542,000 $125,542,000
Building Operations....................................... 24,801,000 31,205,000 31,205,000
Strategic Space Plan...................................... ................ 26,000,000 26,000,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Total................................................. \1\ 140,343,000 182,747,000 182,747,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $21,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Hazardous Materials Management
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $15,700,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 30,073,000
Committee recommendation................................ 15,700,000
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act and the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, the Department has the responsibility to meet
the same standards regarding the storage and disposition of
hazardous materials as private businesses. The Department is
required to contain, clean up, monitor, and inspect for
hazardous materials in areas under the Department's
jurisdiction.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $15,700,000 for hazardous
materials management. This amount is the same as the 2000
appropriation and $14,373,000 less than the budget request.
Departmental Administration
Appropriations, 2000 \1\ \2\............................ $34,708,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 40,740,000
Committee recommendation................................ 36,840,000
\1\ Includes $30,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Does not reflect the transfer of $177,000 to Office of the Chief
Financial Officer.
Departmental administration is comprised of activities that
provide staff support to top policy officials and overall
direction and coordination of administrative functions of the
Department. These activities include departmentwide programs
for human resource management, management improvement,
occupational safety and health management, real and personal
property management, procurement, contracting, motor vehicle
and aircraft management, supply management, civil rights and
equal opportunity, participation of small and disadvantaged
businesses and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in
the Department's program activities, emergency preparedness,
small and disadvantaged business utilization, and the
regulatory hearing and administrative proceedings conducted by
the administrative law judges, judicial officer, and Board of
Contract Appeals.
Departmental administration is also responsible for
representing USDA in the development of Governmentwide policies
and initiatives; and analyzing the impact of Governmentwide
trends and developing appropriate USDA principles, policies,
and standards. In addition, departmental administration engages
in strategic planning and evaluates programs to ensure USDA-
wide compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations
pertaining to administrative matters for the Secretary and
general officers of the Department.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For Departmental Administration, the Committee recommends
an appropriation of $36,840,000. This amount is $2,132,000 more
than the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $3,900,000 less
than the budget estimate.
The Committee's recommendation includes a reduction of
$177,000, reflecting the transfer in fiscal year 2000 of
accounting support services from Departmental Administration to
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the
Secretary's reorganization authority, and the increases
requested in the budget for pay costs, acquisition of biobased
products, and alternative dispute resolution.
outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 10,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,000,000
\1\ Does not include an additional $5,200,000 allocated from the fiscal
year 1999 funds available for fiscal year 2000 for the Fund for Rural
America.
This program is authorized under section 2501 of title XXV
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
Grants are made to eligible community-based organizations with
demonstrated experience in providing education on other
agriculturally-related services to socially disadvantaged
farmers and ranchers in their area of influence. Also eligible
are the 1890 land-grant colleges, Tuskegee University, Indian
tribal community colleges, and Hispanic-serving postsecondary
education facilities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For grants for socially disadvantaged farmers, the
Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,000,000. This
amount is the same as the 2000 level and $7,000,000 less than
the budget request.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $3,568,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 3,778,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,568,000
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional
Relations maintains a liaison with the Congress and White House
on legislative matters. It also provides for overall direction
and coordination in the development and implementation of
policies and procedures applicable to the Department's intra-
and inter-governmental relations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional
Relations, the Committee recommends an appropriation of
$3,568,000. This amount is the same as the 2000 level and
$210,000 less than the budget estimate.
The Committee provides that not less than $2,202,000 shall
be transferred to agencies funded by this Act to support
congressional relations' activities at the agency level. Within
30 days from the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the
allocation on these funds by USDA agency, along with an
explanation for the agency-by-agency distribution of the funds.
Office of Communications
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $8,138,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 9,031,000
Committee recommendation................................ 8,873,000
The Office of Communications provides direction,
leadership, and coordination in the development and delivery of
useful information through all media to the public on USDA
programs. The Office serves as the liaison between the
Department and the many associations and organizations
representing America's food, fiber, and environmental
interests.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of Communications, the Committee recommends
an appropriation of $8,873,000. This amount is $735,000 more
than the 2000 appropriation and $158,000 less than the budget
request.
The Committee provides the increase requested in the budget
for pay costs, and $500,000 for electronic access to
information.
Office of the Inspector General
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $65,097,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 70,214,000
Committee recommendation................................ 66,867,000
\1\ Includes $31,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Office of the Inspector General was established October
12, 1978, by the Inspector General Act of 1978. This act
expanded and provided specific authorities for the activities
of the Office of the Inspector General which had previously
been carried out under the general authorities of the Secretary
of Agriculture.
The Office is administered by an inspector general who
reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture. Functions and
responsibilities of this Office include direction and control
of audit and investigative activities within the Department,
formulation of audit and investigative policies and procedures
regarding Department programs and operations, analysis and
coordination of program-related audit and investigation
activities performed by other Department agencies.
The activities of this Office are designed to assure
compliance with existing laws, policies, regulations, and
programs of the Department's agencies, and to provide
appropriate officials with the means for prompt corrective
action where deviations have occurred. The scope of audit and
investigative activities is large and includes administrative,
program, and criminal matters. These activities are
coordinated, when appropriate, with various audit and
investigative agencies of the executive and legislative
branches of the Government.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the
Committee recommends an appropriation of $66,867,000. This is
$1,770,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and $3,347,000 less
than the budget request. The Committee provides the increased
funding requested in the budget for pay costs.
The Committee is concerned by reports that the decisions by
the National Appeals Division (NAD) disproportionately favor
the Department. Some reports suggest that as many as 86 percent
of the decisions that favor farmers are reversed by NAD, while
only 5 percent of the decisions favoring the Department are
reversed. The Committee directs the OIG to investigate whether
NAD decisions overwhelmingly favor the Department and whether
there is systematic bias against farmer appeals within NAD.
Office of the General Counsel
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $29,194,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 32,881,000
Committee recommendation................................ 31,080,000
The Office of the General Counsel, originally known as the
Office of the Solicitor, was established in 1910 as the law
office of the Department of Agriculture and performs all of the
legal work arising from the activities of the Department. The
General Counsel represents the Department in administrative
proceedings for the promulgation of rules and regulations
having the force and effect of law and in quasi-judicial
hearings held in connection with the administration of various
programs and acts; and in proceedings before the Interstate
Commerce Commission involving freight rates and practices
relating to farm commodities, including appeals from and
decisions of the Commission to the courts. The office also
serves as general counsel for the Commodity Credit Corporation
and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and reviews criminal
cases arising under the programs of the Department for referral
to the Department of Justice.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the General Counsel, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $31,080,000. This amount is
$1,886,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and $1,801,000 less
than the budget request. The Committee provides the increased
funding requested in the budget for pay costs.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $540,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 1,356,000
Committee recommendation................................ 556,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education,
and Economics provides direction and coordination in carrying
out the laws enacted by the Congress for food and agricultural
research, education, extension, and economic and statistical
information. The Office has oversight and management
responsibilities for the Agricultural Research Service;
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service;
Economic Research Service; and National Agricultural Statistics
Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Research,
Education, and Economics, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $556,000. This amount is $16,000 more than the
the 2000 level and $800,000 less than the budget request. The
Committee provides the additional funding requested in the
budget for pay cost increases.
Economic Research Service
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $65,363,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 55,424,000
Committee recommendation................................ 67,038,000
\1\ Includes $1,000,000 transfer to ``Food and Nutrition Service, Food
Program Administration'' for studies and evaluations pursuant to Public
Law 106-78; and $56,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Economic Research Service [ERS] provides economic and
other social science information and analysis for public and
private decisions on agriculture, natural resources, food, and
on rural America. The information ERS produces is for use by
the general public and to help the executive and legislative
branches develop, administer, and evaluate agricultural and
rural policies and programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Economic Research Service, the Committee recommends
an appropriation of $67,038,000. This amount is $1,675,000 more
than the 2000 level and $11,614,000 more than the budget
request.
The Committee provides an additional $1,675,000 for
mandatory pay cost increases. The Committee also continues
funding at the fiscal year 2000 level of $12,195,000 for USDA
food assistance program studies and evaluations. Of this
amount, $1,000,000 is transferred to the Food and Nutrition
Service to conduct program evaluations and analyses.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $99,333,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 100,615,000
Committee recommendation................................ 100,615,000
\1\ Includes $72,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS]
administers the Department's program of collecting and
publishing current national, State, and county agricultural
statistics. These statistics provide accurate and timely
projections of current agricultural production and measures of
the economic and environmental welfare of the agricultural
sector which are essential for making effective policy,
production, and marketing decisions. NASS also furnishes
statistical services to other USDA and Federal agencies in
support of their missions, and provides consulting, technical
assistance, and training to developing countries.
The Service is also responsible for administration of the
Census of Agriculture, which was transferred from the
Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture in
fiscal year 1997 to consolidate agricultural statistics
programs. The census of agriculture is taken every 5 years and
provides comprehensive data on the agricultural economy
including: data on the number of farms, land use, production
expenses, farm product values, value of land and buildings,
farm size and characteristics of farm operators, market value
of agricultural production sold, acreage of major crops,
inventory of livestock and poultry, and farm irrigation
practices. The 1997 Census of Agriculture was released on
February 1, 1999. The next agricultural census will be
conducted beginning in January 2003 for the calendar year 2002.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the
Committee recommends an appropriation of $100,615,000. This
amount is $1,282,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and the
same as the budget estimate.
The Committee's recommendation includes $15,000,000 for the
Census of Agriculture, which is the same as the budget request
and $1,490,000 less than the 2000 appropriation.
The amount recommended also includes $1,972,000 to provide
in part for pay cost increases and $800,000 for expansion of
the pesticide use statistics program.
Agricultural Research Service
salaries and expenses
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $830,384,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 894,258,000
Committee recommendation................................ 871,593,000
\1\ Includes $3,938,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Agricultural Research Service [ARS] is responsible for
conducting basic, applied, and developmental research on: soil,
water, and air sciences; plant and animal productivity;
commodity conversion and delivery; human nutrition; and the
integration of agricultural systems. The research applies to a
wide range of goals; commodities; natural resources; fields of
science; and geographic, climatic, and environmental
conditions.
ARS is also responsible for the National Agricultural
Library which provides agricultural information and library
services through traditional library functions and modern
electronic dissemination to agencies of the USDA, public and
private organizations, and individuals.
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture's in-house
agricultural research unit, ARS has major responsibilities for
conducting and leading the national agricultural research
effort. It provides initiative and leadership in five areas:
research on broad regional and national problems, research to
support Federal action and regulatory agencies, expertise to
meet national emergencies, research support for international
programs, and scientific resources to the executive branch and
Congress.
The mission of ARS research is to develop new knowledge and
technology which will ensure an abundance of high-quality
agricultural commodities and products at reasonable prices to
meet the increasing needs of an expanding economy and to
provide for the continued improvement in the standard of living
of all Americans. This mission focuses on the development of
technical information and technical products which bear
directly on the need to: (1) manage and use the Nation's soil,
water, air, and climate resources, and improve the Nation's
environment; (2) provide an adequate supply of agricultural
products by observing practices that will maintain a
sustainable and effective agriculture sector; (3) improve the
nutrition and well-being of the American people; (4) improve
living in rural America; and (5) strengthen the Nation's
balance of payments.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research
Service, the Committee recommends $871,593,000. This is
$41,209,000 more than the 2000 level and $22,665,000 less than
the budget request.
The Committee recommendation includes $3,782,134 of the
savings from project terminations proposed in the budget. These
savings are to be redirected to those research areas for which
increased funding is provided by the Committee. The Committee
does not provide funding for contingencies.
For fiscal year 2001, the Committee recommends funding
increases, as specified below, for new and ongoing research
activities. The remaining increase in appropriations from the
fiscal year 2000 level is to be applied to mandatory pay and
related cost increases to prevent the further erosion of the
agency's capacity to maintain a viable research program at all
research locations.
The Committee expects the agency to give attention to the
prompt implementation and allocation of funds provided for the
purposes identified by Congress.
In complying with the Committee's directives, ARS is
expected not to redirect support for programs from one State to
another without prior notification to and approval by the House
and Senate Committees on Appropriations in accordance with the
reprogramming procedures specified in the Act. Unless otherwise
directed, the Agricultural Research Service shall implement
appropriations by programs, projects, commodities, and
activities as specified by the Appropriations Committees.
Unspecified reductions necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act are to be implemented in accordance with the
definitions contained in the ``Program, project, and activity''
section of this report.
The Committee's recommendations with respect to specific
areas of research are as follows:
Alternative crops and value-added products.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of new and alternative crops research
and value-added products. In this regard, funding for fiscal
year 2001 is to be continued at the fiscal year 2000 level for
the kenaf research cooperative agreement between ARS and
Mississippi State University. However, the Committee directs
these resources be applied to support a broader research
mission, to include high-value industrial crops, medicinal
plants, etc., and provides an increase of $200,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for this purpose. This project will
expand opportunities to enhance profitability through new areas
of research.
Appalachian Pasture-Based Beef Systems Project.--The
Committee provides $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 to continue
the research consortium supporting the Appalachian Pasture-
Based Beef Systems project. Through a cooperative agreement,
consortium members, consisting of West Virginia University,
Virginia Tech, and ARS, will be able to provide critical
resources to Appalachian cattle farmers to ensure the future
economic viability of these producers, to enhance development
in Appalachia, and to protect the environment.
Apple research.--The Committee expects ARS to increase
funds available for research on alternatives to pesticides and
improving postharvest technologies for apples.
Aquaculture research.--The Committee acknowledges the
importance of avoiding duplication in research administered by
the U.S. Department of Agriculture at various locations
throughout the country. In order to ensure that duplication
does not occur in the field of warmwater aquaculture research,
the Stuttgart research facility should not engage in channel
catfish research related to production systems, nutrition,
water quality, genetics, disease diagnosis, or food processing
which is ongoing at the National Warmwater Aquaculture Research
Center at Stoneville, MS.
The Committee encourages all facilities to share research
results to benefit and enhance the Nation's aquaculture
industry.
Arctic germplasm.--The Committee provides an additional
$300,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level in support of the
Arctic Germplasm Repository in Palmer, AK. This additional
funding will provide for the continuation of ongoing potato
germplasm research and allow for the expansion of this research
to other vegetable, forage, and grain crops.
Asian bird influenza.--The Committee remains concerned
about the recent outbreak of a lethal strain of avian influenza
in Southeast Asia. Under encouragement from the Committee, ARS
scientists at Athens, GA, have begun to provide technical
assistance and collaborate with other leading virologists and
ornithologists to develop and assess baseline data on Eurasian
birds as an influenza reservoir and their migration habits
between Southeast Asia and North America and their breeding
grounds in Alaska. Further collaborative efforts have been
established with wildlife disease specialists at the
Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, University of
Georgia, to survey East Coast and Midwest populations of birds,
including Canada. Funding of $300,000 is provided to ARS for
fiscal year 2001 to collaborate with the University of Alaska
and the University of Georgia to develop further and assess
these baseline data, specifically through increasing the number
and diversity of wild bird samples obtained and analyzed.
Asian Longhorned Beetle.--The Committee directs the ARS to
provide high priority to research on eradication and control of
the Asian Longhorned Beetle, focusing on control efforts to
isolate the infestation in northern Illinois and to prevent
further spread of infestation.
Avian Pneumovirus.--The Committee notes the losses to
turkey producers due to the spread of avian pneumovirus and
includes increased funding of $250,000 from the fiscal year
2000 level for research related to this disease.
Barley research, Pullman, WA.--The Committee recognizes the
important research conducted at the Pullman ARS unit on barley
stripe rust. Barley stripe rust is a major threat to the
Pacific Northwest barley production. The Committee provides the
fiscal year 2000 funding level for research on barley stripe
rust.
Bee research.--The Committee recognizes the need for
increased research on the control of parasitic mites (varroa
mites) in honey bees utilized in the pollination of native
plants, legumes and orchard crops, as well as the study of the
biology and development of alternative crop pollination such as
non-Apis bees. The Committee provides an increase of $500,000
from the fiscal year 2000 level for increased research on
alternative crop pollination at Logan, UT, and on the control
of varroa mites at Weslaco, TX.
Biological control research.--The Committee has been
impressed by results of the various approaches which have been
taken by the Mid South Regional Research Center in the area of
biological controls of cotton insect pests. The economic and
environmental benefits of this research could eventually reduce
the vulnerability of crops to major insect pests and create
alternatives to traditional crop protection methods. The
Committee continues funding for this project at the fiscal year
2000 and budget request levels.
Biomedical materials in plants.--The Committee provides
$1,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 funding for ARS cooperative
research with the Biotechnology Foundation, Inc., to carry out
studies on tobacco and other plants as a medium to produce
vaccines and other biomedical products for the prevention of
human and animal diseases.
Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation.--The
Committee directs the agency to continue its support of the
Biotechnology Research and Development Corporation's research
on both plants and animals at the same levels as fiscal year
2000.
Brucellosis research.--The Committee provides an increase
of $1,000,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for research to
develop vaccines for wildlife to control brucellosis. Domestic
animals are exposed to disease from wildlife whose movement is
difficult to control. The Committee is concerned and supports
the ARS initiative to help solve this important problem.
Catfish genome.--Research is conducted on genetic
improvement of catfish at the ARS Fish Health Laboratory,
Auburn, AL. Catfish lines with improved characteristics, such
as faster growth, improved disease resistance, high
reproductive performance and high meat yield, are being
developed. Catfish released to producers will increase industry
profitability and sustainability, and provide high quality
aquaculture products for U.S. consumers. The Auburn
laboratory's accomplishments include the development of a
catfish line (USDA103 line) with improved growth
characteristics and the first channel catfish genetic map in
the unit's genomics laboratory. The Committee provides an
increase of $600,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level of funding
to expand catfish genome research and to work collaboratively
with Auburn University.
Center for Food Safety and Postharvest Technology.--The
Committee is aware of the significance of the research
currently underway relating to catfish and other food products
at the Mississippi Center for Food Safety and Postharvest
Technology and continues funding at the fiscal year 2000 level
for research on shellfish safety and methods of decreasing
risks to consumers.
Club wheat breeding.--The Committee provides continued
funding at the fiscal year 2000 level for the ARS Pacific
Northwest Club Wheat Breeding Program. This program is
essential as growers seek to gain additional overseas markets.
Conservation research.--The Committee is aware of the
important non-irrigated, dryland research underway at the ARS
Soil Conservation Laboratory, Pendleton, OR. Research is
directed toward developing better practices and techniques for
crop production and natural resources conservation in the
Columbia River Plateau and regional land resource areas. The
Committee provides an increase of $200,000 from the fiscal year
2000 funding level for this program
Corn resistant to Aflatoxin for the Mid South.--As part of
a cotton-corn rotation production system, corn is critical as
an alternative cash crop to feed the booming Mid-south poultry
and aquaculture industries. Cotton yields following corn crops
are typically increased. However, contamination by aflatoxin, a
toxin produced by the fungus Aspergillus, that often affects
Mid-south corn, can render the corn unacceptable and the
cotton-corn production system too risky and economically
unfeasible. Aflatoxin is one of the most powerful carcinogens
known. Growing corn hybrids with resistance to aflatoxin
accumulation is thought to be the best way of eliminating
aflatoxin contamination. Resistant corn germplasm lines have
been developed and released by ARS scientists, but no corn
hybrids possessing this resistance are available commercially.
The Committee provides an additional $500,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level of funding to the Corn Host Plant Resistance
Research Unit at Starkville which is the only ARS research unit
in the Mid South conducting research on corn breeding and
genetics.
Cotton genetics.--The Committee recognizes the urgency to
develop high-yielding cotton germplasm and continues support
for the cotton genetics program at the Mid South Regional
Research Center at the fiscal year 2000 level.
Cotton ginning laboratories.--The Committee continues
funding at the fiscal year 2000 levels for ginning research at
the Stoneville, MS; Mesilla Park, NM; and Lubbock, TX,
laboratories.
Cotton resistant to Aflatoxin.--Aflatoxin, a by-product of
several naturally-occurring fungi, is a recognized food safety
hazard and has caused millions of dollars of crop losses to
American agriculture each year. In addition, international
food-safety organizations are pressing to lower aflatoxin
levels in foods and feeds to near zero levels. Much has been
learned from ARS research to eliminate aflatoxin from the food
supply. The most promising method for managing aflatoxin in
crops that has been evaluated is the use of the biocontrol
agent AF-36. This year, the Multi-Crop Aflatoxin Working Group
is planning to expand its project to produce enough agent to
serve all cotton producers in Arizona. Cotton producers have
invested nearly $1,000,000. The Committee provides an
additional $500,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for the
last year of Federal funding needed to complete the project.
Cotton value-added/quality research.--U.S. agriculture's
continued economic strength depends on efficient production and
value-added technology. The Committee urges ARS to continue to
place high priority on cotton textile processing research
conducted at New Orleans, LA, to improve quality, reduce
defects, and improve easy-care products. The Committee
continues funding at the fiscal year 2000 level for this
research.
Diet and children's health.--The Committee is aware of the
critical relationship of the human diet and children's health.
Research is needed to investigate factors that affect
children's ability to absorb and utilize minerals in the
formation of bone. An increase of $750,000 from the fiscal year
2000 funding level is provided to expand this research at the
Houston, TX, nutrition center.
Ecology of tamarix.--The ARS has developed programs to
eradicate tamarix populations through biological controls, such
as introducing insects which feed on the plants. To allow the
ARS to continue to expand current research on the ecologically-
based management of tamarix and other non-indigenous species in
the Western United States, the Committee provides an increase
of $300,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for the ARS Exotic
and Invasive Weeds Research Unit in Albany, CA, to hire a plant
ecologist in Reno, NV, to oversee implementation of the tamarix
control program in Nevada.
Floriculture and nursery research.--The Committee provides
the fiscal year 2000 level of funding for the ARS floriculture
(environmental horticulture) and nursery research program. The
Committee believes that this program should be conducted at the
Northwest Nursery Crops Research Center (NWNRC) in Corvallis,
Oregon. Nursery and greenhouse products rank number one in
Oregon and the NWNRC is best suited to conduct floriculture and
nursery research.
Food safety.--The Committee recognizes the need for
expanded research on food safety and provides an increase of
$5,720,000 from the fiscal year 2000 funding level, as
requested in the budget, to enhance ARS research in support of
the Food Safety Initiative. The Committee notes the importance
of the Department's research program to address food safety
problems from farm to the consumer's table.
Fruit fly.--The Committee provides continued funding at the
fiscal year 2000 level of $278,200 for the University of Hawaii
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for
collaborative work on developing efficacious and nontoxic
methods to control tephritid fruit flies. The Committee also
continues funding at the fiscal year 2000 level for the work on
the impact of quarantine and control techniques on non-target
organisms and the environment.
In addition, the Committee supports continued funding by
the ARS to provide $300,000 to the University of Hawaii College
of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to monitor and
refine control of the papaya ringspot virus and to expand the
techniques and knowledge obtained from this program to other
papaya diseases and pests and to other crops such as taro,
ginger, and herbal plants. The Committee also continues funding
of $300,000 to the Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii to
coordinate a dedicated research program to induce nematode
resistance, flowering control, and mealy bug wilt disease
resistance in commercial pineapple cultivars and to seek funds
from the private sector to complement Federal funds. The
Committee views the nematode and ringspot virus activities as
supportive of a national agricultural research agenda and that
of Hawaii.
Fruit research.--The Committee is aware of the important
work carried out on fruit research at Wenatchee and Yakima in
the State of Washington. The Committee expects the Department
to continue to give increased attention to the work carried out
at these two facilities.
Genomics of pest resistance in wheat.--Wheat is one of the
world's important crops, with more than 560 million tons
produced annually. To meet the future demands for wheat, more
efficient pest resistance strains of wheat must be developed.
The Committee provides an increase of $600,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 funding level for the Small Grains Research
Laboratory in West Lafayette, IN, to apply the tools of
functional genomics to identify critical steps in the
development of resistance to important pests of wheat. This
will be a collaborative undertaking with Purdue University and
includes support for graduate students and postdoctoral
research associates.
Grain legume genetics research.--The Committee acknowledges
the importance of a grain legume genetics research position at
Washington State University in Pullman, WA, and continues
funding at the fiscal year 2000 level of $251,800 to support
this position. This research will focus on approaches to
increase surface crop residues and on methods to overcome
disease and insect problems in grain legumes.
Grain research.--The Committee recognizes the need for
additional resources for improved handling and storage systems
for grain sorghum quality and provides an increase of $250,000
from the fiscal year 2000 level to the U.S. Grain Marketing
Laboratory in Manhattan, KS, for grain sorghum research. In
addition, the Committee is aware of the importance of wheat
research conducted at the U.S. Grain Marketing Laboratory to
increasing the value and marketability of U.S. wheat. An
additional $250,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level is provided
for a wheat breeding position at the Manhattan, KS, research
facility.
Grape research.--The Committee acknowledges the importance
of a horticulturist position specializing in grape production
at the ARS station in Prosser, WA. The Committee recognizes
that the research horticulturist is an important link to the
research efforts conducted at the Northwest Center for Small
Fruits Research at the ARS Corvallis, OR, station. Recognizing
the importance of this position and the effect research has had
on grape production in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, the
Committee recommends continued funding at the fiscal year 2000
level.
Hawaii Agriculture Research Center.--The Committee provides
$950,000, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level, for the
Hawaii Agriculture Research Center to maintain the
competitiveness of U.S. sugarcane producers and to continue to
support the expansion of new crops and products, including
those from agroforestry, to complement sugarcane production in
Hawaii.
Hog cholera research.--Vaccines, including genetic
vaccines, immune deficiency strategies, and timely and
effective control practices must be developed to prevent
outbreaks and the spread of hog cholera, or swine fever, in the
United States. The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000
from the fiscal year 2000 funding level to carry out this vital
research.
Hops.--The Committee recognizes the outstanding increase in
the production of the U.S. hops industry, coupled with the
difficulty the industry faces with new and emerging diseases.
As a result, the Committee encourages continued support and
research enhancement by ARS.
Immune function and diet.--Recent ARS research establishes
for the first time that the nutritional status of a host can
affect the disease causing potential of a human pathogen virus.
Such results may explain why some infections are benign in
certain populations, but cause mortality in others. Research is
needed on the effects of diet on the immune system to determine
if other infectious agents can also alter their pathogenicity
in response to the diet of the host. The Committee provides an
increase of $250,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level of funding
for expanded research on mechanisms by which diet alters the
immune system at the ARS Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR.
Integrated farming systems.--The Committee provides an
increase of $300,000 to support an agroecologist position at
the Dairy Forage Research Center (DFRC), Madison, WI. The
Committee is concerned that the DFRC has not supported the
Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Trial System (WICTS) as directed
in previous reports. Of the amount provided to the DFRC for
fiscal year 2001, no less than $100,000 shall be in direct
support of WICTS activities.
Integrated pest management (IPM).--The Committee recognizes
the importance of agricultural research to support viable crop
production in northern climates and particularly to enhance
productivity and profitability of Alaska's farming industry.
Insect pests, pathogens and weeds pose severe threats to
Alaskan economic viability, not only in the production of food
and fiber but in the management of private, State and Federal
lands. The Committee supports an IPM initiative to foster
agricultural productivity while preserving natural resources
and provides an increase of $1,000,000 from the fiscal year
2000 funding level for this program.
Invasive weed research.--Invasive weeds cost the U.S.
economy more than $122,000,000,000 annually. The Committee
provides an increase of $300,000 from the fiscal year 2000
level to strengthen the ARS current weed management program on
crop lands and rangelands in Colorado and the Central Great
Plains. This additional funding is to allow the hiring of an
additional weed scientist at the Water Management Research Unit
in Fort Collins, CO.
IR-4 Minor Crop Pesticide Registration Program.--The
Committee recognizes the importance of the IR-4 project, which
produces research data for clearances for pest control products
on minor food and ornamental crops. The Committee notes that
this project is especially critical at this time in order to
meet the new requirements of the Food Quality Protection Act,
and to fully implement its reduced risk pest management
strategy for minor crops.
Methyl bromide.--The Committee provides the fiscal year
2000 level of funding to continue research related to a
replacement for methyl bromide. The Committee expects the ARS
to hold administrative overhead costs to a minimum and to
direct a significant portion of these funds to field testing
and to direct technology transfer to land grant institutions
involved in research projects under this program.
Mineral nutrients research.--An understanding of what
nutrients are required, their levels in the diet, and at what
point in the development process they are critical is
incomplete. Similarly, an understanding of the changing need
for nutrients that occurs as individuals age is incomplete. The
Committee provides an additional $250,000 from the fiscal year
2000 funding level for research to determine the specific
metabolic needs for mineral nutriture at each stage of the life
cycle. This research is carried out at the ARS Nutrition
Center, Grand Forks, ND.
Minor crop pests.--The Committee provides continued funding
at the fiscal year 2000 level of $285,000 for the University of
Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to
develop environmentally compatible methods to control pests and
diseases in small-scale tropical and subtropical agricultural
systems.
National Center for Agricultural Law Research and
Information.--The Committee provides continued funding at the
fiscal year 2000 level for the National Center for Agricultural
Law Research and Information at the Leflar School of Law in
Fayetteville, AR.
National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture.--The
Committee increases funding for the National Center for Cool
and Cold Water Aquaculture by $800,000 from the fiscal year
2000 level to improve aquaculture production in the following
major areas of aquaculture research: immunology, physiology and
growth, genetic improvement, reproduction and early
development. These funds will allow the National Center for
Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture to make reasonable progress
toward becoming fully operational and make a beneficial
contribution to the success of aquaculture in America.
The Committee also provides $250,000 in fiscal year 2001
funding to the National Center for Cool and Cold Water
Aquaculture for the Improvement in Aquaculture Systems
Environmental Compatibility and Economic Efficiency project.
The project will enhance the production efficiency and minimize
the environmental impact of aquaculture production systems, and
be conducted through the establishment of a consortium,
consisting of the Center and the Conservation Fund's Freshwater
Institute.
National Sedimentation Laboratory.--The Committee continues
funding at the fiscal year 2000 level for work now underway at
the National Sedimentation Laboratory, and provides an increase
of $150,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level to expand its
studies on the use of acoustics to characterize soils,
determine moisture content, and monitor crop growth. The
Laboratory is expected to continue its close relationship with
the National Center for Physical Acoustics in carrying out
these research efforts.
The Committee also provides an additional $500,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level to the National Sedimentation Laboratory
to conduct research on sources and causes of water impairment
in the Yazoo River Basin and to seek economically feasible
``Best Management Practices'' for attaining new water quality
goals, commonly referenced as Total Maximum Daily Loads
(TMDL's), at field, farm, watershed, and basin levels.
National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Auburn, AL.--The
research of the ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory was
recently redirected to respond directly to customer requests
for conservation tillage systems research. Research areas
include: a systems approach with an understanding of
interactions between soil management and integration of
livestock and cropping practices; soil and water management to
reduce risks from short-term droughts and other environmental
impacts such as runoff and erosion control; and system
economics profitability, especially with regard to reduced
tillage systems. The Committee provides an increase of $500,000
from the fiscal year 2000 level to support urgently needed
conservation systems research. This research is to be conducted
in cooperation with Auburn University.
National Warmwater Aquaculture Center.--The Committee is
aware of the importance of gains which are being made in
catfish production through the improvements offered by the
National Warmwater Aquaculture Center. The Committee continues
its support at the fiscal year 2000 funding level for the
aquaculture program at Stoneville, and provides an increase of
$800,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for the Center, along
with continued funding for fiscal year 2001 of $308,000 for the
Center to conduct hill-area aquaculture research.
National Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative.--Fusarium head
blight or ``scab'' is a fungal disease that attacks all
varieties of wheat and barley. It devastates crop yield and
quality, reduces food production, and threatens food safety.
The U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative, a coalition of land
grant universities and members of the wheat and barley industry
coordinated by the ARS, is making significant progress in
research efforts to eradicate this disease but more needs to be
done. Research needs to be broadened into such areas as
developing new wheat and barley varieties, introducing new
germplasm, utilizing biotechnology, employing better chemical
and biological controls, and improving food safety. The
Committee provides $6,100,000 for fiscal year 2001 to enhance
research efforts against wheat and barley scab to more quickly
and effectively eradicate this costly disease.
Natural products.--The Committee provides an additional
$750,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for the ARS to
continue its cooperative agreement with the National Center for
Natural Products Research in support of research on natural
products.
New England Plant, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory.--
The Committee provides an additional $300,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level for a soil pathologist position at the USDA-ARS
New England Plant, Soil, and Water Research Laboratory in
Orono, ME. The work of this laboratory is of significant
benefit to potato producers in Maine, the New England region,
and the industry nationwide.
Northern crops research.--The Committee recognizes that the
small grains and sunflower industries have faced a wide array
of production problems over the past few years. Existing and
emerging diseases are causing billions of dollars worth of
damage at a time when commodity prices are at historic lows. To
improve comprehensive basic research important to the economic
viability of farmers, the Committee provides an additional
$1,050,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for research at the
Northern Crops ARS Laboratory, Fargo, ND. Of the increased
funding provided, $300,000 is to fund a vacant wheat geneticist
position; $150,000 is to augment research at the Cereal Crops
Research Unit; $300,000 is to fund a new wheat/barley
pathologist position; and $300,000 is to fund a sunflower
geneticist position at the Laboratory.
Northwest Nursery Crops Research Center.--Nursery and
greenhouse products rank third in the Nation and number one in
Oregon. As the public demands more and more plants and trees to
help clean the air, prevent water runoff and soil erosion, and
improve water quality and conservation, the nursery industry is
playing an expanding and significant environmental research
role. The Committee encourages ARS to expand its support for
the Northwest Nursery Crops Research Center's research program
(Corvallis, OR) in these environmental areas. The Committee
provides the fiscal year 2000 level of funding for the ARS
Corvallis station.
Nutritionally-related diseases.--Nutritionally-related
diseases typically develop over a period of many years. In
order to fully evaluate the role of diet in maintaining health,
meaningful measurements of biochemical and physiological
function that are related to the nutritional status of an
individual and which are indicative of true long-term risk for
diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, need to be
developed. The Committee provides an increase of $250,000 from
the fiscal year 2000 level for this research at the ARS
Nutrition Center, Davis, CA.
Pasture systems and watershed management.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of pasture systems and watershed
research. This research will enhance production and
profitability of Northeast pasture-based livestock production
systems, and develop best management practices to assess and
control water and environmental quality impacts. The Committee
provides an increase of $500,000 for sustainable forage
livestock systems research and research on nutrient management
to protect water quality carried out at the ARS Pasture Systems
and Watershed Management Research Station, University Park, PA.
Pear thrips.--The Committee recognizes the value of
collaboration between ARS and the University of Vermont to
develop controls for pear thrips and provides funding at the
fiscal year 2000 level to continue this important research
program.
Pierce's Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter.--Pierce's
disease is a lethal disease of grapevine caused by the
bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa. While the disease has been
present in California, Texas and Florida, it has become more
serious and widespread in California, coincident with the
introduction of the Pierce's Disease vector, the glassy-winged
sharpshooter (GWSS). Over 700,000 acres of wine, table, and
raisin grapes are threatened, as is the annual economic impact
of California's $9,000,000,000 wine industry. The Committee
provides $700,000 in fiscal year 2001 funding for research to
test promising chemicals for GWSS; develop technologies for
biocontrol and mass rearing of natural enemies; and evaluate
pathogens and cultured methods for GWSS control. Similarly,
research should address longer term needs of grape varieties
that enhance resistance to Pierce's Disease in grapevines,
including host plant resistance, cultural practices, and
disease detection and identification.
Plant germplasm.--The National Plant Germplasm System,
operated by the ARS, maintains germplasm collections that
underpin crop-breeding efforts throughout the United States.
The Committee recognizes the critical need to maintain a
healthy, accessible genetic diversity within agricultural plant
species to provide an abundant high quality supply of food and
fiber. This includes the acquisition, maintenance, evaluation,
and enhancement of plant germplasm to allow plant breeders and
scientists access to diverse genetic resources. The Committee
provides an additional $3,000,000 from the fiscal year 2000
level to ensure an optimal pool of genetic diversity is
available for U.S. agriculture.
Plant pathologist position.--The Committee provides an
increase of $250,000 from the fiscal year 2000 funding level
for a plant pathologist at the USDA-ARS research laboratory at
Washington State University in Pullman, WA. This position is
required for research on grain legumes and foliar diseases of
dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas.
Plum Pox research.--The Committee recognizes that the
discovery of plum pox in North America seriously threatens
stone fruit industry. An increase of $700,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level is provided for plum pox research at the
Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, WV, to
build upon ongoing research at this research facility which has
produced a plum tree that has proven resistant to the plum pox
virus in field tests done in Poland, Romania, and Spain during
the last three growing seasons.
The Committee also provides an increase of $400,000 from
the fiscal year 2000 level for ARS research to be conducted at
Frederick, MD, to develop integrated disease control methods
and to collaborate with Pennsylvania State University and
Clemson University on plum pox virus.
Postharvest quarantine research.--Technical barriers by
other countries on the importance of U.S. commodities is one of
the greatest obstacles to free trade of American crops.
Recognizing the importance and relevance foreign countries
place on ARS research related to treatment protocols and pest
concerns, the Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for quarantine research to ensure that U.S. commodities
have expanded access to overseas markets.
Potato late blight research.--The Committee is aware that
``late blight'' has become an ongoing problem in the Pacific
Northwest. The Committee urges the Agricultural Research
Service to continue its research at the Aberdeen, ID, ARS
station to identify horticulturally acceptable clones with
``late blight'' resistance in both early generation and
advanced clonal material that have a high level of resistance
for use as crossing parents. The Committee encourages the ARS
to work with the National Potato Council on how funds can best
be used for research priorities.
Potato research enhancement.--The Committee acknowledges
the importance of potato research conducted at the Irrigated
Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, WA.
Recognizing the need to enable growers to optimize potato yield
and quality goals while improving environmental stewardship,
the Committee provides increased funding of $250,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for potato research at the Prosser, WA,
station. This research will provide the integration of
irrigation, nutrient management, pest control and crop rotation
strategies into sustainable, holistic crop production systems
that optimize total potato management practices. This research
is supported by local and national potato growers.
Poultry diseases.--The Committee provides an additional
$500,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for expanded research
on the prevention and control of infectious poultry diseases.
The Committee notes the importance of zoonotic diseases and
directs ARS to focus these additional resources on avian
coccidiosis and avian leukosis J virus (ALV-J).
Program continuations.--Including research programs
specifically mentioned herein, the Committee directs the ARS to
continue at the fiscal year 2000 level the following areas of
research: ``Fish Diseases,'' Auburn, AL; ``Research/Evaluation
for Registration of Chemicals and Approvals of New Animal Drugs
for Aquaculture,'' ``Rice Research,'' Stuttgart, AR;
``Aquaculture Research,'' Pine Bluff, AR; ``Biological Control
of Yellow Starthistle and Other Non-indigenous Plant Pests in
the Western USA,'' ``Conversion of Crops to Products with
Higher Added Value Through Directed Molecular Evolution,''
``Defining the Molecular Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Chilation
and Sequestration in Plants,'' ``Enhanced Production of High-
Value Carotenoids in Tomato,'' Albany, CA; ``Sustainable
Vineyard Practices'' position, Davis, CA; ``Irrigation Water
and Crop Management to Sustain Productivity and Protect Water
Quality,'' Parlier, CA; ``Behavioral Ecology and Management of
Crop Insect Pests/Semiochemicals,'' ``Risk Assessment and
Integrated Termite Management,'' ``Strategies for Hawaii and
the Pacific Basin,'' Gainsville, FL; ``Alternative Crops,''
Miami, FL; ``Asian Bird Influenza,'' Athens, GA; ``Develop,
Evaluate and Transfer Technology to Improve Efficiency and
Quality in Peanuts,'' ``Peanut Quality Research,'' Dawson, GA;
``Tropical Aquaculture Feeds and Culture Technology:
Development of Shrimp Feeds,'' ``U.S. Pacific Basin
Agricultural Research Center,'' Hilo, Hawaii; ``Development of
Genetically Enhanced Fish and Feeds for Aquaculture Utilizing
Specialized Grains,'' Aberdeen, ID; ``Biotechnology R&D;
Corporation,'' ``Development of Value-Added Products from Seed
Proteins: Rheological Properties Performance,'' ``New Crops for
Industrial Products,'' ``Thermomechanical Processing of Natural
Polymers,'' ``Animal Health Consortium,'' Peoria, IL; ``Soybean
Diseases,'' Urbana, IL; ``Genetics of Host Resistance to
Pathogens in Cereal Crops,'' Ames, IA; ``Developing Integrated
Weed Management Systems for Efficient and Sustainable Sugarcane
Production,'' ``Disease and Insect Control Mechanisms for the
Enhancement of Sugarcane Germplasm Resistance,'' ``Formosan
Subterranean Termite Control and Research Demonstration
Program,'' ``Improving Sugarcane Productivity by Conventional
and Molecular Approaches to Genetic Development,'' New Orleans,
LA; ``New England Plant, Soil and Water Research Lab,'' Orono,
ME; ``Comparative Textural Analysis of Fresh and Fresh-Cut
Fruits and Vegetables,'' ``Ecologically-Based Technologies for
Controlling Ixodes Scapularis and Reducing Lyme Disease
(including Lyme Disease/Tick Management Project),''
``Enhancement of Strawberry, Blueberry, and Other Small Fruit
Crops Through Molecular Approaches and Breeding,'' ``Improving
Quality of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Produce by Preventing
Deterioration in Cold Storage,'' ``National Turfgrass
Evaluation Program,'' ``Alternative Crops,'' ``Lyme Disease,
Yale University,'' ``Biomedical Materials in Plants,''
Beltsville, MD; ``Dietary Assessments of Rural Older Persons,''
Boston, MA; ``Germplasm Evaluation and Genetic Improvement of
Oats and Wild Rice,'' ``Wild Rice Breeding and Germplasm
Improvement,'' St. Paul, MN; ``Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology of Natural Products for Pest Control and Alternative
Crops,'' ``Development of Natural Products from Plants and
Microbes for Replacement of Synthetic Pesticides,'' ``National
Center for the Development of Natural Products,'' ``National
Sedimentation Lab: Acoustics, and Yazoo River Basin, MS,''
Oxford, MS; ``Small Fruit Cultural and Genetic Research in the
Mid-South,'' ``Small Fruits,'' Poplarville, MS; ``Agronomic and
Economic Evaluation of Kenaf as a Field Crop in Mississippi,''
``Catfish Genetics and Breeding Research,'' ``Genetic-
Physiological Parameters that Enhance Fiber Quality,''
``Improve Production Efficiency in Aquaculture,'' ``National
Warmwater Aquaculture Center,'' ``Southern Insect Management,''
``Red Imported Fire Ants,'' Stoneville, MS; ``Alternative
Crops,'' MS; ``Plant Genetics Research,'' ``Sensing Technology
for Site-Specific Management to Protect Environmental
Resources,'' ``Improving Surface Water Quality with Alternative
Cropping Systems at Field and Watershed Scales,'' ``Mid-West/
Mid-South Irrigation,'' ``Watershed Research,'' Columbia, MO;
``Northern Plains Research Laboratory,'' Sidney, MT; ``Genetic
Improvement of Sorghum for Feed Quality and Agronomic
Fitness,'' Lincoln, NE; ``Exploration and Maintenance of Fungi
and Plants for Biorational Control of Agricultural Pests,''
Ithaca, NY; ``Animal Vaccines,'' Greenport, NY; ``Control of
Fungal Pathogens of Small Grains,'' ``Evaluation of Temperate
Legumes and Warm-Season Grass Mixtures in Sustainable
Production Systems,'' ``Improved Peanut Product Quality and
Bioactive Nutrient Composition with Genetic Resources,''
``Peanut Quality Research,'' Raleigh, NC; ``Sunflower
Research,'' Fargo, ND; ``Development of Soybean Germplasm and
Production Systems for High Yield and Drought Prone
Environments,'' Wooster, OH; ``Germplasm Resources Genetics and
Physiology of Grass and Legume Seed for Sustainable Cropping
Systems,'' ``Hops Genetics and Breeding for Improved Flavor,
Agronomic Performance and Pest Resistance,'' ``Physiology,
Biochemistry and Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crop
Productivity and Product Quality,'' ``Characterization,
Detection and Control of Viruses Infecting Small Fruit Crops,''
``Biology and Management of Foliage and Fruit Diseases of
Horticultural Crops,'' ``Biology and Control of Insect Pests of
Horticultural Crops,'' ``Preservation of Clonal Genetic
Resources of Temperate Fruit, Nut, and Speciality Crops,''
``Residue Management and Grass Seed Cropping Systems for
Sustainable Agriculture,'' ``Small Fruit and Nursery
Research,'' ``Viticulture Research,'' Corvallis, OR;
``Harvesting and Ginning Technologies for Stripper Cotton,''
``U.S. Plant Stress and Water Conservation Lab,'' Lubbock, TX;
``Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement of Cool Season Food
Legumes,'' ``Arctic Plant Germplasm Introduction and
Research,'' ``Root Diseases of Wheat/Barley,'' Pullman, WA;
``Potato Research Enhancement,'' Prosser, WA; ``Temperate Fruit
Flies,'' Yakima, WA; ``Appalachian Farming Systems Research
Center,'' Beckley, WV; ``National Center for Cool and Coldwater
Aquaculture'', ``Aquaculture Systems (Rainbow Trout),''
Leetown, WV; ``The Role of Life Strategies of Phytopathogenic
Bacteria in the Epidemiology of Foliar Diseases,'' Madison, WI;
``Alternative Crops,'' Mayaquez, Puerto Rico; ``Center for Food
Safety and Post Harvest Technology,'' ``Binational Agricultural
Research and Development (BARD),'' ``Floriculture and Nursery
Crop Research,'' ARS Headquarters, Washington, DC.
Red imported fire ants.--Infestations of red imported fire
ants are increasing in 21 southern California cities, as well
as in a number of states in the Southeast and the Southwest.
Nationally, damages caused by imported fire ants to
agriculture, human health, infrastructure, farm animals and
wildlife are estimated at several billions of dollars each
year. The Committee provides an increase of $900,000 above the
fiscal year 2000 level for research on effective control of
imported fire ants infestations. This research is to be carried
out by the ARS Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center. At
least $500,000 of the total is to be used to support the
existing cooperative agreement with the National Center of
Physical Acoustics (NCPA) to develop methods to monitor and
control fire ant populations and for detailed studies of fire
ant colonies at the University of Mississippi Biological Field
Station.
Root diseases of wheat and barley.--The Committee provides
fiscal year 2001 funding of $500,000 to the ARS Root Disease
and Biological Control Research Unit located at Washington
State University in Pullman, WA, for research to control root
diseases of wheat and barley. Of the total provided, $125,000
is to be transferred to the Oregon State University Columbia
Basin Agriculture Research Center, Pendleton, OR; $75,000 is to
be transferred to the University of Idaho Research and
Extension Center, Kimberly, ID; and $300,000 is to remain in
the ARS program at Pullman, WA.
Rural geriatric nutrition research.--The Committee
continues the fiscal year 2000 level of funding for the further
development of a comprehensive nutrition outreach, treatment,
and research program to assist the rural elderly population.
Geisinger Health System's Rural Geriatric Nutrition Center in
Danville, PA, is the lead organization undertaking this
initiative in collaboration with other universities.
Silverleaf whitefly.--The silverleaf whitefly, also known
as the sweetpotato whitefly, continues to cause millions of
dollars in crop damage in several States, including Hawaii. The
Committee recommends participation by all affected States in
the collaborative effort to control this pest.
Small farms.--The Committee expects the ARS to continue its
support for the South Central Family Farm Research Center at
Booneville, AR. The Committee expects no less than the 2000
level for continuation of agroforestry research in conjunction
with work at the University of Missouri. To expand the
development of agroforestry systems, additional funding of
$2,000,000 is provided for Missouri to develop flood plain
applications.
Small fruits research, Poplarville, MS.--The Committee
recognizes the importance of the USDA Small Fruits Research
Station in Poplarville, MS, and provides an increase of
$750,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level to expand the research
efforts of the station on ornamental and vegetable crops.
Small grains research, Aberdeen, ID.--The Committee is
aware that the ARS is considering the elimination of the small
grains geneticist position at the USDA-ARS Aberdeen, ID,
station. The Committee continues the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for this position.
Research to improve both barley and oat genetic stocks
provides direct benefits to the U.S. barley industry, including
end users who rely on improved quality traits in malting
barley. The Committee recognizes the important work carried out
on small grains at the ARS Aberdeen, ID, research station and
provides an increase of $320,000 from the fiscal year 2000
level of funding for this research.
Southern insect management.--The Committee provides the
fiscal year 2000 level of funding to continue the cooperative
agreement with the National Center for Physical Acoustics
(NCPA) to develop methods to monitor pest populations using
advanced acoustic techniques; at least $250,000 of the total
funding is to be used to support the current program at the
NCPA.
Soybean cyst nematode.--Soybean yields in the Mid South
have been flat in or in many fields actually decreasing. This
is in spite of new improved varieties with and without
transgenic genes. Recently farmers in the Mid South have become
aware of serious increases in nematodes in their soybean
fields. A new raceof the soybean cyst nematode is the cause of
the damage. Few varieties are resistant to this new species,
and they yield less than the best varieties in noninfested
fields. There are no economical chemical means to control this
pest. Rotations with corn will reduce populations, but the
nematode rebounds the first year soybeans are grown following
corn. The Committee provides an addition of $500,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level and directs the ARS to work
cooperatively with the West Tennessee Experiment Station,
Jackson, TN, to develop soybean germplasm resistant to the
soybean cyst nematode.
Soybean genetics, MO.--The Committee provides an increase
of $600,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for research
conducted by the ARS at Columbia, MO, for two additional
soybean geneticists to focus research on genetic improvement of
soybeans to increase productivity and value due to protein,
oil, and nutrition composition. The positions are to be located
at and collaborate with the Danforth Plant Science Center.
Soybean research.--The Committee is aware of the important
ARS-supported work being done in the soybean breeding and
production project at Ohio State University in Wooster, OH, and
through ongoing research at Ames, IA, and Stoneville, MS, aimed
at increasing the productivity and profitability of soybean
production and processing. The Committee strongly supports this
research and expects ARS to continue these important soybean
research programs at not less than the fiscal year 2000 funding
levels.
Soybean research in the South.--The major problems in Mid
South soybean production are disease and finding genetic types
that can withstand environmental stresses. Major diseases are
stem canker, phytophthora, nematodes, and the emerging problem
of the soybean mosaic virus. The Committee provides an increase
of $600,000 from the fiscal year 2000 funding level to support
a pathologist needed to research the environmental and
management systems that encourage disease incidence and to
develop screening methods so that breeders can develop improved
varieties with disease resistance; and a geneticist to aid in
the screening for disease resistance as well as research the
interactions of genetics and environment on performance under
stressful weather conditions. The current management system of
using early maturing varieties planted early results in poor
seed quality and other new problems. These new scientists will
complete an interdisciplinary team approach to develop a
combined research strategy and ultimately a better variety-
management system.
Subterranean termite.--The Committee provides $143,200 for
continuing termite research in Hawaii to devise and test
control methods that do not endanger public health and
environmental preservation goals.
Sugarcane biotechnology research.--The Committee recognizes
the importance of furthering the science of molecular
techniques in sugarcane. By mapping useful genes, transferring
exotic genes into sugarcane germplasm, and improving selection
techniques for sugarcane cultivars, much progress can be made
to increase the efficiency and global competitiveness of the
U.S. sugar industry. To continue the strong public/private
relationship between ARS and the American Sugar Cane League and
expand biotechnology at the work site of the ARS Southern
Regional Research Center in Houma, LA, the Committee provides
the fiscal year 2000 level of funding. The Committee expects
ARS to collaborate with the American Sugar Cane League in
efforts to coordinate research with other commodity-based
biotechnology research and continue funding for this vital
research.
Support for the National Arboretum.--The Committee is aware
of the support that the non-profit organization ``Friends of
the National Arboretum'' provides for the National Arboretum.
That includes support for various gifts that add to the
positive exposure, visitation, capital investment, research
activities, and ongoing operations and maintenance. The
Committee encourages that type of partnership and generous
assistance to this critical national resource and directs the
USDA to work with the Friends of the National Arboretum to
encourage cooperative support and utilize voluntary services
and financial support dedicated to increasing its utilization
and improving the resource and its management.
Temperate fruit flies.--The Committee recognizes the
importance and significance of research related to the
temperate fruit fly not only for the application to the pest's
primary target, cherries, but for the potential application to
other tree fruits. In addition, this research will prove
invaluable as the horticulture industry combats artificial
trade barriers established by foreign entities when exporting
Pacific Northwest fruit.
Tomato spotted wilt virus.--The Committee is aware of the
widespread losses caused by the tomato spotted wilt virus
(TSWV) in Hawaii and encourages the agency to provide funds to
University of Hawaii scientists to transfer genetic resistance
to TSWV into University of Hawaii breeding lines for impacted
vegetables.
Tropical aquaculture research.--The Committee provides
$1,603,000 for the Oceanic Institute of Hawaii for continuation
of the comprehensive research program focused on feeds,
nutrition, and global competitiveness of the domestic
aquaculture industry.
Trout genome mapping.--The Committee supports animal
genomics, the development of genetic and physical maps, along
with research on gene structure and function. Declining natural
fishery harvests and rapidly growing populations concerned with
healthy eating mean that, worldwide, aquaculture production
will need to increase some 300 percent by 2025 to meet
projected seafood demand. Investing in trout genome mapping is
a crucial investment strategy that will lead to the
identification of genes affecting production traits, improve
the accuracy of genetic enhancement of animal populations, and
be useful for characterizing new, potentially valuable
germplasm populations. Genome mapping will allow the American
aquaculture industry to remain internationally competitive. The
Committee continues funding at the fiscal year 2000 level to
support Trout Genome Mapping at the National Center for Cool
and Cold Water Aquaculture in cooperation with West Virginia
University.
Turfgrass research.--Increasing urbanization and
environmental impacts are creating the need for more turfgrass
usage. These same factors are causing a heightened awareness of
the use of fertilizers, pesticides and water to properly
establish and maintain turfgrass areas. Through a unique
partnership, the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program links
ARS, the turfgrass industry, and land grant universities in
their common interest of turfgrass cultivar development,
improvement and evaluation. To enhance the development of
stress-tolerant and pest-resistant germplasm for the turfgrass
industry, the Committee provides an increase of $250,000 from
the fiscal year 2000 level for a new scientist position at the
ARS facility in Beltsville, MD, dedicated to turfgrass
research.
U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center.--The
Committee provides an increase of $500,000 to the U.S. Pacific
Basin Agricultural Research Center. Of the increased funds
provided, $250,000 is for the University of Hawaii at Hilo to
continue to assist the agency in identifying industry needs,
transferring technology developed at the Center, and designing
a research agenda consistent with end-user market demands.
Viticulture research.--With the emerging importance of the
grape and wine industry in the Pacific Northwest, the Committee
provides $450,000 for fiscal year 2001 for the viticulture
research position at the University of Idaho Parma Research and
Extension Center, for research at the Center, and for
cooperative research agreements with University of Idaho
researchers for viticulture research.
Waste management research.--The Committee provides an
increase of $600,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for a
cooperative waste management research program with Western
Kentucky University. Emphasis will be placed on the development
and evaluation of environmentally-friendly management systems
for waste from poultry farms and processing plants. Systems
developed in other southern states will be tested for their
relative effectiveness at preventing potentially polluting
nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from entering
surface and groundwater. In addition, the application of
poultry manure to fescue pastures will be researched to
determine the interrelationships of waste management systems to
the production of endophytic toxins on cattle growth in the
Mid-South. Other parameters of crop production and waste
management, such as microbial activity, favorable and
unfavorable to environment and animal health, will be
evaluated.
Water quality.--The Committee acknowledges the progress
which has been made toward water quality objectives in
conjunction with the pesticide application technology research
currently conducted at the Mid South Regional Research Center.
The ARS should continue this joint research initiative and
expand it through the integrated pest management objectives
outlined in the agency's budget request.
Watershed research, Columbia, MO.--The Committee includes
$325,000 in fiscal year 2001 funding for ARS for laboratory
analysis of water samples collected during implementation of,
and in accordance with, the Missouri Watershed Research,
Assessment, and Stewardship Project.
Weed control in the South.--Production of field crops such
as cotton, soybean, and corn, using genetically engineered
(transgenic) plants with resistance to herbicides has
profoundly changed weed control practices. Crop production
systems using reduced or no tillage and the practice of narrow
row spacing are being adopted by farmers to reduce production
costs in traditional, as well as transgenic crops. There is
limited information available on the integration of these new
crop production practices. Furthermore, acceptance of
transgenic crops is not universal, and questions about impacts
on health, ecology, and economics require increased effort by
ARS to address these public concerns. Long-term effects on weed
population shifts and weed density resulting from continuous
use of a single herbicide are not clear. The Committee provides
an increase of $500,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for
this research centered at Stoneville, MS.
Western grazing lands.--Animal-based agriculture must
devise new ways to maintain production while complying with
various regulations designed to improve water quality and
riparian health. The Committee provides an additional $250,000
from the fiscal year 2000 level to the Rangeland Research
Laboratory, Burns, OR, to develop methods for improving water
quality while maintaining agricultural productivity in
rangeland areas.
Wind erosion research.--The Committee provides funding at
the fiscal year 2000 level for the Wind Erosion Research Unit
(WERU) in Manhattan, KS. The Committee directs the ARS to avoid
reprogramming or routing any of the provided funds to or
through other wind erosion facilities in the ARS system during
fiscal year 2001.
buildings and facilities
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $52,500,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 39,300,000
Committee recommendation................................ 56,330,000
The ARS ``Buildings and Facilities'' account was
established for the acquisition of land, construction, repair,
improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed
equipment or facilities of, or used by, the Agricultural
Research Service. Routine construction or replacement items
continue to be funded under the limitations contained in the
regular account.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and
Facilities, the Committee recommends an appropriation of
$56,330,000. This is $3,830,000 more than the 2000
appropriation and $17,030,000 more than the budget request. The
Committee's specific recommendations are indicated in the
following table:
ARS BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
-------------------------- Committee
State and facility 2000 2001 budget recommendation
enacted estimate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona: Water Conservation 1,400 ........... 5,000
and Western Cotton
Laboratory, Maricopa.........
California:
Western Human Nutrition 9,000 ........... ..............
Research Center, Davis...
Western Regional Research 2,600 4,900 4,900
Center, Albany...........
District of Columbia: U.S. 500 3,330 530
National Arboretum...........
Hawaii: U.S. Pacific Basin 4,500 ........... 5,000
Agricultural Research Center.
Illinois:
National Center for 1,800 ........... ..............
Agricultural Utilization
Research, Peoria.........
USDA greenhouse complex, 400 ........... 3,600
Urbana...................
Iowa: National Animal Disease 3,000 9,000 5,000
Center, Ames.................
Kansas: U.S. Grain Marketing 100 ........... 3,500
Research Laboratory, Manhat-
tan..........................
Louisiana: Southern Regional 5,500 ........... ..............
Research Center, New Orleans.
Maine: Northeast Marine Cold ........... ........... 2,500
Water Aquaculture Research
Center, Orono................
Maryland:
Beltsville Human Nutrition 13,000 13,300 5,000
Research Center,
Beltsville...............
National Agricultural ........... 1,770 1,000
Library, Beltsville......
Mississippi: Insect Rearing 2,000 ........... 5,000
Facility, Stoneville.........
Montana: Fort Keogh 530 ........... 5,300
Laboratory, Miles City.......
New York: Plum Island Animal 3,500 7,000 5,000
Disease Center, Greenport....
Pennsylvania: Eastern Regional 4,400 ........... ..............
Research Center, Philadelphia
Utah: Poisonous Plant 270 ........... 5,000
Laboratory, Logan............
-----------------------------------------
Total................... 52,500 39,300 56,330
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee provides funds for design of the U.S.
National Arboretum, Northeast Marine Cold Water Aquaculture
Research Center, and National Animal Disease Center
biocontainment 2 (including necessary utility work) projects.
Funds are provided to complete construction of the USDA
greenhouse complex, Urbana, IL; Western Regional Research
Center, Albany, CA; and Ft. Keogh Laboratory, Miles City, MT,
projects. The amounts provided for other facilities are toward
project construction cost requirements. Due to budgetary
constraints, the Committee is unable to provide the full amount
required to complete construction of each of these projects.
Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center facilities
repairs.--The Committee recognizes the need to improve facility
deficiencies at the Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center
in Beaver, West Virginia, and directs the Secretary to
formulate a plan to provide funds to begin repairs, including
repair of the conference room roof and structural and
architectural repairs that would bring the Center in line with
industry standards and into compliance with building and
electrical codes.
Cereal Crops Research Unit, Madison, WI.--The Committee is
aware that existing office and laboratory space for the ARS
Cereal Crops Research Unit in Madison, WI, is inadequate to
accommodate existing staff and research. The existing
laboratory building is now more than 50 years old and is badly
in need of modernization, and replacement of the HVAC system is
required. The ARS is to submit a feasibility study within 180
days of enactment of this Act to the Committee for the repair
and modernization of facilities required at this location.
Southern Plains Range Research Station, Woodward, OK.--The
Committee recognizes the important contribution of the
agricultural research program conducted at the Southern Plains
Range Research Station. Investigations to improve farm and
range management, enhance profitability and preserve rangeland
in the Southern Plains is an essential component of the
Department's research program. The Station is in need of
additional greenhouses, laboratory facilities, and related
scientific equipment to effectively carry out its mission. In
this regard, the agency is directed to furnish a feasibility
study within 180 days of enactment of this Act detailing costs
and plans to meet the requirements noted by this Committee for
an efficient and effective research mission at the Woodward,
OK, station.
U.S. Vegetable Laboratory, Charleston, SC.--The Committee
has provided funding for the planning, design and construction
of the new U.S. Vegetable Laboratory at Charleston, SC. The
Committee considers this laboratory and the plant sciences
research it houses as critical to the U.S. vegetable industry.
The Committee understands that while construction financing is
complete, there still exist several add-alternate items deleted
from the project's construction. The Committee encourages the
agency to fund those items, within its program account, as it
has funded similar equipment, telecommunications, small
buildings, etc., in past years under existing authorities.
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service was established by the Secretary of Agriculture on
October 1, 1994, under the authority of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912). The
Service was created by the merger of the Cooperative State
Research Service and the Extension Service. The mission is to
work with university partners to advance research, extension,
and higher education in the food and agricultural sciences and
related environmental and human sciences to benefit people,
communities, and the Nation.
research and education activities
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $481,881,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 460,865,000
Committee recommendation................................ 494,744,000
\1\ Includes $3,817,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The research and education programs administered by the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
[CSREES] are the U.S. Department of Agriculture's principal
entree to the university system of the United States to support
higher education in food and agricultural sciences and to
conduct agricultural research as authorized by the Hatch Act of
1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a-361i); the Cooperative Forestry Research
Act of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a-7); Public Law 89-106, section (2)
(7 U.S.C. 450i); and the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et
seq.). Through these authorities, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture participates with State and other sources of
funding to encourage and assist the State institutions to
conduct agricultural research through the State agricultural
experiment stations of the 50 States, the District of Columbia,
and the territories; by approved schools of forestry; by the
1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University; by
colleges of veterinary medicine; and by other eligible
institutions.
The research and education programs participate in a
nationwide system of agricultural research program planning and
coordination among the State institutions, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, and the agricultural industry of America.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For research and education activities of the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service, the Committee
recommends $494,744,000. This amount is $12,863,000 more than
the 2000 appropriation and $33,879,000 more than the budget
request.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for research and education activities of the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
as compared to the fiscal year 2000 and budget request levels:
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE [CSREES]--
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
2000 2001 budget recommen-
appropriation dation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payments under Hatch Act....... 180,545 180,545 180,545
Cooperative forestry research 21,932 21,932 21,932
(McIntire-Stennis)............
Payments to 1890 colleges and 30,676 30,676 30,676
Tuskegee University...........
Special research grants (Public
Law 89-106):
Advanced genetic ............. ........... 500
technologies (Kentucky)...
Advanced spatial 1,000 ........... 1,000
technologies (Mississippi)
Aegilops cylindricum 360 ........... 360
(Washington)..............
Aflatoxin (Illinois)....... 113 ........... 150
Agricultural 131 ........... 131
diversification (Hawaii)..
Agricultural diversity--Red 250 ........... 250
River Trade Corridor
(Minnesota, North Dakota).
Agricultural 425 ........... ...........
telecommunications (New
York).....................
Agriculture-based 250 ........... 300
industrial lubricants
(Iowa)....................
Agriculture water usage 300 ........... ...........
(Georgia).................
Alliance for food 300 ........... 300
protection (Georgia,
Nebraska).................
Alternative crops (North 550 ........... 700
Dakota)...................
Alternative crops for arid 100 ........... 100
lands (Texas).............
Alternative nutrient ............. ........... 200
management (Vermont)......
Alternative salmon products 552 ........... 650
(Alaska)..................
Animal science food safety 1,521 ........... 1,521
consortium (Arkansas,
Iowa, Kansas).............
Apple fireblight (Michigan, 500 ........... 500
New York).................
Aquaculture (Louisiana).... 330 ........... 330
Aquaculture (Mississippi).. 592 ........... 592
Aquaculture (North 255 ........... 300
Carolina).................
Aquaculture (Virginia)..... 100 ........... 100
Aquaculture product and 750 ........... 750
marketing development
(West Virginia)...........
Asparagus technology and ............. ........... 250
production (Washington)...
Babcock Institute 510 ........... 600
(Wisconsin)...............
Beef technology transfer ............. ........... 300
(Missouri)................
Binational agricultural ( \2\ ) 2,000 ( \2\ )
research and development
fund......................
Biodiesel research 152 ........... ...........
(Missouri)................
Blocking Anhydrous 212 ........... 250
methamphetamine production
(Iowa)....................
Bovine Tuberculosis 170 ........... 350
(Michigan)................
Brucellosis vaccines 425 ........... 500
(Montana).................
Center for Animal Health 113 ........... 113
and Productivity
(Pennsylvania)............
Center for Rural Studies 200 ........... 200
(Vermont).................
Cheseapeake Bay agroecology 150 ........... 150
(Maryland)................
Chesapeake Bay aquaculture. 385 ........... 385
Citrus tristeza............ 595 ........... ...........
Coastal cultivars (Georgia) 170 ........... ...........
Competitiveness of 680 ........... 680
agricultural products
(Washington)..............
Cool season legume research 329 ........... 329
(Idaho, Washington).......
Cranberry/blueberry 150 ........... 200
(Massachusetts)...........
Cranberry/blueberry disease 220 ........... 220
and breeding (New Jersey).
Dairy and meat goat 63 ........... 63
research (Texas)..........
Dairy farm profitability ............. ........... 300
(Pennsylvania)............
Delta rural revitalization 148 ........... 208
(Mississippi).............
Designing foods for health 319 ........... 750
(Texas)...................
Diaprepes/root weevil 298 ........... ...........
(Florida).................
Drought mitigation 200 ........... 200
(Nebraska)................
Ecosystems (Alabama)....... 500 ........... ...........
Environmental biotechnology ............. ........... 200
(Rhode Island)............
Environmental research (New 400 ........... ...........
York).....................
Environmental risk factors-- 170 ........... ...........
cancer (New York).........
Environmentally-safe 170 ........... 250
products (Vermont)........
Exotic pest diseases ............. ........... 500
(California)..............
Expanded wheat pasture 285 ........... 300
(Oklahoma)................
Farm and rural business 87 ........... ...........
finance (Arkansas,
Illinois).................
Feed barley for rangeland 638 ........... 750
cattle (Montana)..........
Floriculture (Hawaii)...... 250 ........... 250
Food and Agriculture Policy 800 ........... 900
Research Institute (Iowa,
Missouri).................
Food irradiation (Iowa).... 200 ........... 200
Food Marketing Policy 400 ........... ...........
Center (Connecticut)......
Food Processing Center 42 ........... 42
(Nebraska)................
Food quality (Alaska)...... 350 ........... 350
Food safety (Alabama)...... 446 ........... 525
Food Systems Research Group 425 ........... 500
(Wisconsin)...............
Forages for advancing 212 ........... 500
livestock production
(Kentucky)................
Forestry (Arkansas)........ 523 ........... ...........
Fruit and vegetable market 320 ........... ...........
analysis (Arizona,
Missouri).................
Generic commodity 198 ........... ...........
promotions, research and
evaluation (New York).....
Global change.............. 1,000 1,567 1,300
Global market support 127 ........... ...........
service (Arkansas)........
Grain sorghum (Kansas)..... 106 ........... 106
Grass seed cropping for 423 ........... 423
sustainable agriculture
(Washington, Oregon,
Idaho)....................
Human nutrition (Iowa)..... 473 ........... 473
Human nutrition (Louisiana) 752 ........... 752
Human nutrition (New York). 622 ........... ...........
Hydroponic tomato 200 ........... ...........
production (Ohio).........
Illinois-Missouri Alliance 1,184 ........... 1,300
for Biotechnology.........
Improved dairy management 296 ........... 296
practices (Pennsylvania)..
Improved early detection of 170 ........... 200
crop diseases (North Caro-
lina)....................
Improved fruit practices 445 ........... 445
(Michigan)................
Infectious disease research 255 ........... 300
(Colorado)................
Institute for Food Science 1,250 ........... 1,250
and Engineering (Arkansas)
Integrated production 180 ........... 180
systems (Oklahoma)........
Intelligent quality sensor ............. ........... 150
for food safety (North
Dakota)...................
International agricultural 250 ........... ...........
market structures and
institutions (Kentucky)...
International arid lands 400 ........... ...........
consortium................
Iowa biotechnology 1,564 ........... 1,564
consortium................
Livestock and dairy policy 475 ........... ...........
(New York, Texas).........
Lowbush blueberry research 220 ........... 260
(Maine)...................
Maple research (Vermont)... 100 ........... 120
Meadowfoam (Oregon)........ 300 ........... 300
Michigan biotechnology 675 ........... 675
consortium................
Midwest Advanced Food 423 ........... 423
Manufacturing Alliance....
Midwest agricultural 592 ........... 592
products (Iowa)...........
Milk safety (Pennsylvania). 298 ........... 400
Minor use animal drugs..... 550 550 550
Molluscan shellfish 400 ........... 400
(Oregon)..................
Multicommodity research 364 ........... 364
(Oregon)..................
Multicropping strategies 127 ........... 127
for aquaculture (Hawaii)..
National biological impact 254 254 254
assessment................
Nematode resistance genetic 127 ........... 127
engineering (New Mexico)..
Nevada arid rangelands 255 ........... 300
initiative (Nevada).......
New crop opportunities 425 ........... 500
(Alaska)..................
New crop opportunities 595 ........... 750
(Kentucky)................
Nonfood uses of 64 ........... 64
agricultural products
(Nebraska)................
Oil resources from desert 175 ........... 175
plants (New Mexico).......
Organic waste utilization 100 ........... 100
(New Mexico)..............
Pasture and forage research 225 ........... 250
(Utah)....................
Peach tree short life 162 ........... 180
(South Carolina)..........
Peanut allergy reduction 425 ........... 500
(Alabama).................
Pest control alternatives 106 ........... 118
(South Carolina)..........
Phytophthora root rot (New 127 ........... 127
Mexico)...................
Plant, drought, and disease 212 ........... 250
resistance gene cataloging
(New Mexico)..............
Potato research............ 1,300 ........... 1,500
Precision agriculture 850 ........... 750
(Kentucky)................
Preharvest food safety 212 ........... 212
(Kansas)..................
Preservation and processing 226 ........... 226
research (Oklahoma).......
Protein utilization (Iowa). ............. ........... 200
Rangeland ecosystems (New 200 ........... 200
Mexico)...................
Red Snapper research 510 ........... 750
(Alabama).................
Regional barley gene 425 ........... 750
mapping project...........
Regional Crop Information ............. 1,500 ...........
and Policy Centers........
Regionalized implications 294 ........... 294
of farm programs
(Missouri, Texas).........
Rice modeling (Arkansas)... 296 ........... ...........
Rural Development Centers 523 523 523
(Pennsylvania, Iowa, North
Dakota, Mississippi,
Oregon, Louisiana)........
Rural Policies Institute 644 ........... 644
(Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri)
Russian wheat aphid 200 ........... 300
(Colorado)................
Sclerotina disease research ............. ........... 250
(Minnesota)...............
Seafood and aquaculture 305 ........... 305
harvesting, processing,
and marketing
(Mississippi).............
Seafood harvesting, 552 ........... 1,200
processing, and marketing
(Alaska)..................
Seafood Safety 255 ........... 255
(Massachusetts)...........
Small fruit research 300 ........... 350
(Idaho, Oregon,
Washington)...............
Southwest consortium for 338 ........... 338
plant genetics and water
resources.................
Soybean cyst nematode 475 ........... 500
(Missouri)................
STEEP III--water quality in 500 ........... 500
Northwest.................
Sustainable agriculture 255 ........... ...........
(California)..............
Sustainable agriculture 445 ........... 445
(Michigan)................
Sustainable agriculture and 95 ........... 100
natural resources
(Pennsylvania)............
Sustainable agriculture 59 ........... 59
systems (Nebraska)........
Sustainable beef supply 638 ........... 850
(Montana).................
Sustainable pest management 425 ........... 500
for dryland wheat (Mon-
tana).....................
Swine waste management 500 ........... 500
(North Carolina)..........
Tillage, silviculture, 212 ........... 212
waste management
(Louisiana)...............
Tomato wilt virus (Georgia) 200 ........... 200
Tropical aquaculture 170 ........... ...........
(Florida).................
Tropical and subtropical... 2,724 ........... 2,724
Turkey carna virus 200 ........... ...........
(Indiana).................
Urban pests (Georgia)...... 64 ........... ...........
Value-added product ............. ........... 350
development from
agricultural resources
(Montana).................
Vidalia onions (Georgia)... 100 ........... 200
Viticulture consortium 1,000 ........... 1,500
(California, Pennsylvania,
New York).................
Water conservation (Kansas) 79 ........... 79
Weed control (North Dakota) 423 ........... 450
Wetland plants (Louisiana). 600 ........... 600
Wheat genetic research 261 ........... 261
(Kansas)..................
Wheat sawfly research ............. ........... 350
(Montana).................
Wood utilization (Alaska, 5,136 ........... 5,786
Idaho, Oregon, Maine,
Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, North
Carolina, Tennessee)......
Wool (Montana, Texas, 300 ........... 300
Wyoming)..................
----------------------------------------
Total, special research \1\ 60,048 6,394 62,207
grants..................
========================================
Improved pest control:
Emerging pest/critical 200 467 200
issues....................
Expert IPM decision support 177 260 177
system....................
Integrated pest management. 2,731 2,731 2,731
IR-4 minor crop pest 8,990 10,711 8,990
management................
Pest management 1,623 4,200 1,623
alternatives..............
----------------------------------------
Total, improved pest 13,721 18,369 13,721
control.................
========================================
Competitive research grants:
Animals.................... 29,000 35,000 29,750
Markets, trade, and 4,600 7,000 4,600
development...............
Natural resources and the 20,500 25,000 20,500
environment...............
Nutrition, food safety, and 16,000 22,000 17,000
health....................
Plants..................... 41,000 48,000 41,250
Processes and new products. 8,200 13,000 8,250
----------------------------------------
Total, competitive 119,300 150,000 121,350
research grants.........
========================================
Animal health and disease (sec. 5,109 5,109 5,109
1433).........................
Critical Agricultural Materials 600 ........... 650
Act...........................
Aquaculture centers (sec. 1475) 4,000 4,000 4,000
Alternative crops.............. 750 ........... 750
Sustainable agriculture........ 8,000 10,500 9,500
Capacity building grants (1890 9,200 9,500 9,500
Institutions).................
Payments to the 1994 1,552 1,552 1,552
Institutions..................
Graduate fellowship grants..... 3,000 5,000 3,000
Institution challenge grants... 4,350 6,000 4,350
Multicultural scholars program. 1,000 2,000 1,000
Hispanic education partnership 2,850 3,500 3,500
grants........................
Alaska Native serving and ............. ........... 3,000
Native Hawaiian-serving
Institutions education grants.
Secondary agriculture education 500 500 1,000
1994 Institutions research 500 1,000 1,000
program.......................
========================================
Federal administration:
Agriculture development in 564 ........... 564
the American Pacific......
Agriculture waste 425 ........... 500
utilization (West
Virginia).................
Alternative fuels 218 ........... 300
characterization
laboratory (North Da-
kota).....................
Animal waste management 250 ........... 250
(Oklahoma)................
Biotechnology (Mississippi) 425 ........... 600
Center for Agricultural and 355 ........... 355
Rural Development (Iowa)..
Center for innovative food 381 ........... ...........
technology (Ohio).........
Center for North American 87 ........... 87
Studies (Texas)...........
Climate change research 170 ........... ...........
(Florida).................
Cotton research (Texas).... 170 ........... 500
Data information system.... 2,000 2,250 2,250
Geographic information 850 ........... 1,200
system....................
Livestock marketing 170 ........... 200
information center
(Colorado)................
Mariculture (North 250 ........... 400
Carolina).................
Mississippi Valley State 583 ........... 650
University................
National Center for Peanut 300 ........... 500
Competitiveness (Georgia).
Office of Extramural 310 588 310
Programs..................
Pay costs and FERS......... 1,100 1,100 1,100
Peer panels................ 350 350 350
PM-10 study (Washington)... 873 ........... 436
Precision Agriculture 425 ........... ...........
(Alabama, Tennessee)......
Shrimp aquaculture (Hawaii, 3,354 ........... 5,000
Mississippi, Arizona,
Massachusetts, South
Carolina).................
Water quality (Illinois)... 297 ........... 400
Water quality (North 340 ........... 450
Dakota)...................
----------------------------------------
Total, Federal \1\ 14,248 4,288 16,402
administration........
========================================
Total, Cooperative 481,881 460,865 494,744
State Research,
Education, and
Extension Service,
research and education
activi- ties.........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
\2\ Funding provided under the ``Agricultural Research Service, Salaries
and Expenses'' account.
Hatch Act.--The Committee acknowledges the beneficial
impact Hatch Act funding has on land-grant universities. Hatch
Act provides the base funds necessary for higher education and
research involving agriculture. The Committee recommends
maintaining Hatch Act funding at the fiscal year 2000 level.
Special research grants under Public Law 89-106.--The
Committee recommends a total of $62,207,000. Specifics of
individual grant allowances are included in the table above.
Special items are discussed below.
Aquaculture (Stoneville).--Of the $592,000 provided for
this grant, the Committee recommends at least $90,000 for
continued studies of the use of acoustics in aquaculture
research to be conducted by the National Center for Physical
Acoustics in cooperation with the Mississippi Agriculture and
Forestry Experiment Station [MAFES] and the Delta Research and
Extension Center in Stoneville.
Potato research.--The Committee expects the Department to
ensure that funds provided to CSREES for potato research are
utilized for varietal development testing. Further, these funds
are to be awarded competitively after review by the potato
industry working group.
Wood utilization research.--The Committee provides
$5,786,000 for wood utilization research. Included in this
amount is $650,000 for the new center established in fiscal
year 2000 in Alaska, and restoration of the fiscal year 1999
level of funding for each of the other existing centers.
Aquaculture centers.--The Committee provides $4,000,000,
the same as the 2000 level, to support the regional aquaculture
centers.
Competitive research grants.--The Committee supports the
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program [NRI]
and provides funding of $121,350,000 for the program, an
increase of $2,250,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level.
Within the total funding provided for the National Research
Initiative competitive grants program, the Committee expects
the Department to make available the increased funding
requested in the fiscal year 2001 budget for research in
support of the President's Food Safety Initiative. For fiscal
year 2001, these levels, by NRI category, are as follows:
``Animals,'' $3,800,000; ``Markets, trade, and development,''
$15,000; ``Nutrition, food safety, and health,'' $16,313,000;
and ``Processes and new products,'' $660,000.
The Committee remains determined to see that quality
research and enhanced human resources development in the
agricultural and related sciences be a nationwide commitment.
Therefore, the Committee continues its direction that 10
percent of the competitive research grant funds be used for a
USDA experimental program to stimulate competitive research
[USDA-EPSCoR].
Alternative crops.--The Committee recommends $750,000 for
alternative crop research to continue and strengthen research
efforts on canola, an increase of $200,000 from the fiscal year
2000 level.
Sustainable agriculture.--The Committee recommends
$9,500,000 for sustainable agriculture, an increase of
$1,500,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level.
Increased funds provided for sustainable agriculture
research and education should include, but in no way be limited
to, projects on organic agriculture. While organic production
practices are included under the umbrella of sustainable
agriculture, it is critical that funding increases be directed
also to research on broader sustainable agriculture production
systems and practices. The Committee also directs the
Department allocate a portion of funding increases to on-farm
demonstration and producer-research projects.
Higher education.--The Committee recommends $14,850,000 for
higher education. The Committee provides $3,000,000 for
graduate fellowships; $4,350,000 for challenge grants;
$1,000,000 for multicultural scholarships; $3,500,000 for
grants for Hispanic education partnership grants; and
$3,000,000 for Alaska native-serving and native Hawaiian-
serving institutions.
The Committee notes that the Department's higher education
multicultural scholars program enhances the mentoring of
scholars from under-represented groups. The Committee directs
the Department to ensure that Alaska Natives participate fully
in this program.
Federal administration.--The Committee provides $16,402,000
for Federal administration. The Committee's specific
recommendations are reflected in the table above.
Geographic Information System Program.--The Committee
recommends $1,200,000, an increase of $350,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level, for the Geographic Information System Program.
The Committee recommends the amount provided shall be made
available for program activities of entities in the same areas
as in 2000 on a proportional basis. In addition, it is expected
that program management costs will be kept at a minimum and any
remaining funds will be distributed to the sites.
NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
Appropriations, 2000.................................... ($4,600,000)
Budget estimate, 2001................................... (7,100,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (7,100,000)
The Native American Institutions Endowment Fund authorized
by Public Law 103-382 provides an endowment for the 1994 land-
grant institutions (30 tribally controlled colleges). This
program will enhance educational opportunity for Native
Americans by building educational capacity at these
institutions in the areas of student recruitment and retention,
curricula development, faculty preparation, instruction
delivery systems, and scientific instrumentation for teaching.
Beginning with 2001, it is proposed that funds also be made
available for facility renovation, repair, construction, and
maintenance. On the termination of each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall withdraw the income from the endowment fund for
the fiscal year, and after making adjustments for the cost of
administering the endowment fund, distribute the adjusted
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income from these
funds shall be distributed among the 1994 land-grant
institutions on a pro rata basis, the proportionate share being
based on the Indian student count; and 40 percent of the
adjusted income shall be distributed in equal shares to the
1994 land-grant institutions.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund, the
Committee recommends $7,100,000. This is $2,500,000 more than
the 2000 level and the same as the budget request.
The Committee includes language in the bill, as requested
in the budget, to allow funds under the Native American
Institutions Endowment Fund (7 U.S.C. 301 note) to be used to
support facility renovation, repair, construction, and
maintenance in addition to other authorized purposes.
extension activities
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $424,174,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 428,236,000
Committee recommendation................................ 426,504,000
\1\ Includes $748,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Cooperative extension work was established by the Smith-
Lever Act of May 8, 1914. The Department of Agriculture is
authorized to provide, through the land-grant colleges,
cooperative extension work that consists of the development of
practical applications of research knowledge and the giving of
instruction and practical demonstrations of existing or
improved practices or technologies in agriculture, uses of
solar energy with respect to agriculture, home economics,
related subjects, and to encourage the application of such
information by demonstrations, publications, through 4-H clubs,
and other means to persons not in attendance or resident at the
colleges.
To fulfill the requirements of the Smith-Lever Act, State
and county extension offices in each State, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and Micronesia conduct
educational programs to improve American agriculture and
strengthen the Nation's families and communities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For extension activities of the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $426,504,000. This amount is $2,330,000 more
than the 2000 appropriation and $1,732,000 less than the budget
request.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for extension activities, as compared to the
fiscal year 2000 and budget request levels:
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE (CSREES)--
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
2000 Fiscal year Committee
enacted 2001 budget recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever sections 3(b) and 276,548 276,548 276,548
3(c).........................
Smith-Lever section 3(d):
Farm safety............... 3,400 ........... 3,400
Food and nutrition 58,695 61,043 58,695
education................
Indian reservation agents. 1,714 5,000 2,500
Pest management........... 10,783 12,269 10,783
Pesticide applicator ........... 1,500 ..............
training.................
Rural development centers. 908 908 908
Sustainable agriculture... 3,309 4,500 4,000
Youth at risk............. 9,000 10,000 9,000
Youth farm safety ........... 5,000 ..............
education and
certification............
Renewable Resources Extension 3,192 3,192 3,192
Act..........................
1890 colleges and Tuskegee.... 26,843 26,843 26,843
1890 facilities grants........ 12,000 12,000 12,400
Rural health and safety 2,628 ........... 2,628
education....................
Extension services at the 1994 3,060 3,500 3,500
institutions.................
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal................ 412,080 422,303 414,397
=========================================
Federal administration and
special grants:
General administration.... 4,736 5,457 4,736
Ag in the Classroom....... 208 476 476
Beef producers improvement 197 ........... 197
(Arkansas)...............
Botanical garden 106 ........... 250
initiative (Illinois)....
Conservation technology 170 ........... 500
transfer (Wisconsin).....
Dairy education (Iowa).... ........... ........... 250
Delta Teachers Academy.... 3,500 ........... 3,500
Diabetes detection, 550 ........... ..............
prevention (Washington)..
Extension specialist 100 ........... 104
(Mississippi)............
Income enhancement 246 ........... ..............
demonstration (Ohio).....
Integrated cow/calf 250 ........... ..............
management (Iowa)........
National Center for 195 ........... 195
Agriculture Safety (Iowa)
Pilot technology project 163 ........... ..............
(Wisconsin)..............
Pilot technology transfer 326 ........... 326
(Oklahoma and
Mississippi).............
Potato Pest Management ........... ........... 200
(Wisconsin)..............
Range improvement (New 197 ........... 197
Mexico)..................
Rural development (Alaska) 276 ........... 650
Rural development (New 280 ........... 280
Mexico)..................
Rural development 150 ........... ..............
(Oklahoma)...............
Rural rehabilitation 246 ........... 246
(Georgia)................
Wood biomass as an 197 ........... ..............
alternative farm product
(New York)...............
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, Federal \1\ 12,094 5,933 12,107
administration.......
-----------------------------------------
Total, extension 424,174 428,236 426,504
activities...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Totals may not add due to rounding.
Farm safety.--Of the funds recommended for farm safety, the
Committee recommends continued funding at the fiscal year 2000
level of $2,597,078 for the AgrAbility project being carried
out in cooperation with the National Easter Seal Society.
Pest management.--Included in the amount provided by the
Committee for pest management Smith-Lever 3(d) funds is
continued funding at the fiscal year 2000 level for potato late
blight control, including $400,000 for early disease
identification, comprehensive composting for cull disposal, and
late blight research activities in Maine.
Rural health and safety.--The Committee recommends
$2,628,000, the same as the fiscal year 2000 level, for rural
health and safety education. Included in this amount is
$2,150,000 for the ongoing rural health program in Mississippi
to train health care professionals to serve in rural areas, and
$478,000 for the ongoing rural health and outreach initiative
in Louisiana.
Youth at Risk.--The Committee recognizes the increased
problem of methamphetamine and its negative impact on
communities across the nation. The Committee encourages the
Extension Service to work in rural communities to prevent the
use of methamphetamine and increase efforts to educate youth on
the dangers of this substance.
integrated activities
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $39,541,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 76,194,000
Committee recommendation................................ 43,541,000
Section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 authorizes an integrated research,
education, and extension competitive grants program. Water
Quality, Food Safety, and Pesticide Impact Assessment Special
Research Grants and Smith Lever 3(d) programs previously funded
under Research and Education and/or Extension Activities are
included under this account, as well as new integrated programs
to address issues such as pest management.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For integrated activities of the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, the Committee
recommends $43,541,000. This amount is $4,000,000 more than the
2000 level and $32,653,000 less than the budget request.
The following table summarizes the Committee's
recommendations for integrated activities:
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE (CSREES)--
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year Fiscal year Committee
2000 2001 budget recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Farm Initiative......... ........... 4,000 ..............
Water Quality................. 13,000 16,204 13,000
Food Safety................... 15,000 15,000 15,000
Pesticide Impact Assessment... 4,541 4,640 4,541
International Science and ........... 1,000 ..............
Education Grants.............
Crops at Risk from FQPA 1,000 3,000 2,000
Implementation...............
Biobased Products Program..... ........... 9,600 ..............
Invasive Species.............. ........... 1,500 ..............
FQPA Risk Mitigation Program 4,000 10,000 6,000
for Major Food Crop Systems..
Methyl Bromide Transition 2,000 5,000 3,000
Program......................
Organic Transition Program.... ........... 1,000 ..............
Anti-Hunger and Food Security ........... 5,250 ..............
Program......................
-----------------------------------------
Total, Integrated 39,541 76,194 43,541
Activities.............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water quality.--The Committee expects a continuation of
funding at current levels for the Agricultural Systems for
Environmental Quality Program and the Management Systems
Evaluation Area Program. The Committee continues funding for
the Farm*A*Syst program at no less than the fiscal year 2000
level.
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $618,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 635,000
Committee recommendation................................ 635,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs provides direction and coordination in
carrying out laws enacted by the Congress with respect to the
Department's marketing, grading, and standardization activities
related to grain; competitive marketing practices of livestock,
marketing orders, and various programs; veterinary services;
and plant protection and quarantine. The Office has oversight
and management responsibilities for the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service; Agricultural Marketing Service; and Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs, the Committee recommends an appropriation
of $635,000. This is $17,000 more than the 2000 level and the
same as the budget request.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
salaries and expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, APHIS
Appropriations User fees \1\ appropriations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000 \2\............................... $350,842,000 $86,926,000 $437,768,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \3\.............................. 425,444,000 87,000,000 512,444,000
Committee recommendation............................... 371,098,000 87,000,000 458,149,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes additional resources from the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform [FAIR] Act of 1996 direct
appropriation.
\2\ Includes $3,495,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\3\ Revised budget request, March 31, 2000 (H. Doc. 106-222).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] was
established by the Secretary of Agriculture on April 2, 1972,
under the authority of reorganization plan No. 2 of 1953, and
other authorities. The major objectives of APHIS are to protect
the animal and plant resources of the Nation from diseases and
pests. These objectives are carried out under the major areas
of activity, as follows:
Pest and disease exclusion.--The Agency conducts inspection
and quarantine activities at U.S. ports of entry to prevent the
introduction of exotic animal and plant diseases and pests. The
Agency also participates in inspection, survey, and control
activities in foreign countries to reinforce its domestic
activities.
Agricultural quarantine inspection.--User fees are
collected to cover the cost of inspection and quarantine
activities at U.S. ports of entry to prevent the introduction
of exotic animal and plant diseases and pests.
Plant and animal health monitoring.--The Agency conducts
programs to assess animal and plant health and to detect
endemic and exotic diseases and pests.
Pest and disease management programs.--The Agency carries
out programs to control and eradicate pest infestations and
animal diseases that threaten the United States; reduce
agricultural losses caused by predatory animals, birds, and
rodents; provide technical assistance to other cooperators such
as States, counties, farmer or rancher groups, and foundations;
and ensure compliance with interstate movement and other
disease control regulations within the jurisdiction of the
Agency.
Animal care.--The Agency conducts regulatory activities
which ensure the humane care and treatment of animals and
horses as required by the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection
Acts. These activities include inspection of certain
establishments which handle animals intended for research,
exhibition, and as pets, and monitoring of certain horse shows.
Scientific and technical services.--The Agency performs
other regulatory activities, including the development of
standards for the licensing and testing of veterinary
biologicals to ensure their safety and effectiveness;
diagnostic activities in support of the control and eradication
programs in other functional components; applied research aimed
at reducing economic damage from vertebrate animals;
development of new pest and animal damage control methods and
tools; and regulatory oversight of genetically engineered
products.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For salaries and expenses of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, the Committee recommends total funding of
$458,149,000. This is $20,381,000 more than the 2000
appropriation and $54,295,000 less than the budget request.
The following table reflects the Committee's specific
recommendations for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service:
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year Fiscal year
2000 2001 budget Committee
enacted request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pest and disease exclusion:
Agricultural quarantine 34,546 38,450 38,970
inspection...............
User fees \1\............. 86,926 87,000 87,000
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, agricultural 121,472 125,450 125,970
quarantine inspection..
-----------------------------------------
Cattle ticks.............. 4,996 5,276 5,156
Foot-and-mouth disease.... 3,803 3,803 3,803
Fruit fly exclusion and 25,183 55,110 25,504
detection................
Import/export inspection.. 6,809 7,237 7,025
Sanitary/Phytosanitary 7,530 9,492 7,625
Management...............
Screwworm................. 30,276 30,400 30,375
Tropical bont tick........ 407 407 407
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, pest and 200,476 237,175 205,865
disease exclusion......
=========================================
Plant and animal health
monitoring:
Animal health monitoring 65,943 69,501 68,529
and surveillance.........
Animal and plant health 5,850 6,263 6,263
regulatory enforcement...
National Animal Health 627 5,868 3,627
Emergency Management
System...................
Pest detection............ 6,680 6,729 6,729
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, plant and 79,100 88,361 85,148
animal health
monitoring.............
=========================================
Pest and disease management
programs:
Aquaculture............... 766 576 776
Biological control........ 8,153 8,318 8,318
Boll weevil............... 15,094 2,856 17,946
Brucellosis eradication... 10,876 8,227 9,943
Emerging plant pests...... 3,507 28,586 3,533
Golden nematode........... 580 580 580
Gypsy moth................ 4,363 4,420 4,417
Imported fire ant......... 100 ........... 2,100
Noxious weeds............. 424 2,124 425
Pink bollworm............. 1,316 1,074 1,316
Pseudorabies.............. 4,563 4,039 4,039
Scrapie................... 2,989 8,026 3,024
Tuberculosis.............. 4,916 4,974 5,474
Wildlife services 31,395 28,684 33,806
operations...............
Witchweed................. 1,506 1,506 1,506
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, pest and 90,548 103,990 97,203
disease management.....
=========================================
Animal care:
Animal welfare............ 10,167 15,167 12,167
Horse protection.......... 361 388 369
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, animal care... 10,528 15,565 12,536
=========================================
Scientific and technical
services:
Biotechnology/ 8,523 10,283 9,696
environmental protection.
Integrated systems 3,497 ........... ..............
acquisition..............
Plant methods development 4,688 4,806 4,806
laboratories.............
Veterinary biologics...... 10,337 10,751 10,751
Veterinary diagnostics.... 15,609 17,678 17,514
Wildlife services methods 10,357 10,525 10,525
development..............
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal, scientific and 53,011 54,043 53,292
technical services.....
=========================================
Invasive species.............. ........... 8,805 ..............
Contingency fund.............. 4,105 4,105 4,105
=========================================
Total, salaries and 437,768 512,444 458,149
expenses...............
=========================================
Recap:
Appropriated.............. 350,842 425,444 371,149
Agricultural quarantine 86,926 87,000 87,000
inspection user fees.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes additional resources from the Federal Agricultural
Improvement and Reform [FAIR] Act of 1996 direct appropriations.
The Committee has provided an increase of $5,000,000 from
the fiscal year 2000 level for pay cost increases in fiscal
year 2001.
The Committee is unable to provide increases requested in
the President's budget for citrus canker, scrapie, the Asian
longhorned beetle or the Mexican fruit fly. The Committee is
also unable to provide funding for the grasshopper crisis or
Pierce's disease. The Committee directs that the agency
continue to use contingency funding from available Commodity
Credit Corporation monies, as it has in past fiscal years, for
citrus canker, scrapie, the Asian longhorned beetle, the
Mexican fruit fly, grasshoppers, and Pierce's disease.
Pest and Disease Exclusion.--The Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform [FAIR] Act (Public Law 104-127) makes
amounts in excess of $100,000,000 in the agricultural
quarantine inspection (AQI) user fee account directly available
for program operations. Of amounts collected in the user fee
account, up to $100,000,000 are subject to appropriation. For
fiscal year 2001, the Committee provides an appropriation of
$87,000,000 from the AQI user fee account. The Department
estimates that an additional $114,822,796 will be collected and
available as provided in the FAIR Act (Public Law 104-127). The
Committee recommendation will support a total of 618 staff
years at the U.S./Canadian border, the U.S./Mexican border, and
Hawaii.
In addition to the total staff years provided by the
Committee for fiscal year 2001, an increase of $520,000 is also
provided for seven additional inspectors at the U.S./Mexican
border at the San Diego ports of entry, two technicians, and
one clerical support staff. The agency also is directed to use
the funds necessary from the AQI user fee account to provide at
the San Diego ports of entry, four inspectors at the cargo
maritime, one staff year at the canine unit, one technician,
and one clerical support staff year.
The Committee urges the Department to actively seek
procedural and/or treatment methods that allow shipment of
untreated fruit grown in Hawaii to cold-weather states during
winter months without jeopardizing pest introductions to
mainland agriculture.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the fruit fly exclusion and detection program. The
agency should continue to use Commodity Credit Corporation
funds for the fruit fly exclusion and detection program as it
has in past years.
The Committee continues its interest in more efficient and
less disruptive inspection of passengers and cargo in Hawaiian
airports and directs the agency to provide not less than the
fiscal year 2000 level of funding for sufficient staff-year
equivalents of agricultural quarantine inspectors, operating
funds, and inspection equipment at Hawaii's direct departure
and interline airports.
The Committee also encourages the agency to aggressively
identify and evaluate flexible hiring staff deployment
arrangements to provide services cost effectively when needed
by agricultural shippers.
The Committee is further interested in APHIS's activities
regarding the acquisition and deployment of commercially
available, state-of-the-art inspection technology and equipment
at key points of entry, such as Hawaii, for screening
passengers' luggage for banned agricultural products and
reducing the introduction of dangerous pests and diseases into
the United States.
Plant and animal health monitoring.--The Committee provides
an increase of $413,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for the
animal and plant health regulatory enforcement program, as
proposed in the budget.
The Committee provides an increase of $50,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for a cooperative agreement with Murray
State University, Breathitt Veterinary Center, Hopkinsville,
Kentucky, to determine the impact on animal health from common
agricultural chemical usage.
The Committee provides an increase of $3,000,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for the emergency management systems
program so the agency can respond to crises that threaten the
economic health of the animal industry.
The Committee provides an increase of $49,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for the pest detection program.
The Committee provides an increase of $2,586,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for the animal health monitoring and
surveillance (AHMS) program. This amount includes the transfer
of $524,000 from the pseudorabies program, as proposed in the
fiscal year 2001 budget request. Also included in this amount
is an additional $1,000,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for
Johnes Disease.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the National Farm Animal Identification and Records
Project for dairy cattle to be coordinated with the Holstein
Association.
The Committee provides funding at the fiscal year 2000
level for enforcement of the Commercial Transportation of
Equine for Slaughter Act.
The Committee continues the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the national poultry improvement plan [NPIP].
Pest and disease management.--The Committee continues its
concern regarding the serious threat to pastures and watersheds
resulting from the introduction of alien weed pests, such as
gorse and miconia, into Hawaii. The Committee again directs the
agency to work with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and
the Natural Resources and Conservation Service to develop an
integrated approach, including environmentally-safe biological
controls, for eradicating these pests.
The Committee provides $776,000 for the aquaculture
program, $191,000 more than the fiscal year 2000 appropriations
level, to continue the telemetry studies on depredating species
of wildlife in the Southeast, and for pay cost increases. This
program is necessary to help catfish farmers manage populations
of fish-eating birds which continue to migrate to the Mid-south
area where they prey on farm-raised catfish.
Boll weevil.--The Committee provides an increase of
$2,852,000 from the fiscal year 2000 funding level for the boll
weevil eradication program. The Committee cannot provide an
increase to achieve the 30 percent Federal cost share under the
current budget constraints. However, the Committee intends that
the additional funds provided be used to increase the Federal
cost share to the maximum extent possible.
The Committee urges the agency to continue the development
of the geographic information system so that the economic and
entomological efficiency of the boll weevil eradication program
can continue to improve.
Brucellosis eradication.--The Committee assumes the
decrease of $2,649,000, as proposed in the budget, for
brucellosis eradication. However, the Committee provides the
fiscal year 2000 level of $750,000 for the State of Montana to
protect the State's brucellosis-free status and for the
operation of the bison quarantine facility and the testing of
bison which surround Yellowstone National Park.
The Committee also provides $600,000, an increase of
$200,000 from the 2000 fiscal year level, for the Greater
Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee [GYIBC] and
encourages the coordination of Federal, State and private
actions aimed at eliminating brucellosis from wildlife in the
Greater Yellowstone Area. Of this amount, $200,000 is allocated
to the State chairing the GYIBC. The remainder shall be equally
divided between the other two States. The Committee provides
$250,000, an increase of $40,000 from the fiscal year 2000
level, for the Idaho Wildlife Brucellosis Plan (IWBP).
Emerging plant pests.--The Committee provides the fiscal
year funding 2000 level for the Asian longhorned beetle program
in New York and Illinois.
Imported fire ant.--The Committee provides an increase of
$2,000,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for the shared
responsibility with the States to conduct surveys, compliance
monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities affiliated with
the fire ant quarantine of nursery and greenhouse plants.
Noxious weeds.--The Committee continues the demonstration
project on kudzu at the fiscal year 2000 funding level.
The Committee encourages the agency to continue working
with the State of Texas regarding orobanche ramosa at the
fiscal year 2000 funding level.
The Committee does not provide the funding increases in
support of the Presidential Executive Order on Invasive Alien
Species proposed in the budget.
Pink bollworm.--The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000
level of funding for the sterile fly release in order to
continue the San Joaquin Valley containment program and to
continue the program in Texas and New Mexico.
Tuberculosis.--The Committee provides an increase of
$558,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level to maintain current
staffing levels and related survey and eradication activities.
Within the additional funding provided, the Committee directs
the agency to use $500,000 to address bovine tuberculosis in
Michigan.
Wildlife services operations.--The Committee provides
funding at the fiscal year 2000 level to continue cattail
management and blackbird control efforts in North Dakota, South
Dakota, and Louisiana.
The Committee provides an increase of $1,000,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for predator control programs for
livestock operators in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Due to the
increase in federally listed endangered species, the States'
operations account for Wildlife Services has suffered
financially.
The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 funding level to initiate a cooperative
agreement with the University of Georgia, Auburn University,
and the Wildlife Services Operations in the State of Georgia to
address the fluctuations in game bird and predator species
resulting from recent changes in land use throughout the
southeastern United States.
The Committee continues funding of $200,000 for the
operation of the State Wildlife Services office in Hawaii to
provide on-site coordination of prevention and control
activities in Hawaii and the American Pacific. The Committee
also continues funding of $500,000 for the Hawaii Department of
Agriculture to coordinate and operate a comprehensive brown
tree snake prevention and detection program for Hawaii. The
total amount for these activities is the same as that provided
for fiscal year 2000.
The Committee provides an increase of $51,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level to maintain the Wildlife Services Office
in Vermont, and maintains the fiscal year 2000 funding level
for the Vermont oral rabies vaccination program.
The Committee provides an increase of $60,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level to expand the coyote control program for
sheep operators in West Virginia.
The Committee continues funding at the fiscal year 2000
level for the management of beavers. The Committee commends the
agency's assistance in cooperative relationships with local and
Federal partners to reduce the cropland and forest damages
caused by the beaver population.
The Committee does not agree with the recommendation in the
President's budget that cooperating agencies and individuals
should take on a larger share of the costs of ongoing projects.
Animal Care.--The Committee directs the agency to evaluate
its authority and its resources for sufficiency to ensure the
safety of companion animals transported on commercial airlines.
This study should include recommendations regarding any
authority needed by the agency to improve animal safety on all
commercial airlines.
The Committee provides an increase of $2,000,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for the Animal Care Unit for enforcement
of the Animal Welfare Act.
The Committee does not assume collections from unauthorized
animal welfare inspection user fees, as proposed in the
President's budget.
Scientific and technical services.--The Committee assumes
the one-time decrease of $3,497,000 to defer the Integrated
Systems Acquisition Project (ISAP) and does not assume
collections from the biotechnology user fees, as proposed in
the President's budget.
The Committee provides an increase of $1,173,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level to meet the increasing demands for
biotechnology permits/notifications, petitions for
deregulation, and licensing of international activities. The
Committee does not provide the $325,000 requested for
environmental review and compliance needs. An increase of
$414,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level is provided for the
veterinary biologics program, as proposed in the budget. The
Committee provides an increase of $1,633,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level for the veterinary diagnostics program so that
current testing methods can be replaced by more modern
technology.
The Committee also provides an increase of $168,000 from
the fiscal year 2000 funding level for wildlife services
methods development as proposed in the budget.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the National Monitoring and Residue Analysis
Laboratory (NMRAL) located in Gulfport, MS. The Committee
encourages the agency to work with NMRAL to secure payments in
a timely manner for contract work done for USDA agencies.
The Committee provides funding at the fiscal year 2000
level for the cooperative agreement with the Hawaii Agriculture
Research Center for rodent control only in active agricultural
areas.
Projects identified in Senate Report 106-80 and Conference
Report 106-354 that were directed to be funded by the Committee
for fiscal year 2000 are not funded for fiscal year 2001 unless
specifically mentioned herein.
In complying with the Committee's directives, APHIS is
expected not to redirect support for programs and activities
without prior notification to and approval by the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations in accordance with the
reprogramming procedures specified in the Act. Unless otherwise
directed, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service shall
implement appropriations by programs, projects, and activities
as specified by the Appropriations Committees. Unspecified
reductions necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
are to be implemented in accordance with the definitions
contained in the ``Program, project, and activity'' section of
this report.
buildings and facilities
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $5,200,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 5,200,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,870,000
The APHIS appropriation for ``Buildings and facilities''
funds major nonrecurring construction projects in support of
specific program activities and recurring construction,
alterations, preventive maintenance, and repairs of existing
APHIS facilities.
The following table represents the Committee's specific
recommendation for this account as compared to the fiscal year
2000 and budget request levels:
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Fiscal year 2001 budget Committee
2000 enacted request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic buildings and 4,000 2,000 2,000
facilities repair,
alterations, and
preventative maintenance...
Plum Island, NY............. 1,200 3,200 3,200
Quarantine and seed ............ ............ 4,670
facilities, AK.............
-------------------------------------------
Total, Buildings and 5,200 5,200 9,870
Facilities...........
------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For buildings and facilities of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, the Committee recommends an appropriation
of $9,870,000. This amount is $4,670,000 more than the 2000
level and the budget request.
The Committee understands that the Alaska State Seed
Laboratory is in need of improvement and upgrade. The seed
laboratory provides inspection services for all seed involved
in intra-state and international trade and species to the
Alaska commercial seed industry and other private and
governmental entities in Alaska. Seeds indigenous to Alaska are
generally superior and the State is becoming a major seed
supplier to other farmers in the lower United States since
these seeds are disease free. The Committee provides $3,070,000
to construct and equip a seed laboratory in Palmer, AK.
Alaska is also in need of a Post Entry Plant Quarantine
Facility. The Committee notes that the importation of
prohibited plant species and those species with special
restrictions can only lawfully enter the United States through
the present APHIS facilities, all of which are located in
temperate regions with seasonal warm weather. Plant material
grown at the present APHIS facilities may prove to be hardy in
Arctic climates, and of possible economic value for Alaska. The
Committee provides $1,600,000 to construct a Post Entry Plant
Quarantine Facility in cooperation with the Plant Materials
Center in Palmer, AK.
The Committee directs that non-Federal researchers be able
to utilize both APHIS facilities.
Agricultural Marketing Service
marketing services
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $51,497,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 66,572,000
Committee recommendation................................ 64,696,000
\1\ Includes $128,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Agricultural Marketing Service was established by the
Secretary of Agriculture on April 2, 1972. AMS carries out
programs authorized by some 31 different statutory authorities,
the primary ones being the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
(7 U.S.C. 1621-1627); the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C.
51-65); the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-
476); the Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511-511q); the
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (7 U.S.C. 499a-499s);
the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056); and
section 32 (15 U.S.C. 713c).
Programs administered by this Agency include the market
news services, payments to States for marketing activities, the
Plant Variety Protection Act, the Federal administration of
marketing agreements and orders, standardization, grading,
classing, and shell egg surveillance services, transportation
services, and market protection and promotion.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For marketing services of the Agricultural Marketing
Service, the Committee recommends an appropriation of
$64,696,000. This amount is $13,199,000 more than the 2000
appropriation and $1,876,000 less than the budget request.
The Committee provides $14,287,000, the full amount
requested, for the Pesticide Data Program. This represents an
increase of $1,137,000 from the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.
The Committee recognizes the importance of the Pesticide Data
Program (PDP) to collect reliable, scientific-based pesticide
residue data that benefits consumers, food processors, crop
protection, pesticide producers, and farmers. The PDP is of
particular importance since the passage of the Food Quality
Protection Act, which requires thorough re-evaluation of
agricultural pesticides and tolerances for uses on individual
crops. The PDP is an effective tool to maintain the
availability of critical products which allow the production of
safe and affordable foods.
The Committee provides $5,902,000, the full amount
requested, for costs associated with implementing the Livestock
Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 1999.
The State of Alaska has developed the Alaska Grown Program
to promote the sale of Alaskan products in both military and
civilian markets. The Committee fully supports this program and
expects the Department to give full consideration to funding
applications submitted for the Alaska Grown Program.
The amount provided also includes $6,235,000 for the
initiation of a microbiological data program so that baselines
may be established for the incidence, number and types of food-
borne microorganisms. The Committee expects AMS to coordinate
with other agencies of USDA, other public health agencies of
the government, and industry to avoid duplication of effort and
to ensure that the data collected can be used by all interested
parties.
The Committee is aware of the unique factors that affect
dairy production in Alaska. Because of these factors, only 51
percent of Alaska's dairy needs can be produced in-State.
Further, because of the perishable nature of milk and the cost
to ship it, alternatives to increase milk production at
Alaska's existing State-owned facility, Matanuska Maid Dairy,
must be sought. Therefore, the Committee expects AMS, working
with other USDA agencies, to be of assistance to the State of
Alaska in addressing this unique problem.
The Committee continues to recognize the benefits and
opportunities that organic farming creates for certain
producers. The Committee expects the Secretary to construct a
National Organic Program that takes into account the needs of
small farmers. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary
to establish a progressive user fee program so that small
farmers, handlers, and certification agents are not excessively
burdened. Furthermore, the Committee directs that of the funds
available for the National Organic Program, whatever funds are
necessary should be used to offset the initial costs of
accreditation services, a subsidy necessary due to lack of
expertise in the Department of Agriculture in the areas of
organic accreditation and insufficient data on the industry.
The Committee is concerned that the recently proposed rule
on the dairy forward contracting pilot program is unnecessarily
restrictive and will reduce participation in the pilot. In
order to address this, the Committee expects the Secretary to
eliminate the 6-month time limitation placed on dairy forward
contracts and the 3-day revocation provision for handlers.
The Committee is aware of the recent bribery charges in
which eight Agricultural Marketing Service inspectors plead
guilty to accepting bribes to grade produce at levels lower
than justified by their actual condition. The Committee is very
concerned about the impact of fraudulent activities that have
affected the present integrity of the inspection system and
expects the Department to act expeditiously to take necessary
steps to restore public and industry confidence in the
inspection system.
limitation on administrative expenses
Limitation, 2000........................................ ($60,730,000)
Budget limitation, 2001................................. (60,730,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (60,730,000)
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law
97-35) initiated a system of user fees for the cost of grading
and classing tobacco, cotton, naval stores, and for warehouse
examination. These activities, authorized under the U.S. Cotton
Standards Act, the Tobacco Inspection Act, the Naval Stores
Act, the U.S. Warehouse Act, and other provisions of law are
designed to facilitate commerce and to protect participants in
the industry.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a limitation on administrative
expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service of $60,730,000.
This amount is the same as the 2000 level and the budget
request.
funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply
(section 32)
marketing agreements and orders
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $12,428,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 13,438,000
Committee recommendation................................ 13,438,000
\1\ Includes $15,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Under section 32 of the act of August 24, 1935, (7 U.S.C.
612c), an amount equal to 30 percent of customs receipts
collected during each preceding calendar year and unused
balances are available for encouraging the domestic consumption
and exportation of agricultural commodities. An amount equal to
30 percent of receipts collected on fishery products is
transferred to the Department of Commerce. Additional transfers
to the child nutrition programs of the Food and Nutrition
Service have been provided in recent appropriations Acts.
The following table reflects the status of this fund for
fiscal years 1999-2001:
SECTION 32 ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD--FISCAL YEARS 1999-2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
-------------------------------------------------------
2000 current 2001 budget
1999 actual estimate estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30 percent of Customs Re- ceipts)....... $5,701,865,817 $5,735,557,955 $5,738,448,921
Supplemental Appropriation.......................... 145,000,000 .................. ................
Less Rescission..................................... -7,958,000 -15,000 ................
Less Transfers:
Food and Nutrition Service.......................... -5,048,150,000 -4,935,199,000 -5,127,579,102
Commerce Department................................. -66,426,288 -69,920,523 -72,827,819
-------------------------------------------------------
Total, Transfers.................................. -5,114,576,288 -5,005,119,523 -5,200,406,921
=======================================================
Budget Authority........................................ 724,331,529 730,423,432 538,042,000
Unobligated Balance Available, Start of Year............ 131,966,602 112,630,114 300,000,000
Recoveries of Prior Year Obligations.................... 3,527,838 .................. ................
-------------------------------------------------------
Available for Obligation................................ 859,825,969 843,053,546 838,042,000
=======================================================
Less Obligations:
Commodity Procurement:
Child Nutrition Purchases....................... 400,000,000 400,000,000 400,000,000
Emergency Surplus Removal....................... 144,484,206 96,000,000 ................
Diversion Payments.............................. 178,264,816 .................. ................
Disaster Relief................................. 7,013,711 .................. ................
Estimated Future Purchases.............................. ................ 26,041,546 115,000,000
-------------------------------------------------------
Total, Commodity Procurement...................... 729,762,733 522,041,546 515,000,000
=======================================================
Administrative Funds:
Commodity Purchase Service...................... 6,580,001 8,584,000 9,604,000
Marketing, Agreements, and Orders.............. 10,853,121 12,428,000 13,438,000
-------------------------------------------------------
Total, Administrative Funds................. 17,433,122 21,012,000 23,042,000
=======================================================
Total, Obligations.......................... 747,195,855 543,053,546 538,042,000
=======================================================
Carryout................................................ 112,630,114 300,000,000 300,000,000
-------------------------------------------------------
Unobligated Balance Available, End of Year.......... 112,630,114 300,000,000 300,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a transfer from section 32 funds
of $13,438,000 for the formulation and administration of
marketing agreements and orders. This amount is $1,010,000 more
than the 2000 level and the same as the budget estimate.
In previous fiscal years, section 32 funds have been spent
to purchase and distribute salmon for donation to schools,
institutions, and other domestic feeding programs. The
Committee expects the Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS] to
continue to assess the existing inventories of pink salmon and
salmon nuggets and determine whether or not there is a surplus
and continued low prices in fiscal year 2001. If there is
surplus salmon and continued low prices in fiscal year 2001,
the Committee expects the Department to purchase surplus salmon
for use in the aforementioned feeding programs or for
humanitarian food aid.
Unexpected increases in inventories of cranberries have led
to declines in producer prices of up to 66 percent. The
Committee expects the Agricultural Marketing Service to utilize
necessary funds for commodity purchases of cranberries to
address these problems.
The Committee recognizes the significant losses to the
apple industry due to multiple factors, including weather and
the loss of export markets in Asia. These losses have
particularly affected apple growers in New England, where
losses are estimated to be as much as $22,000,000 compared to
the 5-year average production. The Committee expects the
Agricultural Marketing Service to devote adequate resources to
addressing the needs of the apple industry, including those in
New England.
payments to states and possessions
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $1,200,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 1,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,200,000
The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program [FSMIP] is
authorized by section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946 and is also funded from appropriations. Payments are
made to State marketing agencies to: identify and test market
alternative farm commodities; determine methods of providing
more reliable market information, and develop better commodity
grading standards. This program has made possible many types of
projects, such as electronic marketing and agricultural product
diversification. Current projects are focused on the
improvement of marketing efficiency and effectiveness, and
seeking new outlets for existing farm produced commodities. The
legislation grants the U.S. Department of Agriculture authority
to establish cooperative agreements with State departments of
agriculture or similar State agencies to improve the efficiency
of the agricultural marketing chain. The States perform the
work or contract it to others, and must contribute at least
one-half of the cost of the projects.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For payments to States and possessions for Federal-State
marketing projects and activities, the Committee provides
$1,200,000. This amount is the same as the 2000 appropriation
and $300,000 less than the budget request.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
salaries and expenses
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $26,433,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 33,549,000
Committee recommendation................................ 27,269,000
\1\ Includes $15,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
[GIPSA] was established pursuant to the Secretary's 1994
reorganization. Grain inspection and weighing programs are
carried out under the U.S. Grain Standards Act and other
programs under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act
of 1946, including the inspection and grading of rice and
grain-related products; conducting official weighing and grain
inspection activities; and grading dry beans and peas, and
processed grain products. Under the Packers and Stockyards Act,
assurance of the financial integrity of the livestock, meat,
and poultry markets is provided. The administration monitors
competition in order to protect producers, consumers, and
industry from deceptive and fraudulent practices which affect
meat and poultry prices.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For salaries and expenses of the Grain Inspection, Packers
and Stockyards Administration, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $27,269,000. This amount is $836,000 more than
the 2000 appropriation and $6,280,000 less than the budget
request.
The amount provided includes $836,000, the full budget
request, for mandatory pay cost increases. Due to budgetary
constraints, no funds are provided for the initiation of new
projects.
The Committee does not assume the $19,376,000 in net
savings from collections from new user fees proposed in the
budget.
limitation on inspection and weighing services expenses
Limitation, 2000........................................ ($42,557,000)
Budget limitation, 2001................................. (42,557,000)
Committee recommendation................................ (42,557,000)
The Agency provides an official grain inspection and
weighing system under the U.S. Grain Standards Act [USGSA], and
official inspection of rice and grain-related products under
the Agricultural Marketing Act [AMA] of 1946. The USGSA was
amended in 1981 to require the collection of user fees to fund
the costs associated with the operation, supervision, and
administration of Federal grain inspection and weighing
activities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a $42,557,000 limitation on
inspection and weighing services expenses. This amount is the
same as the 2000 level and the budget estimate.
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $446,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 560,000
Committee recommendation................................ 460,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety provides
direction and coordination in carrying out the laws enacted by
the Congress with respect to the Department's inspection of
meat, poultry, and egg products. The Office has oversight and
management responsibilities for the Food Safety and Inspection
Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, the
Committee recommends an appropriation of $460,000. This amount
is $14,000 more than the 2000 level and $100,000 less than the
budget request. Included in the Committee's recommendation is
the increase requested in the budget for pay costs.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $649,119,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\............................... 688,204,000
Committee recommendation................................ 678,011,000
\1\ Includes $292,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Revised request, March 31, 2000 (H.Doc. 106-222).
The major objectives of the Food Safety and Inspection
Service are to assure that meat and poultry products are
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged, as
required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry
Products Inspection Act; and to provide continuous in-plant
inspection to egg processing plants under the Egg Products
Inspection Act.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service was established on
June 17, 1981, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1000-1, issued
pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953.
The inspection program of the Food Safety and Inspection
Service provides continuous in-plant inspection of all domestic
plants preparing meat, poultry or egg products for sale or
distribution; reviews foreign inspection systems and
establishments that prepare meat or poultry products for export
to the United States; and provides technical and financial
assistance to States which maintain meat and poultry inspection
programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $678,011,000. This amount is
$28,892,000 more than the 2000 level and $10,193,000 less than
the budget request.
The Committee provides for mandatory pay cost increases
associated with Federal Food Inspection Activities. The
Committee also provides an additional $7,309,000, the full
amount requested, for the FSIS portion of the food safety
initiative.
The amount provided assumes savings proposed in the budget
of $4,000,000 upon implementation of daily, unscheduled
processing inspection. This proposal will allow FSIS to better
utilize available inspection personnel. The Committee expects
the Agency to make full use of its authority to ensure that
inspection resources are rationally dedicated to address
relative food safety risks and to avoid the disruptive effect
of continued inspector shortages. To further these objectives,
the Agency should evaluate greater flexibility in requirements
for frequency of unscheduled inspection and other possible
means of enhancing the efficiency of inspection in processing
establishments. FSIS should report its findings to the
Committee by January 31, 2001.
Although specifically not requested, funds are not provided
for Consumer Safety Officers.
The Committee remains concerned that FSIS has not finished
removing or revising those meat and poultry inspection
regulations inconsistent with the Hazard Analysis Critical
Control Point (HACCP) based inspection system. The agency has
missed self imposed deadlines for completing this project, and
the Committee believes the accomplishments in this area are not
as extensive as they should be. Accordingly, the Committee
directs FSIS to prepare by November 1, 2000, a report listing
every meat and poultry inspection regulation in place prior to
publication of the Pathogen Reduction/HACCP rule, the agency's
determination of whether each regulation should be revised or
removed in the wake of HACCP implementation, and the agency's
proposed date for completing that revision or removal.
The Committee believes that agency managers should have an
understanding of the establishments the agency regulates, which
necessarily requires the occasional observation of operations
in an inspected establishment. The Committee expects senior
policy development personnel of the Field Operations and
Policy, the Public Health and Science and the Program
Development and Evaluation offices to become HACCP certified
and to observe operations in the range of establishments
inspected by the agency at least semi-annually. The agency is
directed to provide the Committee a report, no later than March
1, 2001, listing the senior personnel (GS-14 and above), the
date on which they become HACCP certified, and the date and
type of establishment in which they have observed operations.
The following table represents the Committee's specific
recommendations for the Food Safety and Inspection Service as
compared to the fiscal year 2000 and budget request levels:
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 budget Committee
2000 estimates request \1\ recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal food inspection...................................... 551,987 585,258 578,544
Import/export inspection..................................... 10,456 11,526 10,548
Laboratory services.......................................... 32,060 34,393 32,971
Field automation............................................. 8,023 8,023 8,023
Grants to States............................................. 40,655 41,734 40,655
Special assistance for State programs........................ 5,231 5,231 5,231
Codex Alimentarius........................................... 707 2,039 2,039
--------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. 649,119 688,204 678,011
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Revised request (H.Doc. 106-222).
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $572,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 589,000
Committee recommendation................................ 589,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign
Agricultural Services provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's international affairs (except for foreign
economics development) and commodity programs. The Office has
oversight and management responsibilities for the Farm Service
Agency, including the Commodity Credit Corporation, Risk
Management Agency, and the Foreign Agricultural Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign
Agricultural Services, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $589,000. This amount is $17,000 more than the
2000 appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency [FSA] was established by the
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public
Law 103-354, enacted October 13, 1994. Originally called the
Consolidated Farm Service Agency, the name was changed to the
Farm Service Agency on November 8, 1995. The FSA administers
the commodity price support and production adjustment programs
financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation, the warehouse
examination function, the Conservation Reserve Program [CRP],
and several other cost-share programs; the Noninsured Crop
Disaster Assistance Program [NAP]; and farm ownership and
operating, and emergency disaster and other loan programs.
Agricultural market transition program.--The Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Public Law 104-
127 (1996 act), enacted April 4, 1996, mandates that the
Secretary offer individuals with eligible cropland acreage the
opportunity for a one-time signup in a 7-year, production
flexibility contract. Depending on each contract participant's
prior contract-crop acreage history and payment yield as well
as total program participation, each contract participant
shares a portion of a statutorily specified, annual dollar
amount. In return, participants must comply with certain
requirements regarding land conservation, wetland protection,
planting flexibility, and agricultural use. Contract crops, for
the purposes of determining eligible cropland and payments,
include wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland
cotton, and rice. This program does not include any production
adjustment requirements or related provisions, except for
restrictions on the planting of fruits and vegetables.
Marketing assistance loan program, price support programs,
and other loan and related programs.--The 1996 act provides for
marketing assistance loans to producers of contract
commodities, extra long staple [ELS] cotton, and oilseeds for
the 1996 through 2002 crops. With the exception of ELS cotton,
these nonrecourse loans are characterized by loan repayment
rates that may be determined to be less than the principal plus
accrued interest per unit of the commodity. However, with
respect to cotton and rice, the Secretary must allow repayment
of marketing loans at the adjusted world price. And,
specifically with respect to the cotton marketing assistance
loan, the program continues to provide for redemption at the
lower of the loan principal plus accrued storage and interest,
or the adjusted world price. The three-step competitiveness
provisions are unchanged.
The 1996 act also provides for a loan program for sugar for
the 1996 through 2002 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane, where
the loans may be either recourse or nonrecourse in nature
depending on the level of the tariff rate quota for imports of
sugar. The 1996 act provides for a milk price support program,
whereby the price of milk is supported through December 31,
1999, via purchases of butter, cheese, and nonfat dry milk. The
rate of support is fixed each calendar year, starting at $10.35
per hundredweight in 1996 and declining each year to $9.90 per
hundredweight in 1999. The Fiscal Year 2000 Appropriations Act,
Public Law 106-78, enacted October 22, 1999, extends the milk
price support program through December 31, 2000. The 1996 act
and the 1938 act provide for a peanut loan and poundage quota
program for the 1996 through 2002 crops of peanuts. Finally,
the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended (1949 act), and the
1938 act provide for a price support, quota, and allotment
program for tobacco.
The interest rate on commodity loans secured on or after
October 1, 1996, will be 1 percentage point higher than the
formula which was used to calculate commodity loans secured
prior to fiscal year 1997. The CCC monthly commodity loan
interest rate will in effect be 1 percentage point higher than
CCC's cost of money for that month.
The 1996 act amended the payment limitation provisions in
the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended (1985 act), by
changing the annual $50,000 payment limit per person for
deficiency and diversion payments to an annual $40,000 payment
limit per person for contract payments. The annual $75,000
payment limit per person applicable to combined marketing loan
gains and loan deficiency payments for all commodities that was
in effect for the 1991 through 1995 crop years continues
through the 2002 crop year. Similarly, the three entity rule is
continued.
Commodity Credit Corporation program activities.--Various
price support and related programs have been authorized in
numerous legislative enactments since the early 1930's.
Operations under these programs are financed through the
Commodity Credit Corporation. Personnel and facilities of the
Farm Service Agency are utilized in the administration of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, and the Administrator of the
Agency is also Executive Vice President of the Corporation.
The 1996 act created new conservation programs to address
high-priority environmental protection goals and authorizes CCC
funding for many of the existing and new conservation programs.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers many of
the programs financed through CCC.
Foreign assistance programs and other special activities.--
Various surplus disposal programs and other special activities
are conducted pursuant to specific statutory authorizations and
directives. These laws authorize the use of CCC funds and
facilities to implement the programs. Appropriations for these
programs are transferred or paid to the Corporation for its
costs incurred in connection with these activities, such as
Public Law 480.
Farm credit programs.--FSA reviews applications, makes and
collects loans, and provides technical assistance and guidance
to borrowers. Under credit reform, administrative costs
associated with agricultural credit insurance fund [ACIF] loans
are appropriated to the ACIF program account and transferred to
FSA salaries and expenses.
Risk management.--FSA administers the noninsured Crop
Disaster Assistance Program [NAP] which provides crop loss
protection for growers of many crops for which crop insurance
is not available.
salaries and expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, FSA,
Appropriations Transfers from salaries and
program accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000..................................... \1\ $794,394,000 ($211,265,000) \2\ ($1,005,659,0
00)
Budget estimate, 2001.................................... 828,385,000 (266,719,000) (1,095,104,000)
Committee recommendation................................. 828,385,000 (266,719,000) (1,095,104,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $445,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Excludes $56,000,000 in emergency and disaster assistance provided by Public Law 106-78.
The account ``Salaries and expenses, Farm Service Agency,''
funds the administrative expenses of program administration and
other functions assigned to FSA. The funds consist of
appropriations and transfers from the CCC export credit
guarantees, Public Law 480 loans, and agricultural credit
insurance fund program accounts, and miscellaneous advances
from other sources. All administrative funds used by FSA are
consolidated into one account. The consolidation provides
clarity and better management and control of funds, and
facilitates accounting, fiscal, and budgetary work by
eliminating the necessity for making individual allocations and
allotments and maintaining and recording obligations and
expenditures under numerous separate accounts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency [FSA],
including funds transferred from other program accounts, the
Committee recommends $1,095,104,000. This is $89,445,000 more
than the 2000 level and the same as the budget request.
The Committee is concerned that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's [USDA] square footage restrictions on leased
space at USDA Service Centers fail to account for space
requirements of temporary employees and records storage. The
new restrictions on square footage for office space has unduly
burdened counties and municipal governments that constructed
new facilities to accommodate the Department's needs for the
collocation of field offices. The Committee directs USDA to
provide sufficient flexibility in office space restrictions to
allow necessary space for temporary employees and record
storage. The Department is also directed to avoid imposing new
and burdensome costs on municipal landlords.
state mediation grants
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $3,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 4,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,000,000
This program is authorized under title V of the
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987. Originally designed to address
agricultural credit disputes, the program was expanded by the
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 to include other agricultural issues
such as wetland determinations, conservation compliance, rural
water loan programs, grazing on National Forest System lands,
and pesticides. Grants are made to States whose mediation
programs have been certified by the Farm Service Agency [FSA].
Grants will be solely for operation and administration of the
State's agricultural mediation program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for State mediation
grants. This is the same as the amount provided in 2000 and
$1,000,000 less than the budget request.
dairy indemnity program
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $450,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 450,000
Committee recommendation................................ 450,000
Under the program, the Department makes indemnification
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products
who, through no fault of their own, suffer losses because they
are directed to remove their milk from commercial markets due
to contamination of their products by registered pesticides.
The program also authorizes indemnity payments to dairy farmers
for losses resulting from the removal of cows or dairy products
from the market due to nuclear radiation or fallout.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the dairy indemnity program, the Committee recommends
$450,000. This is the same as the 2000 level and the budget
request.
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account
The Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account is
used to insure or guarantee farm ownership, farm operating, and
emergency loans to individuals, as well as the following types
of loans to associations: irrigation and drainage, grazing,
Indian tribe land acquisition and boll weevil eradication. The
insurance endorsement on each insured loan may include an
agreement by the Government to purchase the loan after a
specified initial period.
FSA is also authorized to provide financial assistance to
borrowers by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders having
a contract of guarantee from FSA as approved by the Secretary
of Agriculture.
The following programs are financed through this fund:
Farm ownership loans.--Made to borrowers who cannot obtain
credit elsewhere to restructure their debts, improve or
purchase farms, refinance nonfarm enterprises which supplement
but do not supplant farm income, or make additions to farms.
Total indebtedness to FSA may not exceed $200,000 for direct
loans and $700,000 for guaranteed loans. Loans are made for 40
years or less.
Farm operating loans.--Provide short-to-intermediate term
production or chattel credit to farmers who cannot obtain
credit elsewhere, to improve their farm and home operations,
and to develop or maintain a reasonable standard of living.
Total indebtedness to FSA may not exceed $200,000 for direct
loans and $700,000 for guaranteed loans. The term of the loan
varies from 1 to 7 years.
Emergency disaster loans.--Made available in designated
areas (counties) and in contiguous counties where property
damage and/or severe production losses have occurred as a
direct result of a natural disaster. Areas may be declared by
the President or designated for emergency loan assistance by
the Secretary of Agriculture. The loan may be up to $500,000.
Credit sales of acquired property.--Property is sold out of
inventory and is made to an eligible buyer by providing FSA
loans.
Indian tribe land acquisition loans.--Made to any Indian
tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or tribal
corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization
Act which does not have adequate uncommitted funds to acquire
lands or interest in lands within the tribe's reservation or
Alaskan Indian community, as determined by the Secretary of the
Interior, for use of the tribe or the corporation or the
members thereof.
Boll weevil eradication loans.--Made to assist foundations
in financing the operations of the boll weevil eradication
programs provided to farmers.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends a total level for farm loans of
$3,083,243,000. This is $49,000 less than the 2000 level and
$1,474,695,000 less than the budget estimate.
The following table reflects the program levels for farm
credit programs administered by the Farm Service Agency
recommended by the Committee, as compared to the fiscal year
2000 and the budget request levels:
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS--LOAN LEVELS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
2000 enacted 2001 budget recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm ownership:
Direct...................................................... \1\ (128,049) (128,000) (128,000)
Guaranteed.................................................. \2\ (431,373) (1,000,000) (431,373)
Farm operating:
Direct...................................................... \3\ (500,000) (700,000) (500,000)
Guaranteed unsubsidized..................................... \4\ (1,697,842 (2,000,000) (1,697,842)
)
Guaranteed subsidized....................................... \5\ (200,000) (477,868) (200,000)
Indian tribe land acquisition................................... (1,028) (2,005) (1,028)
Emergency disaster.............................................. \6\ (25,000) (150,065) (25,000)
Boll weevil eradication loans................................... (100,000) (100,000) (100,000)
-----------------------------------------------
Total, farm loans......................................... (3,083,292) (4,557,938) (3,083,243)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes estimated $21,951,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental loan subsidy appropriation provided
by Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Excludes estimated $568,627,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental loan subsidy appropriation
provided by Public Law 106-113.
\3\ Excludes estimated $400,000,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental loan subsidy appropriation
provided by Public Law 106-113.
\4\ Excludes estimated $302,158,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental loan subsidy appropriation
provided by Public Law 106-113.
\5\ Excludes estimated $702,558,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental loan subsidy appropriation
provided by Public Law 106-113.
\6\ Excludes estimated $547,000,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental loan subsidy appropriation
provided by Public Law 106-113.
loan subsidies and administrative expenses levels
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidies Administrative expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insured Guaranteed Transfer to
loan loan Total Appropriations FSA Total ACIF
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000........... \1\ 38,030 \2\ 43,976 82,006 4,300 209,861 296,167
Budget estimate, 2001.......... 114,060 71,494 185,554 4,139 265,315 455,008
Committee recommendation....... 65,185 41,780 106,965 4,139 265,315 376,419
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes estimated $109,218,000 in emergency supplemental appropriation provided by Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Excludes estimated $69,339,000 in emergency supplemental appropriation provided by Public Law 106-113.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account are used to
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated and loan guarantees committed, as well as for
administrative expenses.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The following table reflects the cost of loan programs
under credit reform:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
2000 enacted 2001 budget recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan subsidies:
Farm ownership:
Direct.................................................. \1\ 4,827 13,786 13,786
Guaranteed.............................................. \2\ 2,416 5,100 2,200
Farm operating:
Direct.................................................. \3\ 29,300 63,140 45,100
Guaranteed unsubsidized................................. \4\ 23,940 27,400 23,260
Guaranteed subsidized................................... \5\ 17,620 38,994 16,320
Indian tribe land acquisition............................... 21 323 166
Emergency disaster.......................................... \6\ 3,882 36,811 6,133
Boll weevil eradication loans............................... ( \7\ ) ( \7\ ) ( \7\ )
-----------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies................................... 82,006 185,554 106,965
ACIF expenses................................................... \8\ 214,161 269,454 269,454
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $828,000 (Public Law 106-113).
\2\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $3,184,000 (Public Law 106-113).
\3\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $23,441,000 (Public Law 106-113).
\4\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $4,260,000 (Public Law 106-113).
\5\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $61,895,000 (Public Law 106-113).
\6\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $84,949,000 (Public Law 106-113).
\7\ No cost since subsidy rate is negative.
\8\ Excludes enacted emergency supplemental appropriation of $178,557,000 (Public Law 106-113).
Risk Management Agency
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $63,983,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 67,700,000
Committee recommendation................................ 65,597,000
\1\ Includes $17,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Under the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform [FAIR]
Act of 1996, risk management activities previously performed by
the Farm Service Agency will be performed by the new Risk
Management Agency.
Risk management includes program activities in support of
the Federal Crop Insurance Program as authorized by the Federal
Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 and the FAIR Act. Functional areas
of risk management are: research and development; insurance
services; and compliance, whose functions include policy
formulation and procedures and regulations development. Reviews
and evaluations are conducted for overall performance to ensure
the actuarial soundness of the insurance program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For administrative and operating expenses for the Risk
Management Agency, the Committee recommends an appropriation of
$65,597,000. This is $1,614,000 more than the 2000 level and
$2,103,000 less than the budget request.
The amount provided includes $1,614,000, the full amount
requested, for mandatory pay cost increases.
The Committee recognizes the importance of improved risk
management tools for dairy farmers and has been concerned by
the Risk Management Agency's (RMA) administration of the Dairy
Options Pilot Program (DOPP). The Committee directs the
Secretary to ensure that the DOPP is offered under appropriate
market conditions to ensure the maximum participation possible.
Further, the Committee directs the Secretary to offer DOPP to
the same county for more than 1 year and to allow producers in
such counties to participate for more than 1 year, as
explicitly contemplated in the authorizing statute.
CORPORATIONS
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund
The Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994 was designed
to replace the combination of crop insurance and ad hoc
disaster payment programs with a strengthened crop insurance
program.
Producers of insurable crops are eligible to receive a
basic level of protection against catastrophic losses, which
cover 50 percent of the normal yield at 55 percent of the
expected price. The only cost to the producer is an
administrative fee of $60 per crop per policy, or $200 for all
crops grown by the producer in a county, with a cap of $600
regardless of the number of crops and counties involved. At
least catastrophic [CAT] coverage was required for producers
who participate in the commodity support, farm credit, and
certain other farm programs. Under the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform [FAIR] Act of 1996, producers are
offered the option of waiving their eligibility for emergency
crop loss assistance instead of obtaining CAT coverage to meet
program requirements. Emergency loss assistance does not
include emergency loans or payment under the Noninsured
Assistance Program [NAP]. Beginning with the 1997 crop, the
Secretary began phasing out delivery of CAT coverage through
the FSA offices, and in 1998 designated the private insurance
providers as the sole source provider of CAT coverage.
The Reform Act of 1994 also provides increased subsidies
for additional buy-up coverage levels which producers may
obtain from private insurance companies. The amount of subsidy
is equivalent to the amount of premium established for
catastrophic risk protection coverage for coverage up to 65
percent level at 100 percent price. For coverage equal to or
greater than 65 percent at 100 percent of the price, the amount
is equivalent to an amount equal to the premium established for
50 percent yield indemnified at 75 percent of the expected
market price.
The reform legislation included the NAP program for
producers of crops for which there is currently no insurance
available. NAP was established to ensure that most producers of
crops not yet insurable will have protection against crop
catastrophes comparable to protection previously provided by ad
hoc disaster assistance programs. While the NAP program was
implemented under the Deputy Administrator for Risk Management,
under the FAIR Act of 1996, the NAP program will remain with
the Farm Service Agency and be incorporated into the Commodity
Credit Corporation program activities.
federal crop insurance corporation fund
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $710,857,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\............................... 1,727,671,000
Committee recommendation \3\............................ 1,727,671,000
\1\ Such sums as are necessary is provided for 2000.
\2\ The 2001 budget also requests such sums as may be necessary to
remain available until expended.
\3\ The Committee recommends such sums as may be necessary, currently
estimated to be $1,727,671,000.
The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended by the Federal
Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994, authorizes the payment of
expenses which may include indemnity payments, loss adjustment,
delivery expenses, program-related research and development,
startup costs for implementing this legislation such as
studies, pilot projects, data processing improvements, public
outreach, and related tasks and functions.
All program costs for 2001, except for Federal salaries and
expenses, are mandatory expenditures subject to appropriation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation fund, the
Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as may be
necessary, estimated to be $1,727,671,000. This is
$1,016,814,000 more than the amount provided in 2000.
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund
The Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] is a wholly owned
Government corporation created in 1933 to stabilize, support,
and protect farm income and prices; to help maintain balanced
and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities, including
products, foods, feeds, and fibers; and to help in the orderly
distribution of these commodities. CCC was originally
incorporated under a Delaware charter and was reincorporated
June 30, 1948, as a Federal corporation within the Department
of Agriculture by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act,
approved June 29, 1948 (15 U.S.C. 714).
The Commodity Credit Corporation engages in buying,
selling, lending, and other activities with respect to
agricultural commodities, their products, food, feed, and
fibers. Its purposes include stabilizing, supporting, and
protecting farm income and prices; maintaining the balance and
adequate supplies of selected commodities; and facilitating the
orderly distribution of such commodities. In addition, the
Corporation makes available materials and facilities required
in connection with the storage and distribution of such
commodities. The Corporation also disburses funds for sharing
of costs with producers for the establishment of approved
conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land and
subsequent rental payments for such land for the duration of
Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
Activities of the Corporation are primarily governed by the
following statutes: the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter
Act; the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of
1996, Public Law 104-127 (1996 act), enacted April 4, 1996; the
Agricultural Act of 1949 (1949 act); the Agricultural
Adjustment Act of 1938 (1938 act); and the Food Security Act of
1985 (1985 act).
The 1996 act requires that the following programs be
offered for the 1996 through 2002 crops: 7-year production
flexibility contracts for contract commodities (wheat, feed
grains, upland cotton, and rice); nonrecourse marketing
assistance loans for contract commodities, extra long staple
[ELS] cotton, and oilseeds; a nonrecourse loan program for
peanuts; and a nonrecourse/recourse loan program for sugar. The
1996 act also requires a milk price support program that begins
after enactment of the act and continues through December 31,
1999. Public Law 106-78 extended the milk price support program
through December 31, 2000.
The 7-year production flexibility contracts were offered to
eligible landowners and producers on a one-time basis in 1996,
with some contracts being available in subsequent years for
eligible contract-commodity acreage in the CRP program that,
prior to 2002, is either withdrawn early or for which the
contract expires. Statutorily established fixed dollar amounts
are to be distributed annually among contract participants
according to statutory formulas. With the exception of
limitations on fruits and vegetables, contract acreage may be
planted (or not planted) to any crop, but the contract acreage
must be devoted to an approved agricultural use and contract
participants must comply with applicable land conservation and
wetland protection requirements.
Marketing assistance loans are available to producers of
ELS cotton and oilseeds. Such loans are also available to
producers of contract commodities, but only if the producers of
such commodities are contract participants. Marketing loan
provisions and loan deficiency payments are applicable to all
such commodities except ELS cotton.
The peanut loan program as provided by the 1996 act is
accompanied by the poundage quota program authorized by the
1938 act. The loan rate for quota peanuts is set at $610 per
ton for each of the crop years, 1996 through 2002. The quota
poundage floor (1.35 million tons in 1995) authorized by the
1938 act for 1995 is eliminated for the 1996 through 2002
crops. The 1996 act also amends the peanut provisions of the
1938 act pertaining to undermarketings of farm quotas and
transfers of quotas across county lines.
The 1996 act created a recourse loan program for sugar that
reverts to a nonrecourse loan program in a given fiscal year if
the tariff rate quota for imports of sugar exceeds 1.5 million
short tons (raw value) in any fiscal year, 1997-2002. The 1996
act suspends marketing allotment provisions in the 1938 act and
implements a 1-cent-per-pound penalty if cane sugar pledged as
collateral for a Corporation loan is forfeited. A similar
penalty applies to beet sugar.
The tobacco loan program authorized by the 1949 act is
supplemented by the quota and allotment programs authorized by
the 1938 act. The tobacco program provisions in both acts were
not affected by the 1996 act.
Milk prices are supported each year through the end of
calendar year 1999 at statutorily established levels through
purchases of butter, cheese, and nonfat dry milk. The calendar
year 1996 support level was $10.35 per hundredweight for milk
containing 3.67 percent butterfat, and the rate declines
annually to $9.90 per hundredweight for calendar year 1999.
Public Law 106-78 extends the milk price support program
through December 31, 2000.
The interest rate on commodity loans secured on or after
October 1, 1996, will be 1 percentage point higher than the
formula which was used to calculate commodity loans secured
prior to fiscal year 1997. The CCC monthly commodity loan
interest rate will in effect be 1 percentage point higher than
CCC's cost of money for that month. Moreover, the Corporation's
use of funds for purchases of information technology equipment,
including computers, is more restricted than it was prior to
enactment of the 1996 act.
The 1996 act amends the 1985 act to establish the
Environmental Conservation Acreage Reserve Program [ECARP],
which encompasses the Conservation Reserve Program [CRP], the
Wetland Reserve Program [WRP], and the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program [EQIP]. Each of these programs is funded
through the Corporation.
The CRP continues through fiscal year 2002, with up to 36.4
million acres enrolled at any one time. Except for lands that
are determined to be of high environmental value, the Secretary
is to allow participants to terminate any CRP contract entered
into prior to January 1, 1995, upon written notice, provided
the contract has been in effect for at least 5 years. The
Secretary maintains discretionary authority to conduct future
early outs and future sign-ups of lands that meet enrollment
eligibility criteria.
WRP is reauthorized through the year 2002, not to exceed
975,000 acres in total enrollment. Beginning October 1, 1996,
one-third of the land enrolled is to be in permanent easements,
one-third in 30-year easements or less, and one-third in
wetland restoration agreements with cost sharing; 75,000 acres
of land in less than permanent easements must be placed in the
program before any additional permanent easements are placed.
A new, cost-share assistance program, EQIP, is established
to assist crop and livestock producers deal with environmental
and conservation improvements on the farm. The 1996 act
authorizes program funding of $200,000,000 annually for fiscal
years 1997 through 2002. One-half of the available funds are
for addressing conservation problems associated with livestock
operations and one-half for other conservation concerns. Five-
to ten-year contracts, based on a conservation plan will be
used to implement the program.
The 1996 act also authorizes other new Corporation-funded
conservation programs, including the conservation farm option,
flood risk reduction contracts, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives
Program, and the Farmland Protection Program.
Management of the Corporation is vested in a board of
directors, subject to the general supervision and direction of
the Secretary of Agriculture, who is an ex-officio director and
chairman of the board. The board consists of seven members, in
addition to the Secretary, who are appointed by the President
of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Officers of the Corporation are designated according to their
positions in the Department of Agriculture.
The activities of the Corporation are carried out mainly by
the personnel and through the facilities of the Farm Service
Agency [FSA] and the Farm Service Agency State and county
committees. The Foreign Agricultural Service, the General Sales
Manager, other agencies and offices of the Department, and
commercial agents are also used to carry out certain aspects of
the Corporation's activities.
The Corporation's capital stock of $100,000,000 is held by
the United States. Under present law, up to $30,000,000,000 may
be borrowed from the U.S. Treasury, from private lending
agencies, and from others at any one time. The Corporation
reserves a sufficient amount of its borrowing authority to
purchase at any time all notes and other obligations evidencing
loans made by such agencies and others. All bonds, notes,
debentures, and similar obligations issued by the Corporation
are subject to approval by the Secretary of the Treasury.
Under Public Law 87-155 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11, 713a-12),
annual appropriations are authorized for each fiscal year,
commencing with fiscal year 1961. These appropriations are to
reimburse the Corporation for net realized losses.
reimbursement for net realized losses
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $30,037,136,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\............................... 27,771,007,000
Committee recommendation \3\............................ 27,771,007,000
\1\ Such sums as are necessary is provided for 2000.
\2\ The fiscal year 2001 budget estimate is such sums as are necessary.
\3\ The Committee recommends such sums as may be necessary, currently
estimated to be $27,771,007,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the payment to reimburse the Commodity Credit
Corporation (CCC) for net realized losses, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of such sums as may be necessary,
estimated in the budget to be $27,771,007,000. This is
$2,266,129,000 less than the 2000 level.
Food Security Commodity Reserve
The Committee urges USAID and USDA to manage the Food
Security Commodity Reserve effectively to meet international
food aid commitments of the United States, including
supplementing Public Law 480 title II funds to meet emergency
food needs.
During the past 2 years, USDA has used its authority under
the CCC Charter Act of 1948 to purchase wheat and other surplus
commodities for distribution as international humanitarian
assistance under Section 416(b). This has benefitted American
farmers while also helping to alleviate world hunger. Since low
commodity prices and global hunger will likely continue in the
coming year, the Committee urges USDA to again use its existing
authority to purchase no less than 4 million tons of surplus
commodities in fiscal year 2001 for donation as international
food aid.
operations and maintenance for hazardous waste management
Limitation, 2000........................................ $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,000,000
The Commodity Credit Corporation's [CCC] hazardous waste
management program is intended to ensure compliance with the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Investigative and cleanup costs associated with the management
of CCC hazardous waste are paid from USDA's hazardous waste
management appropriation. The CCC funds operations and
maintenance costs only.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For Commodity Credit Corporation operations and maintenance
for hazardous waste management, the Committee provides a
limitation of $5,000,000. This amount is the same as the 2000
level and the budget request.
TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $693,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 711,000
Committee recommendation................................ 711,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and
Environment provides direction and coordination in carrying out
the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to natural
resources and the environment. The Office has oversight and
management responsibilities for the Natural Resources
Conservation Service and the Forest Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources
and Environment, the Committee recommends an appropriation of
$711,000. This amount is $18,000 more than the 2000
appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] was
established pursuant to Public Law 103-354, the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962). NRCS
combines the authorities of the former Soil Conservation
Service as well as five natural resource conservation cost-
share programs previously administered by the Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation Service. Through the years, this
Service, together with the agricultural conservation programs
and over 2 million conservation district cooperatives, has been
a major factor in reducing pollution. The Natural Resources
Conservation Service works with conservation districts,
watershed groups, and the Federal and State agencies having
related responsibilities to bring about physical adjustments in
land use that will conserve soil and water resources, provide
for agricultural production on a sustained basis, and reduce
damage by flood and sedimentation. The Service, with its dams,
debris basins, and planned watersheds, provides technical
advice to the agricultural conservation programs, where the
Federal Government pays about one-third of the cost, and,
through these programs, has done perhaps more to minimize
pollution than any other activity. These programs and water
sewage systems in rural areas tend to minimize pollution in the
areas of greatest damage, the rivers and harbors near our
cities.
The conservation activities of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service are guided by the priorities and
objectives as set forth in the National Conservation Program
[NCP] which was prepared in response to the provisions of the
Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 [RCA] (Public
Law 95-192). The long-term objectives of the program are
designed to maintain and improve the soil, water, and related
resources of the Nation's nonpublic lands by: reducing
excessive soil erosion, improving irrigation efficiencies,
improving water management, reducing upstream flood damages,
improving range condition, and improving water quality.
conservation operations
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $660,812,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 747,243,000
Committee recommendation................................ 714,116,000
\1\ Includes $431,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Conservation operations are authorized by Public Law 74-46
(16 U.S.C. 590a-590f). Activities include:
Conservation technical assistance.--Provides assistance to
district cooperators and other land users in the planning and
application of conservation treatments to control erosion and
improve the quantity and quality of soil resources, improve and
conserve water, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, conserve
energy, improve woodland, pasture and range conditions, and
reduce upstream flooding; all to protect and enhance the
natural resource base.
Inventory and monitoring provides soil, water, and related
resource data for land conservation, use, and development;
guidance of community development; identification of prime
agricultural producing areas that should be protected;
environmental quality protection; and for the issuance of
periodic inventory reports of resource conditions.
Resource appraisal and program development ensures that
programs administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the
conservation of soil, water, and related resources shall
respond to the Nation's long-term needs.
Soil surveys.--Inventories the Nation's basic soil
resources and determines land capabilities and conservation
treatment needs. Soil survey publications include
interpretations useful to cooperators, other Federal agencies,
State, and local organizations.
Snow survey and water forecasting.--Provides estimates of
annual water availability from high mountain snow packs and
relates to summer stream flow in the Western States and Alaska.
Information is used by agriculture, industry, and cities in
estimating future water supplies.
Plant materials centers.--Assembles, tests, and encourages
increased use of plant species which show promise for use in
the treatment of conservation problem areas.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For conservation operations, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $714,116,000. This amount is $53,304,000 more
than the 2000 level and $33,127,000 less than the budget
estimate.
For fiscal year 2001, the Committee recommends funding
increases, as specified below, for new and ongoing conservation
activities. The remaining increase in appropriations from the
fiscal year 2000 level is to be applied to mandatory pay and
related cost increases to prevent the further erosion of the
agency's capacity to provide viable conservation technical
assistance. It is the Committee's intent that the agency
maintain the current staff level in the field for technical
assistance.
Projects identified in Senate Report 106-80 and Conference
Report 106-354 that were directed to be funded by the Committee
for fiscal year 2000 are not funded for fiscal year 2001,
unless specifically mentioned herein.
The Committee is aware of the severe water problems
occurring in the State of Georgia, especially in the Flint
River watershed in Southwest Georgia and the coastal watershed
in Southeast Georgia. Surface and ground water are being
severely depleted by drought and further exacerbated by salt
water intrusion into coastal agriculture areas. The Committee
provides $400,000 in fiscal year 2001 funding for the Georgia
Agricultural Water Conservation Initiative.
The Committee directs the agency to establish and maintain
a national priority area pilot program under the guidelines of
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in the
Mississippi Delta. The program will require an additional
$1,300,000 increase above the fiscal year 2000 baseline for
this priority area.
The Committee provides $400,000 for fiscal year 2001 for a
study to characterize the on-site consequences, estimate off-
site impacts, and develop strategies to facilitate land use
change while preserving critical natural resources. The agency
is directed to work in cooperation with Clemson University in
conducting this study.
The Committee provides $500,000 for fiscal year 2001 to
expand the cooperative efforts with the Claude E. Phillips
Herbarium, DE.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding to develop partnerships between USDA and the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation. This partnership enhances the
Foundation's participation in conservation programs and
strengthens their fish and wildlife conservation benefits.
The Committee provides an increase of $150,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level, for a total of $750,000, to continue
work on the Great Lakes Basin Program for soil and erosion
sediment control.
The Committee continues funding at the fiscal year 2000
level for the grazing lands conservation assistance program.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the National Water Management Center in Arkansas.
The Comittee provides an increase of $1,000,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
The Committee continues its concern for the serious threat
to pastures and watersheds resulting from the introduction of
alien weed pests, such as gorse and miconia, into Hawaii. The
Committee directs the agency to work with the Hawaii Department
of Agriculture and the Animal Plant and Health Inspection
Service to develop an integrated approach, including
environmentally-safe biological controls, for eradicating these
pests.
The Committee is aware that a national systematic and
uniform trial program does not exist for cold region plants.
The Committee provides $300,000 for fiscal year 2001 to obtain
and evaluate materials and seeds of plants indigenous to
regions north of 52 degrees North Latitude and equivalent
vegetated regions in the Southern Hemisphere (south of 52
degrees South Latitude). The Committee directs the agency to
work in conjunction with the Alaska Division of Agriculture in
this effort.
The Committee provides an increase of $350,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for the Oregon Garden, Silverton, OR.
The Committee continues funding at the fiscal year 2000
level for plant material centers and to continue the
development of warm season grasses for use in the Conservation
Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Initiatives
Program (WHIP).
The Committee encourages the agency to provide an increase
of $150,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level to support the
emerging alternative technology to reduce phosphorous loading
into Lake Champlain.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding to continue support of agricultural development and
resource conservation on the Island of Molokai and the
transition from small-scale conservation projects to those that
benefit the community through sustainable economic impact.
The Committee directs the agency to provide $450,000 for
the Kenai streambank restoration water project in fiscal year
2001.
The Committee recognizes the need for a special outreach
effort so that USDA can serve small-scale Appalachian farmers
in sustaining agriculture production while protecting natural
resources. The Committee includes an additional $200,000 from
the fiscal year 2000 level, for a total of $860,000, for the
Appalachian Small Farmer Outreach Program. Sound economic
grazing systems, marketing strategies, and uniformity of
production quality will ensure the competitiveness of livestock
operations and help maintain small farm enterprises. This
initiative will provide livestock producers access to the
needed one-on-one assistance.
The Committee provides an increase of $500,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level for technical assistance for Franklin
County Lake, Mississippi.
The Committee is aware of the lack of funding for the Soil
and Water Conservation Districts in the State of Alaska. The
Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of funding to
support at least one staff position for each Soil and Water
Conservation District Office, two positions with the
Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, a public
information program, and assistance to rural Alaska (off the
road/rail network). The Committee provides an additional
$500,000 from the fiscal year 2000 level for two additional
offices in Bethel and Nome in order for NRCS to have a presence
in western Alaska.
The Committee provides $500,000 for fiscal year 2001 for
the Squirrel Branch Drainage Project, Mississippi.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for agroforestry efforts in conjunction with the
National Agroforestry Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Committee encourages the agency to provide technical
assistance as needed for the Choctaw Water Quality Watershed
and the New Porter's Bayou watershed projects in Mississippi.
The Committee recognizes the joint effort by Colorado State
University, Texas A&M;, Iowa State University, and Ohio State
University to use and create agricultural techniques and
technologies to develop carbon dioxide emissions trading credit
models. The Committee encourages the agency to continue to
interface with the Consortium for Agricultural Soil Mitigation
of Greenhouse Gases on an as needed basis.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding to implement the recommendations, along with the
cooperation of the local sponsors, from the Delta Study for
water conservation, alternative water supply evaluations, and
environmental planning.
The Committee directs the agency to proceed with Phase II
of the Kuhn Bay Project (Point Remove), Arkansas, upon the
completion of Phase I.
The Committee directs the agency to continue the pilot
project in Washington, Sharkey, and Yazoo Counties,
Mississippi, in conjunction with soil scientists at land-grant
universities in the region, to determine the proper
classification and taxonomic characteristics of Sharkey soils.
The Committee provides an additional $50,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level to increase the Hawaii Plant Materials
Center's capability to propagate native plants to support the
Federal cleanup of the Island of Kahoolawe and to facilitate
the start-up of native plant nurseries.
The Committee provides an increase of $200,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level to address the erosion in the Loess
Hills area in western Iowa. The Committee is aware that the
Eastern Red Cedar and other invasive species of woody plants
are having a very negative effect on prairies in the Loess
Hills, a unique soil important to many rare animals and plants.
The Committee urges that the Department support efforts to
reduce this problem.
The Committee recognizes the State of Washington dairy
industry's advances and effort to control dairy waste. In
particular, the Committee identifies the comprehensive plan the
industry has established to address the problem. As a result of
the industry's commitment to solving this serious issue, and
recognizing that Washington arguably has the one of the most
comprehensive dairy waste control proposals in the nation, the
Committee directs NRCS to identify agency programs and funding
mechanisms that will assist this industry in its endeavor. In
conjunction, the Committee recommends that flood control
activities be reviewed in concert with these waste control
measures.
The Committee provides $160,000 for fiscal year 2001 to
conduct nitrogen soil tests and plant-available nitrogen tests,
and to demonstrate poultry litter and wood composting in an
effort to improve farmers' economic returns and minimize
potential water quality conditions resulting from excess
application of nutrients from manure and fertilizers on West
Virginia's cropland.
The Committee provides $800,000 for fiscal year 2001 for
the Delta Conservation Demonstration Center, Washington County,
Mississippi. This project will establish and demonstrate the
most technically advanced best management practices (BMPs) for
rural and urban resource conservation at the grassroots level.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the Farmland Information Center at Northern
Illinois University.
The Committee provides $200,000 for fiscal year 2001 for
the Idaho One-Plan, a test of the prototype Conservation
Planning Module in the field with farmers and ranchers in
Canyon County, Idaho.
The Committee supports the process the Federal agencies,
States, and tribes are making under the umbrella of the
Southwest Strategy. This coordinated effort is helping to
better address the natural resource, cultural resource, and
economic issues facing the people of New Mexico and Arizona.
The Committee expects the NRCS to continue to support the
Southwest Strategy in fiscal year 2001.
The Committee provides an increase of $100,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level, for a total of $300,000, to continue
the expansion of the Potomac and Ohio River Basins Soil
Nutrient Project to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Greenbrier
Counties. This funding will enable the NRCS, in cooperation
with West Virginia University and the Appalachian Small Farming
Research Center, to identify and characterize phosphorous
movement in soils to determine appropriate transportation, the
holding capacity, and the management of phosphorous. This
information is critical in helping Appalachian farmers deal
with nutrient loading issues and in protecting the Chesapeake
Bay from eutrophication, and the Ohio River, Mississippi River,
and Gulf of Mexico from depletion of life-sustaining oxygen.
The Committee provides the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for evaluating and increasing native plant materials in
Alaska.
The Committee provides an additional $250,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 funding level for technical assistance for the
Seward/Resurrection River watershed project, Alaska.
The Committee provides an increase of $250,000 from the
fiscal year 2000 level of funding for the continued development
of a geographic information system (GIS)-based model in South
Carolina to integrate commodity and conservation program data
at the field level for watershed analysis purposes.
watershed surveys and planning
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $10,368,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 10,368,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,705,000
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Public
Law 83-566, August 4, 1954, provided for the establishment of
the Small Watershed Program (16 U.S.C. 1001-1008), and section
6 of the act provided for the establishment of the River Basin
Surveys and Investigation Program (16 U.S.C. 1006-1009). A
separate appropriation funded the two programs until fiscal
year 1996 when they were combined into a single appropriation,
watershed surveys and planning.
River basin activities provide for cooperation with other
Federal, State, and local agencies in making investigations and
surveys of the watersheds of rivers and other waterways as a
basis for the development of coordinated programs. Reports of
the investigations and surveys are prepared to serve as a guide
for the development of agricultural, rural, and upstream
watershed aspects of water and related land resources, and as a
basis for coordination of this development with downstream and
other phases of water development.
Watershed planning activities provide for cooperation
between the Federal Government and the States and their
political subdivisions in a program of watershed planning.
Watershed plans form the basis for installing works of
improvement for floodwater retardation, erosion control, and
reduction of sedimentation in the watersheds of rivers and
streams and to further the conservation, development,
utilization, and disposal of water. The work of the Department
in watershed planning consists of assisting local organizations
to develop their watershed work plan by making investigations
and surveys in response to requests made by sponsoring local
organizations. These plans describe the soil erosion, water
management, and sedimentation problems in a watershed and works
of improvement proposed to alleviate these problems. Plans also
include estimated benefits and costs, cost-sharing and
operating and maintenance arrangements, and other appropriate
information necessary to justify Federal assistance for
carrying out the plan.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For watershed surveys and planning, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $10,705,000. This amount is
$337,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and the budget
request. The Committee has provided $337,000 for fiscal year
2001 pay cost increases.
watershed and flood prevention operations
Appropriations, 2000 \1\ \2\............................ $91,643,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 83,423,000
Committee recommendation................................ 99,443,000
\1\ Includes $7,800,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Excludes $80,000,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations
provided by Public Law 106-113.
The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public
Law 566, 83d Cong.) (16 U.S.C. 1001-1005, 1007-1009) provides
for cooperation between the Federal Government and the States
and their political subdivisions in a program to prevent
erosion, floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds or
rivers and streams and to further the conservation,
development, utilization, and disposal of water.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has general
responsibility for administration of activities which include
cooperation with local sponsors, State, and other public
agencies in the installation of planned works of improvement to
reduce erosion, floodwater, and sediment damage; conserve,
develop, utilize, and dispose of water; plan and install works
of improvement for flood prevention including the development
of recreational facilities and the improvement of fish and
wildlife habitat; and loans to local organizations to help
finance the local share of the cost of carrying out planned
watershed and flood prevention works of improvement.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For watershed and flood prevention operations, the
Committee recommends an appropriation of $99,443,000. This
amount is $7,800,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and
$16,020,000 more than the budget request. The Committee directs
that $7,800,000 of the increase provided be used for financial
assistance only.
The Committee continues the fiscal year 2000 level of
funding for the Little Sioux Watershed and Mosquito Creek
Watershed projects in Iowa.
The Committee encourages the agency to provide assistance
within available funds for the Emergency Watershed Protection
Program for the restoration of the James River watershed, South
Dakota, and for erosion control along the Tanana River
bordering the Big Delta State Historical Park, Alaska.
The Committee encourages the agency to provide financial
assistance for the following projects in Texas: Blanket Creek
Reservoir; Bexar, Medina and Atascosa watersheds; and Muenster
Dam.
Access to a consistent source of potable water became even
more difficult for West Virginia families and farmers during
the drought of 1999. While existing flood impoundments protect
these people during floods, these impoundments do not include a
water storage component that would allow the impoundment to
serve a dual role. The Committee directs the NRCS in West
Virginia to initiate the redesign of its existing flood
impoundments to include water storage as an additional
function.
The Committee encourages the agency to support the
increased demands for project completions dedicated to
increasing water storage capacity, improving the efficiency of
delivery systems, and conserving water through flood control
projects in Hawaii.
The Committee directs the agency to provide adequate
financial assistance for the following watershed projects in
Mississippi: Town Creek Dam 39, Lee County; Persimmon Break,
Madison County; Sowashee Creek Channel, Lauderdale County;
Piney Creek B.S., Yazoo County; and for branch stabilization
sites at Lower Tippah, Chilli Creek, Benton County.
The Committee directs the agency to work with the State of
Washington's Game Commission, Cowlitz County, the local Soil
Conservation District, and the Silver Lake Flood Control
District to address flooding issues and the subsequent funding
for repairs of Silver Lake, Washington. These repairs
necessitated the initial involvement of NRCS along with the
agency's technical and engineering expertise. As a result, the
Committee expects NRCS to cooperate with these local entities
to locate funding to offset the financial burden this project
has placed on local residents.
The Committee recognizes the importance of building the
Lost River Watershed Dam Number 10, West Virginia, and
encourages the funding for the award of the construction
contract for this project.
The Committee encourages the Department to assist local
landowners with the Little Red River Watershed project in
Arkansas.
The Committee directs the Department to continue to use the
funds made available for the Emergency Watershed Protection
Program activities, at the fiscal year 2000 level, for
financial and technical assistance for pilot rehabilitation
projects in Mississippi and Wisconsin.
The Committee urges the agency to proceed with the
implementation of the watershed plans for the Upper Tygart
Valley watershed, the Deckers Creek Watershed Acid Mine
Drainage Remediation and Land Mine Treatment project, the
Potomac Headwaters Land Treatment Watershed project, and the
Knapps Creek Stream Restoration Watershed project, West
Virginia.
The Committee encourages the agency to continue the
agriculture drainage and manure removal project within the
Chino Basin Dairy Preserve, California, from within funds made
available from the Emergency Watershed Protection Program.
The Committee continues to be aware of flooding in the
Devils Lake basin in North Dakota, and notes that the lake has
risen in each of the past 6 years. The lake is now nearly 25
feet higher than it was in 1993. The Committee encourages the
agency, with the cooperation of the Farm Service Agency, to
assist in the locally coordinated flood response and water
management activities. NRCS and FSA should continue to utilize
conservation programs in providing water holding and storage
areas on private land as necessary intermediate measures in
watershed management.
The Committee expects the agency to provide adequate
financial assistance for the Army Trail Watershed project in
DuPage County, Illinois.
The Committee encourages the Department to work with the
Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to restore the Lake Tahoe basin.
resource conservation and development
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $35,265,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 36,265,000
Committee recommendation................................ 36,265,000
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has general
responsibility under provisions of section 102, title I of the
Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, for developing overall work
plans for resource conservation and development projects in
cooperation with local sponsors; to help develop local programs
of land conservation and utilization; to assist local groups
and individuals in carrying out such plans and programs; to
conduct surveys and investigations relating to the conditions
and factors affecting such work on private lands; and to make
loans to project sponsors for conservation and development
purposes and to individual operators for establishing soil and
water conservation practices.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For resource conservation and development, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $36,265,000. This amount is
$1,000,000 more than the 2000 level and the same as the budget
estimate. The Committee has provided $1,000,000 for pay cost
increases in fiscal year 2001.
forestry incentives program
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $5,377,000
Budget estimate, 2001...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 6,325,000
\1\ Includes $948,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Forestry Incentives Program is authorized by the
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-
313), as amended by section 1214, title XII, of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 and the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Its
purpose is to encourage the development, management, and
protection of nonindustrial private forest lands. This program
is carried out by providing technical assistance and long-term
cost-sharing agreements with private landowners.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Forestry Incentives Program, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $6,325,000. This amount is
$948,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and $6,325,000 more
than the budget request.
TITLE III--RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354)
abolished the Farmers Home Administration, Rural Development
Administration, and Rural Electrification Administration and
replaced those agencies with the Rural Housing and Community
Development Service, (currently, the Rural Housing Service),
Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (currently,
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service), and Rural Utilities
Service and placed them under the oversight of the Under
Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development,
(currently, Rural Development). These agencies deliver a
variety of programs through a network of State, district, and
county offices.
In the 1930's and 1940's, these agencies were primarily
involved in making small loans to farmers; however, today these
agencies have a multi-billion dollar assistance program
throughout all America providing loans and grants for single-
family, multi-family housing, and special housing needs, a
variety of community facilities, infrastructure, and business
development programs.
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $588,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 605,000
Committee recommendation................................ 605,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
provides direction and coordination in carrying out the laws
enacted by the Congress with respect to the Department's rural
economic and community development activities. The Office has
oversight and management responsibilities for the Rural Housing
Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural
Utilities Service.
committee recommendations
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural
Development, the Committee recommends an appropriation of
$605,000. This amount is $17,000 more than the 2000 level and
the same as the budget request.
The Committee supports the process the Federal agencies,
States, and tribes are making under the umbrella of the
Southwest Strategy. This coordinated effort is helping to
better address the natural resource, cultural resource, and
economic issues facing the people of New Mexico and Arizona.
The Committee expects Rural Development to continue to support
the Southwest Strategy.
Current economic and global conditions underscore the need
for programs which will strengthen the ability of farmers to
join together in cooperatives to improve income, manage risks,
and increase value-added production and processing. Programs
carried out by the Cooperative Services within the Rural
Business-Cooperative Service, as authorized under the
Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926 (7 U.S.C. 453 (a) and (b)),
including those related to research, education, and technical
assistance, play an important role in promoting cooperative
self-help efforts for the benefit of farmers. The Committee
encourages the Department to give a high priority to these
programs by ensuring an adequate level of funding and staff is
provided to meet the program objectives.
Rural Community Advancement Program
Appropriations, 2000....................................\1\ $693,637,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 762,542,000
Committee recommendation................................ 749,284,000
\1\ Excludes $5,000,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations
provided by Public Law 106-113. Includes rescission of $25,200,00
pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Rural Community Advancement Program [RCAP], authorized
by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(Public Law 104-127), consolidates funding for the following
programs: direct and guaranteed water and waste disposal loans,
water and waste disposal grants, emergency community water
assistance grants, solid waste management grants, direct and
guaranteed community facility loans, community facility grants,
direct and guaranteed business and industry loans, rural
business enterprise grants, and rural business opportunity
grants. This proposal is in accordance with the provisions set
forth in the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of
1996, Public Law 104-127. Consolidating funding for these 12
rural development loan and grant programs under RCAP provides
greater flexibility to tailor financial assistance to applicant
needs.
With the exception of the 10 percent in the ``National
office reserve'' account, funding is allocated to rural
development State directors for their priority setting on a
State-by-State basis. State directors are authorized to
transfer not more than 25 percent of the amount in the account
that is allocated for the State for the fiscal year to any
other account in which amounts are allocated for the State for
the fiscal year, with up to 10 percent of funds allowed to be
reallocated nationwide.
Community facility loans were created by the Rural
Development Act of 1972 to finance a variety of rural community
facilities. Loans are made to organizations, including certain
Indian tribes and corporations not operated for profit and
public and quasipublic agencies, to construct, enlarge, extend,
or otherwise improve community facilities providing essential
services to rural residents. Such facilities include those
providing or supporting overall community development, such as
fire and rescue services, health care, transportation, traffic
control, and community, social, cultural, and recreational
benefits. Loans are made for facilities which primarily serve
rural residents of open country and rural towns and villages of
not more than 20,000 people. Health care and fire and rescue
facilities are the priorities of the program and receive the
majority of available funds.
The Community Facility Grant Program authorized in the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public
Law 104-127), is used in conjunction with the existing direct
and guaranteed loan programs for the development of community
facilities, such as hospitals, fire stations, and community
centers. Grants are targeted to the lowest income communities.
Communities that have lower population and income levels
receive a higher cost-share contribution through these grants,
to a maximum contribution of 75 percent of the cost of
developing the facility.
The Rural Business and Industry Loans Program was created
by the Rural Development Act of 1972, and finances a variety of
rural industrial development loans. Loans are made for rural
industrialization and rural community facilities under Rural
Development Act amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act authorities. Business and industrial loans are
made to public, private, or cooperative organizations organized
for profit, to certain Indian tribes, or to individuals for the
purpose of improving, developing or financing business,
industry, and employment or improving the economic and
environmental climate in rural areas. Such purposes include
financing business and industrial acquisition, construction,
enlargement, repair or modernization, financing the purchase
and development of land, easements, rights-of-way, buildings,
payment of startup costs, and supplying working capital.
Industrial development loans may be made in any area that is
not within the outer boundary of any city having a population
of 50,000 or more and its immediately adjacent urbanized and
urbanizing areas with a population density of more than 100
persons per square mile. Special consideration for such loans
is given to rural areas and cities having a population of less
than 25,000.
Rural business enterprise grants were authorized by the
Rural Development Act of 1972. Grants are made to public bodies
and nonprofit organizations to facilitate development of small
and emerging business enterprises in rural areas, including the
acquisition and development of land; the construction of
buildings, plants, equipment, access streets and roads, parking
areas, and utility extensions; refinancing fees; technical
assistance; and startup operating costs and working capital.
Rural business opportunity grants are authorized under
section 306(a)(11) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, as amended. Grants may be made, not to exceed
$1,500,000 annually, to public bodies and private nonprofit
community development corporations or entities. Grants are made
to identify and analyze business opportunities that will use
local rural economic and human resources; to identify, train,
and provide technical assistance to rural entrepreneurs and
managers; to establish business support centers; to conduct
economic development planning and coordination, and leadership
development; and to establish centers for training, technology,
and trade that will provide training to rural businesses in the
utilization of interactive communications technologies.
The water and waste disposal program is authorized by
sections 306, 306A, 309A, 306C, 306D, and 310B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et
seq., as amended). This program makes loans for water and waste
development costs. Development loans are made to associations,
including corporations operating on a nonprofit basis,
municipalities and similar organizations, generally designated
as public or quasipublic agencies, that propose projects for
the development, storage, treatment, purification, and
distribution of domestic water or the collection, treatment, or
disposal of waste in rural areas. Such grants may not exceed 75
percent of the development cost of the projects and can
supplement other funds borrowed or furnished by applicants to
pay development costs.
The solid waste grant program is authorized under section
310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Grants are made to public bodies and private nonprofit
organizations to provide technical assistance to local and
regional governments for the purpose of reducing or eliminating
pollution of water resources and for improving the planning and
management of solid waste disposal facilities.
committee recommendations
For the Rural Community Advancement Program [RCAP], the
Committee recommends $749,284,000. This amount is $55,647,000
more than the fiscal year 2000 level and $13,258,000 less than
the budget request.
The following table provides the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2000 and budget
request levels:
RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
[Budget authority in thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
------------------------------------ Committee
2000 2001 budget recommendation
appropriation request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community:
Community facility direct loan subsidies.............. 10,150 29,225 29,225
Community facility grants............................. 13,000 24,000 24,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, community................................. 23,150 53,225 53,225
=====================================================
Business:
Business and industry loan subsidies:
Direct............................................ ................ 2,910 2,910
Guaranteed........................................ 26,435 10,125 10,125
Rural business enterprise grants...................... \1\ 37,664 40,664 40,664
Rural business opportunity grants..................... 3,500 8,000 8,000
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, business.................................. 64,599 61,699 61,699
=====================================================
Utilities:
Water and waste disposal loan subsidies: Direct....... 73,420 140,249 100,566
Native Americans...................................... ................ ................ 1,631
Water and waste disposal grants....................... \2\ 529,768 502,369 529,463
Solid waste management grants......................... 2,700 5,000 2,700
-----------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, utilities................................. \2\ 605,888 647,618 634,360
=====================================================
Total, loan subsidies and grants.................... 693,637 762,542 749,284
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes $5,000,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Includes rescission of $25,200,000 pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Rural Community Advancement Program.--The Committee
provides the fiscal year 2000 level of funding for
transportation technical assistance.
The Committee directs the Department to continue the Rural
Economic Area Partnership [REAP] initiative.
The Committee directs that of the $24,000,000 provided for
loans and grants to benefit Federally Recognized Native
American Tribes, $250,000 be used to implement an American
Indian and Alaska Native passenger transportation development
and assistance initiative.
Community facility grants.--The Committee is aware of and
encourages the Department to consider the following
applications: reconstruction of Cain Hall, Raymond, MS, and
school facility improvements, Mound Bayou, MS; Seldovia Native
Association, AK; school facility improvements, WV; Agriculture
Discovery Center, Weslaco, TX; and Lyles Station School, Gibson
County, IN.
The Committee understands that the community center in
Marshall, Alaska, was destroyed by fire last year. Currently,
the city of Marshall is planning to reconstruct a new center.
The Committee fully supports their efforts and expects the
Department to give full consideration to funding applications
submitted for this center.
Rural business enterprise grants.--The Committee is aware
of and encourages the Department to give consideration to
applications for rural business enterprise grants [RBEG] from
the following: Rural Entrepreneurship Program, HI; the Grants
to Broadcasting Program; South Carolina Heritage Corridor;
South Dakota Value-Added Agriculture Development Center; Rural
Economic Development Through Tourism (REDIT); Association of
Raw Milk Producers, WI; Mission Valley Market Project; National
Rural Tourism Foundation; National Drought Mitigation Center;
Regeneracion del Norte, NM; and the Montana Agricultural
Product Processing Consortium (MAPPCO).
The Committee expects the Department to consider only those
applications judged meritorious when subjected to the
established review process. The Committee expects the
Department to ensure that the system by which applications for
rural business enterprise grants are considered does not
discriminate against applications which may benefit multiple
States.
Water and waste disposal loans and grants.--The Committee
is aware of and encourages the Department to consider
applications for the following projects: the Shulerville/Honey
Hill Water project, Berkeley, SC; Lafayette Water Improvement
Project and Philmath Industrial Sewer Project, OR; Jefferson
County, MS; the city of Jal, New Mexico; the town of Colby, WI;
the city of Blaine, WA; Oregon Garden Project, Silverton, OR;
Wastewater trainer and circuit rider, WI; and the city of Deer
Lodge, MT.
The Committee also includes language in the bill to make up
to $20,000,000 available for village safe water for the
development of water systems for rural and native villages in
Alaska, and $20,000,000 for water and waste disposal systems
for the colonias along the United States-Mexico border. In
addition, the Committee makes up to $9,500,000 available for
the circuit rider program.
Water and waste technical assistance training grants.--The
Committee is aware of and encourages the Department to consider
applications for the following: Techni-train Technical
Assistance Program, VA; City of Valdez, AK; and for a pilot
scale demonstration of a small-scale, cost-effective water
treatment system utilizing the advances in technology and
centrifuge technology, HI.
The Committee encourages the Rural Utilities Service to
consider a grant request from the National Drinking Water
Clearinghouse to expand a toll-free help line assistance system
and create a pilot Internet-based decision support system for
small rural communities.
Solid waste management grants.---The Committee is aware of
and encourages the Department to consider an application for
the following: City of Klawock, AK.
Business and Industry Loan Program.--The Committee
encourages the Department to consider applications for rural
business opportunity grants for: a biofuels/ethanol plant
feasibility study in Christian County, KY; and the Local
Initiative Business Development Grant Program, AK.
The Committee encourages the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service to give serious consideration to a proposal from a
national qualified organization to develop and pilot marketing
strategies to assist farmers increase the value of their
commodities.
rural development salaries and expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RDA
Appropriations Transfers from salaries and
program accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... $130,371,000 ($450,589,000) ($580,960,000)
Committee recommendation.................................. 130,371,000 (450,589,000) (580,960,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In 2000 Salaries and Expenses were provided in separate accounts for the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural
Housing Service and the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The budget estimate in 2001 proposes a new
consolidated account to administer all Rural Development programs.
These funds are used to administer the loan and grant
programs of the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Housing
Service, and the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including
reviewing applications, making and collecting loans and
providing technical assistance and guidance to borrowers; and
to assist in extending other Federal programs to people in
rural areas.
Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts.
Appropriations to the salaries and expenses account will be for
costs associated with grant programs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends $580,960,000 for salaries and
expenses for the Rural Economic and Community Development
Programs. This amount is $47,428,000 more than the fiscal year
2000 level and the same as the budget request. The Committee
has recommended a new consolidated Salaries and Expenses
account for all Rural Development mission area programs, as
proposed in the budget.
The Committee provides, within funds made available,
$497,400 for six additional staff years and two new offices in
Nome and Ketchikan, AK.
The Committee recommends the continuation of the
cooperative services office in Hilo, HI, to address the
increasing demand for cooperatives by the expanding diversified
agriculture sector in the State.
Rural Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service [RHS] was established under
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994, dated October 13, 1994.
The mission of the Service is to improve the quality of
life in rural America by assisting rural residents and
communities in obtaining adequate and affordable housing and
access to needed community facilities. The goals and objectives
of the Service are: (1) facilitate the economic revitalization
of rural areas by providing
direct and indirect economic benefits to individual borrowers,
families, and rural communities; (2) assure that benefits are
communicated to all program eligible customers with special
outreach efforts to target resources to underserved,
impoverished, or economically declining rural areas; (3) lower
the cost of programs while retaining the benefits by
redesigning more effective programs that work in partnership
with State and local governments and the private sector; and
(4) leverage the economic benefits through the use of low-cost
credit programs, especially guaranteed loans.
committee recommendations
The Committee recommends total appropriations of
$1,481,262,000 for the Rural Housing Service. This is
$149,272,000 more than the 2000 level and $54,999,000 less than
the budget request.
The following table presents loan and grant program levels
recommended by the Committee, as compared to the fiscal year
2000 levels and the 2001 budget request:
LOAN AND GRANT LEVELS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
---------------------------------- Committee
2000 2001 request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account loan levels:
Single family housing (sec. 502):
Direct............................................... \1\ (1,100,000) (1,300,000) (1,100,000)
Unsubsidized guaranteed.............................. (3,200,000) (3,700,000) (3,200,000)
Housing repair (sec. 504)................................ \2\ (32,396) (40,000) (32,396)
Farm labor (sec. 514).................................... \3\ (25,001) ( \4\ ) ( \5\ )
Rental housing (sec. 515)................................ (114,321) (120,000) (114,321)
Multifamily housing guarantees (sec. 538)................ (100,000) (200,000) (100,000)
Credit sales of acquired property........................ (7,503) (15,000) (7,503)
Site loans (sec. 524).................................... (5,152) (5,000) (5,152)
Self-help housing land development fund.................. (5,000) (5,009) (5,000)
--------------------------------------------------
Total, RHIF.......................................... (4,589,373) (5,385,009) (4,564,372)
==================================================
Farm Labor Program:
Farm labor housing loans................................. ( \6\ ) (30,000) (30,000)
Farm labor housing grants................................ ( \6\ ) 15,000 12,973
Low-income migrant and seasonal farm worker grants....... ............... 5,000 ...............
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Farm Labor Program............................ ............... (50,000) (42,973)
==================================================
Grants and payments:
Mutual and self-help housing............................. 28,000 40,000 34,000
Rental assistance........................................ 640,000 680,000 680,000
Rural housing assistance grants [RHAG]................... \5\ 45,000 39,000 44,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total, rural housing grants and pay- ments.......... 713,000 759,000 758,000
==================================================
Total, RHS loans and grants.......................... 5,302,373 6,194,009 (5,365,345)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes estimated $50,000,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public
Law 106-113.
\2\ Excludes estimated $15,000,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public
Law 106-113.
\3\ Excludes estimated $5,000,000 increase funded by emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public
Law 106-113.
\4\ The 2001 budget estimate includes this loan in a new proposed account, Farm Labor Program Account.
\5\ Included in new Farm Labor Program Account.
\6\ Excludes $7,250,000 for farm labor grants and $7,250,000 for very low-income housing grants in emergency
supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
This fund was established in 1965 (Public Law 89-117)
pursuant to section 517 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949,
as amended. This fund may be used to insure or guarantee rural
housing loans for single-family homes, rental and cooperative
housing, farm labor housing, and rural housing sites. Rural
housing loans are made to construct, improve, alter, repair, or
replace dwellings and essential farm service buildings that are
modest in size, design, and cost. Rental housing insured loans
are made to individuals, corporations, associations, trusts, or
partnerships to provide moderate-cost rental housing and
related facilities for elderly persons in rural areas. These
loans are repayable in not to exceed 30 years. Loan programs
are limited to rural areas, which include towns, villages, and
other places of not more than 10,000 population, which are not
part of an urban area. Loans may also be made in areas with a
population in excess of 10,000, but less than 20,000, if the
area is not included in a standard metropolitan statistical
area and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for low- and
moderate-income borrowers.
LOAN SUBSIDY AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES LEVELS
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated and loan guarantees committed in 2001, as well
as for administrative expenses. The following table presents
the loan subsidy levels as compared to the 2000 levels and the
2001 budget request:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
--------------------------------- Committee
2000 level 2001 request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan subsidies:
Single family (sec. 502):
Direct................................................. \1\ 93,830 208,780 176,660
Unsubsidized guaranteed................................ 19,520 44,400 38,400
Housing repair (sec. 504).................................. \2\ 9,900 14,176 11,481
Farm labor (sec. 514)...................................... \3\ 11,308 ( \4\ ) ( \4\ )
Rental housing (sec. 515).................................. 45,363 59,124 56,326
Multifamily housing guarantees (sec. 538).................. 480 3,040 1,520
Site loans................................................. 4 .............. ..............
Credit sales of acquired property.......................... 874 2,452 613
Self-help housing land development fund.................... 281 279 279
------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies.................................... 181,560 332,251 285,279
================================================
Administrative expenses........................................ \5\ 61,551 ( \6\ ) ( \6\ )
(Transfer from RHIF)........................................... (375,879) ( \6\ ) ( \6\ )
------------------------------------------------
Total, RHS administrative expenses....................... (437,430) ( \6\ ) ( \6\ )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes $4,265,000 emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Excludes $4,584,000 emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
\3\ Excludes $2,250,000 emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
\4\ The 2001 budget estimate includes this loan in a new proposed account, Farm Labor Program Account.
\5\ Includes $428,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\6\ The 2001 budget estimate proposes a consolidated salaries and expenses account to administer all rural
development programs.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $640,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 680,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 680,000,000
The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
established a rural rental assistance program to be
administered through the rural housing loans program. The
objective of the program is to reduce rents paid by low-income
families living in Rural Housing Service financed rental
projects and farm labor housing projects. Under this program,
low-income tenants will contribute the higher of: (1) 30
percent of monthly adjusted income; (2) 10 percent of monthly
income; or (3) designated housing payments from a welfare
agency.
Payments from the fund are made to the project owner for
the difference between the tenant's payment and the approved
rental rate established for the unit.
The program is administered in tandem with Rural Housing
Service section 515 rural rental and cooperative housing
programs and the farm labor loan and grant programs. Priority
is given to existing projects for units occupied by low-income
families to extend expiring contracts or provide full amounts
authority to existing contracts; any remaining authority will
be used for projects receiving new construction commitments
under sections 514, 515, or 516 for very low-income families
with certain limitations.
committee recommendations
For rural rental assistance payments, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $680,000,000. This amount is
$40,000,000 more than the 2000 level and the same as the budget
request.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $28,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 40,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 34,000,000
This grant program is authorized by title V of the Housing
Act of 1949. Grants are made to local organizations to promote
the development of mutual or self-help programs under which
groups of usually 6 to 10 families build their own homes by
mutually exchanging labor. Funds may be used to pay the cost of
construction supervisors who will work with families in the
construction of their homes and for administrative expenses of
the organizations providing the self-help assistance.
Committee Recommendations
The Committee recommends $34,000,000 for mutual and self-
help housing grants. This is $6,000,000 more than the 2000
level and is $6,000,000 less than the budget request.
rural housing assistance grants
Appropriations, 2000.................................... \1\ $45,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... \2\ 39,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ \2\ 44,000,000
\1\ Excludes $7,250,000 for farm labor housing grants and $7,250,000 for
very low-income housing grants in emergency supplemental appropriations
provided by Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Rural housing for domestic farm labor grants for fiscal year 2000
are requested in the farm labor program account.
This program consolidates funding for rural housing grant
programs. This consolidation of housing grant funding provides
greater flexibility to tailor financial assistance to applicant
needs.
Very low-income housing repair grants.--The Very Low-Income
Housing Repair Grants Program is authorized under section 504
of title V of the Housing Act of 1949. The rural housing repair
grant program is carried out by making grants to very low-
income families to make necessary repairs to their homes in
order to make such dwellings safe and sanitary, and remove
hazards to the health of the occupants, their families, or the
community.
These grants may be made to cover the cost of improvements
or additions, such as repairing roofs, providing toilet
facilities, providing a convenient and sanitary water supply,
supplying screens, repairing or providing structural supports
or making similar repairs, additions, or improvements,
including all preliminary and installation costs in obtaining
central water and sewer service. A grant can be made in
combination with a section 504 very low-income housing repair
loan.
No assistance can be extended to any one individual in the
form of a loan, grant, or combined loans and grants in excess
of $7,500, and grant assistance is limited to persons, or
families headed by persons who are 62 years of age or older.
Supervisory and technical assistance grants.--Supervisory
and technical assistance grants are made to public and private
nonprofit organizations for packaging loan applications for
housing assistance under sections 502, 504, 514/516, 515, and
533. The assistance is directed to very low-income families in
underserved areas where at least 20 percent of the population
is below the poverty level and at least 10 percent or more of
the population resides in substandard housing. In fiscal year
1994 a Homebuyer Education Program was implemented under this
authority. This program provides low-income individuals and
families education and counseling on obtaining and/or
maintaining occupancy of adequate housing and supervised credit
assistance to become successful homeowners.
Compensation for construction defects.--Compensation for
construction defects provides funds for grants to eligible
section 502 borrowers to correct structural defects, or to pay
claims of owners arising from such defects on a newly
constructed dwelling purchased with RHS financial assistance.
Claims are not paid until provisions under the builder's
warranty have been fully pursued. Requests for compensation for
construction defects must be made by the owner of the property
within 18 months after the date financial assistance was
granted.
Rural housing preservation grants.--Rural housing
preservation grants (section 522) of the Housing and Urban-
Rural Recovery Act of 1983 authorizes the Rural Housing Service
to administer a program of home repair directed at low- and
very low-income people.
The purpose of the preservation program is to improve the
delivery of rehabilitation assistance by employing the
expertise of housing organizations at the local level. Eligible
applicants will compete on a State-by-State basis for grants
funds. These funds may be administered as loans, loan write-
downs, or grants to finance home repair. The program will be
administered by local grantees.
Committee Recommendations
For the Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program the
Committee recommends $44,000,000. This is $1,000,000 less than
the 2000 level and $5,000,000 more than the budget request.
Included in this amount is $5,000,000 to provide demonstration
housing grants for agriculture, aquaculture and seafood
processing workers in Mississippi and Alaska.
The following table compares the grant program levels
recommended by the Committee to the fiscal year 2000 levels and
the budget request:
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
-------------------------------- Committee
2000 level 2001 request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic farm labor grants...................................... \1\ 13,500 ( \2\ ) ( \2\ )
Very low-income housing repair grants........................... 25,000 \3\ 30,000 \3\ 30,000
Supervisory and technical assistance............................ .............. 1,000 1,000
Rural housing preservation grants............................... 5,500 8,000 8,000
Demonstration housing grants for agriculture processing workers. .............. .............. 5,000
-----------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 45,000 39,000 44,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes $7,250,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
\2\ The 2001 budget estimate proposes to fund for the grants in the farm labor program account.
\3\ Excludes $7,250,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations provided by Public Law 106-113.
FARM LABOR PROGRAM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan level Subsidy level Grants
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000............................................ ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Budget estimate, 2001........................................... ($30,000,000) $15,777,000 $20,000,000
Committee recommendation........................................ (30,000,000) 15,777,000 12,973,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In 2000 farm labor housing loans were included in the Rural Housing Insurance Fund and farm labor grants
were included in Rural Housing Assistance Grants. The budget estimate in 2001 proposes a new consolidated
account for loans and grants.
This new account consolidates three farm labor programs
into one account. This consolidation will provide more
flexibility for distributing rural farm labor housing
assistance. The account consists of direct farm labor housing
loans, domestic farm labor housing grants and low-income
migrant and seasonal farm worker grants.
The direct farm labor housing loan program is authorized
under section 514 and the rural housing for domestic farm labor
housing grant program is authorized under section 516 of the
Housing Act of 1949, as amended. The loans, grants, and
contracts are made to public and private nonprofit
organizations for low-rent housing and related facilities for
domestic farm labor. Grant assistance may not exceed 90 percent
of the cost of a project. Loans and grants may be used for
construction of new structures, site acquisition and
development, rehabilitation of existing structures, and
purchase of furnishings and equipment for dwellings, dining
halls, community rooms, and infirmaries.
The low-income migrant and seasonal farm worker grants are
made to public agencies or private organizations with tax
exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 and have experience in providing services to low-
income migrant and seasonal farm workers. The types of
assistance to be provided is determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture.
Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts.
Appropriations to the salaries and expenses account will be for
costs associated with grant programs.
committee recommendations
For direct farm labor housing loans, the Committee
recommends a total level of $28,750,000. This is $28,750,000
more than the 2000 level and $7,027,000 less than the budget
request. The Committee has recommended the establishment of
this new consolidated Farm Labor Program account, as proposed
in the budget.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RHS
Appropriation Transfer from salaries and
loan accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... 61,551 375,879 437,430
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Committee recommendation.................................. ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2001 budget estimate proposes consolidated salaries and expenses account to administer all rural
development programs.
These funds are used to administer the loan and grant
programs of the Rural Housing Service including reviewing
applications, making and collecting loans, and providing
technical assistance and guidance to borrowers; and to assist
in extending other Federal programs to people in rural areas.
Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts for the
rural housing insurance fund and rural community facility
loans. Appropriations to the ``Salaries and expenses'' account
will be for costs associated with grant programs.
Committee Recommendations
For salaries and expenses of the Rural Housing Service,
including transfers from other accounts, the Committee
recommends a new consolidated salaries and expenses account to
administer all rural development programs, as proposed in the
budget.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
The Rural Business-Cooperative Service [RBS] was
established by Public Law 103-354, Federal Crop Insurance
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994, dated October 13, 1994. Its programs were previously
administered by the Rural Development Administration, the Rural
Electrification Administration, and the Agricultural
Cooperative Service.
The mission of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service is to
enhance the quality of life for all rural residents by
assisting new and existing cooperatives and other businesses
through partnership with rural communities. The goals and
objectives are to: (1) promote a stable business environment in
rural America through financial assistance, sound business
planning, technical assistance, appropriate research,
education, and information; (2) support environmentally
sensitive economic growth that meets the needs of the entire
community; and (3) assure that the Service benefits are
available to all segments of the rural community, with emphasis
on those most in need.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
---------------------------- Committee
2000 level 2001 request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level........ (38,256,000) (64,495,000) (38,256,000)
Direct loan subsidy......... 16,615,000 32,834,000 19,476,000
Administrative expenses..... \1\ 3,337,00 \2\ 3,640,00 3,640,000
0 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In fiscal year 2000 administrative expenses were transferred to the
Rural-Business Cooperative Service.
\2\ In the fiscal year 2001 budget estimate administrative expenses are
proposed to be transferred to Rural Development, Salaries and
Expenses.
The rural development (intermediary relending) loan program
was originally authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of
1964 (Public Law 88-452). The making of rural development loans
by the Department of Agriculture was reauthorized by Public Law
99-425, the Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1986.
Loans are made to intermediary borrowers (this is, small
investment groups) who in turn will reloan the funds to rural
businesses, community development corporations, private
nonprofit organizations, public agencies, et cetera, for the
purpose of improving business, industry, community facilities,
and employment opportunities and diversification of the economy
in rural areas.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated in 2001, as well as for administrative
expenses.
Committee Recommendations
For rural development (intermediary relending) loans, the
Committee recommends a total loan level of $38,256,000. This is
the same as the 2000 level and $26,239,000 less than the budget
request.
The Committee encourages the agency to be aware and
consider Port Morrow, LA's application for the Intermediary
Relending Program.
There has been a steady long-term decline of the population
in rural States because of the downturn in the agricultural
economy. The Committee is concerned that the IRP does not
sufficiently address the long-term out-migration in these rural
areas and encourages the agency to increase its efforts to make
funding available to meritorious entities in these States. The
Committee requests an update from the agency concerning its
progress in addressing this matter and a recommendation as to
whether additional criteria, such as long-term out-migration,
are appropriate.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
-------------------------------------- Committee
2000 level 2001 request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level................................... (15,000,000) (15,000,000) (15,000,000)
Direct loan subsidy \1\................................ 3,453,000 3,911,000 3,911,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Offset by a rescission from interest on the cushion of credit payments as authorized by section 313 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
The rural economic development loans program was
established by the Reconciliation Act of December 1987 (Public
Law 100-203), which amended the Rural Electrification Act of
1936, by establishing a new section 313. This section of the
Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901) established a cushion
of credits payment program and created the rural economic
development subaccount. The Administrator of RUS is authorized
under the act to utilize funds in this program to provide zero
interest loans to electric and telecommunications borrowers for
the purpose of promoting rural economic development and job
creation projects, including funding for feasibility studies,
startup costs, and other reasonable expenses for the purpose of
fostering rural economic development.
Committee Recommendation
The Committee recommends a direct loan subsidy
appropriation for rural economic development loans of
$3,911,000. This amount is $458,000 more than the 2000 level
and the same as the budget request. As proposed in the budget,
the $3,911,000 provided is derived by transfer from interest on
the cushion of credit payments.
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $6,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 11,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,000,000
Rural cooperative development grants are authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, as amended. Grants are made to fund the establishment and
operation centers for rural cooperative development with their
primary purpose being the improvement of economic conditions in
rural areas. Grants may be made to nonprofit institutions or
institutions of higher education. Grants may be used to pay up
to 75 percent of the cost of the project and associated
administrative costs. The applicant must contribute at least 25
percent from non-Federal sources. Grants are competitive and
are awarded based on specific selection criteria.
Cooperative research agreements are authorized by 7 U.S.C.
2204b. The funds are used for cooperative research agreements,
primarily with colleges and universities, on critical
operational, organizational, and structural issues facing
cooperatives.
Cooperative agreements are authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2201
to any qualified State departments of agriculture, university,
and other State entity to conduct research that will strengthen
and enhance the operations of agricultural marketing
cooperatives in rural areas.
The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
program was first authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985.
The program provides information and technical assistance to
agricultural producers to adopt sustainable agricultural
practices that are environmentally friendly and lower
production costs.
Committee Recommendations
The Committee recommends $6,000,000 for rural cooperative
development grants. This is the same as the 2000 level and
$5,500,000 less than the budget request. The Committee does not
provide a transfer of $2,000,000 from salaries and expenses to
fund cooperative research agreements, as proposed in the
budget.
The Committee is aware of and encourages the Department to
consider the following applications for cooperative development
grants: Malt Montana, Inc.; Dawson County economic development,
BioGold Composites, and Montana State University-Northern
Cooperative Development Center, MT; Mississippi Association of
Cooperatives, MS; Southern Loop Water Main to construct an
alternate water main serving the Cadds-Bassier Port, LA; and a
Cooperative Development Center, AK.
Of the funds provided for rural cooperative development
grants, $1,500,000 is provided for a cooperative agreement for
the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program.
The Committee has included language in the bill which
clarifies the Committee's intent that not more than $1,500,000
be available to cooperatives or associations of cooperatives
whose primary focus is to provide assistance to small, minority
producers.
NATIONAL SHEEP INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT CENTER REVOLVING FUND
Appropriations, 2000.................................... ( \1\ )
Budget estimate, 2001................................... $5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................................
\1\ No funds were appropriated in fiscal year 2000.
The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center was
established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996 to promote activities to strengthen and enhance
production or marketing of sheep and goat products in the
United States. The Center may provide loans or grants to
eligible entities to provide assistance to the industry for
infrastructure development, business development, production,
resource development, and market and environmental research.
The 1996 Act provided up to $20,000,000 in mandatory funding
for the establishment and operation of the Center and
authorized additional discretionary appropriations of up to
$30,000,000.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for this
new program. This is $5,000,000 less than the budget request.
The program received no appropriation for fiscal year 2000.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RBS,
Appropriation Transfer from salaries and
loan accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... 24,612 3,337 27,949
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Committee recommendation.................................. ................ ................ ................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2001 budget estimate proposes a consolidated salaries and expenses account to administer all rural
development programs.
These funds are used to administer the loan and grant
programs of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service including
reviewing applications, making and collecting loans, and
providing technical assistance and guidance to borrowers; and
to assist in extending other Federal programs to people in
rural areas.
committee recommendations
The Committee recommends that salaries and expenses of the
Rural Business-Cooperative Service, including transfers from
other accounts, be funded under the new account, Rural
Development, Salaries and Expenses, as proposed in the budget.
Rural Utilities Service
The Rural Utilities Service [RUS] was established under the
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354), October 13,
1994. RUS administers the electric and telephone programs of
the former Rural Electrification Administration and the water
and waste programs of the former Rural Development
Administration.
The mission of the RUS is to serve a leading role in
improving the quality of life in rural America by administering
its electric, telecommunications, and water and waste programs
in a service oriented, forward looking, and financially
responsible manner. All three programs have the common goal of
modernizing and revitalizing rural communities. RUS provides
funding and support service for utilities serving rural areas.
The public-private partnerships established by RUS and local
utilities assist rural communities in modernizing local
infrastructure. RUS programs are also characterized by the
substantial amount of private investment which is leveraged by
the public funds invested into infrastructure and technology,
resulting in the creation of new sources of employment.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et
seq.) provides the statutory authority for the electric and
telecommunications programs.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. An appropriation to this account will be used
to cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated and loan guarantees committed in 2001, as well
as for administrative expenses.
committee recommendations
The following table reflects the Committee's recommendation
for the ``Rural electrification and telecommunications loans
program'' account, the loan subsidy and administrative
expenses, as compared to the fiscal year 2000 and budget
request levels:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
---------------------------- Committee
2000 level 2001 request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
Electric:
Direct, 5 percent......................................... (121,500) (50,000) (121,500)
Direct, Muni.............................................. (295,000) (300,000) (295,000)
Direct, FFB............................................... (1,700,000) (800,000) (1,700,000)
Direct, Treasury rate..................................... ............ ............ (500,000)
Guaranteed................................................ ............ \1\ (400,000 ................
)
---------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................ (2,116,500) (1,550,000) (2,616,500)
=============================================
Telecommunications:
Direct, 5 percent......................................... (75,000) (75,000) (75,000)
Direct, Treasury rate..................................... (300,000) (300,000) (300,000)
Direct, FFB............................................... (120,000) (120,000) (120,000)
---------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................ (495,000) (495,000) (495,000)
---------------------------------------------
Total, loan authorizations.............................. (2,611,500) (2,045,000) (3,111,500)
=============================================
Loan Subsidies:
Electric:
Direct, 5 percent......................................... 1,095 4,980 12,101
Direct, Muni.............................................. 10,827 20,850 20,503
Direct, FFB............................................... ( \2\ ) ( \2\ ) ( \2\ )
Direct, Treasury rate..................................... ............ ............ ( \2\ )
Guaranteed................................................ ( \2\ ) 40 ................
---------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................ 11,922 25,870 32,604
=============================================
Telecommunications:
Direct, 5 percent......................................... 840 7,770 7,770
Direct, Treasury rate..................................... 2,370 ( \2\ ) ( \2\ )
Direct, FFB............................................... ( \2\ ) ( \2\ ) ( \2\ )
---------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................ 3,210 7,770 7,770
---------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies................................... 15,132 33,640 40,374
=============================================
Administrative expenses........................................... \3\ 31,046 \4\ 34,716 \4\ 34,716
---------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans 46,178 68,356 75,090
Programs Account...........................................
=============================================
(Loan authorization).................................... (2,611,500) (2,045,000) (3,111,500)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The budget estimate in 2001 proposes a new Electric Private Sector Guarantee Loan Program.
\2\ Negative subsidy rates for fiscal year 2000 and 2001 are calculated for this program.
\3\ In fiscal year 2000 Rural Electrification and Telecommunication Loans Program administrative expenses were
transferred to Rural Utilities Service.
\4\ In the fiscal year 2001, the budget proposes a new consolidated account, Rural Development, Salaries and
Expenses; the Rural Electrification and Telecommunication Loans Program administrative expenses will be
transferred to this account.
The Committee is aware of the backlog in rural
electrification loans. In order to better address this backlog,
the Committee recommends $500,000,000 in Treasury rate direct
electric loans to remedy this situation.
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct loan Administrative
Loan level subsidy expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000.......................................... (175,000) 3,290 \1\ 3,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\..................................... (175,000) 2,590 \3\ 3,000
Committee recommendation \2\.................................. (175,000) 2,590 \3\ 3,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In fiscal year 2000 Rural Telephone Bank Program Account administrative expenses were transferred to Rural
Utilities Service.
\2\ To be derived by transfer from unobligated balances in the ``Rural Telephone Bank Liquidating'' account.
\3\ In the fiscal year 2001, the budget estimate proposes a new consolidated account, Rural Development,
Salaries and Expenses; the Rural Telephone Bank Program Account administrative expenses will be transferred to
this account.
The Rural Telephone Bank [RTB] is required by law to begin
privatization (repurchase of federally owned stock) in fiscal
year 1996. RTB borrowers are able to borrow at private market
rates and no longer require Federal assistance.
The Rural Telephone Bank is managed by a 13-member board of
directors. The Administrator of RUS serves as Governor of the
Bank until conversion to private ownership, control, and
operation. This will take place when 51 percent of the class A
stock issued to the United States and outstanding at any time
after September 30, 1996, has been fully redeemed and retired.
Activities of the Bank are carried out by RUS employees and the
Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct
loans obligated in 2001, as well as for administrative
expenses.
committee recommendations
The Committee recommends $2,590,000 which supports a loan
level of $175,000,000. This amount is $700,000 less than the
2000 level and the same as the budget request.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND telemedicine program
loans and grants
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
---------------------------------- Committee
2000 level 2001 request recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorization........................................... (200,000) (400,000) (400,000)
Direct loan subsidy.......................................... 700 ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Grants....................................................... 20,000 27,000 27,000
--------------------------------------------------
Total................................................ (220,700) (427,000) (427,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Negative subsidy rates for fiscal year 2001 are calculated for this program.
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program is
authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act
of 1990 (104 Stat. 4017, 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.), as amended
by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996.
This program provides incentives to improve the quality of
phone services, to provide access to advanced
telecommunications services and computer networks, and to
improve rural opportunities.
This program provides the facilities and equipment to link
rural education and medical facilities with more urban centers
and other facilities providing rural residents access to better
health care through technology and increasing educational
opportunities for rural students. These funds are available for
loans and grants.
Committee Recommendations
For the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program, the
Committee recommends $27,000,000. This amount is $6,300,000
more than the 2000 level and the same as the budget request. Of
the funds provided $2,000,000 is made available for a pilot
program to finance broadband transmission and local dial-up
Internet service for rural areas.
The Committee is aware of and encourages the Department to
give consideration to the following applications for grants and
loans: the University of Vermont College of Medicine to support
a statewide telemedicine system for trauma services; Fresno
Community Medical Center's Rural Outreach and Telemedicine
Network; the Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network; the
Northwest Telehealth Services program in Washington State; and
the State of Vermont to support expansion of distance learning
networks in schools.
The Committee also is aware of the need for the distance
learning and telemedicine link program of the Maui Community
College, the community hospital system, and the nutrition
education activities of the University of Hawaii College of
Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. The Committee
encourages the Department to fund a demonstration project to
build upon existing resources and to further the use of
advanced telecommunications by rural communities.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RUS,
Appropriation Transfers from salaries and
loan accounts expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... $34,107,000 $34,046,000 $68,153,000
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Committee recommendation.................................. ( \1\ ) ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2001 budget estimate proposes a consolidated salaries and expenses account to administer all rural
development programs.
These funds are used to administer the loan and grant
programs of the Rural Utilities Service, including reviewing
applications, making and collecting loans, and providing
technical assistance and guidance to borrowers, and to assist
in extending other Federal programs to people in rural areas.
Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts for the
agricultural credit insurance fund and the rural housing
insurance fund. Appropriations to the salaries and expenses
account will be for costs associated with grant programs.
committee recommendations
The Committee recommends that salaries and expenses of the
Rural Utilities Service, including transfers from other
accounts, be funded under the new account, Rural Development,
Salaries and Expenses, as proposed in the budget. The fiscal
year 2000 appropriation is $34,107,000.
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $554,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 570,000
Committee recommendation................................ 570,000
The Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services provides direction and coordination in
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to
the Department's food and consumer activities. The Office has
oversight and management responsibilities for the Food and
Nutrition Service.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition
and Consumer Services, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $570,000. This amount is $16,000 more than the
2000 level and the same as the budget request.
Food and Nutrition Service
The Food and Nutrition Service represents an organizational
effort to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in this country.
Nutrition assistance programs provide access to a nutritionally
adequate diet for families and persons with low incomes and
encourage better eating patterns among the Nation's children.
These programs include:
Child Nutrition Programs.--The national school lunch and
school breakfast, summer food service, and child and adult care
food programs provide funding to the States, Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, and Guam for use in serving nutritious lunches
and breakfasts to children attending schools of high school
grades and under, to children of preschool age in child care
centers, and to children in other institutions in order to
improve the health and well-being of the Nation's children, and
broaden the markets for agricultural food commodities. Through
the special milk program, assistance is provided to the States
for making reimbursement payments to eligible schools and child
care institutions which institute or expand milk service in
order to increase the consumption of fluid milk by children.
Funds for this program are provided by direct appropriation and
transfer from section 32.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants,
and Children [WIC].--This program safeguards the health of
pregnant, post partum, and breast-feeding women, infants, and
children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk because of
inadequate nutrition and income by providing supplemental
foods. The delivery of supplemental foods may be done through
health clinics, vouchers redeemable at retail food stores, or
other approved methods which a cooperating State health agency
may select. Funds for this program are provided by direct
appropriation.
Food Stamp Program.--This program seeks to improve
nutritional standards of needy persons and families. Assistance
is provided to eligible households to enable them to obtain a
better diet by increasing their food purchasing capability,
usually by furnishing benefits in the form of food stamps. The
program also includes Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico. The
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-35)
authorizes a block grant for Nutrition Assistance to Puerto
Rico which gives the Commonwealth broad flexibility in
establishing a nutrition assistance program that is
specifically tailored to the needs of its low-income
households.
The program also includes the Food Distribution Program on
Indian Reservations which provides nutritious agricultural
commodities to low-income persons living on or near Indian
reservations who choose not to participate in the Food Stamp
Program.
Effective October 1, 1997, the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
193) added section 27 to the Food Stamp Act which provides that
$100,000,000 of food stamp funds be used to purchase
commodities for The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Funds
for this program are provided by direct appropriation.
Commodity Assistance Program [CAP].--This program provides
funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP], and
administrative expenses for The Emergency Food Assistance
Program [TEFAP].
CSFP provides supplemental foods to infants and children up
to age 6, and to pregnant, post partum, and breast-feeding
women with low incomes, and who reside in approved project
areas. In addition, this program operates commodity
distribution projects directed at low-income elderly persons.
TEFAP provides commodities and grant funds to State
agencies to assist in the cost of storage and distribution of
donated commodities. The Soup Kitchen/Food Bank Program was
absorbed into TEFAP under the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193), by
an amendment to section 201A of the Emergency Food Assistance
Act.
Food Donations Programs.--Nutritious agricultural
commodities are provided to residents of the Federated States
of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Cash assistance is
provided to distributing agencies to assist them in meeting
administrative expenses incurred. It also provides funding for
use in non-Presidentially declared disasters and for FNS'
administrative costs in connection with relief for all
disasters. Commodities, or cash in lieu of commodities, are
provided to assist nutrition programs for the elderly. Funds
for this program are provided by direct appropriation.
Food Program Administration.--Most salaries and Federal
operating expenses of the Food and Nutrition Service are funded
from this account. Also included is the Center for Nutrition
Policy and Promotion [CNPP] which oversees improvements in and
revisions to the food and guidance systems, and serves as the
focal point for advancing and coordinating nutrition promotion
and education policy to improve the health of all Americans. As
of September 30, 1999, there were 1,539 full-time permanent and
105 part-time and temporary employees in the agency. FNS's
headquarters staff, which is located in Alexandria VA, totals
539, and 1,000 FNS employees are located in the field. There
are 7 regional offices employing 613 employees, and the balance
of the agency is located in 4 food stamp compliance offices, 1
computer support center in Minneapolis, MN, 1 administrative
review office, and 69 field offices. Funds for this program are
provided by direct appropriation.
child nutrition programs
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 32
Appropriation transfers Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... 4,618,829 4,935,199 9,554,028
Budget estimate, 2001 \1\................................. 4,578,482 4,967,574 9,546,056
Committee recommendation \2\.............................. 4,413,960 5,127,579 9,541,539
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $8,000,000 in discretionary funding.
\2\ Includes $6,000,000 in discretionary funding.
The Child Nutrition Programs, authorized by the National
School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, provide
Federal assistance to State agencies in the form of cash and
commodities for use in preparing and serving nutritious meals
to children while they are attending school, residing in
service institutions, or participating in other organized
activities away from home. The purpose of these programs is to
help maintain the health and proper physical development of
America's children. Milk is provided to children either free or
at a low cost depending on their family income level. FNS
provides cash subsidies to States administering the programs
and directly administers the program in the States which choose
not to do so. Grants are also made for nutritional training and
surveys and for State administrative expenses. Under current
law, most of these payments are made on the basis of
reimbursement rates established by law and applied to lunches
and breakfasts actually served by the States. The reimbursement
rates are adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer
Price Index for food away from home.
The William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
of 1998, Public Law 105-336, contains a number of child
nutrition provisions. These include:
Summer Food Service Program [SFSP].--Reauthorizes the
program through 2003 and relaxes the site limitations for
private nonprofit sponsors in SFSP.
Child and Adult Care Food Program [CACFP].--Permanently
authorizes payments for snacks provided to children through age
18 in after-school programs, and provides funds for
demonstration projects to expand services to homeless children
and family day care homes in low-income areas. Beginning on
July 1, 1999, the Homeless Child Nutrition Program and the
Homeless Summer Food Service Program will be transferred into
the CACFP.
National School Lunch Program [NSLP].--(1) Significantly
expands reimbursement for snacks for children up to age 18 in
after-school care programs; (2) provides for free snacks in
needy areas; and (3) requires participating schools to obtain a
food safety inspection conducted by a State or local agency.
A description of Child Nutrition Programs follows:
1. Cash payments to States.--The programs are operated
under an agreement entered into by the State agencies and the
Department. Funds are made available under letters of credit to
State agencies for use in reimbursing participating schools and
other institutions. Sponsors make application to the State
agencies, and if approved, are reimbursed on a per-meal basis
in accordance with the terms of their agreements and rates
prescribed by law. The reimbursement rates are adjusted
annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for
food away from home.
(a) School Lunch Program.--Assistance is provided to
the States for the service of lunches to all school
children, regardless of family income. States must
match some of the Federal cash grant. In fiscal year
2001, the School Lunch Program will provide assistance
for serving an estimated 4.6 billion school lunches
including 1.9 billion for children from upper-income
families and 2.7 billion for children from lower and
low-income families. An estimated 27.8 million children
are expected to participate in the program daily during
the school year.
(b) Special assistance for free and reduced-price
lunches.--Additional assistance is provided to the
States for serving lunches free or at a reduced price
to needy children. In fiscal year 2001, under current
law, the program will provide assistance for about 4.6
billion lunches, of which 2.3 billion will be served
free of charge and 0.4 billion at reduced price. About
16.1 million needy children will participate in the
program on an average schoolday during the year.
(c) School Breakfast Program.--Federal reimbursement
to the States is based on the number of breakfasts
served free, at a reduced price, or at the general rate
for those served to nonneedy children. Certain schools
are designated in severe need because, in the second
preceding year, they served at least 40 percent of
their lunches at free or reduced prices and because the
regular breakfast reimbursement is insufficient to
cover cost, receive higher rates of reimbursement in
both the free and reduced-price categories. In fiscal
year 2001, the program will serve an estimated 1.3
billion breakfasts to a daily average of 8 million
children.
A pilot project is authorized and partially funded to
study the effects of providing free breakfast to all
students without regard to family income.
(d) State administrative expenses.--The funds may be
used for State employee salaries, benefits, support
services, and office equipment. Public Law 95-627 made
the State administrative expenses grant equal to 1.5
percent of certain Federal payments in the second
previous year. In fiscal year 2001, $127,321,000 will
be allocated among the States to fund ongoing State
administrative expenses and to improve the management
of various nutrition programs.
(e) Summer Food Service Program.--Meals served free
to children in low-income neighborhoods during the
summer months are supported on a performance basis by
Federal cash subsidies to State agencies. Funds are
also provided for related State and local
administrative expenses. During the summer of 2001,
approximately 155.3 million meals will be served.
(f) Child and Adult Care Food Program.--Preschool
children receive year-round food assistance in
nonprofit child care centers and family and group day
care homes under this program. Public Law 97-35 permits
profitmaking child care centers receiving compensation
under title XX of the Social Security Act to
participate in the program if 25 percent of the
children served are title XX participants. Certain
adult day care centers are also eligible for
participation in this program, providing subsidized
meals to nonimpaired individuals age 60 years or older.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program reimburses State
agencies at varying rates for breakfasts, lunches,
suppers, and meal supplements and for program-related
State audit expenses. In fiscal year 2001,
approximately 1.8 billion meals will be served.
2. Commodity procurement.--Commodities are purchased for
distribution to the school lunch, child care food, and summer
food service programs. The minimum commodity support rate for
all school lunch and child care center lunches and suppers
served is mandated by law and adjusted annually on July 1 to
reflect changes in the producer price index for food used in
schools and institutions. The commodities purchased with these
funds are supplemented by commodities purchased with section 32
funds.
3. Nutrition studies and education.--
(a) Nutrition education and training [NET].--This
program provides funds to State agencies for the
development of comprehensive nutrition education and
information programs for children participating in or
eligible for school lunch and related child nutrition
programs.
(b) National Food Service Management Institute
[NFSMI].--The National Food Service Management
Institute provides instruction for educators and school
food service personnel in nutrition and food service
management.
4. Special milk.--In fiscal year 2001, approximately 130.4
million half-pints will be served in the Special Milk Program.
These include about 122.9 million half-pints served to children
whose family income is above 130 percent of poverty. During
fiscal year 2001, the average full cost reimbursement for milk
served to needy children is expected to be 16.6 cents for each
half-pint. Milk served to nonneedy children is expected to be
reimbursed at 12.7 cents for each half-pint.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the child nutrition programs, the Committee recommends
an appropriation of $4,413,960,000, plus transfers from section
32 of $5,127,579,000, for a total program of $9,541,539,000.
This amount is $12,489,000 less than the 2000 level and
$4,517,000 less than the budget request.
The Committee's recommendation provides for the following
annual rates for the child nutrition programs.
TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Child nutrition programs 2000 estimate 2001 budget recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Lunch Program............................................ 5,664,900 5,387,523 5,387,523
School Breakfast Program........................................ 1,408,697 1,495,684 1,495,684
State administrative expenses................................... 117,839 127,321 127,321
Summer Food Service Program..................................... 298,013 323,499 323,499
Child and Adult Care Food Program............................... 1,689,853 1,807,435 1,807,435
Special Milk Program............................................ 17,159 16,843 16,843
Commodity procurement, processing, and computer support......... 334,204 360,223 360,223
Nutrition studies and surveys................................... .............. 3,000 ..............
Coordinated review system....................................... 4,363 4,511 4,511
Team nutrition.................................................. 10,000 10,017 10,000
Food safety education........................................... 2,000 2,000 2,000
Nutrition education and training................................ .............. 2,000 ..............
School breakfast demonstration project.......................... 7,000 6,000 6,000
School breakfast pilot project.................................. .............. .............. 500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Committee provides $10,000,000 for TEAM nutrition.
Included in this amount is $4,000,000 for food service training
grants to States; $1,600,000 for technical assistance
materials; $800,000 for National Food Service Management
Institute cooperative agreements; $400,000 for print and
electronic food service resource systems; and $3,200,000 for
other activities.
The Committee encourages the agency to consider grant
applications for local initiatives for nutrition education,
such as the ``Common Roots'' program.
The Committee expects FNS to utilize the Food Service
Management Institute to carry out the food safety education
program.
The Committee provides $6,000,000 to complete funding for
the school breakfast demonstration project.
The Committee provides $500,000 for a School Breakfast
Program startup grant pilot program for the State of Wisconsin
in order to help cover non-recurring costs associated with the
program and to expand the availability of school breakfasts for
children.
The Committee urges the agency to provide technical
assistance and guidance to those States that do not maximize
the number of children served under the Child and Adult Care
Food Program in their jurisdiction. The agency should encourage
the States to follow the example of other States that pool a
limited amount of Title XX with Child Care Development Block
Grant (CCDBG) funds to meet the technical requirement of the
current law.
The Committee is aware that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture has recently issued a final rule regarding the use
of alternate protein products in the National School Lunch
Program, School Breakfast Program, Summer Food Service Program,
and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Committee
recognizes that the Department's final rule fails to
incorporate public comments submitted by industry and
organizations representing producer groups. The Committee is
concerned that the Department's decision to not adopt these
recommendations could result in participant and parental
confusion about foods offered in these important programs.
Also, they may have unintended consequences for the nutritional
well-being of children, including an increase in iron and zinc
deficiencies. The Committee directs the Department to work with
interested organizations to ensure that fortification, name and
labeling requirements are sufficient to protect the health,
growth, and cognitive development of America's school children.
The Committee believes that any new requirements for
fortification of these protein products should be based on the
USDA guidelines that set levels for nutrient fortification of
soy-containing foods used in the child nutrition programs.
Also, the Committee encourages that any recommended labeling
requirements be consistent with similar guidelines of other
Departmental agencies and the Food and Drug Administration.
special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
[wic]
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................................ $4,032,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\............................... 4,148,100,000
Committee recommendation \3\............................ 4,052,000,000
\1\ Includes up to $15,000,000 for the Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program.
\2\ Excludes funding for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program which
the budget proposes to fund under the ``Commodity Assistance Programs''
account.
\3\ Includes up to $20,000,000 for the Farmers' Market Nutrition
Program.
The special supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants, and children [WIC] is authorized by section 17 of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Its purpose is to safeguard the
health of pregnant, breast-feeding and post partum women and
infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk
because of inadequate nutrition and inadequate income. The
budget estimate assumes an average monthly participation of 7.5
million participants at an average food cost of $34.04 per
person per month in fiscal year 2001.
The WIC program food packages are designed to provide foods
which studies have demonstrated are lacking in the diets of the
WIC program target population. The authorized supplemental
foods are iron-fortified breakfast cereal, fruit or vegetable
juice which contains vitamin C, dry beans, peas, and peanut
butter.
There are three general types of delivery systems for WIC
foods: (1) retail purchase in which participants obtain
supplemental foods through retail stores; (2) home delivery
systems in which food is delivered to the participant's home;
and (3) direct distribution systems in which participants pick
up food from a distribution outlet. The food is free of charge
to all participants.
The William F. Goodling Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
of 1998 Public Law 105-336, reauthorizes the program through
2003 and adds several provisions to the program. For example,
the Act requires that an individual seeking certification or
recertification in the program must provide documentation of
family income. In addition, the Act permits State agencies to
award infant formula rebate contracts to the bidder offering
the lowest net wholesale price, unless the State agency
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the
weighted average retail price for different brands of formula
in that State does not vary by more than 5 percent.
Public Law 105-336 also includes many provisions to improve
retailer integrity and help to prevent fraud, waste and abuse
in the program.
The WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program [FMNP] is also
funded from the WIC appropriation. FMNP is designed to
accomplish two major goals: (1) to improve the diets of WIC (or
WIC-eligible) participants by providing them with coupons to
purchase fresh, nutritious, unprepared food, such as fruits and
vegetables, from farmers markets; and (2) to increase the
awareness and use of farmers' markets by low-income households.
Although directly related to the WIC Program, about one-half of
the current FMNP operations are administered by State
departments of agriculture rather than the State WIC agencies.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women,
Infants, and Children [WIC], the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $4,052,000,000. This amount is $20,000,000
more than the 2000 appropriation and $96,100,000 less than the
budget request.
The WIC Program continues to be a high priority of the
Committee. Based on actual participation to date, the average
monthly WIC participation level is expected to be 7.2 million
for fiscal year 2000. The fiscal year 2001 appropriation
recommended by the Committee, together with anticipated
carryover funds, will support an average monthly participation
of 7.35 million women, infants, and children.
The Committee makes available up to $20,000,000, $5,000,000
more than the fiscal year 2000 level, to carry out the WIC
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.
The Committee also provides an increase of $4,000,000 for
infrastructure funding and includes language in the bill
earmarking $6,000,000 for WIC electronic benefit transfer
systems and raising the authorized level of infrastructure
funding to accommodate this amount, as requested in the budget.
While the Committee supports and encourages State and local
agency efforts to utilize WIC as an important means of
participant referral to other health care services, it
recognizes the tremendous constraints that WIC programs are
experiencing as a result of expanding health care priorities.
The Committee also recognizes that the Department's broad
interpretation of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, with respect
to the delivery of screening, assessment and referral services
on behalf of other Federal agencies or departments, may
jeopardize WIC agencies' ability to deliver the core mission of
WIC program services--quality nutrition education and
counseling, breast-feeding promotion and support, and related
health care services. The Committee wishes to clarify that
while WIC plays an important role in screening and referral to
other health care services, it was never the Committee's
intention that WIC should perform aggressive screening,
referral and assessment functions on behalf of other programs,
nor was it the Committee's intention that WIC State and local
agencies should assume the full burden of entering into and
negotiating appropriate cost sharing agreements. The Committee
again includes language in the bill to preserve WIC funding for
authorized WIC services and again directs the Secretary to work
with other Federal departments and agencies to ensure that
except for basic education and referral purposes, WIC funds are
not used to pay the administrative expenses or to coordinate
operations or activities of other Federal agency services,
activities or programs not authorized by section 17 of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966, unless fully reimbursed by those
agencies.
The Committee is concerned about the Department's failure
to publish a final rule on WIC Food Delivery Systems. This rule
was first published for public comment on December 28, 1990,
and again republished for public comment on June 16, 1999.
While State and local WIC Agencies have done an admirable job
protecting the integrity of the program, they have been
hampered in their efforts to ensure full compliance because of
a lack of adequate Federal regulation. The needs of WIC
participants to receive the supplementary foods that are
essential to their overall health and nutritional well-being
and the interests of the American people to be protected from
fraud and abuse require that a final rule be published. The
Committee directs the Secretary to release the final rule on
WIC Food Delivery Systems by October 1, 2000.
The Committee understands that the Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) is considering a proposed regulation that would
broaden the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available
for purchase under the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
program. The Committee also understands that this action is
based on the recent FNS report titled ``Review of the
Nutritional Status of WIC Participants'' which concluded that
participating WIC mothers and children could benefit from the
vital nutrients found in fruit and vegetables. The Committee
strongly supports this proposal and expects USDA to broaden WIC
vouchers to ensure that a variety of fresh fruits and
vegetables are available for purchase by WIC participants.
food stamp program
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEFAP
Expenses Amount in Puerto Rico commodity Total
reserve purchases
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................... 19,605,751 100,000 1,268,000 98,000 21,071,751
Budget estimate, 2001..................... 19,730,993 1,000,000 1,301,000 100,000 22,131,993
Committee recommendation.................. 19,720,293 100,000 1,301,000 100,000 21,221,293
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Food Stamp Program, authorized by the Food Stamp Act of
1964, attempts to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among low-
income persons by increasing their food purchasing power.
Eligible households receive food stamps with which they can
purchase food through regular retail stores. They are thus
enabled to obtain a more nutritious diet than would be possible
without food stamp assistance. The Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Public Law 104-
193, reauthorizes the Food Stamp Program through fiscal year
2002.
The Food Stamp Program is currently in operation in all 50
States, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.
Participating households receive food stamps, the value of
which is determined by household size and income. The cost of
the stamps is paid by the Federal Government and is called the
benefit cost. As required by law, the Food and Nutrition
Service periodically revises household stamp allotments to
reflect changes in the cost of the thrifty food plan. The last
revision was made on October 1, 1999.
State social service agencies assume responsibility for
certifying eligible households and issuing the stamps through
suitable outlets. Authorized grocery stores accept the stamps
as payment for food purchases and forward them to commercial
banks for cash or credit. The stamps flow through the banking
system to the Federal Reserve Bank for redemption out of a
special account maintained by the U.S. Treasury Department. The
major alternative to the paper food stamp system is electronic
benefit transfer [EBT].
By the end of fiscal year 1999, 40 States and the District
of Columbia had operating EBT systems. They are Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota,
Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and
Wyoming. Thirty-three of these systems are statewide. All other
States are in some stage of planning or implementing their EBT
systems.
Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico.--The Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1981, Public Law 97-35, authorized a
block grant for Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico which gives
the commonwealth broad flexibility to establish a nutrition
assistance program that is specifically tailored to the needs
of its low-income households. However, the commonwealth must
submit its annual plan of operation to the Secretary for
approval. The FAIR Act of 1996, Public Law 104-127, enacted
November 5, 1996, reauthorizes appropriations through fiscal
year 2002. In addition to the provision of direct benefits to
the needy, a portion of the grant may be used to fund up to 50
percent of the cost of administering the program. The grant may
also be used to fund projects to improve agriculture and food
distribution in Puerto Rico.
The program also includes the Food Distribution Program on
Indian Reservations which provides nutritious agricultural
commodities to low-income persons living on or near Indian
reservations who choose not to participate in the Food Stamp
Program.
Effective October 1, 1997, the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-
193) added section 27 to the Food Stamp Act which provides that
$100,000,000 of food stamp funds be used to purchase
commodities for the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Administrative costs.--All direct and indirect
administrative costs incurred for certification of households,
issuance of food coupons, quality control, outreach, and fair
hearing efforts are shared by the Federal Government and the
States on a 50-50 basis. Under the Hunger Prevention Act of
1988, a State agency is held liable if its error rate of
overissuances exceeds the lowest achieved national error rate
average plus 1 percent. Liabilities are based on the level of
State issuance and the extent to which the State's error rate
exceeds a tolerance level. State agencies which reduce quality
control error rates below 6 percent receive up to a maximum
match of 60 percent of their administrative expenses. Also,
State agencies are paid up to 100 percent of the costs of
administering the program on Indian reservations.
State administration also includes State antifraud
activities.--Under the provisions of the Food Stamp Act of
1977, as amended by the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief
Act of 1993, States are eligible to be reimbursed for 50
percent of the costs of their food stamp fraud investigations
and prosecutions.
States are required to implement an employment and training
program for the purpose of assisting members of households
participating in the Food Stamp Program in gaining skills,
training, or experience that will increase their ability to
obtain regular employment. In fiscal year 1987, the Department
of Agriculture implemented a new grant program to States to
assist them in providing employment and training services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Food Stamp Program, the Committee recommends
$21,221,293,000. This is $149,542,000 more than the 2000
appropriated level and $910,700,000 less than the budget
request. Of the amount provided, $100,000,000 is made available
as a contingency reserve. This is $900,000,000 less than the
contingency reserve level proposed in the budget and the same
as the 2000 level.
Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2028, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
must submit for the Secretary's approval a yearly plan that
contains information regarding how food and assistance benefits
under the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) for Puerto Rico
are provided during the following fiscal year. While the
Committee notes the program flexibility normally afforded to
Puerto Rico, the Committee encourages the Secretary not to
approve any NAP plan that does not require at least 75 percent
of NAP funds to be spent on food at certain stores with point-
of-sales devices.
commodity assistance program
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $133,300,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \1\............................... 158,300,000
Committee recommendation................................ 140,300,000
\1\ Includes $20,000,000 in funding for the WIC Farmers' Market
Nutrition Program.
The Commodity Assistance Program includes funding for the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program and administrative expenses
for The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP].--Authorized
by section 4(a) of the Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act
of 1973, as amended in 1981 by Public Law 97-98, this program
provides supplemental food to infants and children up to age 6,
and to pregnant, post partum, and breast-feeding women who have
low incomes, and reside in approved project areas. In addition,
the program operates commodity distribution projects directed
at low-income elderly persons 60 years of age or older.
In fiscal year 2001 approximately 102,800 women, infants,
and young children and 320,100 elderly are authorized to
receive food packages each month. The foods are provided by the
Department of Agriculture for distribution through State
agencies. The authorized commodities are iron-fortified infant
formula, rice cereal, canned juice, evaporated milk and/or
nonfat dry milk, canned vegetables or fruits, canned meat or
poultry, egg mix, dehydrated potatoes, farina, and peanut
butter or dry beans. Elderly participants may receive all
commodities except iron-fortified infant formula and rice
cereal.
The 1996 FAIR Act, Public Law 104-127, reauthorizes the
program through fiscal year 2002.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP].--Title II of
Public Law 98-8, enacted March 3, 1983, authorized and
appropriated funds for the costs of intrastate storage and
transportation of CCC-donated commodities. Under the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996
(Public Law 104-193), the Soup Kitchen/Food Bank Program was
absorbed into TEFAP by amending section 201A of the Emergency
Food Assistance Act. While commodities will not be purchased
specifically for soup kitchens and food banks, they will be
eligible to receive commodities through TEFAP.
Funds are administered by FNS through grants to State
agencies which operate commodity distribution programs.
Allocation of the funds to States is based on a formula which
considers the States' unemployment rate and the number of
persons with income below the poverty level.
In fiscal year 1999, $107,542,233 worth of surplus
commodities were distributed to assist needy individuals.
Donations will continue in fiscal year 2000. Precise levels
depend upon the availability of surplus commodities and
requirements regarding displacement. In fiscal year 2001,
$45,000,000 will be used to help State and local authorities
with the storage and distribution costs of providing surplus
commodities to needy individuals. Although the $45,000,000 was
allocated to each State in the form of administrative funds,
each State is authorized to redirect funding for the purchase
of additional commodities.
The 1996 FAIR Act reauthorizes administrative funding
through fiscal year 2002 and allows these funds to be used for
local repackaging and further processing of commodities high in
nutrient content. The law requires CCC bonus commodities to be
distributed through TEFAP, and reauthorizes funding for the
purchase of TEFAP commodities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Commodity Assistance Program, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $140,300,000. This amount is
$7,000,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and $18,000,000
less than the budget request.
The Committee continues to encourage the Department to
distribute Commodity Assistance Program funds equitably among
the States, based on an assessment of the needs and priorities
of each State and the State's preference to receive commodity
allocations through each of the programs funded under this
account.
FOOD DONATIONS PROGRAMS
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $141,081,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 151,081,000
Committee recommendation................................ 141,081,000
Nutrition Program for the Elderly.--Commodity support for
the Nutrition Program for the Elderly is authorized by titles
III and VI of the Older Americans Act of 1965. The foods
provided are used in preparing meals which are served in senior
citizen centers and similar settings or delivered to the
homebound elderly. These meals are the focal point of the
nutrition projects for the elderly which have the dual
objective of promoting better health and reducing the isolation
of old age.
Currently, commodities or cash in lieu of commodities are
distributed through State agencies to the local meal sites at a
specific rate per meal. The estimated rate for 2000 is 54.04
cents per meal. Some States elect to take all of their subsidy
in cash and some States choose to receive a combination of cash
and commodities. The commodities made available to the
Nutrition Program for the Elderly are generally the same as
those provided to schools under the Child Nutrition Programs.
Pacific Island assistance.--This program provides funding
for assistance to the nuclear-affected islands in the form of
commodities and administrative funds. It also provides funding
for use in non-Presidentially declared disasters and for FNS'
administrative costs in connection with relief for all
disasters.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For the food donations programs for selected groups, the
Committee recommends $141,081,000. This amount is the same as
the 2000 appropriation and $10,000,000 less than the budget
request. Of the amount recommended by the Committee, $1,081,000
is for food distribution payments to the Pacific Islands and
$140,000,000 is for the elderly feeding program.
food program administration
Appropriations, 2000 \1\ \2\ \3\........................ $111,392,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 128,558,000
Committee recommendation \1\............................ 116,807,000
\1\ Does not reflect the transfer of $1,000,000 from the Economic
Research Service for studies and evaluations pursuant to Public Law 105-
277.
\2\ Includes $169,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\3\ Does not reflect $2,000,000 transferred to the Congressional Hunger
Center Foundation provided by Public Law 106-113.
The Food Program Administration appropriation provides for
most of the Federal operating expenses of the Food and
Nutrition Service, which includes the Child Nutrition Programs;
Special Milk Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC], including the Farmers'
Market Nutrition Program; Food Stamp Program; Nutrition
Assistance for Puerto Rico; the Commodity Assistance Program,
including the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the
Emergency Food Assistance Program; and the Food Donations
Programs, including the Nutrition Program for the Elderly and
Pacific Island Assistance.
The major objective of Food Program Administration is to
efficiently and effectively carry out the nutrition assistance
programs mandated by law. This is to be accomplished by the
following: (1) giving clear and consistent guidance and
supervision to State agencies and other cooperators; (2)
assisting the States and other cooperators by providing
program, managerial, financial, and other advice and expertise;
(3) measuring, reviewing, and analyzing the progress being made
toward achieving program objectives; and (4) carrying out
regular staff support functions.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
For Food Program Administration, the Committee recommends
an appropriation of $116,807,000. This amount is $5,415,000
more than the 2000 level and $11,751,000 less than the budget
request. The Committee provides an additional $3,915,000 from
the 2000 fiscal year level for pay cost increases, as requested
in the budget, and an additional $1,500,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level for program integrity.
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Foreign Agricultural Service
salaries and expenses
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfers from
Appropriations loan accounts Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... \1\ 109,186 (4,266) (113,452)
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... 113,587 (4,266) (117,853)
Committee recommendation.................................. 113,424 (4,266) (117,690)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $17,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Foreign Agricultural Service [FAS] was established
March 10, 1953, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1320, supplement
1. Public Law 83-690, approved August 28, 1954, transferred the
agricultural attaches from the Department of State to the
Foreign Agricultural Service.
The Agency maintains a worldwide agricultural intelligence
and reporting service to provide U.S. farmers and traders with
information on world agricultural production and trade that
they can use to adjust to changes in world demand for U.S.
agricultural products. This is accomplished through a
continuous program of reporting by 63 posts located throughout
the world covering some 130 countries.
The Foreign Agricultural Service analyzes agricultural
information essential to the assessment of foreign supply and
demand conditions in order to provide estimates of the current
situation and to forecast the export potential for specific
U.S. agricultural commodities. Published economic data about
commodities are combined with attache reports and subjected to
analysis through advanced econometric techniques to generate
these estimates.
In addition, the Service is now using advanced techniques
for identifying, delineating, and assessing the impact of
events which may affect the condition and expected production
of foreign crops of economic importance to the United States.
The crop condition activity relies heavily on computer-aided
analysis of satellite, meteorological, agricultural, and
related data.
The mission of FAS overseas is to represent U.S.
agricultural interests, to promote export of domestic farm
products, improve world trade conditions, and report on
agricultural production and trade in foreign countries. FAS
staff are stationed at 80 offices around the world where they
provide expertise in agricultural economics and marketing, as
well as provide attache services.
The Foreign Agricultural Service works in conjunction with
market development cooperators, trade associations, State
departments of agriculture and their affiliates, and U.S. sales
teams to develop foreign markets for U.S. farm products. FAS
sponsors overseas trade exhibits to promote U.S. agricultural
products, provides information about foreign importers, and
performs a wide range of market development activities.
FAS carries out several export assistance programs to
counter the adverse effects of unfair trade practices by
competitors on U.S. agricultural trade. The Export Enhancement
Program uses CCC-owned commodities as export bonuses to provide
export enhancements to U.S. producers. The Market Access
Program [MAP] conducts both generic and brand-identified
promotional programs in conjunction with nonprofit agricultural
associations and private firms financed through reimbursable
CCC payments.
These programs are supplemented by the Cooperator Program,
a joint FAS-nonprofit private trade and producer association
partnership program developing strategies for U.S. agriculture
export expansion. Through 1999, nonprofit private trade and
producer associations have generated an estimated
$1,329,000,000 in contributions to more than match the
$792,000,000 contributed by FAS to finance overseas market
promotion activities under the Cooperator Program. In addition,
GSM credit guarantee programs play an integral role in the
recent progress of American agriculture in the world
marketplace.
The Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 includes authority to
establish up to 25 agricultural trade offices. Currently, 17
such offices are in operation at key foreign trading centers to
assist U.S. exporters, trade groups, and State export marketing
officials in trade promotion.
The Service initiates, directs, and coordinates the
Department's formulation of trade policies and programs with
the goal of maintaining and expanding world markets for U.S.
agricultural products. It monitors international compliance
with bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. It identifies
restrictive tariff and trade practices which act as barriers to
the import of U.S. agricultural commodities, then supports
negotiations to remove them. It acts to counter and eliminate
unfair trade practices by other countries that hinder U.S.
agricultural exports to third markets.
FAS also carries out the mission of the former Office of
International Cooperation and Development [OICD] to promote
U.S. agriculture and to advance the agriculture of developing
countries as parts of a complementary global agricultural
system capable of providing ample food and fiber for all
people. To accomplish this mission, FAS applies USDA policies
and U.S. agricultural perspectives in its programs of
international agricultural cooperation and development, and in
its work with foreign countries, international organizations,
U.S. universities and other institutions, agencies of the U.S.
Government, and the U.S. private sector.
The General Sales Manager was established pursuant to
section 5(f) of the charter of the Commodity Credit Corporation
and 15 U.S.C. 714-714p. The funds allocated to the General
Sales Manager are used for conducting the following programs:
(1) CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), including
supplier credit guarantees and facilities financing guarantees,
(2) Intermediate Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-103), (3) Public
Law 480, (4) section 416 Overseas Donations Program, (5) Export
Enhancement Program, (6) Market Access Program, and (7)
programs authorized by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter
Act including barter, export sales of most CCC-owned
commodities, export payments, and other programs as assigned to
encourage and enhance the export of U.S. agricultural
commodities.
committee recommendations
For the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Committee
recommends an appropriation of $113,424,000. This is $4,238,000
more than the 2000 appropriation and $163,000 less than the
budget request.
Included in the Committee's recommendation is $3,120,000
for mandatory pay cost increases, and the additional $618,000
requested in the budget for funding of the FAS attache office
in the American Institute in Taiwan.
The Committee provides $4,000,000 for the Cochran
Fellowship Program, an increase of $500,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level. The Committee encourages the Secretary to
continue to provide additional support for the program through
the Commodity Credit Corporation Emerging Markets Program at
the fiscal year 1999 level.
The Committee includes language in the bill, as requested
in the budget, to allow up to $2,000,000 of the amount
appropriated to the FAS to remain available until expended
solely for the purpose of offsetting fluctuations in
international currency exchange rates, subject to
documentation.
The Committee expects the Secretary to use the fully-
authorized levels of the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP)
and to reallocate cancelled DEIP tonnage in order to ensure
U.S. producers have fair access to foreign markets.
The Committee also expects the Foreign Agricultural Service
to reconsider its plans to eliminate the Agricultural Trade
Officer position in Singapore. The Committee believes this
position is necessary not only for continuing the valuable
trade relationships in the region, but for the purpose of
expanding export markets for the United States elsewhere in
Asia.
To promote the export of domestic farm products and improve
world agriculture trade conditions, the Foreign Agricultural
Service must increase its efforts to improve the understanding
among trading partners of the safety of biotechnology and the
thoroughness of the U.S. regulatory oversight of biotechnology.
As trading partners construct regulatory systems for
biotechnology and commodity trade, FAS is frequently requested
to provide experts for the purpose of educating foreign
government officials on the U.S. regulatory system. If the U.S.
fails to participate in such discussions, those attempting to
limit the access to foreign markets by U.S. producers will be
presented an opportunity to undermine confidence in the
benefits and safety of the technology while reducing trade
opportunities for American producers. The Committee directs FAS
to allocate adequate funding to meet the needs of our trading
partners so that officials from the Department of Agriculture
may, when requested, educate foreign regulators on the safety
of the technology and the thoroughness of the U.S. regulatory
process.
The Committee is aware of efforts underway by the Foreign
Agricultural Service to develop emerging markets in areas
including the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and
Estonia. The Committee encourages the agency to consider a
request of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls to
participate in this program.
public law 480 title i program account
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative
Credit level Loan subsidy expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... \1\ 145,298 \2\ 119,813 1,850
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... 159,678 114,186 1,850
Committee recommendation.................................. 159,678 114,186 1,850
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $9,702,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\2\ Includes $8,000,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to
cover the lifetime subsidy cost associated with direct loans
obligated in 2001 and beyond, as well as for administrative
expenses.
Financing sales of agricultural commodities to developing
countries and private entities for dollars on credit terms, or
for local currencies (including for local currencies on credit
terms) for use under section 104; and for furnishing
commodities to carry out the Food for Progress Act of 1985, as
amended (title I).--Title I of the act authorizes financing of
sales to developing countries for local currencies and for
dollars on credit terms. Sales for dollars or local currency
may be made to foreign governments. The legislation provides
for repayment terms either in local currencies or U.S. dollars
on credit terms of up to 30 years, with a grace period of up to
5 years.
Local currencies under title I sales agreements may be used
in carrying out activities under section 104 of the
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as
amended. Activities in the recipient country for which these
local currencies may be used include developing new markets for
U.S. agricultural commodities, paying U.S. obligations, and
supporting agricultural development and research.
Title I appropriated funds may also be used under the Food
for Progress Act of 1985 to furnish commodities on credit terms
or on a grant basis to assist developing countries and
countries that are emerging democracies that have a commitment
to introduce and expand free enterprise elements in their
agricultural economies.
committee recommendations
For Public Law 480, title I, the Committee recommends total
appropriations of $116,036,000. This amount is $5,627,000 less
than the 2000 level and the same as the budget request. This
appropriation will support a Public Law 480, title I, credit
level of $159,678,000 for fiscal year 2001, $14,380,000 more
than the 2000 level and the same as the budget request. The
corresponding loan levels, loan subsidy amounts, and
administrative expenses are reflected in the table above, as
compared to the fiscal year 2000 and budget request levels.
public law 480 ocean freight differential grants
Appropriations, 2000.................................... ( \1\ )
Budget estimate, 2001................................... $20,322,000
Committee recommendation................................ 20,322,000
\1\ Funding for ocean freight differential in fiscal year 2000 was
provided under the Public Law 480 Grants account appropriation.
Ocean freight differential costs in connection with
commodity sales financed for local currencies or U.S. dollars
(title I).--The Commodity Credit Corporation pays ocean freight
differential costs on shipments under this title. These costs
are the difference between foreign flag and U.S. flag shipping
costs.
committee recommendations
For Public Law 480 ocean freight differential costs, the
Committee recommends $20,322,000. This is $678,000 less than
the fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the budget request.
public law 480 title ii and title iii grants
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $821,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \1\............................... 837,000,000
Committee recommendation \1\............................ 837,000,000
\1\ Excludes funding for title I ocean freight differential which is
proposed to be provided in a separate account for fiscal year 2001.
Commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad
(title II) (7 U.S.C. 1721-1726).--Commodities are supplied
without cost through foreign governments to combat malnutrition
and to meet famine and other emergency requirements.
Commodities are also supplied for nonemergencies through public
and private agencies, including intergovernmental
organizations. The Commodity Credit Corporation pays ocean
freight on shipments under this title, and may also pay
overland transportation costs to a landlocked country, as well
as internal distribution costs in emergency situations. The
funds appropriated for title II are made available to private
voluntary organizations and cooperatives to assist these
organizations in meeting administrative and related costs.
Commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad
(title III).--Commodities are supplied without cost to least
developed countries through foreign governments for direct
feeding, development of emergency food reserves, or may be sold
with the proceeds of such sale used by the recipient country
for specific economic development purposes. The Commodity
Credit Corporation may pay ocean freight on shipments under
this title, and may also pay overland transportation costs to a
landlocked country, as well as internal distribution costs.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The following table shows the Committee's recommendations
for the Public Law 480 grants account:
PUBLIC LAW 480 GRANTS ACCOUNT
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
2000 enacted 2001 budget recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I ocean freight differential.............................. 21,000 ( \1\ ) ( \1\ )
Title II commodities supplied in connection with dispositions 800,000 837,000 837,000
abroad.........................................................
Title III commodities supplied in connection with dispositions .............. .............. ..............
abroad.........................................................
-----------------------------------------------
Total..................................................... 821,000 837,000 837,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Excludes funding request of $20,322,000 for the title I ocean freight differential which is proposed to be
provided in a separate account for fiscal year 2001.
Public Law 480, title II.--For Title II, the Committee
recommends a program level of $837,000,000. This is $37,000,000
more than the fiscal year 2000 level and the same as the budget
request.
The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
[FAIR Act], Public Law 104-127, requires that a minimum of
2.025 million metric tons of commodities be provided each
fiscal year under title II authority, of which 1.55 million
metric tons--three-fourths of the total minimum tonnage--is
designated for development programs that address chronic hunger
and its root causes in areas with inadequate food security.
The Committee expects USAID's administration of Public Law
480 title II to encourage private voluntary organizations
[PVO's], cooperatives, and the World Food Program [WFP] to
generate a sufficient volume of proposals to allocate roughly
three-fourths of the total title II tonnage funded for fiscal
year 2001 for these PVOs, cooperatives, and the WFP for
developmental food security programs.
The Committee recognizes the authority of USAID to waive
this minimum when this volume of commodities cannot be used
effectively and for certain emergencies, but believes this
waiver should be used rarely, and only when emergency needs can
be weighed against concrete proposals for a fully funded
longer-term development program.
The Committee supports the use of title II funds in fiscal
year 2001 to continue the fiscal year 2000 level of funding for
the orphan feeding program in Haiti.
The Committee notes the extraordinary effort made by the
people of Alaska through Rotary International, the Interfaith
Council, the Municipality of Anchorage, and other groups to
collect and distribute food and other assistance to people
living in the Russian Far East. The Committee urges the
Administration to work with these entities to take advantage of
their volunteer efforts in feeding people in the Russian Far
East, particularly abandoned children living in orphanages and
hospitals.
The Committee is aware that, under some circumstances, the
containers used for the distribution of vegetable oil under the
Public Law 480 food program may not be practical for the end
user and may not be suitably durable for transportation under
all conditions. The Committee encourages the Secretary to
evaluate the feasibility, costs, and benefits of using
alternative vegetable containers and alternative procurement
procedures, and test on a pilot project basis the durability
and end use flexibility of alternative containers.
Public Law 480, title III.--As proposed in the budget, the
Committee provides no new funding for title III grants.
Authority is provided by law (7 U.S.C. 1736f) to transfer up to
15 percent of the funds available for any fiscal year for
carrying out any title of Public Law 480 to any other title of
the program. This authority may be used to transfer funds to
title III should a transfer be deemed appropriate.
commodity credit corporation export loans program account
(export credit programs, gsm-102 and gsm-103)
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guaranteed loan Guaranteed loan Administrative
levels subsidy expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000...................................... 3,787,000 \1\ 319,987 3,820
Budget estimate, 2001..................................... 3,792,000 \1\ 323,479 3,820
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ No appropriation required since export credit authorizations are permanent authority.
In 1980, the Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] instituted
the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) under its charter
authority. With this program, CCC guarantees, for a fee,
payments due U.S. exporters under deferred payment sales
contracts (up to 36 months) for defaults due to commercial as
well as noncommercial risks. The risk to CCC extends from the
date of export to the end of the deferred payment period
covered in the export sales contract and covers only that
portion of the payments agreed to in the assurance agreement.
Operation of this program is based on criteria which will
assure that it is used only where it is determined that it will
develop new market opportunities and maintain and expand
existing world markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The
program encourages U.S. financial institutions to provide
financing to those areas where the institutions would be
unwilling to provide financing in the absence of the CCC
guarantees. Other credit activities may also be financed under
the Export Credit Guarantee programs including supplier credit
guarantee, under which CCC guarantees payments due to importers
under short term financing (up to 180 days) that exporters
extend directly to importers for the purchase of U.S.
agricultural products. CCC also provides facilities financing
guarantees.
In 1986, the Intermediate Export Credit Guarantee Program
(GSM-103) was implemented by CCC under its charter authority as
required by the Food Security Act of 1985. The program is
similar to the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), but
provides for CCC guarantees to exporters for commodities sold
on credit terms in excess of 3 years, but not more than 10
years. The program also provides for adjusting the maximum
amount of interest which CCC guarantees to pay under the
payment guarantee and permits freight costs to be covered for
breeding animals financed under the GSM-102 and GSM-103
programs.
The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 establishes the
program account. The subsidy costs of the CCC export guarantee
programs are exempt from the requirement of advance
appropriations of budget authority according to section
504(c)(2) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, Public Law
101-508. Appropriations to this account will be used for
administrative expenses.
TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a scientific
regulatory agency whose sole mission is to protect and promote
the health and safety of Americans. The Food and Drug
Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA) reaffirmed the
responsibilities of the FDA: To promote the public health by
promptly and efficiently reviewing clinical research and taking
appropriate action on the marketing of regulated products in a
timely manner.
The FDA Foods Program has the primary responsibility for
assuring that the U.S. food supply is safe, sanitary,
wholesome, and honestly labeled, and that cosmetic products are
safe and properly labeled. The variety and complexity of the
food supply has grown dramatically while new and more complex
safety issues, such as emerging microbial pathogens, natural
toxins, and technological innovations in production and
processing, have developed. This program plays a major role in
keeping the United States food supply among the safest in the
world.
The FDA drugs programs are comprised of three separate
areas, Human Drugs, Animal Drugs and Biologics. FDA is
responsible for the premarket review and postmarket
surveillance of human, animal and biological products to ensure
their safety and efficacy. For Human Drugs this includes the
review of investigational new drug applications; evaluation of
market applications for new and generic drugs, labeling and
composition of prescription and over-the-counter drugs;
monitoring the quality and safety of products manufactured in,
or imported into, the United States; and, regulating the
advertising and promotion of prescription drugs. The Animal
Drugs and Feeds Program ensures only safe and beneficial
veterinary drugs, intended for the treatment and/or prevention
of diseases in animals and the improved production of food-
producing animals, are approved for marketing. Surveillance
activities are accomplished through review of drug experience
reports, adverse experience reporting and nationwide
inspections and investigations. The Biologics program assures
that blood and blood products, blood test kits, vaccines,
including vaccines to counter bioterrorism activities,
bacterial vaccines, and viral vaccines, are pure, potent, safe,
effective, and properly labeled. The program inspects blood
banks and blood processors, licenses and inspects firms
collecting human source plasma, evaluates and licenses
biologics manufacturing firms and products; lot release of
licensed products; and monitors adverse events associated with
vaccine immunization.
The Devices and Radiological program ensures safety and
effectiveness of medical devices and eliminating unnecessary
human exposure to manmade radiation from medical, occupational,
and consumer products. Postmarket surveillance is carried out
to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of marketed
devices and radiation emitting products once approved. In
addition, the program enforces quality standards under the
Mammography Quality Standards Act. Medical devices include
thousands of products from thermometers and contact lenses to
heart pacemakers, hearing aids, MRIs, microwave ovens, and
video display terminals.
FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research in
Jefferson, Arkansas, serves as a specialized resource,
conducting peer-review scientific research that provides the
basis for FDA to make sound science-based regulatory decisions
through its premarket review and postmarket surveillance. The
research is designed to define and understand the biological
mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of products and
developing methods to improve assessment of human exposure,
susceptibility and risk of those products regulated by FDA.
salaries and expenses
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mammography
Prescription clinics Export and
Appropriation drug user inspection certification Total
fees fees fees
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2000 \1\................... 1,037,661 145,434 14,817 4,907 1,202,819
Budget estimate, 2001 \2\.................. 1,156,905 149,273 15,128 5,992 1,327,298
Committee recommendation................... 1,067,523 149,273 15,128 5,992 1,237,916
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $2,977,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
\2\ The President's budget assumes that an additional $19,483,000 in collections will be available to FDA for
fiscal year 2001 from proposed new user fees for premarket review of direct food additive petitions, food
export certificates, and review of medical device premarket notifications; along with an additional
$12,700,000 in fee collections associated with the proposed transfer of the Seafood Inspection Program to FDA
from the Department of Commerce.
committee recommendations
For salaries and expenses, the Committee recommends an
appropriation of $1,067,523,000. This amount is $29,862,000
more than the 2000 level and $89,382,000 less than the budget
request. The Committee also recommends $149,273,000 in
Prescription Drug User Fee Act user fee collections, and
$15,128,000 in Mammography Quality Standards Act fee
collections, as assumed in the President's budget. These
amounts are $3,839,000 and $311,000 more than the 2000 levels,
respectively. The Committee includes bill language which
prohibits FDA from developing, establishing, or operating any
program of user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
The following table reflects the Committee's
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2000 and budget
request levels:
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year--
---------------------------- Committee
2000 enacted 2001 request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centers and related field
activities:
Foods................... 267,449 302,557 292,934
-------------------------------------------
Center for Food 118,058 135,608 129,520
Safety and Applied
Nutrition [CFSAN]..
Field activities.... 149,391 166,949 163,414
(Food safety (168,444) (190,044) (185,044)
initiatives)...
===========================================
Human drugs............. 206,129 230,499 213,845
-------------------------------------------
Center for Drug 133,694 144,607 137,536
Evaluation and
Research [CDER]....
Orphan product 11,534 11,534 12,534
grants.............
Field activities.... 60,901 74,358 63,775
===========================================
Biologics............... 101,283 121,325 109,214
-------------------------------------------
Center for Biologics 83,432 98,276 89,978
Evaluation and
Research [CBER]....
Field activities.... 17,851 23,049 19,236
===========================================
Animal drugs............ 48,713 62,761 59,349
-------------------------------------------
Center for 36,087 47,040 46,037
Veterinary Medicine
[CVM]..............
Field activities.... 12,626 15,721 13,312
(Food safety (8,949) (15,349) (15,349)
initiatives)...
===========================================
Medical and radiological 154,107 171,677 164,762
devices................
-------------------------------------------
Center for Devices 114,065 125,920 121,835
and Radiological
Health [CDRH].....
Field activities.... 40,042 45,757 42,927
===========================================
National Center for 34,186 37,868 35,842
Toxicological Research
[NCTR].................
(Food safety (1,000) (3,000) (2,000)
initiatives).......
===========================================
Tobacco................. 34,000 39,000 ..............
===========================================
Other activities............ 71,628 66,269 66,628
-------------------------------------------
Office of the 9,518 8,927 7,930
Commissioner...........
Office of Management and 30,895 28,413 31,722
Systems................
Office of Senior 10,256 9,401 8,422
Associate Commissioner.
Office of International 4,910 4,444 4,032
and Constituent
Relations..............
Office of Policy, 8,536 7,574 7,009
Legislation, and
Planning...............
Central services........ 7,513 7,513 7,513
(Food safety (8,759) (8,759) (8,759)
initiatives).......
===========================================
Rent and related activities. 25,855 25,855 25,855
===========================================
Rental payments to GSA...... 94,311 99,094 99,094
===========================================
Total, FDA salaries \1\ 1,037,66 1,156,905 1,067,523
and expenses, new 1
budget authority.....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes $2,977,000 rescission pursuant to Public Law 106-113.
Food safety.--An increase of $24,000,000 from the fiscal
year 2000 level is recommended by the Committee for FDA food
safety activities.
Of the total increase provided, $16,600,000 is allocated
for the Foods Program; $6,400,000 for Animal Drugs; and
$1,000,000 for the National Center for Toxicological Research
(NCTR). As proposed, FDA will use these funds to expand
inspections and conduct annual inspections of high-risk food
establishments, implement the Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) system for fruit and vegetable juices,
complete the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring
System (NARMS), and develop methods to predict more quickly and
accurately risks associated with antimicrobial resistance and
foodborne pathogens/contaminants.
Within the total funding available for food safety, at
least $1,800,000 is for FDA activities in support of Codex
Alimentarius.
Within the amount provided for food safety, the Committee
also continues the fiscal year 2000 funding level of $250,000
for a cooperative research program related to molluscan
shellfish and further expects the agency to continue its
education program on the consumption of raw shellfish.
With the growing threat of foodborne illness to the public
health, the Committee believes that collaborative research in
food safety should continue among government, academia, and
private industry. The national model for that collaboration has
been the National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST)
in Summit-Argo, Illinois. The Committee expects the FDA to
maintain at least $2,000,000 as the annual base level of
funding for the National Center, and to provide an additional
$1,000,000 to the Center for collaborative research in support
of the President's Food Safety Initiative.
In addition, the funding provided for food safety will
ensure the expansion of food contract inspections in the State
of Alaska. Specifically, it will allow the FDA to contract with
the State of Alaska for 100 additional inspections of food and
seafood processors operating in Alaska. The current contract
funds 100 inspections, approximately 90 seafood/HACCP
inspections and 10 other food inspections, at a cost of
approximately $58,000. The contract proposal to begin July 1,
2000, for approximately $121,000, will fund 200 inspections
which includes about 140 seafood/HACCP inspections and 60 other
food inspections. The establishments to be inspected will be
mutually agreed upon by FDA and the State of Alaska.
Premarket review.--The Committee provides an increase of
$25,079,000 in budget authority from the fiscal year 2000 level
for FDA premarket review, $2,200,000 more than the budget
request level of $22,879,000. Delays in getting new products to
market postpone critically needed treatment. FDA is to use
these funds to strengthen its science base with a focus on
efficiencies in the premarket review program. Specifically, FDA
will better manage risks associated with emerging biotech
foods; expedite review of generic drugs; reduce review times
for animal drugs; enhance the availability of new products,
such as vaccines and novel therapies; improve the quality and
safety of the nation's blood supply; increase product review;
and develop standards for high-risk medical device reuse
applications.
The $25,079,000 increase in new budget authority for
premarket review is to be allocated as follows: $1,232,000 for
Foods; $4,450,000 for Human Drugs; $7,309,000 for Biologics;
$3,936,000 for Animal Drugs; $7,708,000 for Devices; and
$444,000 for NCTR.
Included in the total increase provided for premarket
review is $1,000,000 to analyze risks associated with emerging
biotech foods and develop criteria for evaluating the safety of
biotech foods used for animal feeds.
Included in the Human Drugs premarket funding increase
recommended by the Committee is $1,200,000 for the generic
drugs program. These funds are to be used to improve the
science base thus enhancing the timely review of generic drug
applications.
Also included in the Human Drugs premarket funding increase
is $1,000,000 for orphan product grants, for a total fiscal
year 2001 funding level of $12,534,000.
Included in the premarket review increase for Biologics is
$2,200,000 to improve the quality and safety of the Nation's
blood supply by improving, developing diagnostic tests and
identifying validation criteria.
Included in the Device premarket review increase is
$2,800,000 to ensure the safety and efficacy of reprocessed
devices. FDA will focus on increasing product review activities
and development of standards for high-risk reuse applications.
FDA will accomplish these activities through hospital outreach,
such as mailings, conferences, and web notices.
The Committee continues to provide $500,000 for clinical
pharmacology grants awarded on a competitive basis, an increase
of $40,000 from the fiscal year 2000 funding level.
Dietary Supplements.--An increase of $1,000,000 is included
in the total funding recommended for fiscal year 2001 for the
Foods Program for collaborative research on dietary supplements
with the National Center for Natural Products Research, Oxford,
MS. This will be a joint effort between the Center and FDA's
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) and the
National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) laboratories
to analyze samples of botanical supplements. The National
Center for Natural Products Research will perform the chemical
characterizations for the active ingredients and likely
contaminants, with regards to efficacy and safety, and will
determine the botanical identity of the supplement. NCTR will
evaluate samples for metal contaminants, and CFSAN will provide
toxicological evaluations of potential toxic interactions and
evaluate samples for microbiological safety.
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition facility.--The
new facility for the Center for Food Safety and Applied
Nutrition in College Park, MD, is scheduled to open in 2001.
The Committee provides an increase of $5,000,000, as requested
in the budget, to occupy and equip the facility. These funds
will support telecommunications equipment and necessary
connections and moving costs.
Inspections.--An increase of $4,000,000 is provided for FDA
inspection activities, of which $2,000,000 is for the Human
Drugs program and $2,000,000 for the Medical Device program.
The Committee understands that FDA's current level of
inspection effort is falling short of the minimum inspection
obligations required by FDAMA. The additional funding will
enable FDA to conduct more inspections where the law requires
specific inspection frequency. These funds will be used to
implement European Mutual Recognition Agreements and intensify
drug inspections in developing countries, and provide funding
to inspect Class II and III manufacturers for both domestic and
foreign manufacturers.
Rent payments.--The Committee recommends $104,954,000 for
FDA rental payments to the General Services Administration
[GSA], the same level as proposed in the budget and $5,000,000
more than the 2000 level.
Tobacco.--No funding is provided for fiscal year 2001 for
FDA tobacco activities. The Supreme Court affirmed on March 21,
2000, that FDA lacks jurisdiction under the Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act to regulate tobacco products. The FDA is in the
process of terminating its contracts with States for the
enforcement and compliance activities. In fiscal year 2000,
$34,000,000 was appropriated to FDA for tobacco activities. It
is the Committee's understanding that of this amount,
$6,800,000 is needed to cover the cost of closing out the
tobacco program, leaving a remainder of $27,000,000 for fiscal
year 2000. The Committee directs FDA to work with the Committee
to reprogram the remaining balance to meet priority resource
needs.
Gene Therapy Patient Tracking System.--The Committee
believes FDA should establish a gene therapy tracking system
designed to measure both short-term and long-term outcomes of
treatment protocols. The FDA was urged in 1994 to set up such a
system. Between December 1994 and 1996, FDA developed a pilot
gene therapy patient tracking system, known as Gene Therapy
Information Network (GTIN). This model was used to develop the
National Xenotransplantation Database (NXD). However, no gene
therapy patient tracking system has been put in to operation to
date by FDA. Given the long time that FDA has had to develop
such a tracking system, and the recent reported deaths of gene
therapy patients, the Committee believes that FDA should move
aggressively to establish such a tracking system. Therefore,
the Committee directs FDA to report back to the Committee
within 3 months from the date of enactment of this Act on a
full plan, including the budget needed to establish this
tracking system and its integration into the FDA's adverse
event reporting system within the upcoming 12 months.
Biotechnology.--The Committee understands that the FDA
frequently receives requests from foreign governments for FDA
regulators to visit foreign countries to educate regulators on
the evaluation of the safety of biotechnology. Providing
information on the soundness of the U.S. regulatory process
will promote the understanding of the benefits of biotechnology
to human health and the environment and improve the climate for
acceptance of U.S. agricultural products abroad. The Committee
directs the FDA to allocate adequate funding so that agency
representatives may perform this service.
FDA labeling disclosures of food irradiation.--The
Conference Report accompanying the FDA Modernization Act of
1997 directed FDA to complete a final rule by November 1998
revising its regulations regarding the labeling of foods
treated with ionizing radiation. To date, the FDA has not
completed this requirement. The Committee believes that any
required disclosure should not be perceived as a warning. The
Committee expects FDA to make final by October 30, 2001,
regulations that prescribe alternative truthful and non-
misleading labeling disclosures that may be used on foods
treated by ionizing radiation in lieu of the existing FDA
required disclosure.
Heart Healthy Labeling of Salmon.--The Food and Drug
Administration is considering adoption of a health claim that
``consumption of omega 3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of
coronary artery disease'' and accepted public comment through
November 22, 1999. The Committee has been advised that the
scientific evidence was overwhelming on the positive effects
that Omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon have on preventing
heart disease and, in some cases, even reversing it. The
Committee directs the agency to expedite consideration of this
issue and report back to the Senate Committee on Appropriations
on its decision no later than December 1, 2000.
Direct food additive reviews.--The Congress provided FDA
with additional funds for fiscal year 2000 to accelerate the
rate of review of direct food and color additive petitions,
including those with food safety benefits. The Committee
expects FDA to establish performance benchmarks to measure its
progress in utilizing these resources to meet its application
review goals. The Committee also expects FDA to seek public
input on program enhancements, including those intended to
optimize prefiling interactions between the agency and
potential applicants of new direct additives and other food
ingredients. These actions should occur as soon as possible.
FDA should report to the Committee by December 31, 2000, on its
use of fiscal year 2000 funds to reduce the backlog of food
additive petitions.
Expedited Review of Competitive Exclusion Products.--The
Committee understands that competitive exclusion products offer
an innovative and valuable approach to reducing Salmonella and
other harmful bacteria in poultry and livestock. The Committee
is concerned, however, that only one competitive exclusion
product has been approved to date despite public statements by
FDA, USDA, and the President's Food Safety Council supporting
this emerging technology. In view of the significant public
health benefits of competitive exclusion products, the FDA
should review new animal drug applications for these products
on an expedited review basis.
buildings and facilities
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $11,350,000
Budget estimate, 2001 \1\............................... 31,350,000
Committee recommendation................................ 31,350,000
\1\ In addition, the budget proposes advance appropriations totaling
$23,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
In addition to Washington, D.C., area laboratories which
are in six separate locations, FDA has 16 laboratories at other
locations around the country, including regular field
laboratories and specialized facilities, as well as the
National Center for Toxicological Research complex. Continued
repairs, modifications, improvements and construction to FDA
headquarters and field facilities must be made to preserve the
properties, ensure employee safety, meet changing program
requirements, and permit the agency to keep its laboratory
methods up to date.
committee recommendations
For continued repairs and improvements of FDA buildings and
facilities, the Committee recommends $31,350,000. This amount
is $20,000,000 more than the 2000 appropriation and the same as
the budget request.
Included in the amount provided by the Committee is
$8,350,000 for ongoing facilities' repairs and improvements; an
additional $3,000,000 toward construction of the Arkansas
Regional Laboratory in Jefferson, AR; and $20,000,000 for the
first construction phase of the Los Angeles, CA, replacement
laboratory and office space project.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
Appropriations, 2000.................................... $63,000,000
Budget estimate, 2001................................... 72,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 67,100,000
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission [CFTC] was
established as an independent agency by the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission Act of 1974 (88 Stat. 1389; 7 U.S.C. 4a).
The Commission administers the Commodity Exchange Act, 7
U.S.C. section 1, et seq. The 1974 act brought under Federal
regulation futures trading in all goods, articles, services,
rights, and interests; commodity options trading; and leverage
trading in gold and silver bullion and coins; and otherwise
strengthened the regulation of the commodity futures trading
industry. It established a comprehensive regulatory structure
to oversee the volatile futures trading complex.
The purpose of the Commission is to protect and further the
economic utility of futures and commodity options markets by
encouraging their efficiency, assuring their integrity, and
protecting participants against manipulation, abusive trade
practices, fraud, and deceit. The objective is to enable the
markets to better serve their designated functions of providing
a price discovery mechanism and providing price risk insurance.
In properly serving these functions, the futures and commodity
options markets contribute toward better production and
financial planning, more efficient distribution and
consumption, and more economical marketing.
Programs in support of the overall mission include market
surveillance analysis and research; registration, audits, and
contract markets; enforcement; reparations; proceedings; legal
counsel; agency direction; and administrative support services.
CFTC activities are carried out in Washington, DC; two regional
offices located in Chicago and New York; and smaller offices in
Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.
committee recommendations
For the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Committee
recommends $67,100,000. The amount provided is $4,100,000 more
than the 2000 appropriation and $4,900,000 less than the budget
request. Included in the Committee's recommendation is an
additional $3,505,000 for pay cost increases. The remaining
increase provided is to be applied to the highest priority
needs for which additional funding is requested in the budget.
Farm Credit Administration
limitation on administrative expenses
Limitation, 2000........................................ ($35,800,000)
Budget estimate, 2001...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ (36,800,000)
The Farm Credit Administration [FCA] is the independent
agency in the executive branch of the Government responsible
for the examination and regulation of the banks, associations,
and other institutions of the Farm Credit System.
Activities of the Farm Credit Administration include the
planning and execution of examinations of Farm Credit System
institutions and the preparation of examination reports. FCA
also establishes standards, enforces rules and regulations, and
approves certain actions of the institutions.
The administration and the institutions under its
jurisdiction now operate under authorities contained in the
Farm Credit Act of 1971, Public Law 92-181, effective December
10, 1971. Public Law 99-205, effective December 23, 1985,
restructured FCA and gave the agency regulatory authorities and
enforcement powers.
The act provides for the farmer-owned cooperative system to
make sound, adequate, and constructive credit available to
farmers and ranchers and their cooperatives, rural residences,
and associations and other entities upon which farming
operations are dependent, and to modernize existing farm credit
law to meet current and future rural credit needs.
The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 authorized the
formation of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
[FAMC] to operate a secondary market for agricultural and rural
housing mortgages. The Farm Credit Administration, under
section 8.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, is
assigned the responsibility of regulating this entity and
assuring its safe and sound operation.
Expenses of the Farm Credit Administration are paid by
assessments collected from the Farm Credit System institutions
and by assessments to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation.
committee recommendations
The Committee recommends a limitation of $36,800,000 on
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration
[FCA]. This is $1,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2000 level.
The budget proposes no limitation on FCA administrative
expenses for fiscal year 2001.
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections 701-713, 715-728, and 730-734 of the general
provisions are essentially the same as those included in the
fiscal year 2000 and previous years' appropriations acts.
In addition, the Committee recommends the following
provisions:
Section 714 to provide authority to the Natural Resources
and Conservation Service to enter into non-competitive
cooperative agreements.
Section 729 to permanently (1) allow the Agricultural
Marketing Service to utilize advertising in conducting consumer
education activities, and (2) prohibit the use of funds to
carry out certain activities unless the Secretary of
Agriculture inspects and certifies agricultural processing
equipment and imposes a fee for those activities.
Section 735 to establish the average income level for
eligibility for assistance from rural development programs for
Alaska at 150 percent.
Section 736 to require that property acquired with excess
Public Law 480 foreign currencies and currently used to house
agricultural attaches not be disposed of without replacement.
Section 737 to provide authority to the Department of
Agriculture to acquire personal services agreements for
overseas operations.
Section 738 to prohibit the use of funds provided by this
Act to relocate a rural development office unless the
relocation of the office will save money and enhance program
delivery.
Section 739 to require that of any shipments of commodities
made pursuant to Section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of
1949, to the extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture
make available tonnage equal in value to not less than
$25,000,000 to foreign countries to assist in mitigating the
effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome on communities.
Program, Project, and Activity
During fiscal year 2001, for purposes of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law
99-177) or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), the following
information provides the definition of the term ``program,
project, and activity'' for departments and agencies under the
jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related
Agencies Subcommittee. The term ``program, project, and
activity'' shall include the most specific level of budget
items identified in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2001, the House and Senate Committee reports, and the
conference report and accompanying joint explanatory statement
of the managers of the committee of conference.
If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the
Presidential order, departments and agencies shall apply any
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2001 pursuant to
the provisions of Public Law 99-177 or Public Law 100-119 to
all items specified in the explanatory notes submitted to the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in support
of the fiscal year 2001 budget estimates, as amended, for such
departments and agencies, as modified by congressional action,
and in addition:
For the Agricultural Research Service the definition shall
include specific research locations as identified in the
explanatory notes and lines of research specifically identified
in the reports of the House and Senate Appropriations
Committees.
For the Natural Resources Conservation Service the
definition shall include individual flood prevention projects
as identified in the explanatory notes and individual
operational watershed projects as summarized in the notes.
For the Farm Service Agency the definition shall include
individual, regional, State, district, and county offices.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports
accompanying general appropriations bills identify each
recommended amendment which proposes an item of appropriation
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously
passed by the Senate during that session.
The Committee recommends funding for the following programs
or activities which currently lack authorization for fiscal
year 2001:
Dairy indemnity program;
Nutrition program for the elderly; and
State Mediation Grants.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2001
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2000 Budget estimate Committee -------------------------------------
appropriation recommendation 2000
appropriation Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary.................................. 15,435 2,914 27,914 +12,479 +25,000
Executive Operations:
Chief Economist...................................... 6,408 8,612 7,462 +1,054 -1,150
National Appeals Division............................ 11,707 12,610 12,421 +714 -189
Office of Budget and Program Analysis................ 6,581 6,765 6,765 +184 .................
Office of the Chief Information Officer.............. 6,046 14,680 10,046 +4,000 -4,634
Common computing environment..................... ................. 75,000 ................. ................. -75,000
Office of the Chief Financial Officer................ 4,783 6,465 5,171 +388 -1,294
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Executive Operations........................ 35,525 124,132 41,865 +6,340 -82,267
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration..... 613 629 629 +16 .................
Agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments. 140,343 182,747 182,747 +42,404 .................
Payments to GSA...................................... (115,542) (125,542) (125,542) (+10,000) .................
Building operations and maintenance.................. (24,801) (31,205) (31,205) (+6,404) .................
Repairs, renovations, and construction............... ................. (26,000) (26,000) (+26,000) .................
Hazardous materials management........................... 15,700 30,073 15,700 ................. -14,373
Departmental administration.............................. 34,708 40,740 36,840 +2,132 -3,900
Outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers.............. 3,000 10,000 3,000 ................. -7,000
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional 3,568 3,778 3,568 ................. -210
Relations...............................................
Office of Communications................................. 8,138 9,031 8,873 +735 -158
Office of the Inspector General.......................... 65,097 70,214 66,867 +1,770 -3,347
Office of the General Counsel............................ 29,194 32,881 31,080 +1,886 -1,801
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and 540 1,356 556 +16 -800
Economics...............................................
Economic Research Service................................ 65,363 55,424 67,038 +1,675 +11,614
National Agricultural Statistics Service................. 99,333 100,615 100,615 +1,282 .................
Census of Agriculture................................ (16,490) (15,000) (15,000) (-1,490) .................
Agricultural Research Service:
Salaries and expenses................................ 830,384 894,258 871,593 +41,209 -22,665
Buildings and facilities............................. 52,500 39,300 56,330 +3,830 +17,030
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Research Service............... 882,884 933,558 927,923 +45,039 -5,635
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service:
Research and education activities.................... 481,881 460,865 494,744 +12,863 +33,879
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.......... (4,600) (7,100) (7,100) (+2,500) .................
Extension activities................................. 424,174 428,236 426,504 +2,330 -1,732
Integrated activities................................ 39,541 76,194 43,541 +4,000 -32,653
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Cooperative State Research, Education, and 945,596 965,295 964,789 +19,193 -506
Extension Service.................................
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and 618 635 635 +17 .................
Regulatory Programs.....................................
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service:
Salaries and expenses................................ 437,768 512,444 458,149 +20,381 -54,295
AQI user fees........................................ (87,000) (87,000) (87,000) ................. .................
Buildings and facilities............................. 5,200 5,200 9,870 +4,670 +4,670
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.. 442,968 517,644 468,019 +25,051 -49,625
Agricultural Marketing Service:
Marketing Services................................... 51,497 66,572 64,696 +13,199 -1,876
Standardization user fees........................ (4,000) (4,000) (4,000) ................. .................
(Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees (60,730) (60,730) (60,730) ................. .................
collected)..........................................
Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply 12,428 13,438 13,438 +1,010 .................
(transfer from section 32)..........................
Payments to states and possessions................... 1,200 1,500 1,200 ................. -300
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Agricultural Marketing Service.............. 65,125 81,510 79,334 +14,209 -2,176
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration:
Salaries and expenses................................ 26,433 33,549 27,269 +836 -6,280
Limitation on inspection and weighing services....... (42,557) (42,557) (42,557) ................. .................
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety............ 446 560 460 +14 -100
Food Safety and Inspection Service....................... 649,119 688,204 678,011 +28,892 -10,193
Lab accreditation fees \1\........................... (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) ................. .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Production, Processing, and Marketing....... 3,529,746 3,885,489 3,733,732 +203,986 -151,757
==============================================================================================
Farm Assistance Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 572 589 589 +17 .................
Agricultural Services...................................
Farm Service Agency:
Salaries and expenses................................ 794,394 828,385 828,385 +33,991 .................
(Transfer from export loans)......................... (589) (589) (589) ................. .................
(Transfer from Public Law 480)....................... (815) (815) (815) ................. .................
(Transfer from ACIF)................................. (209,861) (265,315) (265,315) (+55,454) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Transfers from program accounts.......... (211,265) (266,719) (266,719) (+55,454) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, salaries and expenses....................... (1,005,659) (1,095,104) (1,095,104) (+89,445) .................
State mediation grants............................... 3,000 4,000 3,000 ................. -1,000
Dairy indemnity program.............................. 450 450 450 ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Farm Service Agency...................... 797,844 832,835 831,835 +33,991 -1,000
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct....................................... (128,049) (128,000) (128,000) (-49) .................
Guaranteed................................... (431,373) (1,000,000) (431,373) ................. (-568,627)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................... (559,422) (1,128,000) (559,373) (-49) (-568,627)
Farm operating loans:
Direct....................................... (500,000) (700,000) (500,000) ................. (-200,000)
Guaranteed unsubsidized...................... (1,697,842) (2,000,000) (1,697,842) ................. (-302,158)
Guaranteed subsidized........................ (200,000) (477,868) (200,000) ................. (-277,868)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................... (2,397,842) (3,177,868) (2,397,842) ................. (-780,026)
Indian tribe land acquisition loans.............. (1,028) (2,005) (1,028) ................. (-977)
Emergency disaster loans......................... (25,000) (150,065) (25,000) ................. (-125,065)
Boll weevil eradication loans.................... (100,000) (100,000) (100,000) ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations..................... (3,083,292) (4,557,938) (3,083,243) (-49) (-1,474,695)
Loan subsidies:
Farm ownership loans:
Direct....................................... 4,827 13,786 13,786 +8,959 .................
Guaranteed................................... 2,416 5,100 2,200 -216 -2,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................... 7,243 18,886 15,986 +8,743 -2,900
Farm operating loans:
Direct....................................... 29,300 63,140 45,100 +15,800 -18,040
Guaranteed unsubsidized...................... 23,940 27,400 23,260 -680 -4,140
Guaranteed subsidized........................ 17,620 38,994 16,320 -1,300 -22,674
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................... 70,860 129,534 84,680 +13,820 -44,854
Indian tribe land acquisition.................... 21 323 166 +145 -157
Emergency disaster loans......................... 3,882 36,811 6,133 +2,251 -30,678
Boll weevil eradication loans.................... ................. ................. ................. ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies.......................... 82,006 185,554 106,965 +24,959 -78,589
ACIF expenses:
Salaries and expense (transfer to FSA)........... 209,861 265,315 265,315 +55,454 .................
Administrative expenses.......................... 4,300 4,139 4,139 -161 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, ACIF expenses........................... 214,161 269,454 269,454 +55,293 .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund...... 296,167 455,008 376,419 +80,252 -78,589
(Loan authorization)....................... (3,083,292) (4,557,938) (3,083,243) (-49) (-1,474,695)
==============================================================================================
Total, Farm Service Agency..................... 1,094,011 1,287,843 1,208,254 +114,243 -79,589
==============================================================================================
Risk Management Agency................................... 63,983 67,700 65,597 +1,614 -2,103
==============================================================================================
Total, Farm Assistance Programs.................... 1,158,566 1,356,132 1,274,440 +115,874 -81,692
==============================================================================================
Corporations
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation: Federal crop 710,857 1,727,671 1,727,671 +1,016,814 .................
insurance corporation fund..............................
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
Reimbursement for net realized losses................ 30,037,136 27,771,007 27,771,007 -2,266,129 .................
Operations and maintenance for hazardous waste (5,000) (5,000) (5,000) ................. .................
management (limitation on administrative expenses)..
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Corporations.............................. 30,747,993 29,498,678 29,498,678 -1,249,315 .................
==============================================================================================
Total, title I, Agricultural Programs............ 35,436,305 34,740,299 34,506,850 -929,455 -233,449
(By transfer)................................ (211,265) (266,719) (266,719) (+55,454) .................
(Loan authorization)......................... (3,083,292) (4,557,938) (3,083,243) (-49) (-1,474,695)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)...... (108,287) (108,287) (108,287) ................. .................
==============================================================================================
TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 693 711 711 +18 .................
Environment.............................................
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
Conservation operations.............................. 660,812 747,243 714,116 +53,304 -33,127
Watershed surveys and planning....................... 10,368 10,368 10,705 +337 +337
Watershed and flood prevention operations............ 91,643 83,423 99,443 +7,800 +16,020
Resource conservation and development................ 35,265 36,265 36,265 +1,000 .................
Forestry incentives program.......................... 5,377 ................. 6,325 +948 +6,325
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service...... 803,465 877,299 866,854 +63,389 -10,445
==============================================================================================
Total, title II, Conservation Programs............. 804,158 878,010 867,565 +63,407 -10,445
==============================================================================================
TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development...... 588 605 605 +17 .................
Rural Development:
Rural community advancement program.................. 693,637 762,542 749,284 +55,647 -13,258
RD expenses:
Salaries and expenses............................ ................. 130,371 130,371 +130,371 .................
(Transfer from RHIF)............................. ................. (409,233) (409,233) (+409,233) .................
(Transfer from RDLFP)............................ ................. (3,640) (3,640) (+3,640) .................
(Transfer from RETLP)............................ ................. (34,716) (34,716) (+34,716) .................
(Transfer from RTP).............................. ................. (3,000) (3,000) (+3,000) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RD expenses............................. ................. (580,960) (580,960) (+580,960) .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Rural Development....................... 693,637 892,913 879,655 +186,018 -13,258
==============================================================================================
Rural Housing Service:
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
Loan authorizations:
Single family (sec. 502)..................... (1,100,000) (1,300,000) (1,100,000) ................. (-200,000)
Unsubsidized guaranteed.................. (3,200,000) (3,700,000) (3,200,000) ................. (-500,000)
Housing repair (sec. 504).................... (32,396) (40,000) (32,396) ................. (-7,604)
Farm labor (sec. 514)........................ (25,001) ................. ................. (-25,001) .................
Rental housing (sec. 515).................... (114,321) (120,000) (114,321) ................. (-5,679)
Multi-family housing guarantees (sec. 538)... (100,000) (200,000) (100,000) ................. (-100,000)
Site loans (sec. 524)........................ (5,152) (5,000) (5,152) ................. (+152)
Multi-family housing credit sales............ (1,250) (5,000) (1,250) ................. (-3,750)
Single family housing credit sales........... (6,253) (10,000) (6,253) ................. (-3,747)
Credit sales of acquired property........ (7,503) (15,000) (7,503) ................. (-7,497)
Self-help housing land development fund...... (5,000) (5,009) (5,000) ................. (-9)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations................. (4,589,373) (5,385,009) (4,564,372) (-25,001) (-820,637)
Loan subsidies:
Single family (sec. 502)..................... 93,830 208,780 176,660 +82,830 -32,120
Unsubsidized guaranteed.................. 19,520 44,400 38,400 +18,880 -6,000
Housing repair (sec. 504).................... 9,900 14,176 11,481 +1,581 -2,695
Multi-family housing guarantees (sec. 538)... 480 3,040 1,520 +1,040 -1,520
Farm labor (sec. 514)........................ 11,308 ................. ................. -11,308 .................
Rental housing (sec. 515).................... 45,363 59,124 56,326 +10,963 -2,798
Site loans (sec. 524)........................ 4 ................. ................. -4 .................
Multi-family housing credit sales............ 494 2,452 613 +119 -1,839
Single family housing credit sales........... 380 ................. ................. -380 .................
Credit sales of acquired property........ 874 2,452 613 -261 -1,839
Self-help housing land development fund...... 281 279 279 -2 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies...................... 181,560 332,251 285,279 +103,719 -46,972
RHIF administrative expenses (transfer to RHS)... 375,879 ................. ................. -375,879 .................
RHIF administrative expenses (transfer to RD).... ................. 409,233 409,233 +409,233 .................
Rental assistance program:
(Sec. 521)................................... 634,100 674,100 674,100 +40,000 .................
(Sec. 502(c)(5)(D)).......................... 5,900 5,900 5,900 ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rental assistance program........... 640,000 680,000 680,000 +40,000 .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund........ 1,197,439 1,421,484 1,374,512 +177,073 -46,972
(Loan authorization)................... (4,589,373) (5,385,009) (4,564,372) (-25,001) (-820,637)
==============================================================================================
Mutual and self-help housing grants.................. 28,000 40,000 34,000 +6,000 -6,000
Rural housing assistance grants...................... 45,000 39,000 44,000 -1,000 +5,000
Farm labor program account........................... ................. 35,777 28,750 +28,750 -7,027
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, grants and payments...................... 73,000 114,777 106,750 +33,750 -8,027
RHS expenses:
Salaries and expenses............................ 61,551 ................. ................. -61,551 .................
(Transfer from RHIF)............................. (375,879) ................. ................. (-375,879) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RHS expenses............................ (437,430) ................. ................. (-437,430) .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Rural Housing Service................... 1,331,990 1,536,261 1,481,262 +149,272 -54,999
(Loan authorization)....................... (4,589,373) (5,385,009) (4,564,372) (-25,001) (-820,637)
==============================================================================================
Rural Business-Cooperative Service:
Rural Development Loan Fund Program Account:
(Loan authorization)............................. (38,256) (64,495) (38,256) ................. (-26,239)
Loan subsidy..................................... 16,615 32,834 19,476 +2,861 -13,358
Administrative expenses (transfer to RBCS)....... 3,337 ................. ................. -3,337 .................
Administrative expenses (transfer to RD)......... ................. 3,640 3,640 +3,640 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Development Loan Fund............. 19,952 36,474 23,116 +3,164 -13,358
Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
(Loan authorization)............................. (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ................. .................
Direct subsidy................................... 3,453 3,911 3,911 +458 .................
Rural cooperative development grants................. 6,000 11,500 6,000 ................. -5,500
National sheep industry improvement center revolving ................. 5,000 ................. ................. -5,000
fund................................................
RBCS expenses:
Salaries and expenses............................ 24,612 ................. ................. -24,612 .................
(Transfer from RDLFP)............................ (3,337) ................. ................. (-3,337) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RBCS expenses........................... (27,949) ................. ................. (-27,949) .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Rural Business-Cooperative Service...... 54,017 56,885 33,027 -20,990 -23,858
(By transfer).............................. (3,337) ................. ................. (-3,337) .................
(Loan authorization)....................... (53,256) (79,495) (53,256) ................. (-26,239)
==============================================================================================
Rural Utilities Service:
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans
Program Account:
Electric:
Direct loans:
Direct, 5 percent........................ (121,500) (50,000) (121,500) ................. (+71,500)
Direct, Muni............................. (295,000) (300,000) (295,000) ................. (-5,000)
Direct, FFB.............................. (1,700,000) (800,000) (1,700,000) ................. (+900,000)
Direct, Treasury rate.................... ................. ................. (500,000) (+500,000) (+500,000)
Guaranteed............................... ................. (400,000) ................. ................. (-400,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................... (2,116,500) (1,550,000) (2,616,500) (+500,000) (+1,066,500)
Telecommunications:
Direct, 5 percent........................ (75,000) (75,000) (75,000) ................. .................
Direct, Treasury rate.................... (300,000) (300,000) (300,000) ................. .................
Direct, FFB.............................. (120,000) (120,000) (120,000) ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................... (495,000) (495,000) (495,000) ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan authorizations............. (2,611,500) (2,045,000) (3,111,500) (+500,000) (+1,066,500)
Loan subsidies:
Electric:
Direct, 5 percent........................ 1,095 4,980 12,101 +11,006 +7,121
Direct, Muni............................. 10,827 20,850 20,503 +9,676 -347
Direct, FFB.............................. ................. ................. ................. ................. .................
Direct, Treasury rate.................... ................. ................. ................. ................. .................
Guaranteed............................... ................. 40 ................. ................. -40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal............................... 11,922 25,870 32,604 +20,682 +6,734
Telecommunications:
Direct, 5 percent............................ 840 7,770 7,770 +6,930 .................
Direct, Treasury rate........................ 2,370 ................. ................. -2,370 .................
Direct, FFB.................................. ................. ................. ................. ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................... 3,210 7,770 7,770 +4,560 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Loan subsidies...................... 15,132 33,640 40,374 +25,242 +6,734
RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RUS).. 31,046 ................. ................. -31,046 .................
RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RD)... ................. 34,716 34,716 +34,716 .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Rural Electrification and 46,178 68,356 75,090 +28,912 +6,734
Telecommunications Loans Program Account......
(Loan authorization)....................... (2,611,500) (2,045,000) (3,111,500) (+500,000) (+1,066,500)
==============================================================================================
Rural Telephone Bank Program Account:
(Loan authorization)............................. (175,000) (175,000) (175,000) ................. .................
Direct loan subsidy.............................. 3,290 2,590 2,590 -700 .................
RTP administrative expenses (transfer to RUS).... 3,000 ................. ................. -3,000 .................
RTP administrative expenses (transfer to RD)..... ................. 3,000 3,000 +3,000 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................... 6,290 5,590 5,590 -700 .................
Distance learning and telemedicine program:
(Loan authorization)............................. (200,000) (400,000) (400,000) (+200,000) .................
Direct loan subsidy.............................. 700 ................. ................. -700 .................
Grants........................................... 20,000 27,000 27,000 +7,000 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total.......................................... 20,700 27,000 27,000 +6,300 .................
RUS expenses:
Salaries and expenses............................ 34,107 ................. ................. -34,107 .................
(Transfer from RETLP)............................ (31,046) ................. ................. (-31,046) .................
(Transfer from RTP).............................. (3,000) ................. ................. (-3,000) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, RUS expenses............................ (68,153) ................. ................. (-68,153) .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Rural Utilities Service................. 107,275 100,946 107,680 +405 +6,734
(By transfer).............................. (34,046) ................. ................. (-34,046) .................
(Loan authorization)....................... (2,986,500) (2,620,000) (3,686,500) (+700,000) (+1,066,500)
==============================================================================================
Total, title III, Rural Economic and Community 2,187,507 2,587,610 2,502,229 +314,722 -85,381
Development Programs..........................
(By transfer).............................. (413,262) (450,589) (450,589) (+37,327) .................
(Loan authorization)....................... (7,629,129) (8,084,504) (8,304,128) (+674,999) (+219,624)
==============================================================================================
TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and 554 570 570 +16 .................
Consumer Services.......................................
Food and Nutrition Service:
Child nutrition programs............................. 4,611,829 4,570,465 4,407,460 -204,369 -163,005
Transfer from section 32......................... 4,935,199 4,967,574 5,127,579 +192,380 +160,005
Discretionary spending........................... 7,000 8,017 6,500 -500 -1,517
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Child nutrition programs................ 9,554,028 9,546,056 9,541,539 -12,489 -4,517
Special supplemental nutrition program for women, 4,032,000 4,148,100 4,052,000 +20,000 -96,100
infants, and children (WIC).........................
Food stamp program:
Expenses......................................... 19,605,751 19,730,993 19,720,293 +114,542 -10,700
Reserve.......................................... 100,000 1,000,000 100,000 ................. -900,000
Nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico............. 1,268,000 1,301,000 1,301,000 +33,000 .................
The emergency food assistance program............ 98,000 100,000 100,000 +2,000 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food stamp program...................... 21,071,751 22,131,993 21,221,293 +149,542 -910,700
Commodity assistance program......................... 133,300 158,300 140,300 +7,000 -18,000
Food donations programs:
Needy family program............................. 1,081 1,081 1,081 ................. .................
Elderly feeding program.......................... 140,000 150,000 140,000 ................. -10,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food donations programs................. 141,081 151,081 141,081 ................. -10,000
Food program administration.......................... 111,392 128,558 116,807 +5,415 -11,751
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Nutrition Service.................. 35,043,552 36,264,088 35,213,020 +169,468 -1,051,068
==============================================================================================
Total, title IV, Domestic Food Programs............ 35,044,106 36,264,658 35,213,590 +169,484 -1,051,068
==============================================================================================
TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager:
Direct appropriation................................. 109,186 113,587 113,424 +4,238 -163
(Transfer from export loans)......................... (3,231) (3,231) (3,231) ................. .................
(Transfer from Public Law 480)....................... (1,035) (1,035) (1,035) ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Program level............................... (113,452) (117,853) (117,690) (+4,238) (-163)
==============================================================================================
Public Law 480 Program and Grant Accounts:
Title I--Credit sales:
Direct loans..................................... (145,298) (159,678) (159,678) (+14,380) .................
Loan subsidies................................... 119,813 114,186 114,186 -5,627 .................
Ocean freight differential........................... 21,000 20,322 20,322 -678 .................
Title II--Commodities for disposition abroad:
Program level.................................... (800,000) (837,000) (837,000) (+37,000) .................
Appropriation.................................... 800,000 837,000 837,000 +37,000 .................
Salaries and expenses:
General Sales Manager (transfer to FAS).......... 1,035 1,035 1,035 ................. .................
Farm Service Agency (transfer to FSA)............ 815 815 815 ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal....................................... 1,850 1,850 1,850 ................. .................
==============================================================================================
Total, Public Law 480:
Program level.............................. (945,298) (996,678) (996,678) (+51,380) .................
Appropriation.............................. 942,663 973,358 973,358 +30,695 .................
==============================================================================================
CCC Export Loans Program Account (administrative
expenses):
Salaries and expenses (Export Loans):
General Sales Manager (transfer to FAS).......... 3,231 3,231 3,231 ................. .................
Farm Service Agency (transfer to FSA)............ 589 589 589 ................. .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, CCC Export Loans Program Account........ 3,820 3,820 3,820 ................. .................
==============================================================================================
Total, title V, Foreign Assistance and Related 1,055,669 1,090,765 1,090,602 +34,933 -163
Programs......................................
(By transfer).............................. (4,266) (4,266) (4,266) ................. .................
==============================================================================================
TITLE VI--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED
AGENCIES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
Salaries and expenses, direct appropriation.............. 1,037,661 1,156,905 1,067,523 +29,862 -89,382
Prescription Drug User Fee Act....................... (145,434) (149,273) (149,273) (+3,839) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal........................................... (1,183,095) (1,306,178) (1,216,796) (+33,701) (-89,382)
Mammography Standards Quality Act.................... (14,817) (15,128) (15,128) (+311) .................
Export and certification............................. (4,907) (5,992) (5,992) (+1,085) .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal........................................... (1,202,819) (1,327,298) (1,237,916) (+35,097) (-89,382)
Limitation on payments to GSA........................ (99,954) (104,954) (104,954) (+5,000) .................
Buildings and facilities................................. 11,350 31,350 31,350 +20,000 .................
Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2002............. ................. 23,000 ................. ................. -23,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Food and Drug Administration................ 1,049,011 1,211,255 1,098,873 +49,862 -112,382
==============================================================================================
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission..................... 63,000 72,000 67,100 +4,100 -4,900
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative (35,800) ................. (36,800) (+1,000) (+36,800)
expenses)...............................................
==============================================================================================
Total, title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug 1,112,011 1,283,255 1,165,973 +53,962 -117,282
Administration....................................
==============================================================================================
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Hunger fellowships....................................... 2,000 ................. ................. -2,000 .................
Sec. 388 Fair Act--NH.................................... 250 ................. ................. -250 .................
==============================================================================================
Total, title VII, General provisions............... 2,250 ................. ................. -2,250 .................
==============================================================================================
TITLE VIII--EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Commodity Credit Corporation
Crop loss (contingent emergency appropriations).......... 1,200,000 ................. ................. -1,200,000 .................
Market loss (contingent emergency appropriations)........ 5,520,351 ................. ................. -5,520,351 .................
Specialty Crops:
Peanuts (contingent emergency appropriations)........ 42,000 ................. ................. -42,000 .................
Suspend sugar assessments (contingent emergency 42,000 ................. ................. -42,000 .................
appropriations).....................................
Tobacco (contingent emergency appropriations)........ 326,601 ................. ................. -326,601 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Specialty crops.......................... 410,601 ................. ................. -410,601 .................
Oilseeds (contingent emergency appropriations)........... 467,974 ................. ................. -467,974 .................
Livestock and dairy (contingent emergency appropriations) 320,614 ................. ................. -320,614 .................
Upland cotton competitiveness (contingent emergency 201,000 ................. ................. -201,000 .................
appropriations).........................................
Extend milk price supports (contingent emergency -102,000 ................. ................. +102,000 .................
appropriations).........................................
Crop insurance (contingent emergency appropriations)..... 400,000 ................. ................. -400,000 .................
Crop insurance discount associated costs (contingent 250,000 ................. ................. -250,000 .................
emergency appropriations)...............................
Water and waste loan forgiveness (contingent emergency 2,000 ................. ................. -2,000 .................
appropriations).........................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title VIII, Emergency appropriations........ 8,670,540 ................. ................. -8,670,540 .................
==============================================================================================
Grand total:
New budget (obligational) authority............ 84,312,546 76,844,597 75,346,809 -8,965,737 -1,497,788
Appropriations............................. (75,642,006) (76,821,597) (75,346,809) (-295,197) (-1,474,788)
Contingent emergency appropriations........ (8,670,540) ................. ................. (-8,670,540) .................
Advance appropriations..................... ................. (23,000) ................. ................. (-23,000)
(By transfer).................................. (628,793) (721,574) (721,574) (+92,781) .................
(Loan authorization)........................... (10,712,421) (12,642,442) (11,387,371) (+674,950) (-1,255,071)
(Limitation on administrative expenses)........ (144,087) (108,287) (145,087) (+1,000) (+36,800)
==============================================================================================
RECAPITULATION
Title I--Agricultural programs........................... 35,436,305 34,740,299 34,506,850 -929,455 -233,449
Title II--Conservation programs.......................... 804,158 878,010 867,565 +63,407 -10,445
Title III--Rural economic and community development 2,187,507 2,587,610 2,502,229 +314,722 -85,381
programs................................................
Title IV--Domestic food programs......................... 35,044,106 36,264,658 35,213,590 +169,484 -1,051,068
Title V--Foreign assistance and related programs......... 1,055,669 1,090,765 1,090,602 +34,933 -163
Title VI--Related agencies and Food and Drug 1,112,011 1,283,255 1,165,973 +53,962 -117,282
Administration..........................................
Title VII--General provisions............................ 2,250 ................. ................. -2,250 .................
Title VIII--Emergency appropriations..................... 8,670,540 ................. ................. -8,670,540 .................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, new budget (obligational) authority......... 84,312,546 76,844,597 75,346,809 -8,965,737 -1,497,788
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In addition to appropriation.
DIVISION B
TITLE I
CHAPTER 1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
The Committee is aware of the Mormon cricket and
grasshopper infestation which has affected Utah and other
States causing significant crop losses. The Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service has requested $400,000 in contingency
funds to conduct a survey to assess the damage from the
infestation. The Committee supports this request and expects
the Department to report the results of the survey, including
but not limited to, the monetary losses and the acreage
affected, to the Committee on Appropriations. Should the survey
prove that emergency conditions do exist and eradication
efforts are needed, Commodity Credit Corporation funds should
be released to address this problem.
Farm Service Agency
salaries and expenses
2000 appropriation to date..............................\1\ $794,839,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 39,000,000
\1\ Excludes $56,000,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations
provided by Public Law 106-78.
The Committee recommends an additional $39,000,000 for Farm
Service Agency salaries and expenses. This funding is necessary
to increase temporary staff to process higher than expected
workload volume due to the demand for Loan Deficiency Payments
and natural disasters, and to administer new emergency
agriculture assistance programs. These additional funds have
not been requested by the President.
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund
The Committee recommends an additional $13,000,000 to cover
the shortage in funding for the crop insurance premium
discounts to farmers for their 1999 crops. The U.S. Department
of Agriculture reserved funds from those made available for
1998 crop losses, providing a 30 percent premium discount on
1999 crop insurance premiums. However, the producer
participation was larger than anticipated and the resulting
discount was only 28 percent. Thus, an additional $13,000,000
is provided to make up this difference and to avoid having to
bill participating producers an average of $10 each to recover
the excess premium. This entire amount is requested and
designated by the President as an emergency.
Rural Community Advancement Program
The Committee provides funding for the Rural Community
Facilities Grant Program for areas of extreme unemployment or
economic depression.
The Committee provides funding for the Rural Utilities
Service Grant Program for rural communities with extremely high
energy costs.
An additional amount is provided to communities or
associations for water supply relating to emergency or at-risk
conditions of which no less than $35,000,000 shall be for
grants and may be used in counties other than those for which a
Presidential or Secretarial emergency is designated.
Rural Housing Service
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
2000 appropriation to date..............................\1\ $181,560,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 15,872,000
Committee recommendation................................ 15,872,000
\1\ Excludes $11,099,000 in emergency supplemental appropriations
provided by Public Law 106-113.
The Committee recommends $15,872,000 to support an
additional $40,000,000 in direct loans to fund new Section 515
rural rental housing projects in areas affected by natural
disasters in 1999. This appropriation will provide 1,000 units
for those who were displaced from their housing by Hurricanes
Dennis, Floyd, or Irene. This entire amount is requested and
designated by the President as an emergency.
Rental Assistance Program
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $640,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 13,600,000
Committee recommendation................................ 13,600,000
The Committee recommends an additional $13,600,000 for
rental assistance. These funds will be used to support an
estimated 1,000 new multi-family housing units in areas
affected by Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd, or Irene. This entire
amount is requested and designated by the President as an
emergency.
Rural Utilities Service
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The Committee recommends an additional $1,000,000 to
subsidize the cost of an additional $113,250,000 in direct 5
percent rural electrification loans. The Committee encourages
the Department to give consideration to an application from an
area with high energy costs and dependent on refined oil to
generate electricity.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 1101. The Committee recommends that an additional
$35,000,000 be provided for conservation technical assistance
to support ongoing enrollment of acreage in the Conservation
Reserve Program and the Wetlands Reserve Program.
Sec. 1102. The Committee recommends language that
authorizes poultry losses due to severe weather conditions
which occurred in Arkansas during the first 2 months of this
year to be eligible for livestock indemnity payments.
Sec. 1103. Extends notice and comment exemptions to
additional uses of prior appropriated funds.
Sec. 1104. The Committee recommends that up to $81,000,000
be provided to forgive marketing loans made by the Commodity
Credit Corporation to producer-owned associations or producers
that suffered losses from natural disasters. This would cover a
portion of the loans and relieve additional financial stress on
producers that suffered losses from Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd,
and Irene. This entire amount is requested and designated by
the President as an emergency.
Sec. 1105. Conforms the definition of ``livestock'' for
purposes of administering the Livestock Indemnity Program and
the Livestock Assistance Program.
Sec. 1106. Provides assistance to dairy producers
consistent with dairy assistance provisions included in section
805 of Public Law 106-78. These additional funds have not been
requested by the President.
Sec. 1107. Provides assistance to producers for losses
associated with new and emergent pests and diseases, including:
Mexican fruit flies, plum pox virus, Pierce's disease,
grasshoppers and mormon crickets, and citrus canker. These
additional funds have not been requested by the President.
Sec. 1108. Extends the milk price support program through
2001 and makes a conforming amendment delaying implementation
of the dairy recourse loan program until 2002.
Sec. 1109. Provides assistance for livestock producers in
counties designated an emergency by the President or the
Secretary after January 1, 2000 and shall give consideration to
the effect of recurring droughts on ongoing livestock
operations.
Sec. 1110. Provides authority for the Commodity Credit
Corporation to offset the assessment on peanut producers for
program losses from 1999 using excess assessments to be
collected for crop year 2000 and subsequent years.
CHAPTER 2
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL
Department of the Army
Corps of Engineers--Civil
General Investigations
2000 appropriation to date..............................................
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. $8,500,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,500,000
The Committee recommends an emergency supplemental
appropriation of $4,500,000 for the Corps of Engineers to
resume engineering and design of an outlet at Devils Lake,
North Dakota.
An emergency supplemental requests of $7,000,000 was
included in the fiscal year 2001 budget transmittal which would
allow the Corps of Engineers to complete preconstruction
engineering and design for an outlet at Devils Lake in North
Dakota. The Committee notes that the supplemental request
assumed that the Congress would approve a $2,500,000
reprogramming to allow the Corps to resume design activities
earlier this year. This reprogramming has not occurred,
therefore, the $2,500,000 included in the request to repay
funding taken from other projects in the proposed reprogramming
is not provided.
Flood Control, Mississippi River and Tributaries, Arkansas, Illinois,
Kentucy, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $309,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 10,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes $10,000,000 for the
Corps of Engineers to address unforeseen needs as the result of
drought induced low water conditions on the Mississippi River
and its tributaries. The work to be undertaken includes, among
other things, dredging to maintain navigation channels, levee
repairs, channel clean out and clearing, and scour repairs.
Operation and Maintenance, General
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $1,116,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 19,175,000
Committee recommendation................................ 35,000,000
An emergency appropriation of $35,000,000 is recommended
for Operation and Maintenance activities of the Corps of
Engineers.
The additional funding is needed for repairs of damages
caused by Tropical Storm Bret and Hurricane Floyd, which caused
major damages along the Gulf and Southeast and Atlantic coasts;
and the impacts of low water caused by drought conditions. The
recommended funding will restore navigation channels and
harbors, repair disposal areas, and provide snagging drift and
debris removal.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Appalachian Regional Commission
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $66,400,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 11,000,000
The funds recommended by the Committee are for the North
Fork Hughes River Watershed project in Ritchie County, WV, a
multipurpose project for flood control, water supply and
treatment, recreational opportunities and economic development
in a distressed Appalachian county. The funds will cover
increased costs for this project, which resulted from a long
delay caused by litigation, and are critical, at this time, to
address urgent drought-related water supply needs in the
county.
CHAPTER 3
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The Committee is aware that the requirement for disaster
related repairs for Department of the Interior bureaus may
substantially exceed the amounts requested by the
Administration. The requests themselves, however, include very
little information that would help the Committee determine how
the request levels were determined, or what specific repair
projects would be accomplished with the amounts requested. As
more detailed damage assessments become available, the
Committee urges the Department to consult with the Committee as
to how the funds provided will be allocated, and how priorities
will be determined among competing projects.
Bureau of Land Management
Management of Lands and Resources
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $643,105,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 17,172,000
The Committee recognizes the severity of the 1999 fire
season and the consequential ecological effects of fire on
lands managed by the BLM. Additional emergency funding of
$15,687,000 is provided to restore damaged biotic resources and
infrastructure to their pre-fire condition in order to prevent
a decline in fish and wildlife habitat. Accordingly, the
Committee provides funds to complete restoration activities,
including but not limited to fence replacement, wild horse
removal, tree and shrub seedling purchase and planting, and
cheatgrass control. The Committee also recognizes the severity
of the grasshopper and mormon cricket infestations on lands
managed by the BLM and provides emergency funding in the amount
of $1,485,000 to protect critical native vegetative resources,
adjacent farms and ranch lands, and newly planted fire
rehabilitation projects from further infestations. The
Committee expects coordination with state, local and other
Federal entities in addressing these efforts.
WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $290,957,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 100,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 100,000,000
The Committee recommends an additional $100,000,000 for
wildland fire management. This amount is contingent upon
receipt of a budget request that includes a Presidential
designation of the amount requested as an emergency requirement
as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985, as amended.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $714,543,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 6,500,000
The Committee recommends an additional $6,500,000 for
resource management. $1,500,000 of these funds are to be
expended for the preparation and implementation of plans,
programs, or agreements identified by the State of Idaho that
will address habitat for freshwater aquatic species on non-
Federal lands in the State. These funds will supplement funds
that have already been allocated by the State and will only be
expended for landowners that are voluntarily enrolled in such
plans, programs, or agreements.
The Committee also recommends $5,000,000 for the
conservation and restoration of Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of
Maine. The condition of the Atlantic salmon population is at a
critical point, and the decision regarding the listing of the
Atlantic salmon under the Endangered Species Act appears to be
imminent. Therefore, the funds are needed to assist in the
prevention of the listing of the Atlantic salmon. The funds
provided will support efforts to acquire lands and conservation
easements to benefit Atlantic salmon, to develop irrigation and
water use management measures to minimize any adverse effects
on salmon habitat, and to develop and phase in enhanced
aquaculture cages to minimize escape of salmon. The funds
provided for the Atlantic Salmon Commission for salmon
restoration and conservation will support installation and
upgrading of weirs and fish collection facilities, conduct of
risk assessments, fish marking, salmon genetics studies and
testing, and development of enhanced aquaculture cages. Funds
are also provided for a National Academy of Sciences study on
Atlantic salmon.
CONSTRUCTION
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $53,528,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 8,500,000
The Committee recommends an additional $8,500,000 to repair
Fish and Wildlife Service Facilities damaged by hurricanes and
winter storms. The Committee understands that these funds will
be used for repairs to Service property in the States of
Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Virginia, and Washington.
National Park Service
CONSTRUCTION
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $221,191,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 4,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,300,000
The Committee recommends an additional $5,300,000 for
construction to repair or replace visitor facilities,
equipment, roads and trails, visitor facilities, and cultural
sites and artifacts at national park units damaged by
hurricanes, tropical storms, ice storms, lightning, and floods.
United States Geological Survey
Surveys, Investigations, and Research
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $813,376,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 1,800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,800,000
The Committee recommends an additional $1,800,000 for
surveys, investigations, and research to repair or replace
stream monitoring equipment and associated facilities damaged
by storms, floods, and hurricanes. The Committee understands
that these funds will be used for repairs in Alaska, Colorado,
Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland-Delaware-
Washington, D.C., Massachusetts-Rhode Island, Nevada, New
Hampshire-Vermont, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North
Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and
Virginia.
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Regulation and Technology
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $95,860,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 9,821,000
The Committee is concerned that the State of West Virginia
lacks sufficient funding and staffing resources to regulate the
effects of surface coal mining operations within the State
pursuant to the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
(SMCRA). Recent litigation and the commencement of a formal
review by the Office of Surface Mining related to the State's
regulatory program demonstrate that unless additional funds are
provided immediately a Federal takeover of these
responsibilities may be imminent. If a takeover occurs it will
drastically increase the costs to the Federal Government for
regulating coal mining in West Virgina and cause major
disruptions on the ground. With the additional resources
provided in this Act, the State will have the capability to
administer an adequate regulatory program to enforce
environmental laws and have the necessary tools to perform
technical reviews of permit applications effectively and
efficiently. Accordingly, the Committee is providing a total of
$9,821,000 to the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement to ensure that the State has adequate funds to
carry out its regulatory responsibilities under SMCRA.
Of this amount, the Committee is providing $6,222,000 for
the Office of Surface Mining to enter into a cooperative
agreement with the West Virginia Division of Environmental
Protection to enhance program capabilities including developing
a geospatial database to ensure appropriate geologic and
hydrologic sampling, performing watershed modeling and other
programmatic improvements to ensure the State is able to meet
its regulatory requirements under SMCRA.
The Committee is also providing $3,599,000 to address the
West Virginia Office's staffing deficiencies. The Committee
notes that West Virginia operates its program with about half
the staff and budget of surrounding States with similarly sized
programs. The controversy over mountaintop removal mining has
been a catalyst for demonstrating weaknesses in the West
Virginia regulatory program. These funds are subject to the 50
percent matching requirement of section 705(a) of SMCRA.
The Committee appreciates that the Office of Surface Mining
and the State of West Virginia have worked closely together to
characterize the deficiencies in the State's regulatory
program. The Committee expects this close cooperation to
continue as the parties address and resolve program
deficiencies. The Committee directs the Office of Surface
Mining, in conjunction with the State, to keep the Committee
apprized of the efforts made to correct these problems in the
State's regulatory program.
Bureau of Indian Affairs
operation of indian programs
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $1,639,535,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 1,200,000
The Committee recommends an additional $1,200,000 to repair
portions of the Yakama Nation's Signal Peak Road. The Yakama
Nation shall provide $645,750 towards completion of road
repairs, of which $100,000 has already been spent by the Tribe.
The Yakama Nation shall meet the remainder of its cost share
responsibility prior to the end of fiscal year 2000. These
funds are necessary to repair portions of the road that have
become significantly damaged in the past year due to a massive
increase in traffic resulting from efforts to combat a spruce
budworm infestation and to salvage timber from infested areas.
The funds will be used to repair the portions of the roads with
the most serious damage--Mileposts 26-30 and Milepost 31.2. The
funds will be used for field engineering, surveying, project
management, materials testing, construction and maintenance of
a traffic bypass.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $1,261,184,000
2001 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 5,759,000
The Committee recommends emergency funding in the amount of
$5,759,000 for the National Forest System to repair damage
caused by severe windstorms in the States of Minnesota and
Wisconsin. The fallen timber caused by these storms in the
national forests has caused serious environmental and other
damage which must be addressed immediately.
Wildland Fire Management
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $560,827,000
2001 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 1,620,000
The Committee recommends $1,620,000 for Wildland Fire
Management. Of this amount, $1,140,000 is recommended to treat
and dispose of hazardous fuel accumulations caused by severe
windstorms on national forests in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and
$480,000 is recommended to provide additional presuppression
resources for protection purposes during this period of
hazardous fuel treatment.
Reconstruction and Maintenance
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $396,894,000
2001 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 1,870,000
The Committee recommends $1,870,000 for Reconstruction and
Maintenance. These funds shall be used to repair Forest Service
roads and facilities damaged by severe windstorms in Minnesota
and Wisconsin.
CHAPTER 4
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
Program Management
The Committee recommendation includes $15,000,000 for
provider education. The Committee has heard testimony and
received input from health care professionals about the
complexity of Medicare billing and program integrity
requirements. Greater technical assistance and education
regarding these requirements would improve compliance.
Therefore, the Committee has provided $15,000,000 to
substantially expand HCFA's Medicare provider education
efforts. The Committee expects that a portion of these funds
will be used to promptly restore the toll-free telephone lines
that allow physicians and other professionals to call their
local Medicare carrier for answers to billing and coding
questions. The Committee also expects HCFA to consult with
health care professional associations in developing their plan
for expending these additional funds.
Administration for Children and Families
low income home energy assistance
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $1,100,000,000
2000 emergency funding.................................. 300,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate (emergency funding).......... 600,000,000
Committee recommendation (emergency funding)............ 600,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes an additional
$600,000,000, as requested by the Administration, to be made
available only upon submission of a formal request designating
the need for the funds as an emergency, as defined by the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act. The
Committee took this action because of the increase in fuel oil
and propane prices, which in some cases, have doubled since
last year.
CHAPTER 5
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS
JOINT ITEMS
Capitol Police Board
SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
The bill provides an additional $11,874,000 to the Capitol
Police Board for security enhancements for the initial
implementation of the United States Capitol Police master plan
($10,000,000), to complete the closed circuit television at the
Library of Congress ($1,390,000), and access control
improvement tasks at the Library of Congress ($484,000). The
projects at the Library of Congress were initially funded in
the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 1999 Public Law 105-277, and require
additional funding for the closed circuit television
installation and the bollard perimeter at the James Madison
Memorial building. Funding is provided to the Capitol Police to
begin the initial implementation of the Capitol Police master
plan which was recently completed.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
Capitol Buildings and Grounds
FIRE SAFETY
The bill provides $17,480,000 to the Architect of the
Capitol to address deficiencies identified in the Office of
Compliance's recently issued ``Report on Fire Safety
Inspections of Congressional Buildings.''
According to the Architect of the Capitol, the Office of
Compliance identified 253 potential fire safety hazards or
violations in the Capitol, Senate, and House office buildings.
The Office of the Architect has advised the Committee that most
of these findings have been addressed through a combination of
ongoing studies, designs, project implementations, or existing
funding. The funding in this bill will provide the resources
necessary to address all remaining findings with design or
construction funds, testing and maintenance services, or
studies of appropriate options. The Architect of the Capitol
has indicated that since report issuance, 89 of the findings
either had been or now have been resolved; 47 are still in the
process of being corrected, and study, design, or construction
funds have already been appropriated for another 117 items. In
this bill, funding is provided to continue design and
implementation for 38 of the 117 projects which can be started
during fiscal year 2000. For the remaining 79 of the 117
projects, further study and design solutions are in process and
need to be completed before the Architect will have the
necessary documentation to request additional finding. For some
projects, additional funds will probably be required when
solution options are determined or designs have been completed.
In addition, the Committee has provided funds to address
similar fire safety issues that the Architect has identified in
other buildings under his jurisdiction, namely the Library of
Congress, the Botanic Garden and the Capitol Power Plant. In
order to avoid unnecessary permanent staff build-up for
temporary design and construction tasks, the bill also provides
funds for project management and fire engineering services.
A list of the specific projects in the bill follows:
Committee
recommendation
Capitol Buildings, Salaries and Expenses:
Study and Design, Replace Halon Systems................... $40,000
Asbestos Survey, Capitol Complex.......................... 1,225,000
Install Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarm.................... 2,600,000
Fire Alarm System Upgrade................................. 50,000
Testing Emergency Generator and Switchgear, Hill Wide..... 1,170,000
Fire Safety Project Management............................ 400,000
Fire Engineers............................................ 1,304,000
Study Damper/Smoke Control................................ 50,000
Fire SOP and Program Development.......................... 200,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
TOTAL CAPITOL BUILDINGS................................. 7,039,000
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Senate Office Buildings:
Design, Additional Sprinklers, RSOB and HSOB Attics....... 112,000
Study, Sprinkler Relocation, HSOB......................... 52,000
Fire Alarm System Upgrade................................. 150,000
Fire Alarm Upgrades for ADA............................... 150,000
Design, Fire Alarm System Upgrade for ADA, Legislative
Garage, USCP Headquarters, Webster Hall and Tunnels..... 15,000
Design, Refuge Areas...................................... 125,000
Design, Replace Fire Alarm, HSOB.......................... 450,000
Design, Emergency Power Distribution, RSOB................ 90,000
Emergency Lighting Survey, All Buildings.................. 100,000
Correct Fire Wall Penetrations............................ 40,000
Transfer Switch For Fire Pump, HSOB....................... 30,000
Fire Alarm, Legislative Garage............................ 85,000
Smoke Control System, HSOB, Troubleshoot, Inspection,
Testing and Making Operational.......................... 100,000
Study, Damper/Smoke Control............................... 100,000
Replace Doors to Subways, DSOB and RSOB................... 55,000
Sprinkle 12 Mechanical Equipment Rooms, HSOB and RSOB..... 360,000
Fire Safety Project Management............................ 200,000
Repair/Replace Switchgear, HSOB........................... 100,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
TOTAL SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS........................... 2,314,000
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
House Office Buildings:
Replace Omega Sprinkler Heads, LHOB and CHOB.............. 100,000
Design, Replace Switchgear, FHOB.......................... 30,000
Design, Replace Halon Fire Suppression Systems............ 125,000
Fire Alarm System Upgrade................................. 190,000
Upgrade Pull Stations, RHOB............................... 20,000
Design, Fire Protection for non Sprinkled Areas, CHOB,
LHOB and FHOB........................................... 107,000
Survey for Upgrade Emergency Lighting..................... 209,000
Elevator Fireman's Recall................................. 41,000
Storage of Hazardous Materials............................ 25,000
Design, Refuge Areas...................................... 155,000
Correct Fire Wall Penetrations............................ 40,000
Fire Dampers, CHOB Storerooms............................. 10,000
Fire Safety Project Management............................ 200,000
RHOB Sprinklers and Telecommunications Cable Trays........ 1,815,000
Emergency Generator LHOB.................................. 150,000
Emergency Power Distribution, LHOB........................ 325,000
Sprinkle Mechanical Equipment Rooms....................... 36,000
Study Damper/Smoke Control................................ 235,000
Emergency Power Distribution, CHOB........................ 400,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
TOTAL HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS............................ 4,213,000
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Capitol Power Plant: Design, Fire Alarm Upgrade for ADA....... 3,000
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Botanic Garden, Salaries And Expenses:
Design, D.C Village Refuge Areas.......................... 10,000
Study Damper/Smoke Control................................ 11,000
Design, D.C. Village Fire Alarm System for ADA............ 5,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
TOTAL BOTANIC GARDEN.................................... 26,000
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
Library Buildings and Grounds, Structural and Mechanical Care:
Replace Sprinkler Heads................................... 550,000
Replace Switchgear, JMMB.................................. 1,750,000
Study and Design, Replace Halon Fire Suppression Systems.. 120,000
Study, Emergency Lighting................................. 200,000
ADA Fire Alarm Upgrades................................... 750,000
Design, Refuge Areas...................................... 85,000
Fire Safety Project Management............................ 200,000
Study Damper/Smoke Control................................ 230,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
TOTAL LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS..................... 3,885,000
==============================================================
____________________________________________________
TOTAL ALL ITEMS.........................................17,480,000
Capitol Police
Salaries
The bill provides $2,700,000 to be available in equal
amounts to the House and Senate for overtime costs to ensure
adequate staffing levels.
GENERAL PROVISION--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 1501. The bill increases from $10,000,000 to
$14,500,000 the amount of privately raised donations that the
Architect of the Capitol may accept and obligate for
construction of the National Garden. The increase will provide
for higher design and construction costs, furniture and
furnishings, security measures, and a food and gift shop to
serve Garden visitors. The bill also permits the Architect of
the Capitol to accept amounts in excess of $14,500,000 for
program support as approved in appropriations acts.
Sec. 1502. Bill makes changes to the Trade Deficit Review
Commission funding and reporting requirements.
CHAPTER 6
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RELATED AGENCIES
National Transportation Safety Board
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(Emergency appropriation)
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $57,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate (emergency appropriation).... 25,096,000
Committee recommendation................................ 24,739,000
The Committee recommends $24,739,000 to reimburse the Navy
for wreckage location and recovery of Egypt Air 990 and Alaska
Air 261, as well as for facilities, technical assistance, and
testing associated with each investigation. The Committee also
directs that $10,000 be available only for the location and
recovery of the wreckage of N41078, an accident which the NTSB
is investigating. The entire amount appropriated has been
designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
CHAPTER 7
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Departmental Offices
Salaries and Expenses
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $134,034,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 24,900,000
The Committee directs that the Secretary of the Treasury
undertake the establishment of an in-service firearms training
facility in West Virginia for use by the U.S. Customs Service
and other law enforcement agencies. The Committee notes with
grave concern the serious threats that have arisen at U.S.
borders with respect to attempted terrorist infiltrations and
the increasing complexity of the interdiction of illegal drugs
into this country. The Treasury Department has approximately
20,000 armed officers engaged in a wide variety of dangerous
law enforcement activities. Because of the need to provide in-
service firearms training for armed Treasury personnel, the
Committee has included $24,900,000 to accelerate the design and
construction of a firearms complex on land currently owned by
the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Secretary of the Treasury is
authorized to designate a lead agency to oversee the
development, implementation and operation of the facility and
the conduct of training. The complex would also be available
for use by the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park
Service, certain other Federal law enforcement personnel and
selected State and local law enforcement personnel. The
Committee has also included language to transfer land for
development of this critical training facility. The entire
amount is contingent upon receipt of a budget request that
includes a Presidential designation of the amount requested as
an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $564,773,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 93,751,000
The Committee is concerned that the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms lacks sufficient resources to effectively
enforce existing gun laws. Therefore, the Committee recommends
an additional $93,751,000 for this purpose, to remain available
until expended. This amount is contingent upon receipt of a
budget request that includes a Presidential designation of the
amount requested as an emergency requirement as defined in the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as
amended.
Of the amount provided, $19,078,000 is for expansion of the
Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative into 12 additional
cities, $41,322,000 is to expand the Integrated Violence
Reduction Strategy to support local enforcement initiatives,
$23,361,000 is for expansion of the ballistics imaging
technology to State and local law enforcement, and $9,990,000
is for comprehensive crime gun tracing.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
General Services Administration
Policy and Operations
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $116,223,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 3,300,000
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) for the Winter
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002 is responsible for
providing a doping control program for the two events to ensure
that athletic competition is fairly conducted. The Indiana
University Athletic Drug Testing and Toxicology Laboratory was
selected in December 1998 as the International Olympic
Committee-accredited doping laboratory for the 2002 Winter
Olympic and Paralympic Games. All sports and disciplines will
be subject to doping tests. GSA will work closely with SLOC as
SLOC sets up elements of the basic doping control program. This
program will include: establishing doping control stations at
the competition venues, equipping the accredited doping control
laboratory, preparation of required documents and forms, and
administration of the program. Operations of the lab during the
Games will be contracted to the Indiana University Athletic
Drug Testing and Toxicology Lab.
CHAPTER 8
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Community Planning and Development
HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $1,600,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 25,000,000
The Committee recommends $25,000,000 in HOME funds to be
used to assist very low-income families that were displaced
from their homes because of flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd.
The Administration recommended making $12,000,000 in section 8
funds available for displaced families. The benefit of making
HOME funds available instead of section 8 funds is that these
funds are more flexible in meeting the housing needs of very
low-income families, especially where there is a need to
rebuild affordable low-income rental housing. These funds are
in addition to funds being made available through the Federal
Emergency Management Agency for buy-outs.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Federal Emergency Management Agency
DISASTER RELIEF
The Committee recommends making available up to $50,000,000
within the Disaster Relief Fund for buyouts of repetitive loss
properties in Federal disaster areas which were, or will be,
declared in fiscal years 1999 and 2000. The properties must be
principal residences, located in a 100-year flood plain. They
must be uninhabitable and substantially damaged as a result of
the flood disaster, consistent with the Phase I criteria being
used in the State of North Carolina to buy out properties
substantially damaged as a result of Hurricane Floyd.
The Committee does not recommend the President's request of
up to $77,000,000 in additional funds for buyouts of properties
damaged by Hurricane Floyd because preliminary information from
FEMA's Inspector General indicate that the $215,000,000 in
funds appropriated to date are more than sufficient to buy out
eligible properties in Hurricane Floyd States. However, should
the final Inspector General report reveal that additional funds
are necessary, Hurricane Floyd States are eligible to apply for
the additional funds recommended herein.
The Committee continues to be concerned that the buyout
program does not currently have, at a minimum: (1) sufficiently
strong criteria to ensure a strong incentive for the purchase
of flood insurance, (2) an appropriate estimate of pre-flood
fair market value, and (3) a mechanism to ensure an equitable
distribution of funds to the most appropriate buyout
candidates. The Committee reiterates that the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is
predicated on the Federal Government's involvement in disasters
only when State and local capability is overwhelmed. This
principle must be applied in the buyout program. The Committee
expects to follow closely FEMA's distribution of funds.
CHAPTER 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE
Sec. 1901. Libby, Montana. The Committee recommends
providing emergency funding support to the City of Libby,
Montana and the surrounding county for the improvement and
modernization of Saint John's Lutheran Hospital for the
identification and treatment of asbestos related illnesses and
has also recommended funding for the economic development and
revitalization of a community severely damaged by asbestos
contamination.
Sec. 1902. The President requested $20,000,000 in his
supplemental request to address the 86 percent decline in the
opilio crab harvest and fisheries issues off the coast of Puget
Sound. The Committee notes that the 1999 opilio crab harvest
level of 196 million pounds fell to a low 28 million pounds
during the current crab season, an 86 percent decline. Because
of this precipitous decline, the crab fishery is expected to be
closed next year with no harvest permitted at all.
Fishermen from Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, particularly
Alaska Native fishermen living in remote villages rely on crab
for a substantial portion of their income. As many as 80
percent of adults in the affected regions are now unemployed
with no prospect of finding work. To address this situation,
the Committee has provided $10,000,000 for three purposes: (1)
to allow the Governors in the affected States to provide
emergency assistance to low income families who qualify for the
Federal Food Stamp Program, (2) to determine the cause of the
fisheries disaster through a cooperative research effort
between the National Marine Fisheries Service and the State of
Alaska, and (3) to develop a plan to restore the crab
population. Fisheries disaster assistance is contingent on a
fisheries failure declaration by the Secretary of Commerce and
a finding by the President and the Congress that the entire
amount is an emergency requirement.
Sec. 1903. During April 2000, the District of Columbia was
host to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank
Organization (IMF/WB) Spring Conference. Hundreds of opponents
of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank gathered in
Washington, D.C. to protest these meetings. In anticipation of
the large gathering of protesters, the District government
engaged in extensive planning to prepare for potential problems
caused by large crowds, traffic congestion, and health and
medical emergencies. As a consequence of actions taken to
protect life and property, the Metropolitan Police Department
incurred expenses, including overtime hours required to post
additional officers throughout the District; protective
equipment for the officers; and barricades and other equipment
for crowd control. The Committee recommends the appropriation
of $4,485,000 to compensate the District of Columbia government
for the costs of these necessary expenses incurred in
connection with the IMF/WB Spring Conference.
TITLE II
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND OFFSETS
CHAPTER 1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
The Committee has provided the Department authority to use
up to $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 appropriated funds not
needed for Federal food inspection to liquidate obligations
from prior fiscal years. The Committee is extremely concerned
that the Food Safety and Inspection Service has exceeded its
appropriations in at least two fiscal years. The Secretary of
Agriculture should take immediate steps to ensure that future
Antideficiency Act violations do not occur and that the
overobligations which have occurred do not necessitate the need
for additional appropriations.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 2101. The Committee recommends that authority be
provided for rural areas with a population in excess of 50,000
inhabitants when the primary economic beneficiaries of such
projects or facilities are producers of agricultural
commodities to be eligible for business and industry loan
guarantees.
Sec. 2102. The Committee recommends that of the funds
available for the Emergency Watershed Program, the agency shall
fulfill its obligation to the State of Utah regarding Long Park
Dam.
Sec. 2103. The Committee recommends that of the funds
available for the Emergency Watershed Program, the agency shall
provide funds to complete Phase I of the Kuhn Bayou (Point
Remove) Project in Arkansas.
Sec. 2104. The Committee recommends that of the funds
available for the Emergency Watershed Program, the agency shall
provide funds for Snake River Watershed project in Minnesota.
CHAPTER 2
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Radiation Exposure Compensation
PAYMENT TO THE RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
The Committee recommends $7,246,000 to fund payments to
approved claimants under the Radiation Exposure Compensation
Act of 1990. There remains concern that the Administration
created new obligations through the issuing of regulations
while the Congress continues to consider changes to the
program. The fiscal year 2000 appropriation provided direction
concerning the payments to eligible claimants. This direction
was not followed by the Department and a funding shortfall is
imminent.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for public works grants
for communities affected by hurricanes and other natural
disasters. Any funding provided in this bill for emergencies
under the Department of Commerce and the Small Business
Administration should also be used to assist in tornado
recovery efforts for Fort Worth, Texas.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $300,000 to administer public
works grants for communities affected by hurricanes and other
natural disasters.
Science and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
The Committee is very concerned about potential
vulnerabilities to our Nation's critical infrastructures. A
focused response that takes into consideration the unique needs
of industry and government is needed to insure that information
can be exchanged freely between all Internet consumers. The
Committee looks forward to working with the Department of
Commerce and other concerned agencies during the normal
legislative process to develop a comprehensive plan to protect
our critical infrastructures while avoiding duplication of
effort and maintaining trust and cooperation between all
involved.
The Committee is willing to entertain reprogramming
requests from the National Institute of Standards and
Technology during the current fiscal year to meet any short
term gaps the Department can demonstrate are not being
addressed by another Federal agency.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
The Committee recommends $2,000,000 to repair damage to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Beaufort,
North Carolina research laboratory as a result of Hurricane
Floyd. The Committee also recommends $500,000 for the National
Ocean Service for a study on the impact of Hurricane Floyd on
the water quality and fisheries resources in the Pamilco Sound.
In addition, $2,000,000 is recommended for the National Marine
Fisheries Service for studies relating to longline interactions
with sea turtles in the North Pacific and commercial fishing
activities in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands in response to
pending lawsuits. The studies relating to commercial fishing
activities are important because of a court order prohibiting
Hawaii-based vessels from fishing while allowing vessels
licensed in other states to continue fishing in these waters.
The agency has requested additional funds for declared and
undeclared fishery disasters which the Committee does not
recommend funding. The Committee has also included $1,000,000
for fuel price increases to ensure that NOAA hurricane
reconnaissance flights, fisheries surveys and other days at sea
continue at currently planned and funded levels.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
Diplomatic and Consular Programs
No funds are recommended for Diplomatic and Consular
Programs [D&CP;]. The Committee is aware that unbudgeted
mandatory increases, not operating tempos in the Balkans, are
creating budget pressures within the State Department. The
Committee was under the impression that a last minute increase
of $47,000,000 in D&CP; at the close of last year's Conference
would address this problem. Unbudgeted mandatory increases are
creating difficulties government-wide. Having just received the
required fiscal year 2000 spending plan for this account, the
Committee cannot suggest which efficiencies adopted by other
agencies might be of benefit. The Committee is prepared to work
with the Department on cost saving measures now that the
spending plan has been submitted.
Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs
No funds are recommended for Educational and Cultural
Exchange Programs [ECE]. In addition to $205,000,000 in direct
appropriations, the ECE account has $29,047,000 in carryover
and transfers available to it in fiscal year 2000. This should
be more than adequate to initiate the yet-to-be justified
Balkans exchange program.
Security and Maintenance of United States Missions
No funds are recommended for Security and Maintenance of
United States Missions. Recently, the Committee approved
security upgrades and improvements to existing facilities in
Pristina, Kosovo and nearby cities with the understanding that
funds for new construction would not be sought until the final
status of Kosovo and its neighbors was settled. The
supplemental request violates that agreement. Furthermore,
since U.S. policy does not support an independent Kosovo, the
need to build a $102,000,000 embassy in Pristina is unclear.
International Organizations and Conferences
Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities
No funds are recommended for Contributions for
International Peacekeeping Activities [CIPA]. CIPA more than
doubled from $231,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 to $500,000,000
in fiscal year 2000. The Committee is in the midst of an
unusually thorough review of pending requests for peacekeeping.
Current projections indicate that more than enough funds are
available to cover U.S. commitments.
RELATED AGENCY
Small Business Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee directs the Small Business Administration to
allocate no less than $2,000,000 to the Office of Inspector
General to undertake the following activities: conduct a review
of the integrity of SBA's internal financial management
systems, including an examination of the agency's difficulties
in completing the annual financial statements and account
balances as required by the Government Management Reform Act of
1994; perform an audit of SBA's planned Loan Monitoring/Risk
Management System to ensure successful completion of all
planning before the purchase of hardware and the full scale
implementation of the new system; examine annually SBA-licensed
Small Business Lending Companies; and assess the adequacy of
SBA's oversight on lenders and defaulted loans.
CHAPTER 3
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
ENERGY PROGRAMS
Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $250,198,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 16,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 58,000,000
The Committee recommendation totals $58,000,000 for Uranium
Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund.
Additional funding is needed to address critical work
already included in the Portsmouth, Ohio and Paducah, Kentucky
Uranium Enrichment Plants environmental management baseline to
characterize and clean up areas of radioactive contamination
that may include transuranics, dispose of legacy waste, and
stabilize shutdown facilities. In addition, activities related
to health and safety concerns identified during the Paducah
environmental, safety, and health phase I investigation
completed last November will be undertaken.
In addition, the Committee recommendation includes
$42,000,000 for reimbursements to uranium and thorium licensees
under Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The Committee
understands that pending reimbursements under this authority
are estimated to be between $70,000,000 and $100,000,000, with
$71,900,000 approved for payment. The Committee believes that
timely reimbursement of claims for cleanup work completed is
essential, and, therefore, has recommended additional funding
to help address the growing backlog of approved claims.
CHAPTER 4
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Training and Employment Services
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $5,465,618,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 40,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 40,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes bill language that
provides $40,000,000 to support summer jobs for low-income
youth in the 50 largest cities in the United States, as
authorized by the Workforce Investment Act. These funds will
allow approximately 24,000 economically disadvantaged youth,
aged 14 to 21, to gain skills, work experience, and academic
enrichment in order to enhance their long-term employability.
This increase is fully offset by a cancellation of unobligated
Year 2000 computer conversion balances.
Mine Safety and Health Administration
salaries and expenses
The Committee includes bill language clarifying that
$750,000 in funds collected by the National Mine Health and
Safety Academy, for room, board, and tuition, and the sale of
training materials and other authorized activities, may be used
to support these activities in addition to the $228,373,000
already appropriated. This is consistent with the
Administration's budget request.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
payments to states for foster care and adoption assistance
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $105,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 35,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 35,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes an additional
$35,000,000, as requested by the Administration, for Payments
to States for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, for fiscal
year 2000. These additional dollars, along with the
$105,000,000 already appropriated will provide the full amount
authorized by Public Law 106-169.
Administration on Aging
aging services programs
The Committee recommendation includes a technical change
which extends the availability of $2,200,000 of the funds made
available to the Anchorage, Alaska Senior Center.
General Provisions--Department of Health and Human Services
Sec. 2401. CDC--Transfer of Funds.--The Committee
recommendation includes a provision which amends Section 206 of
Public Law 106-113 by deleting the authority of the Secretary
regarding the transfer of funds for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. The Committee has taken this action
because of the inaccurate reporting of the spending of chronic
fatigue syndrome and hantavirus funds over the past several
years. The Committee understands that the Department has taken
steps to correct the financial management problems; however,
until the Committee can be assured that financial management
systems have been put in place to accurately reflect how
dollars are actually spent, the transfer authority will not be
available.
Sec. 2402. Delayed Obligations.--The Committee
recommendation includes a provision which repeals Section 216
of Public Law 106-113. This section delayed the obligation of
certain funds until September 29, 2000 for the National
Institutes of Health--$3,000,000,000; Health Resources and
Services Administration--$450,000,000; Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention--$500,000,000; Children and Families
Services Programs--$400,000,000; Social Services Block Grant--
$425,000,000; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration--$200,000,000. The Committee
recommendation is consistent with the Administration's budget
request.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
higher education
The Committee recommendation includes bill language which
would extend the availability of funds appropriated in Public
Laws 105-78 and 105-277 for activities authorized by title X-E
of the Higher Education Act and title VIII-D of the Higher
Education Amendments of 1998.
vocational and adult education
The Committee has not included language requested by the
Administration regarding the National Occupational Information
Coordination Committee.
education research, statistics and improvement
The Committee recommends several technical changes
clarifying individual projects funded in this account.
RELATED AGENCIES
Railroad Retirement Board
Limitation on Administration
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $91,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate..............................................
Committee recommendation................................ 500,000
The Committee recommendation includes bill language
providing $500,000 for implementation of Public Law 106-182.
This amount is $500,000 above the Administration's request. The
Committee understands that these funds are needed for full and
seamless implementation of this new law which repeals the
retirement earnings test for workers at or above the normal
retirement age. These funds will be used for administrative
costs of processing retroactive benefit payments and additional
claims, handling the expected increases in telephone calls and
field office visits, and reprogramming computer systems. This
increase is fully offset by a cancellation of unobligated Year
2000 computer conversion balances.
Social Security Administration
Limitation on Administrative Expenses
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $6,111,871,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 35,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 50,000,000
The Committee recommendation includes bill language
providing $50,000,000 for implementation of Public Law 106-182.
This amount is $15,000,000 above the Administration's request.
The Committee understands that these funds are needed for full
and seamless implementation of this new law which repeals the
retirement earnings test for workers at or above the normal
retirement age. These funds will be used for administrative
costs of processing retroactive benefit payments and additional
claims, handling the expected increases in telephone calls and
field office visits, and reprogramming computer systems. This
increase is fully offset by a cancellation of unobligated Year
2000 computer conversion balances.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 2403. The Committee recommendation includes a
provision which makes technical corrections to the Welfare-to-
Work Amendments of 1999 as enacted Public Law 106-113.
Sec. 2404. The Committee recommendation includes technical
revisions to the Vocational Education program related to
incentive grant funds made available through the Department of
Education Appropriations Act, 2000. The funds in this Act,
initially available for this purpose, instead will be
distributed as part of State grants. The Committee expects the
Department to continue to assist the States with efforts to
improve their capacity to measure and collect performance data
as required by GPRA and the Perkins Act.
CHAPTER 5
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
The Committee continues to be concerned by the Department
of Transportation's oversight and review of the modal
administrations discretionary grants, letters of intent, or
full funding grant agreements. The Department is directed to
comply with the letter, the spirit, and the intent of the 3-day
notification language included in the Fiscal Year 2000
Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act with
respect to all discretionary grants totaling $1,000,000 or more
of the Federal Highway Administration (excluding the emergency
relief program), any program of the Federal Transit
Administration (excluding the formula grants and fixed guideway
modernization programs), and the airport improvement program of
the Federal Aviation Administration. Further, no notification
or announcement should involve funds that are not available for
obligation.
Additionally, the Committee is gravely concerned with the
Department's management of the discretionary highway program.
On more than one occasion, the Department has instituted major
initiatives that deviate from the legislative history without
keeping Congress adequately informed. Even more troublesome,
the Department has left no stone unturned in its search for
loopholes that would justify its actions. The Committee reminds
the Department that Executive Branch propensities cannot
substitute for Congress' own statements concerning the best
evidence of Congressional intentions, that is, the official
reports of the Congress. The Office of the Secretary is
directed to submit a report to the Committee by June 1, 2000
that explains how the department will handle such situations in
the future.
U.S. Coast Guard
Operating Expenses
(By transfer)
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $2,781,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate (by transfer)................ 18,000,000
Committee recommendation................................................
The administration requested a transfer of not to exceed
$18,000,000 from amounts appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2000
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, to cover costs
related to the delivery of health care to Coast Guard personnel
and retirees. The Committee has provided the requested health
care delivery funding within the ``Counternarcotics'' title of
this bill, as part of a larger operating expenses supplemental
funding recommendation. The entire amount appropriated has been
designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended.
Federal Aviation Administration
OPERATIONS
(Airport and Airways Trust Fund)
(Transfer of Funds)
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $5,900,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 77,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ (77,000,000)
This supplemental appropriation by transfer of $77,000,000
will permit the FAA to hire 170 aviation safety inspectors and
certification staff, who will ensure industry compliance
through an additional 10,000 safety and 100 substance abuse
inspections. The balance of the appropriation will be used
first for completion of the cost accounting system
modernization, with the remaining balance being available for
software and hardware contracts, spare part support, contract
maintenance, contract training, and critical telecommunication
support.
The appropriation is comprised of two transfers:
To be derived from the unobligated balances of
``Facilities and Equipment''........................ $50,400,000
To be derived from funds transferred to DOT for year
2000 conversion of Federal information technology
systems and related expenses........................ 26,600,000
The Y2K remediation funds were provided to DOT in fiscal
year 1999, and $26,600,000 remains unobligated and is available
for transfer or reprogramming. In identifying Federal Aviation
Administration ``facilities and equipment'' funds for transfer,
the Committee suggests that the FAA first look at unobligated
or recoverable balances of the Wide Area Augmentation System
and other troubled procurement programs for sources. In
addition, the FAA is directed to report to the Committee by
June 1, 2000 on legal obligations established in authorization
and appropriations acts that, absent an act of Congress require
expenditure of resources on the part of the FAA.
The administration requested legislative authority for the
Secretary of Transportation to transfer to FAA ``Operations''
any unobligated balances available to the Department of
Transportation, provided that the transfers be derived from
accounts with equal or faster outlay rates and that the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees be given prior written
notification of such transfers. The Committee does not agree
with this request, and has instead provided funding for FAA
operational activities by transfer.
GRANTS-IN-AID FOR AIRPORTS
(Airport and Airway Trust Fund)
(Obligation limitation reduction)
2000 obligation limitation..............................($1,950,000,000)
2000 supplemental estimate (reduction in obligation
limitation)......................................... (-50,000,000)
Committee recommendation................................................
The Committee does not approve the administration's
requested reduction of $50,000,000 from the Airport Improvement
Program's limitation on obligations. The Committee also does
not approve the administration's requested legislative language
that would have provided the authority for obligation and
expenditure of not more than $12,858,000 of Airport Improvement
Program grant funds for the Essential Air Service program.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 2501. The Committee has included a provision that
allows the Federal Transit Administration to reprogram funds
provided in fiscal year 1998 for the Salt Lake City regional
commuter rail project to other related terminals connected to
the Salt Lake City regional commuter system.
Sec. 2502. The Committee has included a general provision
which allows the Coast Guard to transfer $8,000,000 provided in
the Fiscal Year 2000 Department of Transportation and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act to the City of Unalaska, Alaska for
the construction of a municipal pier and other harbor
improvements. The Coast Guard has indicated that this is their
preferred approach for managing this acquisition project to
accommodate Coast Guard vessels in support of operations in the
Bering Sea.
Sec. 2503. The Committee has included a provision that
provides $600,000 from funds made available to the Federal
Aaviation Administration in Public Law 106-69 (Department of
Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000)
for testing the potential for ultra-wideband signals to
interfere with global positioning system receivers by the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA). This report and funding are the first portion of a
larger GPS study to be funded in the fiscal year 2001
Transportation Appropriations Bill. The report of the test
results are be forwarded to the House and Senate Committees on
Appropriations within 6 months from the date of enactment of
this act.
Sec. 2504. The Department of Transportation has
historically provided support to Olympic Games held in the
United States. This support has included funding for
infrastructure improvements, primarily highways and transit
systems, planning and operations.
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee has developed a
transportation plan for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games which has
been reviewed by the Secretary of Transportation. The plan
calls for significant investments in temporary and permanent
infrastructure improvements to support the Olympic spectator
transportation system. The resources needed for these
investments are unavailable through Olympic and Paralympic
sponsorships. Moreover, the Utah Department of Transportation
and local transportation agencies are managing an ambitious
capital program designed to accelerate construction of long
term capital infrastructure to ensure it is completed before
2002. Consequently, regular transportation funding
apportionments to Utah and State and local resources are
stretched to their limit and cannot be directed to these
specific needs.
Congress and the administration have supported Federal
funding for these investments, as evidenced by appropriations
in fiscal years 1999 and 2000, grants of discretionary funds
provided by the Department of Transportation, and requests
included in the President's Budget for fiscal years 2000 and
2001.
With the 2002 Olympic Winter Games scheduled to begin in
less than 2 years, and recognizing the extremely short
construction season in mountain regions of Utah, additional
funds are needed in fiscal year 2000 to complete planning,
engineering, design and construction of temporary and permanent
transportation facilities associated with the Games.
CHAPTER 6
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Public and Indian Housing
The Committee remains concerned with HUD's inability to
develop a fair and cost-effective system to assess the
financial and physical condition of the Nation's public housing
stock. HUD and the housing community have invested a
significant amount of resources to develop the new ``Public
Housing Assessment System'' or ``PHAS'' but many problems still
exist with the system. Further, the Committee is troubled by
HUD's failure to follow the directions provided in last year's
VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Appropriations conference
report before publishing a final rule. Accordingly, the
Committee directs HUD to delay the implementation of PHAS until
July 5, 2000 until it has reviewed GAO's pending report,
performed a statistically valid test of PHAS, and conducted a
thorough analysis of the tests.
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE GRANTS
The Committee recommends including language for the
Department of Housing and Urban Development's Stewart B.
McKinney Homeless Assistance programs that will ensure that all
expiring rental assistance contracts will be renewed for the
Supportive Housing program and the Shelter Plus Care program
for fiscal year 2000. The legislation also will allow HUD to
renew the rental assistance contracts of some 40 homeless
assistance projects nation-wide that were refused funding by
HUD under its ``continuum of care'' system for fiscal year
1999.
The Committee is concerned that HUD's continuum of care
approach to the funding of homeless assistance projects has
left a number of important local homeless assistance projects
with expiring rental subsidies unfunded each year. It is not
clear why these rental subsidies have not been renewed, leaving
this stock of housing vulnerable to loss as housing units for
the homeless, including those with significant physical and
mental disabilities.
The Committee also is concerned that HUD remains unable to
quantify the successes and failures of the McKinney Homeless
Assistance program. Without this information, the Committee is
hard-pressed to determine the appropriate level of funding for
homeless assistance programs as well as to determine the
appropriate activities and programs that should be funded.
Therefore, as part of an initial analysis, HUD is directed to
report within 60 days of enactment on why 40 homeless
assistance projects with expiring rental subsidies were
rejected for rental assistance funding for fiscal year 1999,
the quality of these projects in meeting the needs of the
homeless, and whether these projects should be funded in the
future and under what circumstances. With the exception of the
Emergency Shelter Grants program, the Committee expects HUD to
prioritize homeless assistance funding to ensure the renewal of
expiring rental assistance subsidies, unless a project fails to
meet appropriate financial standards, local homeless housing
needs or housing quality standards.
Housing Programs
FHA-General and Special Risk Program Account
The Committee recommends including $49,000,000 for the FHA
multifamily credit subsidy which subsidizes the insurance
underwriting the FHA General and Special Risk Insurance
programs. This is consistent with the President's request, and
reflects the Department of Housing and Urban Development's
failure to implement certain changes to the FHA multifamily
mortgage insurance program that would have provided the needed
amount of credit subsidy for fiscal year 2000.
Management and Administration
Office of the Inspector General
The Committee recommends including several technical
changes to the salaries and expense account of the HUD
Inspector General, consistent with the Administration's
request. Basically, this revision would make HUD IG funds
available for 2 years instead of 1 year.
National Aeronautic and Space Administration
Human Space Flight
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $5,488,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. (-20,200,000)
Committee recommendation................................ 25,800,000
The Committee recommends $25,800,000 for shuttle upgrades
to ensure the continued safe operation of the space shuttle
fleet. The President had requested a rescission of $40,000,000
from designated funding for a space science mission, with these
funds targeted for shuttle upgrades and staffing needs. The
Committee believes that this mission is important, and instead
has provided new funding for both the shuttle upgrades under
the Human Space Flight account and the staffing needs under the
Mission Support account. The Committee especially is concerned
about the need to maintain the operational fitness of the space
shuttle fleet, and recent problems associated with obsolete
shuttle wiring in 1999 reemphasizes these concerns.
Nevertheless, the Committee also is concerned over the failure
of NASA to budget properly for needed upgrades and repairs in
the space shuttle fleet. These issues need to be identified in
a timely manner and budgeted accordingly.
The Committee is supportive of commercial activity on the
International Space Station (ISS) and supported the
establishment of a new ISS Commercial Demonstration program in
the VA/HUD Fiscal Year 2000 Appropriations bill. Since the
enactment of that legislation, the Committee understands that
NASA has requested entrepreneurial offers for the provision of
multi-media equipment and services. The Committee wants to
ensure that this new ISS Commercial demonstration program is
consistent with congressional intent that NASA should establish
objective criteria to assess the value and viability of the
commercial proposals. Therefore, the Committee directs the
Administrator to report to the Committee on the status of this
program and how the agency plans to assess and select
commercial proposals.
Mission Support
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $2,512,000,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. (+20,200,000)
Committee recommendation................................ 20,200,000
The Committee recommend $20,200,000 for NASA to meet
additional staffing needs throughout the agency and most
especially for staffing needs associated with the operational
readiness of the space shuttle fleet. The Committee understands
the concerns raised by the 1999 Annual Report of the Aerospace
Safety Advisory Panel that identified as its first finding that
``The continued downsizing at the Office of the Space Flight
Centers, coupled with the effects of the prior hiring freeze
and unplanned departures, has produced critical skills deficits
in some areas, growing workload pressure and stress levels, and
a serious shortfall of younger S&Es.;'' Staff capacity and
expertise is critical to the success and safety of NASA's
programs and activities, and the Committee intends to ensure
the ability of NASA to meet its mission. Nevertheless, the
Committee remains concerned regarding NASA's failure to budget
adequately these needs and directs NASA to submit a workforce
plan that identifies staffing needs and budget estimates for
the next 5 years.
National Science Foundation
EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
2000 appropriation to date.............................. $690,870,000
2000 supplemental estimate.............................. 1,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,000,000
The Committee recommends an additional $1,000,000 to
initiate a new cyber-security program called Scholarships for
Service. These funds would be given to undergraduate students
for the upcoming fall semester to develop the skills needed to
provide high-quality security for the Federal Government's
information infrastructure.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS CHAPTER
Sec. 2601. Makes technical correction to the use of
enhanced vouchers.
Sec. 2602. Prohibits HUD from replacing any external
community builders and requires HUD to submit an employment
plan to meet staffing and capacity needs while restoring a
staffing balance to the Department.
Sec. 2603. Prohibits HUD from removing the administrative
entities (``convenors'') from the responsibility for
administering local ``continuums of care'' for purposes of
McKinney Homeless Assistance funding decisions without adequate
due process requirements. The Committee is very concerned over
HUD's failure to conduct a complete investigation or provide
due process requirements in removing New York City as the local
convenor for the administration of McKinney Homeless Assistance
funding in New York City.
Sec. 2604. Makes technical correction for a grant in
Alaska.
Sec. 2605. Makes technical correction for a grant in South
Dakota.
Sec. 2606. Makes several technical corrections to VA/HUD
Appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2000.
Sec. 2607. Makes a technical correction to rescission
language in Public Law 106-74.
Sec. 2608. This section would exempt State housing finance
agencies that administer public housing and section 8 programs
from the requirement that a section 8 or public housing tenant
be appointed to the board of directors of the State housing
finance agency. This is a key concern for State housing finance
agencies that administer a wide variety of programs beyond
public housing and section 8. In many cases, State housing
finance agencies are responsible for State-insured housing
programs, bond programs, and the allocation of low income
housing tax credits as well as other responsibilities. Instead,
under this section, State housing finance agencies would be
required to establish an advisory committee of public housing
and section 8 tenants to assist the State housing finance
agency in addressing issues that directly impact public housing
and section 8. It is expected that the members of an advisory
committee will reflect a cross-section of the persons assisted
by section 8 and public housing.
CHAPTER 7
OFFSETS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Chief Information Officer
The Committee recommends the cancellation of $2,435,000 of
unobligated balances of supplemental funds transferred to the
Office of the Chief Information Officer for year 2000 (Y2K)
conversion of information technology systems and related costs,
as proposed by the President.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
General Administration
salaries and expenses
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $2,000,000 from
the amounts made available for General Administration. The
Committee expects this rescission to be applied equally across
all General Administration activities.
United States Parole Commission
salaries and expenses
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $1,147,000 from
the unobligated balances available in the ``Salaries and
Expenses'' account.
Legal Activities
Salaries and Expenses, General Legal Activities
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $2,000,000 from
unobligated balances available under this heading for the Civil
Division.
asset forfeiture fund
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $13,500,000 from
the unobligated balances available in the ``Asset Forfeiture
Fund''.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
salaries and expenses
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $15,000,000 from
the unobligated balances available for the Information Sharing
Initiative in the ``Salaries and Expenses'' account.
Immigration and Naturalization Service
salaries and expenses
enforcement and border affairs
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $5,000,000 from
the unobligated balances available for Washington headquarters
operations, including the Office of the Chief of the Border
Patrol, in the ``Enforcement and Border Affairs'' account.
citizenship and benefits, immigration support and program direction
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $5,000,000 from
the unobligated balances available for Washington headquarters
operations in the ``Citizenship and Benefits, Immigration
Support and Program Direction'' account.
violent crime reduction programs
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $5,000,000 from
the unobligated balances available for Washington headquarters
operations in the ``Violent Crime Reduction Programs'' account.
Office of Justice Programs
JUSTICE ASSISTANCE
(RESCISSION)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $500,000 from the
amounts made available to the Bureau of Justice Assistance in
the ``Justice Assistance'' account. This rescission is intended
to reduce the Bureau of Justice Assistance's workyears and
position ceiling in fiscal year 2000 from 132 to 119.
state and local law enforcement assistance
(rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $82,399,000 from
the unobligated balances available for the State Criminal Alien
Assistance Program in the ``State and Local Law Enforcement
Assistance'' account.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Science and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
(RESCISSION)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $4,500,000 from
the deobligated balances available for the Advanced Technology
Program.
RELATED AGENCIES
Small Business Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(RESCISSION)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $5,000,000 from
the unobligated balances available under this heading for the
New Markets Venture Capital Program.
BUSINESS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(RESCISSION)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $1,500,000 from
the unobligated balances available for the New Markets Venture
Capital Program under this heading.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Departmental Management
Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund
The Committee recommendation includes bill language
canceling unobligated balances for costs associated with the
Department's Year 2000 computer conversion. These unobligated
balances are no longer needed for the purposes specified at the
time the funds were provided.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Federal Drug Control Programs
Special Forfeiture Fund
(Rescission)
The Committee recommends a rescission of $3,300,000 from
the national media campaign for the purpose of funding a doping
control program.
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Public and Indian Housing
Housing Certificate Fund
The Committee recommends a rescission of $128,000,000 from
section 8 funds recaptured during fiscal year 2000 and prior
fiscal years. This rescission is at the recommendation of the
President.
CHAPTER 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS TITLE
Sec. 2801. Language is included to extend the patent term
held by a university for an elemental biologic. Since this
patent is not subject to Food and Drug Administration review,
current law does not provide a mechanism by which non-profit
organizations can seek term extensions. Current law does,
however, permit for-profit corporations to seek and obtain
patent term extensions.
Sec. 2802. Language is included in the bill to designate
the new home port of the vessel RAINIER when the existing lease
expires. This vessel collects data to update navigational maps
and charts in the North Pacific and the change in home port
will improve the efficiency of this effort. Local government
has agreed to contribute $300,000 to cover the cost of the new
facilities that will be required.
Sec. 2803. The Committee recommends repealing Section 109
of the Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act 1995, Public Law 103-317 (28 U.S.C.
509 note).
Sec. 2804. The Committee recommends transferring funds back
from the Department of Justice for efforts to fund tobacco
litigation.
Sec. 2805. Permits the Federal Communications Commission to
use excess regulatory fees collected during fiscal year 2000
for agency priorities.
Sec. 2806. Provides the funds necessary to meet the
statutory requirements of 47 U.S.C. 1008.
Sec. 2807. Provides the funds necessary for the purchase of
two Sabreliner-class aircraft to replace four Justice Prisoner
and Alien Transportation System aircraft of the same type that
have reached the end of useful service life.
Sec. 2808. Provides the State Department with the authority
to implement a similar provision included in the Fiscal Year
2000 Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act Conference report.
Sec. 2809. Provides a transfer of funds to address critical
offender incarceration needs.
Sec. 2810. The Committee commends the Department for its
efforts in preparing for the TOPOFF exercise. However, the
National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) remains unfunded.
A reprogramming has been delivered to the Committee but
requests only $1,400,000 in fiscal year 2000. This request is
inadequate in addressing our counterterrorism strategy. The
Committee is greatly concerned with the lack of commitment by
the Administration to execute this strategy. The Committee
recommends an additional $3,000,000 for the NDPO. The funds
shall be used to create an accessible site outside of FBI
Headquarters that is adequate to accommodate the planned
detailees articulated in the FBI's ``Blueprint'' as well as
execute the specific direction of the ``Blueprint'' in relation
to domestic preparedness. The new site shall allow easy access
to State and local first responders. The Committee directs that
the Attorney General present a plan to the Committee to
establish a new site and to implement the ``Blueprint'' within
10 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 2811. Language is included in the bill to fund the
Commission on Online Child Protection, which was authorized
under Title XIII of Public Law 105-825 and extended by a
subsequent act of Congress. The funds are to be derived from
resources made available from the General Administration and
Office of the Inspector General accounts of the Department of
Commerce in fiscal year 2000.
TITLE III
GENERAL PROVISIONS--THIS DIVISION
Sec. 3105. Section 357 of the Fiscal Year 2000 Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Appendix C of Public Law
106-113) permitted the Secretary of the Interior to issue final
rules to amend 43 C.F.R. Subpart 3809 which are not
inconsistent with the recommendations contained in the report
by the National Research Council titled ``Hardrock Mining on
Federal Lands.'' The clear intent of this language was to allow
the Bureau of Land Management to publish final regulations so
long as the regulations fit within the bounds of the NRC
recommendations. The Solicitor for the Department of the
Interior has issued a memorandum to the Director of BLM
interpreting Section 357 to mean that the BLM's final
regulations can address any subjects outside the
recommendations so long as the regulations do not directly
contradict the recommendations.
The Solicitior's interpretation does not reflect
Congressional intent. This section simply clarifies the
original intent of the language contained in the Fiscal Year
2000 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by more
explicitly stating that the Bureau of Land Management is not to
address subjects which are outside the specific recommendations
contained in the NRC report.
Sec. 3106. The Committee recommends language which would
clarify Congressional intent with respect to spectrum used for
public broadcasting.
Sec. 3107. Directs the Secretary to provide interim
compensation to persons eligible for compensation because of
the closure of commercial fisheries in Glacier Bay, Alaska.
These funds will be derived from funds previously appropriated
for related purposes. By July 1, 2000, the Secretary shall
report to the Committees on Appropriations on the number of
persons and entities eligible who apply for interim
compensation, and the amount of interim compensation sought and
provided.
Sec. 3108. Provides for the transfer of administrative
authority over certain National Park Service and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service lands from the Secretary of the Interior to
the Secretary of the Army in order to facilitate the
construction of a dual jetty and sand transfer system for the
stabilization of the Oregon Inlet, a passage through the North
Carolina barrier islands.
Sec. 3109. Provides authority required by the Indian Health
Service to release funds appropriated in fiscal year 1999 for
construction of a new clinic for the community of King Cove,
Alaska. Because the location of the existing clinic has not
proven sufficient to accommodate new construction as previously
planned, land owned by the city has been designated as the site
of the replacement facility. Language included in the bill will
resolve any potential property title issues that might arise as
a result of this relocation.
Sec. 3110. Repeals section 306 of H.R. 3425, as enacted
into law by section 1000(a)(5) of Public Law 106-113.
TITLE IV
FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR THE WORLD ACT
The Committee recommends statutory language requiring the
President to terminate existing unilateral agricultural and
medicine sanctions while leaving in place certain prohibitions
relating to terrorist states. Any future Presidential
agricultural or trade sanctions shall be subject to expedited
congressional review and approval procedures.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports
on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute
or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or
part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution
making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof
proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through type and
italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical
devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the
bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by
the committee.''
In compliance with this rule, the following changes in
existing law proposed to be made by the bill are shown as
follows: existing law to be omitted is enclosed in black
brackets; new matter is printed in italics; and existing law in
which no change is proposed is shown in roman.
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 50--AGRICULTURAL CREDIT
* * * * * * *
Subchapter V--Rural Community Advancement Program
* * * * * * *
Sec. 2009. Definitions
In this subchapter:
[(1) Rural and Rural Area.--The terms ``rural'' and
``rural area'' mean, subject to section 1926(a)(7) of
this title, a city, town, or unincorporated area that
has a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less, other
than an urbanized area immediately adjacent to a city,
town, or unincorporated area that has a population in
excess of 50,000 inhabitants.]
(1) Rural and Rural Area.--The terms ``rural and
rural area''' mean, subject to 306(a)(7), a city or
town that has a population of 50,000 inhabitants or
less, other than an urbanized area immediately adjacent
to a city or town that has a population in excess of
50,000 inhabitants, except for business and industry
projects or facilities described in section
310(B)(a)(1), a city or town with a population in
excess of 50,000 inhabitants and its immediately
adjacent urbanized area shall be eligible for funding
when the primary economic beneficiaries of such
projects or facilities are producers of agriculture
commodities.
* * * * * * *
TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
* * * * * * *
PART II--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 31--THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
* * * * * * *
Sec. 509. Functions of the Attorney General
All functions of other officers of the Department of
Justice and all functions of agencies and employees of the
Department of Justice are vested in the Attorney General except
the functions--
* * * * * * *
Historical and Revision Notes
Pub. L. 103-317, title I, Sec. 109, Aug. 26, 1994, 108
Stat. 1735, provided that: [``Notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302 or
any other law, in litigation involving unusually high costs,
the Department of Justice may receive and retain reimbursement
for salaries and expenses, for fiscal year 1995 and thereafter,
from any other governmental component being represented in the
litigation.'']
* * * * * * *
Social Security Act
SEC. 403. GRANTS TO STATES.
(a) Grants.--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(5) Welfare-to-work grants.--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(F) Funding for indian tribes.--1 percent
of the amount specified in subparagraph (I) for
fiscal year 1998 and [$1,500,000] $15,000,000
of the amount so specified for fiscal year 1999
shall be reserved for grants to Indian tribes
under section 412(a)(3).
(G) Funding for evaluations of welfare-to-
work programs.--0.6 percent of the amount
specified in subparagraph (I) for fiscal year
1998 and [$900,000] $9,000,000 of the amount so
specified for fiscal year 1999 shall be
reserved for use by the Secretary to carry out
section 413(j).
(H) Funding for evaluation of abstinence
education programs.--
(i) In general.--0.2 percent of the
amount specified in subparagraph (I)
for fiscal year 1998 and [$300,000]
$3,000,000 of the amount so specified
for fiscal year 1999 shall be reserved
for use by the Secretary to evaluate
programs under section 510, directly or
through grants, contracts, or
interagency agreements.
* * * * * * *
United States Housing Act of 1937, Public Law 93-383
TITLE I--GENERAL PROGRAM OF ASSISTED HOUSING
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ORGANIZATION.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(b) Public Housing Agency Organization.--
(1) Required membership.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), the membership of the board of directors
or similar governing body of each public housing agency
shall contain not less than 1 member--
(A) who is directly assisted by the public
housing agency; and
(B) who may, if provided for in the public
housing agency plan, be elected by the
residents directly assisted by the public
housing agency.
(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to
any public housing agency--
(A) that is located in a State that
requires the members of the board of directors
or similar governing body of a public housing
agency to be salaried and to serve on a full-
time basis; [or]
(B) with less than 300 public housing
units, if--
(i) the agency has provided
reasonable notice to the resident
advisory board of the opportunity of
not less than 1 resident described in
paragraph (1) to serve on the board of
directors or similar governing body of
the public housing agency pursuant to
such paragraph; and
(ii) within a reasonable time after
receipt by the resident advisory board
established by the agency pursuant to
section 5A(e) of notice under clause
(i), the public housing agency has not
been notified of the intention of any
resident to participate on the board of
directors[.] ; or
(C) that is a state housing finance agency
that is responsible for administering public
housing or section 8 in a state, except that
the state housing finance agency shall
establish an advisory committee of persons who
are residents of such public housing or who are
assisted under such section 8. This advisory
committee shall meet not less than quarterly
and shall advise the state housing finance
agency on issues that directly impact the
public housing or section 8 that is
administered by the state housing finance
agency.
* * * * * * *
Public Law 104-127--Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of
1996
AN ACT To modify the operation of certain agricultural programs.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
* * * * * * *
Subtitle D--Other Commodities
CHAPTER 1--DAIRY
SEC. 141. MILK PRICE SUPPORT PROGRAM.
(a) * * *
(b) Rate.--The price of milk shall be supported at the
following rates per hundredweight for milk containing 3.67
percent butterfat:
(1) During calendar year 1996, $10.35.
(2) During calendar year 1997, $10.20.
(3) During calendar year 1998, $10.05.
(4) During calendar year [and 2000] through 2001,
$9.90.
* * * * * * *
(h) Period of Effectiveness.--This section (other than
subsection (g)) shall be effective only during the period
beginning on the first day of the first month beginning after
the date of enactment of this title and ending on December 31,
[2000] 2001. The program authorized by this section shall
terminate on December 31, [2000] 2001, and shall be considered
to have expired notwithstanding section 257 of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C.
907).
SEC. 142. RECOURSE LOAN PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL PROCESSORS OF DAIRY
PRODUCTS.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(e) Effective Date.--This section shall be effective
beginning January 1, [2001] 2002.
* * * * * * *
Public Law 105-66--Making Appropriations for the Department of
Transportation and Related Agencies for the Fiscal Year Ending
September 30, 1998, and for Other Purposes
Discretionary Grants
(limitation on obligations)
(highway trust fund)
None of the funds in this Act shall be available for the
implementation or execution of programs the obligations for
which are in excess of $2,000,000,000 in fiscal year 1998 for
grants under the contract authority in 49 U.S.C. 5338(b):
Provided, That there shall be available for fixed guideway
modernization, $800,000,000; there shall be available for the
replacement, rehabilitation, and purchase of buses and related
equipment and the construction of bus-related facilities,
$400,000,000; and there shall be available for new fixed
guideway systems $800,000,000, to be available as follows:
* * * * * * *
[$4,000,000 for the Salt Lake City regional
commuter system project;]
$4,000,000 for the transit and other
transportation-related portions of the Salt Lake City
regional commuter system and Gateway Intermodal
Terminal;
* * * * * * *
Public Law 105-220--Workforce Investment Act of 1998
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 503. INCENTIVE GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Beginning on July 1, 2000, the Secretary
shall award a grant to each State that exceeds the State
adjusted levels of performance for title I, the expected levels
of performance for title II, and the levels of performance for
programs [under Public Law 88-210 (as amended; 20 U.S.C. 2301
et seq.)] under Public Law 105-332 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.),
for the purpose of carrying out an innovative program
consistent with the requirements of any one or more of the
programs within title I, title II, or such Public Law,
respectively.
(b) Application.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may provide a grant
to a State under subsection (a) only if the State
submits an application to the Secretary for the grant
that meets the requirements of paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements.--The Secretary may review an
application described in paragraph (1) only to ensure
that the application contains the following assurances:
(A) The legislature of the State was
consulted with respect to the development of
the application.
(B) The application was approved by the
Governor, the eligible agency (as defined in
section 203), and the State agency responsible
for programs established [under Public Law 88-
210 (as amended; 20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.)] under
Public Law 105-332 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
(C) The State and the eligible agency, as
appropriate, exceeded the State adjusted levels
of performance for title I, the expected levels
of performance for title II, and the levels of
performance for programs [under Public Law 88-
210 (as amended; 20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.)] under
Public Law 105-332 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.).
(c) Amount.--
(1) Minimum and maximum grant amounts.--Subject to
paragraph (2), a grant provided to a State under
subsection (a) shall be awarded in an amount that is
not less than $750,000 and not more than $3,000,000.
(2) Proportionate reduction.--If the amount
available for grants under this section for a fiscal
year is insufficient to award a grant to each State or
eligible agency that is eligible for a grant, the
Secretary shall reduce the minimum and maximum grant
amount by a uniform percentage.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
for fiscal year 2000, the Secretary shall not consider the
expected levels of performance under Public Law 105-332 (20
U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) and shall not award a grant under
subsection (a) based on the levels of performance for that Act.
* * * * * * *
Public Law 105-277--Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 1999
TITLE III--YEAR 2000 CONVERSION OF FEDERAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SYSTEMS
FISCAL YEAR 1999 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE PRESIDENT
Information Technology Systems and Related Expenses
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For an additional amount for emergency expenses related to
Year 2000 conversion of Federal information technology systems,
and related expenses, [$2,250,000,000] $2,015,000,000, to
remain available until September 30, 2001, of which $5,500,000
shall be transferred to the Legislative Branch for ``SENATE'',
``Contingent Expenses of the Senate'', ``Sergeant at Arms and
Doorkeeper of the Senate'' for salaries and expenses related to
Year 2000 conversion of Senate information technology systems:
Provided, That the funds may be obligated with the prior
approval of the Senate Committee on Appropriations; and of
which, $6,373,000 shall be transferred to the Legislative
Branch for ``HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES'', ``Salaries and
Expenses'', ``Salaries, Officers and Employees'' for salaries
and expenses related to Year 2000 conversion of House of
Representatives information technology systems; and of which
$5,000,000 shall be transferred to the Legislative Branch for
``GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE'', ``Information Technology Systems
and Related Expenses'' for expenses related to Year 2000
conversion of information technology systems and related
expenses of all entities in the Legislative Branch other than
the ``Senate'' and ``House of Representatives'' covered by the
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105-
55), which the Comptroller General shall transfer to the
affected entities in the Legislative Branch, upon the approval
of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations; and of
which $13,044,000 shall be transferred to the Judiciary to the
Judiciary Information Technology Fund for expenses related to
Year 2000 conversion of Judicial Branch information technology
and security systems: Provided further, That the remaining
funds made available shall be transferred, as necessary, by the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget to all affected
Federal Departments and Agencies, except the Department of
Defense, for expenses necessary to ensure the information
technology that is used or acquired by the Federal government
meets the definition of Year 2000 compliant under Federal
Acquisition Regulations (concerning accurate processing of
date/time data, including calculating, comparing, and
sequencing from, into, and between the twentieth and twenty-
first centuries, and the years 1999 and 2000 and leap year
calculations) and to meet other criteria for Year 2000
compliance as the head of each Department or Agency considers
appropriate: Provided further, That none of the funds provided
under this heading, except those transferred to the Legislative
Branch and the Judiciary, may be transferred to any Department
or Agency until fifteen days after the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget has submitted to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations, the Senate Special Committee on
the Year 2000 Technology Problem, the House Committee on
Science, and the House Committee on Government Reform and
Oversight, a proposed allocation and plan for that Department
or Agency to achieve Year 2000 compliance for technology
information systems: Provided further, That the transfer
authority provided in this paragraph is in addition to any
other transfer authority contained elsewhere in this or any
other Act: Provided further, That funds provided under this
heading shall be in addition to funds available in this or any
other Act for Year 2000 compliance by any Federal Department or
Agency: Provided further, That the entire amount, except those
amounts transferred to the Legislative Branch and the
Judiciary, shall be available only to the extent that an
official budget request that includes designation of the entire
amount of the request as an emergency requirement as defined in
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985,
as amended, is transmitted by the President to the Congress:
Provided further, That the entire amount is designated by the
Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section
251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 127. Trade Deficit Review Commission. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(d) Duties of the Commission.--
(1) * * *
(2) Issues to be addressed.--The Commission shall
examine and report to the President, the Committee on
Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Finance of the Senate, and other
appropriate committees of Congress on the following:
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(H) The flow of investments both into and
out of the United States, including--
(i) any consequences for the United
States economy of the current status of
the United States as a debtor nation;
(ii) any relationship between such
investment flows and the United States
merchandise trade and current account
deficits and living standards of United
States workers;
(iii) any impact such investment
flows may have on United States labor,
community, environmental, and health
and safety standards, and how such
investment flows influence the location
of manufacturing facilities; and
(iv) the effect of barriers to
United States foreign direct investment
in developed and developing nations,
particularly nations with which the
United States has a merchandise trade
and current account deficit.
(I) The impact of the merchandise trade and
current account balances on the national
security of the United States, including in
particular an assessment of the significance to
national security of persistent and substantial
bilateral trade deficits and the need of a
fully integrated national security, trade, and
industrial base trade-impact adjustment policy.
(e) Final Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than [12 months] 15
months after the date of the initial meeting of the
Commission, the Commission shall submit to the
President and Congress a final report which contains--
* * * * * * *
Public Law 105-332--Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology
Education Amendemtns of 1998
``SEC. 111. RESERVATIONS AND STATE ALLOTMENT.
``(a) Reservations and State Allotment.--
``(1) Reservations.--From the sum appropriated
under section 8 for each fiscal year, the Secretary
shall reserve--
``(A) 0.2 percent to carry out section 115;
``(B) 1.50 percent to carry out section
116, of which--
``(i) 1.25 percent of the sum shall
be available to carry out section
116(b); and
``(ii) 0.25 percent of the sum
shall be available to carry out section
116(h); and
``(C) in the case of each of the
[fiscal years 2000] fiscal years 2001
through 2003, 0.54 percent to carry out
section 503 of Public Law 105-220.
* * * * * * *
Public Law 106-74--Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and
Urban Development, Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
* * * * * * *
Community Planning and Development
* * * * * * *
Urban Empowerment Zones
For grants in connection with a second round of the
empowerment zones program in urban areas, designated by the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in fiscal year 1999
pursuant to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, $55,000,000 to the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for ``Urban
Empowerment Zones'', including [$3,666,000] $3,666,666 for each
empowerment zone for use in conjunction with economic
development activities consistent with the strategic plan of
each empowerment zone, to remain available until expended.
* * * * * * *
Community Development Block Grants
(including transfers of funds)
For grants to States and units of general local government
and for related expenses, not otherwise provided for, to carry
out a community development grants program as authorized by
title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974,
as amended (the ``Act'' herein) (42 U.S.C. 5301),
$4,800,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2002:
Provided, That $67,000,000 shall be for grants to Indian tribes
notwithstanding section 106(a)(1) of such Act, $3,000,000 shall
be available as a grant to the Housing Assistance Council,
$2,200,000 shall be available as a grant to the National
American Indian Housing Council, and $41,500,000 shall be for
grants pursuant to section 107 of the Act including $2,000,000
to support Alaska Native serving institutions and native
Hawaiian serving institutions, as defined under the Higher
Education Act, as amended: Provided further, That $20,000,000
shall be for grants pursuant to the Self Help Housing
Opportunity Program: Provided further, That not to exceed 20
percent of any grant made with funds appropriated herein (other
than a grant made available in this paragraph to the Housing
Assistance Council or the National American Indian Housing
Council, or a grant using funds under section 107(b)(3) of the
Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended)
shall be expended for ``Planning and Management Development''
and ``Administration'' as defined in regulations promulgated by
the department: Provided further, That all balances for the
Economic Development Initiative grants program, the John Heinz
Neighborhood Development program, grants to Self Help Housing
Opportunity program, and the Moving to Work Demonstration
program previously funded within the ``Annual Contributions for
Assisted Housing'' account shall be transferred to this
account, to be available for the purposes for which they were
originally appropriated.
Of the amount made available under this heading,
$23,750,000 shall be made available for capacity building, of
which $20,000,000 shall be made available for ``Capacity
Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing'',
for LISC and the Enterprise Foundation for activities as
authorized by section 4 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993
(Public Law 103-120), as in effect immediately before June 12,
1997, with not less than $4,000,000 of the funding to be used
in rural areas, including tribal areas, and of which $3,750,000
shall be made available to Habitat for Humanity International.
Of the amount made available under this heading, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may use up to
$55,000,000 for supportive services for public housing
residents, as authorized by section 34 of the United States
Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and for grants for service
coordinators and congregate services for the elderly and
disabled residents of public and assisted housing: Provided
further, That amounts made available for congregate services
and service coordinators for the elderly and disabled under
this heading and in prior fiscal years may be used by grantees
to reimburse themselves for costs incurred in connection with
providing service coordinators previously advanced by grantees
out of other funds due to delays in the granting by or receipt
of funds from the Secretary, and the funds so made available to
grantees for congregate services or service coordinators under
this heading or in prior years shall be considered as expended
by the grantees upon such reimbursement. The Secretary shall
not condition the availability of funding made available under
this heading or in prior years for congregate services or
service coordinators upon any grantee's obligation or
expenditure of any prior funding.
Of the amount made available under this heading,
$30,000,000 shall be available for neighborhood initiatives
that are utilized to improve the conditions of distressed and
blighted areas and neighborhoods, to stimulate investment,
economic diversification, and community revitalization in areas
with population outmigration or a stagnating or declining
economic base, or to determine whether housing benefits can be
integrated more effectively with welfare reform initiatives:
Provided, that any unobligated balances of amounts set aside
for neighborhood initiatives in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 may
be utilized for any of the foregoing purposes: Provided
further, That of the amount set aside for fiscal year 2000
under this paragraph, [$23,000,000] $22,750,000 shall be used
for grants specified in the statement of the managers of the
committee of conference accompanying this Act.
Of the amount made available under this heading,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, $42,500,000 shall
be available for YouthBuild program activities authorized by
subtitle D of title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez National
Affordable Housing Act, as amended, and such activities shall
be an eligible activity with respect to any funds made
available under this heading: Provided, That local YouthBuild
programs that demonstrate an ability to leverage private and
nonprofit funding shall be given a priority for YouthBuild
funding: Provided further, That of the amount provided under
this paragraph, $2,500,000 shall be set aside and made
available for a grant to Youthbuild USA for capacity building
for community development and affordable housing activities as
specified in section 4 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993, as
amended.
Of the amount made available under this heading,
$275,000,000 shall be available for grants for the Economic
Development Initiative (EDI) to finance a variety of economic
development efforts, including $240,000,000 for making
individual grants for targeted economic investments in
accordance with the terms and conditions specified for such
grants in the statement of the managers of the committee of
conference accompanying this Act.
For the cost of guaranteed loans, $29,000,000, as
authorized by section 108 of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974: Provided, That such costs, including
the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as
amended: Provided further, That these funds are available to
subsidize total loan principal, any part of which is to be
guaranteed, not to exceed $1,261,000,000, notwithstanding any
aggregate limitation on outstanding obligations guaranteed in
section 108(k) of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1974: Provided further, That in addition, for administrative
expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan program, $1,000,000,
which shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation
for ``Salaries and expenses''.
The Secretary is directed to transfer the administration of
the small cities component of the Community Development Block
Grant Program for the funds allocated for the State of New York
under section 106(d) of the Housing and Community Development
Act of 1974 for fiscal year 2000 and all fiscal years
thereafter to the State of New York to be administered by the
Governor of New York.
* * * * * * *
Administrative Provisions
* * * * * * *
Sec. 208. Of the balances remaining from funds appropriated
to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Public
Law 105-65 and prior appropriations Acts, $74,400,000 is
rescinded: Provided, That the amount rescinded shall be
comprised of--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(3) $22,975,000 of amounts appropriated for
homeownership assistance under section [235(r)] 235 of
the National Housing Act, including $6,875,000
appropriated in Public Law 103-327 (approved September
28, 1994, 104 Stat. 2305) for payments under section
235(r) of the National Housing Act [for such purposes];
* * * * * * *
TITLE V--PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
* * * * * * *
Subtitle C--Renewal of Expiring Rental Assistance Contracts and
Protection of Residents
* * * * * * *
SEC. 538. UNIFIED ENHANCED VOUCHER AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.----Section 8 of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) is amended by inserting after
subsection (s) the following new subsection:
``(t) Enhanced Vouchers.--
``(1) In general.--Enhanced voucher assistance
under this subsection for a family shall be voucher
assistance under subsection (o), except that under such
enhanced voucher assistance--
``(A) subject only to subparagraph (D), the
assisted family shall pay as rent no less than
the amount the family was paying on the date of
the eligibility event for the project in which
the family was residing on such date;
``(B) [during any period that the assisted
family continues residing in the same project
in which the family was residing on the date of
the eligibility event for the project, if] the
assisted family may elect to remain in the same
project in which the family was residing on the
date of the eligibility event for the project,
and if, during any period the family makes such
an election and continues to reside, the rent
for the dwelling unit of the family in such
project exceeds the applicable payment standard
established pursuant to subsection (o) for the
unit, the amount of rental assistance provided
on behalf of the family shall be determined
using a payment standard that is equal to the
rent for the dwelling unit (as such rent may be
increased from time-to-time), subject to
paragraph (10)(A) of subsection (o);
* * * * * * *
Public Law 106-113--District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1999
* * * * * * *
TITLE I--FISCAL YEAR 2000 APPROPRIATIONS
* * * * * * *
General Provisions
* * * * * * *
Sec. 175. (a)(1) The first paragraph under the heading
``Community Development Block Grants'' in title II of H.R. 2684
(Public Law 106-74) is amended by inserting after ``National
American Indian Housing Council,'' the following: ``$4,000,000
shall be available [as a grant for the Special Olympics in
Anchorage, Alaska to develop the Ben Boeke Arena and Hilltop
Ski Area,] to the Organizing Committee for the 2001 Special
Olympics World Winter games to be used in support of related
activities in Alaska,''; and
* * * * * * *
APPENDIX A--H.R. 3421
* * * * * * *
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
General Administration
* * * * * * *
telecommunications carrier compliance fund
For payments authorized by section 109 of the
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (47 U.S.C.
1008), [$15,000,000] $115,000,000, to remain available until
expended.
* * * * * * *
justice prisoner and alien transportation system fund, united states
marshals service
Beginning in fiscal year 2000 and thereafter, payment shall
be made from the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation
System Fund for necessary expenses related to the scheduling
and transportation of United States prisoners and illegal and
criminal aliens in the custody of the United States Marshals
Service, as authorized in 18 U.S.C. 4013, including, without
limitation, salaries and expenses, operations, and the
acquisition, lease, and maintenance of aircraft and support
facilities: Provided, That the Fund shall be reimbursed or
credited with advance payments from amounts available to the
Department of Justice, other Federal agencies, and other
sources at rates that will recover the expenses of Fund
operations, including, without limitation, accrual of annual
leave and depreciation of plant and equipment of the Fund:
Provided further, That proceeds from the disposal of Fund
aircraft shall be credited to the Fund: Provided further, That
amounts in the Fund shall be available without fiscal year
limitation, and may be used for operating equipment lease
agreements that do not exceed 5 years. In addition,
$13,500,000, to remain available until expended, shall be
available only for the purchase of two Sabreliner-class
aircraft.
* * * * * * *
Federal Bureau of Investigation
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation for detection, investigation, and prosecution of
crimes against the United States; including purchase for
police-type use of not to exceed 1,236 passenger motor
vehicles, of which 1,142 will be for replacement only, without
regard to the general purchase price limitation for the current
fiscal year, and hire of passenger motor vehicles; acquisition,
lease, maintenance, and operation of aircraft; and not to
exceed $70,000 to meet unforeseen emergencies of a confidential
character, to be expended under the direction of, and to be
accounted for solely under the certificate of, the Attorney
General, $2,337,015,000; of which not to exceed $50,000,000 for
automated data processing and telecommunications and technical
investigative equipment and not to exceed $1,000,000 for
undercover operations shall remain available until September
30, 2001; of which not less than $292,473,000 shall be for
counterterrorism investigations, foreign counterintelligence,
and other activities related to our national security; of which
not to exceed $10,000,000 is authorized to be made available
for making advances for expenses arising out of contractual or
reimbursable agreements with State and local law enforcement
agencies while engaged in cooperative activities related to
violent crime, terrorism, organized crime, and drug
investigations; and of which not less than $50,000,000 shall be
for the costs of conversion to narrowband communications, and
for the operations and maintenance of legacy Land Mobile Radio
systems: Provided, That such amount shall be transferred to and
administered by the Department of Justice Wireless Management
Office: Provided further, That not to exceed $45,000 shall be
available for official reception and representation expenses:
Provided further, That no funds in this Act may be used to
provide ballistics imaging equipment to any State or local
authority which has obtained similar equipment through a
Federal grant or subsidy unless the State or local authority
agrees to return that equipment or to repay that grant or
subsidy to the Federal Government: Provided further, That in
addition to amounts made available under this heading,
$3,000,000 shall be available for the creation of a new site
for the National Domestic Preparedness Office outside of FBI
Headquarters and the implementation of the ``Blueprint'' with
regard to the National Domestic Preparedness Office.
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND RELATED AGENCIES
* * * * * * *
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
operations, research, and facilities
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of activities authorized by law for
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including
maintenance, operation, and hire of aircraft; grants,
contracts, or other payments to nonprofit organizations for the
purposes of conducting activities pursuant to cooperative
agreements; and relocation of facilities as authorized by 33
U.S.C. 883i, $1,688,189,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That fees and donations received by the
National Ocean Service for the management of the national
marine sanctuaries may be retained and used for the salaries
and expenses associated with those activities, notwithstanding
31 U.S.C. 3302: Provided further, That in addition, $68,000,000
shall be derived by transfer from the fund entitled ``Promote
and Develop Fishery Products and Research Pertaining to
American Fisheries'': Provided further, That grants to States
pursuant to sections 306 and 306A of the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, as amended, shall not exceed
$2,000,000: Provided further, That not to exceed $31,439,000
shall be expended for Executive Direction and Administration,
which consists of the Offices of the Undersecretary, the
Executive Secretariat, Policy and Strategic Planning,
International Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Public Affairs,
Sustainable Development, the Chief Scientist, and the General
Counsel: Provided further, That the aforementioned offices,
excluding the Office of the General Counsel, shall not be
augmented by personnel details, temporary transfers of
personnel on either a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis or
any other type of formal or informal transfer or reimbursement
of personnel or funds on either a temporary or long-term basis
above the level of 33 personnel: Provided further, That no
general administrative charge shall be applied against any
assigned activity included in this Act and, further, that any
direct administrative expenses applied against assigned
activities shall be limited to 5 percent of the funds provided
for that assigned activity: Provided further, That of the
amount made available under this heading for the National
Marine Fisheries Services Pacific Salmon Treaty Program,
$10,000,000 is appropriated for a Southern Boundary and
Transboundary Rivers Restoration Fund, subject to express
authorization: Provided further, That the vessel RAINIER shall
use Ketchikan, Alaska as its home port.
* * * * * * *
TITLE IV--DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND RELATED AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
diplomatic and consular programs
For necessary expenses of the Department of State and the
Foreign Service not otherwise provided for, including expenses
authorized by the State Department Basic Authorities Act of
1956, as amended, the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange
Act of 1961, as amended, and the United States Information and
Educational Exchange Act of 1948, as amended, including
employment, without regard to civil service and classification
laws, of persons on a temporary basis (not to exceed $700,000
of this appropriation), as authorized by section 801 of such
Act; expenses authorized by section 9 of the Act of August 31,
1964, as amended; representation to certain international
organizations in which the United States participates pursuant
to treaties, ratified pursuant to the advice and consent of the
Senate, or specific Acts of Congress; arms control,
nonproliferation and disarmanent activities as authorized by
the Arms Control and Disarmament Act of September 26, 1961, as
amended; acquisition by exchange or purchase of passenger motor
vehicles as authorized by law; and for expenses of general
administration, $2,569,825,000: Provided, That, of the amount
made available under this heading, not to exceed $4,000,000 may
be transferred to, and merged with, funds in the ``Emergencies
in the Diplomatic and Consular Service'' appropriations
account, to be available only for emergency evacuations and
terrorism rewards: Provided further, That, of the amount made
available under this heading, not to exceed $4,500,000 may be
transferred to, and merged with, funds in the ``International
Broadcasting Operations'' appropriations account only to avoid
reductions in force at the Voice of America, subject to the
reprogramming procedures described in section 605 of this Act:
Provided further, That, in fiscal year 2000, all receipts
collected from individuals for assistance in the preparation
and filing of an affidavit of support pursuant to section 213A
of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall be deposited into
this account as an offsetting collection and shall remain
available until expended: Provided further, That of the amount
made available under this heading, $236,291,000 shall be
available only for public diplomacy international information
programs: Provided further, That of the amount made available
under this heading, $5,000,000, less any costs already paid,
shall be used to reimburse the City of Seattle and other
Washington state jurisdictions for security costs incurred in
hosting the Third World Trade Organization Ministerial
Conference: Provided further, That of the amount made available
under this heading, $500,000 shall be available only for the
National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade: Provided
further, That of the amount made available under this heading,
$2,500,000 shall be available only for overseas continuing
language education: Provided further, That of the amount made
available under this heading, not to exceed $1,162,000 shall be
available for transfer to the Presidential Advisory Commission
on Holocaust Assets in the United States: Provided further,
That any amount transferred pursuant to the previous proviso
shall not result in a total amount transferred to the
Commission from all Federal sources that exceeds the authorized
amount: Provided further, That notwithstanding section
140(a)(5), and the second sentence of section 140(a)(3), of the
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and
1995, fees may be collected during fiscal years 2000 and 2001,
under the authority of section 140(a)(1) of that Act: Provided
further, That all fees collected under the preceding proviso
shall be deposited in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 as an
offsetting collection to appropriations made under this heading
to recover costs as set forth under section 140(a)(2) of that
Act and shall remain available until expended: Provided
further, That of the amount made available under this heading,
$10,000,000 is appropriated for a Northern Boundary and
Transboundary Rivers Restoration Fund: Provided further, That
of the amount made available under this heading, not less than
$9,000,000 shall be available for the Office of Defense Trade
Controls.
* * * * * * *
TITLE V--RELATED AGENCIES
* * * * * * *
Federal Communications Commission
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Federal Communications
Commission, as authorized by law, including uniforms and
allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; not
to exceed $600,000 for land and structure; not to exceed
$500,000 for improvement and care of grounds and repair to
buildings; not to exceed $4,000 for official reception and
representation expenses; purchase (not to exceed 16) and hire
of motor vehicles; special counsel fees; and services as
authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, [$210,000,000] $215,800,000, of
which not to exceed $300,000 shall remain available until
September 30, 2001, for research and policy studies: Provided,
That [$185,754,000] $191,554,000 of offsetting collections
shall be assessed and collected pursuant to section 9 of title
I of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and shall be
retained and used for necessary expenses in this appropriation,
and shall remain available until expended: Provided further,
That the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced as such
offsetting collections are received during fiscal year 2000 so
as to result in a final fiscal year 2000 appropriation
estimated at $24,246,000: Provided further, That any offsetting
collections received in excess of [$185,754,000] $191,554,000
in fiscal year 2000 shall remain available until expended, but
shall not be available for obligation until October 1, 2000.
* * * * * * *
Appendix D--H.R. 3424
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
* * * * * * *
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Salaries and Expenses
For necessary expenses for the Mine Safety and Health
Administration, $228,373,000, including purchase and bestowal
of certificates and trophies in connection with mine rescue and
first-aid work, and the hire of passenger motor vehicles;
[including not to exceed $750,000 may be collected by the
National Mine Health and Safety Academy] and, in addition, not
to exceed $750,000 may be collected by the National Mine Health
and Safety Academy for room, board, tuition, and the sale of
training materials, otherwise authorized by law to be
collected, to be available for mine safety and health education
and training activities, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302; the
Secretary is authorized to accept lands, buildings, equipment,
and other contributions from public and private sources and to
prosecute projects in cooperation with other agencies, Federal,
State, or private; the Mine Safety and Health Administration is
authorized to promote health and safety education and training
in the mining community through cooperative programs with
States, industry, and safety associations; and any funds
available to the department may be used, with the approval of
the Secretary, to provide for the costs of mine rescue and
survival operations in the event of a major disaster.
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
* * * * * * *
Administration on Aging
Aging Services Programs
For carrying out, to the extent not otherwise provided, the
Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, and section 398 of the
Public Health Service Act, $934,285,000, of which $2,200,000
shall be for the Anchorage, Alaska Senior Center, and shall
remain available until expended: Provided, That notwithstanding
section 308(b)(1) of the Older Americans Act of 1965, as
amended, the amounts available to each State for administration
of the State plan under title III of such Act shall be reduced
not more than 5 percent below the amount that was available to
such State for such purpose for fiscal year 1995: Provided
further, That in considering grant applications for nutrition
services for elder Indian recipients, the Assistant Secretary
shall provide maximum flexibility to applicants who seek to
take into account subsistence, local customs, and other
characteristics that are appropriate to the unique cultural,
regional, and geographic needs of the American Indian, Alaska
and Hawaiian Native communities to be served.
* * * * * * *
GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
(transfer of funds)
Sec. 206. Not to exceed 1 percent of any discretionary
funds (pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, as amended) which are appropriated for the
current fiscal year for the Department of Health and Human
Services in this Act may be transferred between appropriations,
but no such appropriation shall be increased by more than 3
percent by any such transfer: Provided, That the Appropriations
Committees of both Houses of Congress are notified at least 15
days in advance of any transfer: Provided further, That this
section shall not apply to funds appropriated under the heading
``Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--Disease Control,
Research, and Training'', funds made available to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention under the heading ``Public
Health and Social Services Emergency Fund'', or any other funds
made available in this Act to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
* * * * * * *
[Sec. 216. Of the funds appropriated for the National
Institutes of Health for fiscal year 2000, $3,000,000,000 shall
not be available for obligation until September 29, 2000. Of
the funds appropriated for the Health Resources and Services
Administration for fiscal year 2000, $450,000,000 shall not be
available for obligation until September 29, 2000. Of the funds
appropriated for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
for fiscal year 2000, $500,000,000 shall not be available for
obligation until September 29, 2000. Of the funds appropriated
for the Children and Families Services Programs for fiscal year
2000, $400,000,000 shall not be available for obligation until
September 29, 2000. Of the funds appropriated for the Social
Services Block Grant for fiscal year 2000, $425,000,000 shall
not be available for obligation until September 29, 2000. Of
the funds appropriated for the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration for fiscal year 2000,
$200,000,000 shall not be available for obligation until
September 29, 2000. Such funds delayed by this section shall be
available for obligation until October 15, 2000.]
* * * * * * *
TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
* * * * * * *
Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement
For carrying out activities authorized by the Educational
Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of
1994, including part E; the National Education Statistics Act
of 1994, including sections 411 and 412; section 2102 of title
II, and parts A, B, and K and section 10102, section 10105, and
10601 of title X, and part C of title XIII of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, and title VI
of Public Law 103-227, $596,892,000: Provided, That $50,000,000
shall be available to demonstrate effective approaches to
comprehensive school reform, to be allocated and expended in
accordance with the instructions relating to this activity in
the statement of managers on the conference report accompanying
Public Law 105-78 and in the statement of the managers on the
conference report accompanying Public Law 105-277: Provided
further, That the funds made available for comprehensive school
reform shall become available on July 1, 2000, and remain
available through September 30, 2001, and in carrying out this
initiative, the Secretary and the States shall support only
approaches that show the most promise of enabling children to
meet challenging State content standards and challenging State
student performance standards based on reliable research and
effective practices, and include an emphasis on basic academics
and parental involvement: Provided further, That $30,000,000 of
the funds provided for the national education research
institutes shall be allocated notwithstanding section
912(m)(1)(B-F) and subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section
931(c)(2) of Public Law 103-227: Provided further, That of the
funds appropriated under section 10601 of title X of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended,
$1,500,000 shall be used to conduct a violence prevention
demonstration program: Provided further, That $45,000,000 shall
be available to support activities under section 10105 of Part
A of Title X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965, of which up to $2,250,000 may be available for
evaluation, technical assistance, and school networking
activities: Provided further, That funds made available to
local educational agencies under this section shall be used
only for activities related to establishing smaller learning
communities in high schools: Provided further, That funds made
available for section 10105 of Part A of Title X of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 shall become
available on July 1, 2000 and remain available through
September 30, 2001: Provided further, That of the funds
available for part A of title X of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965, $10,000,000 shall be awarded to the
National Constitution Center, established by Public Law 100-
433, for exhibition design, program planning and operation of
the center, $10,000,000 shall be provided to continue a
demonstration of public school facilities to the Iowa
Department of Education, $1,000,000 shall be made available to
the New Mexico Department of Education for school performance
improvement and drop-out prevention, $300,000 shall be made
available to Semos Unlimited, Inc., in New Mexico to support
bilingual education and literacy programs, $700,000 shall be
awarded to Loyola University Chicago for recruitment and
preparation of new teacher candidates for employment in rural
and inner-city schools, $500,000 shall be awarded to Shedd
Aquarium/Brookfield Zoo for science education/exposure programs
for local elementary school students, $3,000,000 shall be
awarded to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America to expand
school-based mentoring, $2,500,000 shall be awarded to the
Chicago Public School System to support a substance abuse pilot
program in conjunction with Elgin and East Aurora School
Systems, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the University of
Virginia Center for Governmental Studies for the Youth
Leadership Initiative, $800,000 shall be awarded to the
Institute for Student Achievement at Holmes Middle School and
Annandale High School in Virginia for academic enrichment
programs, $100,000 shall be awarded to the Mountain Arts Center
for educational programming, $1,500,000 shall be awarded to the
University of Louisville for research in the area of academic
readiness, $500,000 shall be awarded to the West Ed Regional
Educational Laboratory for the 24 Challenge and Jumping Levels
Math Demonstration Project, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to
Central Michigan University for a charter schools development
and performance institute, $950,000 shall be awarded to the
Living Science Interactive Learning Model partnership in Indian
River, Florida for a science education program, $825,000 shall
be awarded to the [North Babylon Community Youth Services for
an educational program] Town of Babylon Youth Bureau for an
educational program, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the Los
Angeles County Office of Education/Educational
Telecommunications and Technology for a pilot program for
teachers, $650,000 shall be awarded to the University of
Northern Iowa for an institute of technology for inclusive
education, $500,000 shall be awarded to Youth Crime Watch of
America to expand a program to prevent crime, drugs and
violence in schools, $892,000 shall be awarded to Muhlenberg
College in Pennsylvania for an environmental science program,
$560,000 shall be awarded to the Western Suffolk St. Johns-
LaSalle Academy Science and Technology Mentoring Program,
$4,000,000 shall be awarded to the National Teaching Academy of
Chicago for a model teacher recruitment, preparation and
professional development program, $2,000,000 shall be awarded
to the University of West Florida for a teacher enhancement
program, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to Delta State University
in Mississippi for innovative teacher training, $1,000,000
shall be awarded to the Alaska Humanities Forum, Inc., in
Anchorage, Alaska, $250,000 shall be awarded to An Achievable
Dream in Newport News, Virginia to improve academic performance
of at-risk youths, $250,000 shall be awarded to the Rock School
of Ballet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to expand its
community-outreach programs for inner-city children and
underprivileged youth in Camden, New Jersey and southern New
Jersey, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the University of
Maryland Center for Quality and Productivity to provide a link
for the Blue Ribbon Schools, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the
Continuing Education Center and Teachers' Institute in South
Boston, Virginia [to promote participation among youth in the
United States democratic process] to expand access to and
improve advanced education, $1,000,000 shall be for the
National Museum of Women in the Arts to expand its
``Discovering Art'' program to elementary and secondary schools
and other educational organizations, $400,000 shall be awarded
to the Alaska Department of Education's summer reading program,
$400,000 shall be awarded to the Partners in Education, Inc.,
to foster successful business-school partnerships, $250,000
shall be for the Kodiak Island Borough School District for
development of an environmental education program, $2,000,000
shall be for the Reach Out and Read Program to expand literacy
and health awareness for at-risk families, $1,000,000 shall be
for the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Virginia for an
educational program, $450,000 shall be for the Challenger
Learning Center in Hardin County, Kentucky for technology
assistance and teacher training, $250,000 shall be for the
Crawford County School System in Georgia for technology and
curriculum support, $500,000 shall be for the Berrien County
School System in Georgia for technology development, $35,000
shall be for the Louisville Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club
Diversion Enhancement Program, $100,000 shall be awarded to the
Philadelphia Orchestra's Philly Pops to operate the Jazz in the
Schools program in the Philadelphia school district, $500,000
for the Mississippi Delta Education for a teacher incentive
program initiative, $500,000 shall be for A Community of Agile
Partners in Education and the Pennsylvania Telecommunications
Exchange Network for a technology resource sharing initiative,
$500,000 shall be for enhanced teacher training in reading in
the District of Columbia, $100,000 shall be awarded to the
Project 2000 D.C. mentoring project, and $1,250,000 shall be
awarded to Helen Keller World Wide to expand the ChildSight
vision screening program and provide eyeglasses to additional
children whose educational performance may be hindered by poor
vision, $750,000 shall be awarded to the Explornet Technology
Learning Project in North Carolina, $1,750,000 shall be awarded
to the Connecticut Early Reading Success Institute to broaden
the training of professionals in best practices in reading
instruction, $400,000 shall be awarded to the National Academy
of Recording Artists and Sciences Foundation for the GRAMMY in
the Schools program to provide music education to high school
students, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the Rosa and Raymond
Parks Institute for Self-Development for the Pathways to
Freedom program for civil rights education for young people and
for community learning centers, $500,000 shall be awarded to
the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation to replicate and
scientifically evaluate full-service community schools,
$500,000 shall be awarded to the Henry Abbott Technical High
School in Danbury, Connecticut for workforce education and
training activities, $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the
Educational Performance Foundation, CPI music education program
called ``From the Top'', $250,000 shall be awarded to the Mount
Vernon School District in Mount Vernon, New York for the
Institute of Student Achievement program, $2,000,000 shall be
awarded to the National Council of La Raza for a project to
improve educational outcomes and opportunities for Hispanic
children, $250,000 shall be awarded to the [Oakland Unified
School District in California for an African American Literacy
and Culture Project] California State University, Hayward, for
an African-American Literacy and Culture Project carried out in
partnership with the Oakland Unified School District in
California carried out in partnership with the Oakland Unified
School District in California, $300,000 shall be awarded to the
Vasona Center Youth Science Institute, $750,000 shall be
awarded to the Life Learning Academy Charter School in San
Francisco, California, $250,000 shall be awarded to the
National Urban Coalition Say YES To A Youngster's Future
Program to provide math and science education, $750,000 shall
be awarded to the Wisconsin Academy Staff Development
Initiative in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin to provide math,
science, and technology teacher training, $500,000 shall be
awarded to the University of Missouri-St. Louis to develop a
plan to improve the education system in the City of St. Louis,
Missouri, $313,000 shall be awarded to the City of Houston for
the ASPIRE after-school program, [$900,000 shall be awarded to
Boston Music Education Collaborative comprehensive
interdisciplinary music program and teacher resource center in
Boston, Massachusetts] $462,000 shall be awarded to the Boston
Symphony Orchestra for the teacher resource center and $370,000
shall be awarded to the Boston Music Education Collaborative
for an interdisciplinary music program, in Boston,
Massachusetts, $250,000 shall be awarded to the Baltimore Reads
after-school tutoring program in Baltimore, Maryland, $300,000
shall be awarded to the School of International Training in
Brattleboro, Vermont to develop an education curriculum
addressing child labor issues in collaboration with the
Brattleboro Union High School, $750,000 shall be awarded to the
University of Puerto Rico for the continuation and expansion of
the Hispanic Educational Linkages Program in New York City,
including the South Bronx, New York, $250,000 shall be awarded
to the Community Service Society of New York for mentoring,
tutoring and technology activities in New York City public
schools, including schools in the South Bronx, $250,000 shall
be awarded to the Smithsonian Institution for a jazz music
education program in Washington, D.C., $500,000 shall be
awarded to Johnson Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to
develop an innovative arts education model which could be
replicated in other schools, $2,000,000 shall be awarded to the
Boys and Girls Clubs of America for after-school programs,
$500,000 shall be for the University of New Orleans for a
teacher preparation and educational technology initiative, and
$250,000 shall be for the Florida Department of Education for
an Internet-based teacher recruitment model, $250,000 shall be
awarded to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the
``Make a Ballet'' arts education program in the New York City
area: Provided further, That of the funds available for section
10601 of title X of such Act, $2,000,000 shall be awarded to
the Center for Educational Technologies for production and
distribution of an effective CD-ROM product that would
complement the ``We the People: The Citizen and the
Constitution'' curriculum: Provided further, That, in addition
to the funds for title VI of Public Law 103-227 and
notwithstanding the provisions of section 601(c)(1)(C) of that
Act, $1,000,000 shall be available to the Center for Civic
Education to conduct a civic education program with Northern
Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and, consistent with the
civics and Government activities authorized in section
601(c)(3) of Public Law 103-227, to provide civic education
assistance to democracies in developing countries. The term
``developing countries'' shall have the same meaning as the
term ``developing country'' in the Education for the Deaf Act.
* * * * * * *
APPENDIX E--H.R. 3425
TITLE I--EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS
CHAPTER 1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
* * * * * * *
LIVESTOCK ASSISTANCE
For an additional amount for livestock assistance
authorized by section 805 of Public Law 106-78, $10,000,000:
Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture may use this
additional amount to provide assistance to persons who raise
livestock owned by other persons for income losses sustained
with respect to livestock [during 1999] from January 1, 1999,
through February 7, 2000 if the Secretary finds that such
losses are the result of natural disasters.
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--OTHER APPROPRIATIONS MATTERS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 242. (a) The [seventh] sixth paragraph under the
heading ``Community Development Block Grants'' in title II of
H.R. 2684 (Public Law 106-74) is amended by striking the figure
making individual grants for targeted economic investments and
inserting ``[$250,175,000] $250,900,000'' in lieu thereof.
* * * * * * *
TITLE III--FISCAL YEAR 2000 OFFSETS AND RESCISSIONS
* * * * * * *
[Sec. 306. The pay of any Federal officer or employee that
would be payable on September 29, 2000, or September 30, 2000,
for the preceding applicable pay period (if not for this
section) shall be paid, whether by electronic transfer of funds
or otherwise, on October 1, 2000.]
BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
AMENDED
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority Outlays
---------------------------------------------------
Committee Amount of Committee Amount of
allocation bill allocation bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee allocations
to its subcommittees of amounts in the First Concurrent
Resolution for 2001: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
Development, and Related Agencies:
General purpose, nondefense discretion ary.............. ........... 14,812 ........... \1\ 12,805
General purpose, defense discretionary.................. ........... ........... ........... -1,239
Mandatory............................................... ........... 60,853 ........... 28,621
Projections of outlays associated with the recommendation:
2000.................................................... ........... ........... ........... \2\ 4,657
2001.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 37,100
2002.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 3,968
2003.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 649
2004.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 383
2005 and future years................................... ........... ........... ........... 569
Financial assistance to State and local governments for 2001 NA 18,828 NA 15,549
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\ Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
NA: Not applicable.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2000 SUPPLEMENTAL
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
Supplemental Committee compared with
Doc. No. request recommendation supplemental
request (+ or -
)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVISION B
TITLE I
NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AND OTHER
EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
CHAPTER 1
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
...... Salaries and expenses (contingent emergency ............... 39,000 +39,000
appropriations)
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
106-198 Federal crop insurance corporation fund (emergency 13,000 13,000 ...............
appropriations)
Rural Development
...... Rural community advancement program (contingent ............... 130,000 +130,000
emergency appropriations)
Rural Housing Service
Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
106-198 Loan authorizations: Rental housing (sec. 515) (40,000) (40,000) ...............
----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan authorizations (40,000) (40,000) ...............
106-198 Loan subsidy: Rental housing (sec. 515) 15,872 15,872 ...............
(emergency appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, loan subsidies 15,872 15,872 ...............
106-198 Rental assistance program (sec. 521) 13,600 13,600 ...............
(emergency appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program 29,472 29,472 ...............
Account
====================================================
Rural Utilities Service
Rural Electrification and Telecommunications:
...... Loan Program Account: Direct 5% Electric Loan ............... (113,250) (+113,250)
(contingent emergency appropriations)
...... Loan Subsidy: Direct 5% Electric Loan ............... 1,000 +1,000
(contingent emergency appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Department of Agriculture 42,472 212,472 +170,000
====================================================
General Provisions
...... Conservation technical assistance (contingent ............... 35,000 +35,000
emergency appropriations) (sec. 1101)
106-198 CCC Marketing associations loan forgiveness 81,000 ............... -81,000
(emergency appropriations)
...... CCC Marketing associations loan forgiveness ............... 81,000 +81,000
contingent emergency appropriations) (sec. 1104)
...... CCC Dairy assistance (contingent emergency ............... 443,000 +443,000
appropriations) (sec. 1106)
...... CCC Disease loss compensation (contingent ............... 58,000 +58,000
emergency appropriations) (sec. 1107)
...... CCC Milk price support extension (contingent ............... -14,000 -14,000
emergency appropriations) (sec. 1108)
...... CCC Livestock assistance program (contingent ............... 450,000 +450,000
emergency appropriations) (sec. 1109)
...... CCC Peanut assessments (contingent emergency ............... 7,000 +7,000
appropriations) (sec. 1110)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, General Provisions 81,000 1,060,000 +979,000
====================================================
Total, Chapter 1:
New budget (obligational) authority 123,472 1,272,472 +1,149,000
Emergency appropriations (123,472) (42,472) (-81,000)
Contingent emergency appropriations ............... (1,230,000) (+1,230,000)
(Loan authorizations) (40,000) (153,250) (+113,250)
====================================================
CHAPTER 2-A
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
106-198
106-162 Economic development assistance programs 30,350 ............... -30,350
(emergency appropriations)
106-198 Contingent emergency appropriations 900 ............... -900
106-198
106-162 Salaries and expenses (emergency appropriations) 1,625 ............... -1,625
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Economic Development Administration 32,875 ............... -32,875
====================================================
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
106-198
106-162 Operations, research, and facilities (emergency 23,900 ............... -23,900
appropriations)
106-198 Contingent emergency appropriations 5,000 ............... -5,000
106-198 Fisheries finance program account (emergency 6,240 ............... -6,240
appropriations)
106-198 Contingent emergency appropriations 15,000 ............... -15,000
----------------------------------------------------
Total, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 50,140 ............... -50,140
Administration
====================================================
Total, Department of Commerce 83,015 ............... -83,015
====================================================
RELATED AGENCY
Small Business Administration
106-162 Disaster Loans Program Account: Direct loans 31,000 ............... -31,000
subsidy (contingent emergency appropriations)
106-162 Administrative expenses (contingent emergency 19,500 ............... -19,500
appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Small Business Administration 50,500 ............... -50,500
====================================================
Total, Chapter 2-A:
New budget (obligational) authority 133,515 ............... -133,515
Emergency appropriations (62,115) ............... (-62,115)
Contingent emergency appropriations (71,400) ............... (-71,400)
====================================================
CHAPTER 2
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Corps of Engineers--Civil
106-198
106-162 General investigations (emergency appropriations) 8,100 4,500 -3,600
...... Flood control, Mississippi River and tributaries, ............... 10,000 +10,000
Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee (contingency
emergency appropriations)
106-162 Operation and maintenance, general (emergency 19,175 35,000 +15,825
appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Corps of Engineers--Civil 27,275 49,500 +22,225
====================================================
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
...... Appalachian Regional Commission (contingent ............... 11,000 +11,000
emergency appropriations)
====================================================
Total, Chapter 2:
New budget (obligational) authority 27,275 60,500 +33,225
Emergency appropriations (27,275) (39,500) (+12,225)
Contingent emergency appropriations ............... (21,000) (+21,000)
====================================================
CHAPTER 3
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
...... Management of land and resources (contingent ............... 17,172 +17,172
emergency appropriations)
106-162 Wildland fire management (contingent emergency 100,000 100,000 ...............
appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Bureau of Land Management 100,000 117,172 +17,172
====================================================
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
...... Resource management (emergency appropriations) ............... 6,500 +6,500
106-162 Construction (emergency appropriations) 5,000 5,000 ...............
...... (Contingent emergency appropriations) ............... 3,500 +3,500
----------------------------------------------------
Total, United States Fish and Wildlife 5,000 15,000 +10,000
Service
====================================================
National Park Service
106-162 Construction (emergency appropriations) 4,000 4,000 ...............
...... (Contingent emergency appropriations) ............... 1,300 +1,300
United States Geological Survey
106-162 Surveys, investigations, and research (emergency 1,800 1,800 ...............
appropriations)
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and
Enforcement
...... Regulation and technology (contingent emergency ............... 9,821 +9,821
appropriations)
Bureau of Indian Affairs
...... Operation of Indian programs (contingent emergency ............... 1,200 +1,200
appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Department of the Interior 110,800 150,293 +39,493
====================================================
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
...... National forest system (contingent emergency ............... 5,759 +5,759
appropriations)
...... Wildland fire management (contingent emergency ............... 1,620 +1,620
appropriations)
...... Reconstruction and maintenance (contingent ............... 1,870 +1,870
emergency appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Forest Service ............... 9,249 +9,249
====================================================
Total, Chapter 3:
New budget (obligational) authority 110,800 159,542 +48,742
Emergency appropriations (10,800) (17,300) (+6,500)
Contingent emergency appropriations (100,000) (142,242) (+42,242)
====================================================
CHAPTER 4
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Care Financing Administration
...... Program management (contingent emergency ............... 15,000 +15,000
appropriations)
Administration for Children and Families
106-198 Low income home energy assistance (contingent 600,000 600,000 ...............
emergency appropriations)
====================================================
Total, Chapter 3:
New budget (obligational) authority 600,000 615,000 +15,000
Contingent emergency appropriations (600,000) (615,000) (+15,000)
====================================================
CHAPTER 5
CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS
JOINT ITEMS
Capitol Police Board
Capitol Police
...... Security enhancements (emergency appropriations) ............... 11,874 +11,874
...... Salaries (emergency appropriations) ............... 2,700 +2,700
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Capitol Police Board ............... 14,574 +14,574
====================================================
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
Capitol Buildings and Grounds
...... Capitol buildings, salaries and expenses ............... 7,039 +7,039
(emergency appropriations)
...... Senate office buildings (emergency appropriations) ............... 2,314 +2,314
...... House office buildings (emergency appropriations) ............... 4,213 +4,213
...... Capitol power plant (emergency appropriations) ............... 3 +3
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Architect of the Capitol ............... 13,569 +13,569
====================================================
GENERAL PROVISIONS
...... Section 1501 ............... 3,000 +3,000
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Congressional Operations ............... 31,143 +31,143
====================================================
OTHER AGENCIES
BOTANIC GARDENS
...... Salaries and expenses (emergency appropriations) ............... 26 +26
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
Library Buildings and Grounds
...... Structural and mechanical care (emergency ............... 3,885 +3,885
appropriations)
====================================================
Total, Chapter 5:
New budget (obligational) authority ............... 35,054 +35,054
Emergency appropriations ............... (35,054) (+35,054)
====================================================
CHAPTER 6
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
RELATED AGENCIES
National Transportation Safety Board
106-198
106-162 Salaries and expenses (emergency appropriations) 25,096 24,739 -357
====================================================
CHAPTER 7
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Departmental Offices
...... Salaries and expenses (contingent emergency ............... 24,900 +24,900
appropriations)
...... Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ............... 93,751 +93,751
(contingent emergency appropriations)
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
...... Policy and operations ............... 3,300 +3,300
====================================================
Total, Chapter 7:
New budget (obligational) authority ............... 121,951 +121,951
Appropriations ............... (3,300) (+3,300)
Contingent emergency appropriations ............... (118,651) (+118,651)
====================================================
CHAPTER 8
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Public and Indian Housing
106-198 Housing certificate fund (emergency 12,000 ............... -12,000
appropriations)
Community Planning and Development
...... HOME investment partnerships program (contingent ............... 25,000 +25,000
emergency appropriations)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Housing and Urban Development 12,000 25,000 +13,000
====================================================
Total, Chapter 8:
New budget (obligational) authority 12,000 25,000 +13,000
Emergency appropriations (12,000) ............... (-12,000)
Contingent emergency appropriations ............... (25,000) (+25,000)
====================================================
CHAPTER 9
GENERAL PROVISION
...... Section 1901 Libby Montana (contingent emergency ............... 11,500 +11,500
appropriations)
...... Section 1902 NOAA fisheries conservation ............... 10,000 +10,000
(contingent emergency appropriations)
...... Section 1903 District of Columbia Metropolitan ............... 4,485 +4,485
Police (contingent emergency appropriations)
====================================================
Total, Chapter 9: New budget (obligational) ............... 25,985 +25,985
authority
====================================================
Total, title I:
New budget (obligational) authority 1,032,158 2,340,243 +1,308,085
Appropriations ............... (3,300) (+3,300)
Emergency appropriations (260,758) (159,065) (-101,693)
Contingent emergency appropriations (771,400) (2,177,878) (+1,406,478)
(Loan authorizations) (40,000) (153,250) (+113,250)
====================================================
TITLE II
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS AND OFFSETS
CHAPTER 2
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Radiation Exposure Compensation
...... Payment to radiation exposure compensation trust ............... 7,246 +7,246
fund
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Economic Development Administration
...... Economic development assistance program ............... 8,000 +8,000
...... Salaries and expenses ............... 300 +300
106-198 Assistance to Vieques, Puerto Rico 40,000 ............... -40,000
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Economic Development Administration 40,000 8,300 -31,700
====================================================
National Institute of Standards and Technology
106-162 Scientific and technical research and services 1,000 ............... -1,000
106-162 Industrial technology services 4,000 ............... -4,000
106-162 NTIS revolving fund (by transfer) (4,500) ............... (-4,500)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, National Institute of Standards and 5,000 ............... -5,000
Technology
====================================================
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
...... Operations, research, and facilities ............... 5,500 +5,500
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
106-218 Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust 1,400 ............... -1,400
Assets in the United States
...... (Contingent emergency appropriations) ............... 1,400 +1,400
RELATED AGENCIES
Commission on Civil Rights
106-162 Salaries and expenses 800 ............... -800
Federal Maritime Commission
106-162 Salaries and expenses 490 ............... -490
Small Business Administration
106-198 Salaries and expenses (by transfer) (2,000) ............... (-2,000)
106-198 Business Loans Program Account: Guaranteed loans 1,000 ............... -1,000
subsidy
====================================================
Total, Chapter 2:
New budget (obligational) authority 48,690 22,446 -26,244
Appropriations (48,690) (21,046) (-27,644)
Contingent emergency appropriations ............... (1,400) (+1,400)
(By transfer) (6,500) ............... (-6,500)
====================================================
CHAPTER 3
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
106-162 Uranium enrichment decontamination and 16,000 58,000 +42,000
decommissioning fund
====================================================
CHAPTER 4-B
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
106-198 Energy conservation 19,000 ............... -19,000
CHAPTER 4
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
106-218 Training and employment services 40,000 40,000 ...............
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
106-162 Payments to States for foster care and adoption 35,000 35,000 ...............
assistance
Departmental Management
106-218 Public Health and Social Services Emergency fund 100,000 ............... -100,000
RELATED AGENCIES
Railroad Retirement Board
...... Limitation on administrative expenses ............... 500 +500
Social Security Administration
106-218 Limitation on administrative expenses: Trust funds 35,000 50,000 +15,000
====================================================
Total, Chapter 4: New budget (obligational) 210,000 125,500 -84,500
authority
====================================================
CHAPTER 5
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
106-162 Operating expenses (by transfer) (18,000) ............... (-18,000)
Federal Aviation Administration
106-218 Operations (Airport and Airway Trust Fund) 77,000 ............... -77,000
...... (By transfer) ............... (77,000) (+77,000)
106-162 Grants-in-aid for airports (Airport and Airway (-50,000) ............... (+50,000)
Trust Fund): (Obligation limitation reduction)
====================================================
Federal Highway Administration
...... Olympic Winter Games support ............... 35,000 +35,000
====================================================
Total, Chapter 5:
New budget (obligational) authority 77,000 35,000 -42,000
(By transfer) (18,000) (77,000) (+59,000)
====================================================
CHAPTER 6-A
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
106-162 Processing, assistance and management 19,796 ............... -19,796
106-162 Tax law enforcement 6,807 ............... -6,807
106-162 Information systems 13,180 ............... -13,180
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Internal Revenue Service 39,783 ............... -39,783
====================================================
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
106-162 Committee for the Purchase from People Who Are 687 ............... -687
Blind or Severely Disabled
106-162 General Services Administration: Policy and 2,000 ............... -2,000
operations
106-162 Office of Personnel Management: Salaries and 1,000 ............... -1,000
expenses
====================================================
Total, Chapter 6-A: New budget 43,470 ............... -43,470
(obligational) authority
====================================================
CHAPTER 6
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Federal Housing Administration
106-162 FHA--General and special risk program account: 49,000 49,000 ...............
Administrative expenses
Management and Administration
...... Office of Inspector General ............... 20,000 +20,000
...... (Rescission) ............... -20,000 -20,000
106-198
106-162 (Reappropriation) -6,000 ............... +6,000
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Management and Administration -6,000 ............... +6,000
====================================================
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
...... Human space flight ............... 25,800 +25,800
...... Mission support ............... 20,200 +20,200
----------------------------------------------------
Total, National Aeronautics and Space ............... 46,000 +46,000
Administration
====================================================
National Science Foundation
106-162 Education and human resources 1,000 1,000 ...............
====================================================
Total, Chapter 6: New budget (obligational) 44,000 96,000 +52,000
authority
====================================================
CHAPTER 7
OFFSETS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
106-218 Information technology systems and related -2,435 -2,435 ...............
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
General Administration
106-218 Information technology systems and related -3,565 ............... +3,565
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
Economic Development Administration
106-198
106-218 Emergency oil and gas guarantee loan program -62,756 ............... +62,756
account (offset) (emergency appropriations)
Science and Technology
National Institute of Standards and Technology
...... Industrial technology services (rescission) ............... -4,500 -4,500
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
General Administration
...... Salaries and expenses (rescission) ............... -2,000 -2,000
United States Parole Commission
...... Salaries and expenses (rescission) ............... -1,147 -1,147
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
106-218 Maritime Guaranteed Loan (Title XI) Program -7,644 ............... +7,644
account: (offset)
Federal Communications Commission
106-218 Information technology systems and related -1,900 ............... +1,900
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
Legal Activities
...... Salaries and Expenses, General legal Activities ............... -2,000 -2,000
(rescission)
...... Asset forfeiture fund (rescission) ............... -13,500 -13,500
Federal Bureau of Investigation
...... Salaries and expenses (rescission) ............... -15,000 -15,000
Immigration and Naturalization Service
...... Enforcement and border affairs (rescission) ............... -5,000 -5,000
...... Citizenship and benefits, immigration support and ............... -5,000 -5,000
program direction (rescission)
...... Violent crime reduction programs (rescission) ............... -5,000 -5,000
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Immigration and Naturalization ............... -15,000 -15,000
Service
====================================================
Office of Justice Programs
...... Justice Assistance: Bureau of Justice assistance ............... -500 -500
(rescission)
...... State and local law enforcement assistance: State ............... -82,399 -82,399
criminal alien assistance program (rescission)
----------------------------------------------------
Total, State and local law enforcement ............... -82,399 -82,399
====================================================
Small Business Administration
...... Salaries and expenses (rescission) ............... -5,000 -5,000
...... Business loans program account (rescission) ............... -1,500 -1,500
----------------------------------------------------
Total, Small Business Administration ............... -6,500 -6,500
====================================================
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
106-198 Construction -5,000 ............... +5,000
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
106-194 SPR petroleum account (rescission) -12,000 ............... +12,000
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Departmental Management
106-218 Information technology systems and related -350 ............... +350
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund
106-218 Information technology systems and related -163,752 -124,500 +39,252
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Departmental Management
106-218 Information technology systems and related -866 ............... +866
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
106-218 Information technology systems and related -26,600 ............... +26,600
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Unanticipated Needs
106-198 Information technology systems and related -235,000 -235,000 ...............
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
Federal Drug Control Programs
...... Special forfeiture fund (rescission) ............... -3,300 -3,300
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
General Services Administration
106-218 Information technology systems and related -3,532 ............... +3,532
expenses (offset) (emergency appropriations)
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Public and Indian Housing
106-198
106-194 Housing certificate fund (rescission) -128,000 -128,000 ...............
====================================================
Total, Chapter 7:
Rescissions (-145,000) (-273,846) (-128,846)
Offsets (-7,644) ............... (+7,644)
Offsets (emergency appropriations) (-500,756) (-361,935) (+138,821)
====================================================
CHAPTER 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
...... Section 2805 FCC salaries and expenses ............... 5,800 +5,800
...... Section 2805 FCC Offsetting collections ............... -5,800 -5,800
...... Section 2806 (CALEA) ............... 100,000 +100,000
...... Section 2810 (JPATS) ............... 13,500 +13,500
...... Department of Commerce, (transfer out) ............... -1,000 -1,000
...... Commerce, OIG (transfer out) ............... -500 -500
...... Commission on Online Child Protection, (by ............... 1,500 +1,500
transfer)
...... Section 2810 State prison grants (by transfer) ............... (1,000) (+1,000)
...... Federal Bureau of Investigation, Salaries and ............... 3,000 +3,000
Expenses
====================================================
Total, Chapter 8: New budget (obligational) ............... 116,500 +116,500
authority
====================================================
Total, title II:
New budget (obligational) authority -195,240 -182,335 +12,905
Appropriations (458,160) (472,046) (+13,886)
Contingent emergency appropriations ............... (1,400) (+1,400)
Rescissions (-145,000) (-293,846) (-148,846)
Offsets (-7,644) ............... (+7,644)
Offsets (emergency appropriations) (-500,756) (-361,935) (+138,821)
(By transfer) (24,500) (78,000) (+53,500)
====================================================
Grand total, all titles:
New budget (obligational) authority 836,918 2,157,908 +1,320,990
Appropriations (458,160) (475,346) (+17,186)
Rescissions (-145,000) (-293,846) (-148,846)
Offsets (-7,644) ............... (+7,644)
Emergency appropriations (260,758) (159,065) (-101,693)
Contingent emergency appropriations (771,400) (2,179,278) (+1,407,878)
Rescission of emergency ............... ............... ...............
appropriations
Offsets (emergency appropriations) (-500,756) (-361,935) (+138,821)
(By transfer) (24,500) (78,000) (+53,500)
(Loan authorizations) (40,000) (153,250) (+113,250)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
