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[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
113th Congress } { Report
2d Session } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES { 113-333
_______________________________________________________________________
AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014
__________
CONFERENCE REPORT
to accompany
H.R. 2642
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
January 27, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
----------
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
86-435 WASHINGTON : 2014
AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014
113th Congress } { Report
2d Session } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES { 113-333
_______________________________________________________________________
AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014
----------
CONFERENCE REPORT
to accompany
H.R. 2642
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
January 27, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
113th Congress } { Report
2d Session } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES { 113-333
=======================================================================
AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014
_______
January 27, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Lucas, from the committee on conference, submitted the following
CONFERENCE REPORT
[To accompany H.R. 2642]
The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of
the two Houses on the amendment of the House to the amendment
of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2642), to provide for the
reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of
the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for
other purposes, having met, after full and free conference,
have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective
Houses as follows:
That the House recede from its amendment to the amendment
of the Senate and agree to the same with an amendment as
follows:
In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the
Senate amendment, insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the
``Agricultural Act of 2014''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary of Agriculture.
TITLE I--COMMODITIES
Subtitle A--Repeals and Reforms
Part I--Repeals
Sec. 1101. Repeal of direct payments.
Sec. 1102. Repeal of counter-cyclical payments.
Sec. 1103. Repeal of average crop revenue election program.
Part II--Commodity Policy
Sec. 1111. Definitions.
Sec. 1112. Base acres.
Sec. 1113. Payment yields.
Sec. 1114. Payment acres.
Sec. 1115. Producer election.
Sec. 1116. Price loss coverage.
Sec. 1117. Agriculture risk coverage.
Sec. 1118. Producer agreements.
Sec. 1119. Transition assistance for producers of upland cotton.
Subtitle B--Marketing Loans
Sec. 1201. Availability of nonrecourse marketing assistance loans for
loan commodities.
Sec. 1202. Loan rates for nonrecourse marketing assistance loans.
Sec. 1203. Term of loans.
Sec. 1204. Repayment of loans.
Sec. 1205. Loan deficiency payments.
Sec. 1206. Payments in lieu of loan deficiency payments for grazed
acreage.
Sec. 1207. Special marketing loan provisions for upland cotton.
Sec. 1208. Special competitive provisions for extra long staple cotton.
Sec. 1209. Availability of recourse loans for high moisture feed grains
and seed cotton.
Sec. 1210. Adjustments of loans.
Subtitle C--Sugar
Sec. 1301. Sugar policy.
Subtitle D--Dairy
Part I--Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers
Sec. 1401. Definitions.
Sec. 1402. Calculation of average feed cost and actual dairy production
margins.
Sec. 1403. Establishment of margin protection program for dairy
producers.
Sec. 1404. Participation of dairy operations in margin protection
program.
Sec. 1405. Production history of participating dairy operations.
Sec. 1406. Margin protection payments.
Sec. 1407. Premiums for margin protection program.
Sec. 1408. Effect of failure to pay administrative fees or premiums.
Sec. 1409. Duration.
Sec. 1410. Administration and enforcement.
Part II--Repeal or Reauthorization of Other Dairy-Related Provisions
Sec. 1421. Repeal of dairy product price support program.
Sec. 1422. Temporary continuation and eventual repeal of milk income
loss contract program.
Sec. 1423. Repeal of dairy export incentive program.
Sec. 1424. Extension of dairy forward pricing program.
Sec. 1425. Extension of dairy indemnity program.
Sec. 1426. Extension of dairy promotion and research program.
Sec. 1427. Repeal of Federal Milk Marketing Order Review Commission.
Part III--Dairy Product Donation Program
Sec. 1431. Dairy product donation program.
Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs
Sec. 1501. Supplemental agricultural disaster assistance.
Subtitle F--Administration
Sec. 1601. Administration generally.
Sec. 1602. Suspension of permanent price support authority.
Sec. 1603. Payment limitations.
Sec. 1604. Rulemaking related to significant contribution for active
personal management.
Sec. 1605. Adjusted gross income limitation.
Sec. 1606. Geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Sec. 1607. Personal liability of producers for deficiencies.
Sec. 1608. Prevention of deceased individuals receiving payments under
farm commodity programs.
Sec. 1609. Technical corrections.
Sec. 1610. Appeals.
Sec. 1611. Assignment of payments.
Sec. 1612. Tracking of benefits.
Sec. 1613. Signature authority.
Sec. 1614. Implementation.
Sec. 1615. Research option.
TITLE II--CONSERVATION
Subtitle A--Conservation Reserve Program
Sec. 2001. Extension and enrollment requirements of conservation reserve
program.
Sec. 2002. Farmable wetland program.
Sec. 2003. Duties of owners and operators.
Sec. 2004. Duties of the Secretary.
Sec. 2005. Payments.
Sec. 2006. Contract requirements.
Sec. 2007. Conversion of land subject to contract to other conserving
uses.
Sec. 2008. Effect on existing contracts.
Subtitle B--Conservation Stewardship Program
Sec. 2101. Conservation stewardship program.
Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Sec. 2201. Purposes.
Sec. 2202. Definitions.
Sec. 2203. Establishment and administration.
Sec. 2204. Evaluation of applications.
Sec. 2205. Duties of producers.
Sec. 2206. Limitation on payments.
Sec. 2207. Conservation innovation grants and payments.
Sec. 2208. Effect on existing contracts.
Subtitle D--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Sec. 2301. Agricultural conservation easement program.
Subtitle E--Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Sec. 2401. Regional conservation partnership program.
Subtitle F--Other Conservation Programs
Sec. 2501. Conservation of private grazing land.
Sec. 2502. Grassroots source water protection program.
Sec. 2503. Voluntary public access and habitat incentive program.
Sec. 2504. Agriculture conservation experienced services program.
Sec. 2505. Small watershed rehabilitation program.
Sec. 2506. Emergency watershed protection program.
Sec. 2507. Terminal Lakes.
Sec. 2508. Soil and Water Resources Conservation.
Subtitle G--Funding and Administration
Sec. 2601. Funding.
Sec. 2602. Technical assistance.
Sec. 2603. Regional equity.
Sec. 2604. Reservation of funds to provide assistance to certain farmers
or ranchers for conservation access.
Sec. 2605. Annual report on program enrollments and assistance.
Sec. 2606. Administrative requirements applicable to all conservation
programs.
Sec. 2607. Standards for State technical committees.
Sec. 2608. Rulemaking authority.
Sec. 2609. Wetlands mitigation.
Sec. 2610. Lesser prairie-chicken conservation report.
Sec. 2611. Highly erodible land and wetland conservation for crop
insurance.
Subtitle H--Repeal of Superseded Program Authorities and Transitional
Provisions; Technical Amendments
Sec. 2701. Comprehensive conservation enhancement program.
Sec. 2702. Emergency forestry conservation reserve program.
Sec. 2703. Wetlands reserve program.
Sec. 2704. Farmland protection program and farm viability program.
Sec. 2705. Grassland reserve program.
Sec. 2706. Agricultural water enhancement program.
Sec. 2707. Wildlife habitat incentive program.
Sec. 2708. Great Lakes basin program.
Sec. 2709. Chesapeake Bay watershed program.
Sec. 2710. Cooperative conservation partnership initiative.
Sec. 2711. Environmental easement program.
Sec. 2712. Temporary administration of conservation programs.
Sec. 2713. Technical amendments.
TITLE III--TRADE
Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act
Sec. 3001. General authority.
Sec. 3002. Set-aside for support for organizations through which
nonemergency assistance is provided.
Sec. 3003. Food aid quality.
Sec. 3004. Minimum levels of assistance.
Sec. 3005. Food Aid Consultative Group.
Sec. 3006. Oversight, monitoring, and evaluation.
Sec. 3007. Assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation,
delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged foods.
Sec. 3008. Impact on local farmers and economy and report on use of
funds.
Sec. 3009. Prepositioning of agricultural commodities.
Sec. 3010. Annual report regarding food aid programs and activities.
Sec. 3011. Deadline for agreements to finance sales or to provide other
assistance.
Sec. 3012. Minimum level of nonemergency food assistance.
Sec. 3013. Micronutrient fortification programs.
Sec. 3014. John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program.
Sec. 3015. Coordination of foreign assistance programs report.
Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
Sec. 3101. Export credit guarantee program.
Sec. 3102. Funding for market access program.
Sec. 3103. Foreign market development cooperator program.
Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws
Sec. 3201. Food for Progress Act of 1985.
Sec. 3202. Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act.
Sec. 3203. Promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets.
Sec. 3204. McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child
Nutrition Program.
Sec. 3205. Technical assistance for specialty crops.
Sec. 3206. Global Crop Diversity Trust.
Sec. 3207. Local and regional food aid procurement projects.
Sec. 3208. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs.
TITLE IV--NUTRITION
Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Sec. 4001. Preventing payment of cash to recipients of supplemental
nutrition assistance benefits for the return of empty bottles
and cans used to contain food purchased with benefits provided
under the program.
Sec. 4002. Retail food stores.
Sec. 4003. Enhancing services to elderly and disabled supplemental
nutrition assistance program participants.
Sec. 4004. Food distribution program on Indian reservations.
Sec. 4005. Exclusion of medical marijuana from excess medical expense
deduction.
Sec. 4006. Standard utility allowances based on the receipt of energy
assistance payments.
Sec. 4007. Eligibility disqualifications.
Sec. 4008. Eligibility disqualifications for certain convicted felons.
Sec. 4009. Ending supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for
lottery or gambling winners.
Sec. 4010. Improving security of food assistance.
Sec. 4011. Technology modernization for retail food stores.
Sec. 4012. Use of benefits for purchase of community-supported
agriculture share.
Sec. 4013. Improved wage verification using the National Directory of
New Hires.
Sec. 4014. Restaurant meals program.
Sec. 4015. Mandating State immigration verification.
Sec. 4016. Data exchange standardization for improved interoperability.
Sec. 4017. Pilot projects to improve Federal-State cooperation in
identifying and reducing fraud in the supplemental nutrition
assistance program.
Sec. 4018. Prohibiting government-sponsored recruitment activities.
Sec. 4019. Tolerance level for excluding small errors.
Sec. 4020. Quality control standards.
Sec. 4021. Performance bonus payments.
Sec. 4022. Pilot projects to reduce dependency and increase work
requirements and work effort under supplemental nutrition
assistance program.
Sec. 4023. Cooperation with program research and evaluation.
Sec. 4024. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 4025. Review, report, and regulation of cash nutrition assistance
program benefits provided in Puerto Rico.
Sec. 4026. Assistance for community food projects.
Sec. 4027. Emergency food assistance.
Sec. 4028. Nutrition education.
Sec. 4029. Retail food store and recipient trafficking.
Sec. 4030. Technical and conforming amendments.
Sec. 4031. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands pilot program.
Sec. 4032. Annual State report on verification of SNAP participation.
Sec. 4033. Service of traditional foods in public facilities.
Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs
Sec. 4101. Commodity distribution program.
Sec. 4102. Commodity supplemental food program.
Sec. 4103. Distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition
projects.
Sec. 4104. Processing of commodities.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
Sec. 4201. Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to
schools and service institutions.
Sec. 4202. Pilot project for procurement of unprocessed fruits and
vegetables.
Sec. 4203. Seniors farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 4204. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Sec. 4205. Multiagency task force.
Sec. 4206. Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
Sec. 4207. Purchase of Halal and Kosher food for emergency food
assistance program.
Sec. 4208. Food insecurity nutrition incentive.
Sec. 4209. Food and agriculture service learning program.
Sec. 4210. Nutrition information and awareness pilot program.
Sec. 4211. Termination of existing agreement.
Sec. 4212. Review of sole-source contracts in Federal nutrition
programs.
Sec. 4213. Pulse crop products.
Sec. 4214. Pilot project for canned, frozen, or dried fruits and
vegetables.
TITLE V--CREDIT
Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans
Sec. 5001. Eligibility for farm ownership loans.
Sec. 5002. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program.
Sec. 5003. Joint financing arrangements.
Sec. 5004. Elimination of mineral rights appraisal requirement.
Sec. 5005. Down payment loan program.
Subtitle B--Operating Loans
Sec. 5101. Eligibility for farm operating loans.
Sec. 5102. Elimination of rural residency requirement for operating
loans to youth.
Sec. 5103. Defaults by youth loan borrowers.
Sec. 5104. Term limits on direct operating loans.
Sec. 5105. Valuation of local or regional crops.
Sec. 5106. Microloans.
Sec. 5107. Term limits on guaranteed operating loans.
Subtitle C--Emergency Loans
Sec. 5201. Eligibility for emergency loans.
Subtitle D--Administrative Provisions
Sec. 5301. Beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts
pilot program.
Sec. 5302. Farmer loan pilot projects.
Sec. 5303. Definition of qualified beginning farmer or rancher.
Sec. 5304. Loan authorization levels.
Sec. 5305. Loan fund set-asides.
Sec. 5306. Borrower training.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous
Sec. 5401. State agricultural mediation programs.
Sec. 5402. Loans to purchasers of highly fractionated land.
Sec. 5403. Removal of duplicative appraisals.
Sec. 5404. Compensation disclosure by Farm Credit System institutions.
TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Subtitle A--Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
Sec. 6001. Water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants.
Sec. 6002. Elimination of reservation of community facilities grant
program funds.
Sec. 6003. Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.
Sec. 6004. Use of loan guarantees for community facilities.
Sec. 6005. Tribal college and university essential community facilities.
Sec. 6006. Essential community facilities technical assistance and
training.
Sec. 6007. Emergency and imminent community water assistance grant
program.
Sec. 6008. Water systems for rural and native villages in Alaska.
Sec. 6009. Household water well systems.
Sec. 6010. Rural business and industry loan program.
Sec. 6011. Solid waste management grants.
Sec. 6012. Rural business development grants.
Sec. 6013. Rural cooperative development grants.
Sec. 6014. Locally or regionally produced agricultural food products.
Sec. 6015. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
Sec. 6016. Rural economic area partnership zones.
Sec. 6017. Intermediary relending program.
Sec. 6018. Rural college coordinated strategy.
Sec. 6019. Rural water and waste disposal infrastructure.
Sec. 6020. Simplified applications.
Sec. 6021. National Rural Development Partnership.
Sec. 6022. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters.
Sec. 6023. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.
Sec. 6024. Health care services.
Sec. 6025. Strategic economic and community development.
Sec. 6026. Delta Regional Authority.
Sec. 6027. Northern Great Plains Regional Authority.
Sec. 6028. Rural business investment program.
Subtitle B--Rural Electrification Act of 1936
Sec. 6101. Fees for certain loan guarantees.
Sec. 6102. Guarantees for bonds and notes issued for electrification or
telephone purposes.
Sec. 6103. Expansion of 911 access.
Sec. 6104. Access to broadband telecommunications services in rural
areas.
Sec. 6105. Rural Gigabit Network Pilot Program.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
Sec. 6201. Distance learning and telemedicine.
Sec. 6202. Agricultural transportation.
Sec. 6203. Value-added agricultural product market development grants.
Sec. 6204. Agriculture innovation center demonstration program.
Sec. 6205. Rural energy savings program.
Sec. 6206. Study of rural transportation issues.
Sec. 6207. Regional economic and infrastructure development.
Sec. 6208. Definition of rural area for purposes of the Housing Act of
1949.
Sec. 6209. Program metrics.
Sec. 6210. Funding of pending rural development loan and grant
applications.
TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle A--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977
Sec. 7101. Option to be included as non-land-grant college of
agriculture.
Sec. 7102. National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board.
Sec. 7103. Specialty crop committee.
Sec. 7104. Veterinary services grant program.
Sec. 7105. Grants and fellowships for food and agriculture sciences
education.
Sec. 7106. Agricultural and food policy research centers.
Sec. 7107. Education grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and
Native Hawaiian serving institutions.
Sec. 7108. Repeal of human nutrition intervention and health promotion
research program.
Sec. 7109. Repeal of pilot research program to combine medical and
agricultural research.
Sec. 7110. Nutrition education program.
Sec. 7111. Continuing animal health and disease research programs.
Sec. 7112. Grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities
at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7113. Grants to upgrade agriculture and food science facilities and
equipment at insular area land-grant institutions.
Sec. 7114. Repeal of national research and training virtual centers.
Sec. 7115. Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sec. 7116. Competitive Grants Program for Hispanic Agricultural Workers
and Youth.
Sec. 7117. Competitive grants for international agricultural science and
education programs.
Sec. 7118. Repeal of research equipment grants.
Sec. 7119. University research.
Sec. 7120. Extension service.
Sec. 7121. Auditing, reporting, bookkeeping, and administrative
requirements.
Sec. 7122. Supplemental and alternative crops.
Sec. 7123. Capacity building grants for NLGCA institutions.
Sec. 7124. Aquaculture assistance programs.
Sec. 7125. Rangeland research programs.
Sec. 7126. Special authorization for biosecurity planning and response.
Sec. 7127. Distance education and resident instruction grants program
for insular area institutions of higher education.
Sec. 7128. Matching funds requirement.
Sec. 7129. Designation of Central State University as 1890 institution.
Subtitle B--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
Sec. 7201. Best utilization of biological applications.
Sec. 7202. Integrated management systems.
Sec. 7203. Sustainable agriculture technology development and transfer
program.
Sec. 7204. National training program.
Sec. 7205. National Genetics Resources Program.
Sec. 7206. National Agricultural Weather Information System.
Sec. 7207. Repeal of rural electronic commerce extension program.
Sec. 7208. Agricultural Genome Initiative.
Sec. 7209. High-priority research and extension initiatives.
Sec. 7210. Repeal of nutrient management research and extension
initiative.
Sec. 7211. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 7212. Repeal of agricultural bioenergy feedstock and energy
efficiency research and extension initiative.
Sec. 7213. Farm business management.
Sec. 7214. Centers of excellence.
Sec. 7215. Repeal of red meat safety research center.
Sec. 7216. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Sec. 7217. National rural information center clearinghouse.
Subtitle C--Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
of 1998
Sec. 7301. Relevance and merit of agricultural research, extension, and
education funded by the Department.
Sec. 7302. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive
grants program.
Sec. 7303. Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale,
and barley caused by Fusarium graminearum or by Tilletia
indica.
Sec. 7304. Repeal of Bovine Johne's disease control program.
Sec. 7305. Grants for youth organizations.
Sec. 7306. Specialty crop research initiative.
Sec. 7307. [H7308] Food animal residue avoidance database program.
Sec. 7308. Repeal of national swine research center.
Sec. 7309. Office of pest management policy.
Sec. 7310. Forestry products advanced utilization research.
Sec. 7311. Repeal of studies of agricultural research, extension, and
education.
Subtitle D--Other Laws
Sec. 7401. Critical Agricultural Materials Act.
Sec. 7402. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Sec. 7403. Research Facilities Act.
Sec. 7404. Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act.
Sec. 7405. Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978.
Sec. 7406. National Aquaculture Act of 1980.
Sec. 7407. Repeal of use of remote sensing data.
Sec. 7408. Repeal of reports under Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002.
Sec. 7409. Beginning farmer and rancher development program.
Sec. 7410. National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act Amendments of 1985.
Subtitle E--Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
Part I--Agricultural Security
Sec. 7501. Agricultural biosecurity communication center.
Sec. 7502. Assistance to build local capacity in agricultural
biosecurity planning, preparation, and response.
Sec. 7503. Research and development of agricultural countermeasures.
Sec. 7504. Agricultural biosecurity grant program.
Part II--Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 7511. Enhanced use lease authority pilot program.
Sec. 7512. Grazinglands research laboratory.
Sec. 7513. Budget submission and funding.
Sec. 7514. Repeal of seed distribution.
Sec. 7515. Natural products research program.
Sec. 7516. Sun grant program.
Sec. 7517. Repeal of study and report on food deserts.
Sec. 7518. Repeal of agricultural and rural transportation research and
education.
Subtitle F--Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 7601. Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.
Sec. 7602. Concessions and agreements with nonprofit organizations for
National Arboretum.
Sec. 7603. Agricultural and food law research, legal tools, and
information.
Sec. 7604. Cotton Disease Research Report.
Sec. 7605. Miscellaneous technical corrections.
Sec. 7606. Legitimacy of industrial hemp research.
TITLE VIII--FORESTRY
Subtitle A--Repeal of Certain Forestry Programs
Sec. 8001. Forest land enhancement program.
Sec. 8002. Watershed forestry assistance program.
Sec. 8003. Expired cooperative national forest products marketing
program.
Sec. 8004. Hispanic-serving institution agricultural land national
resources leadership program.
Sec. 8005. Tribal watershed forestry assistance program.
Sec. 8006. Separate Forest Service decisionmaking and appeals process.
Subtitle B--Reauthorization of Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of
1978 Programs
Sec. 8101. State-wide assessment and strategies for forest resources.
Subtitle C--Reauthorization of Other Forestry-related Laws
Sec. 8201. Rural revitalization technologies.
Sec. 8202. Office of International Forestry.
Sec. 8203. Healthy forests reserve program.
Sec. 8204. Insect and disease infestation.
Sec. 8205. Stewardship end result contracting projects.
Sec. 8206. Good neighbor authority.
Subtitle D--Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 8301. Revision of strategic plan for forest inventory and analysis.
Sec. 8302. Forest service participation in ACES program.
Sec. 8303. Extension of stewardship contracts authority regarding use of
designation by prescription to all thinning sales under
National Forest Management Act of 1976.
Sec. 8304. Reimbursement of fire funds.
Sec. 8305. Forest Service large airtanker and aerial asset firefighting
recapitalization pilot program.
Sec. 8306. Land conveyance, Jefferson National Forest in Wise County,
Virginia.
TITLE IX--ENERGY
Sec. 9001. Definitions.
Sec. 9002. Biobased markets program.
Sec. 9003. Biorefinery assistance.
Sec. 9004. Repowering assistance program.
Sec. 9005. Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels.
Sec. 9006. Biodiesel fuel education program.
Sec. 9007. Rural Energy for America Program.
Sec. 9008. Biomass research and development.
Sec. 9009. Feedstock Flexibility Program for Bioenergy Producers.
Sec. 9010. Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
Sec. 9011. Repeal of forest biomass for energy.
Sec. 9012. Community wood energy program.
Sec. 9013. Repeal of biofuels infrastructure study.
Sec. 9014. Repeal of renewable fertilizer study.
Sec. 9015. Energy efficiency report for USDA facilities.
TITLE X--HORTICULTURE
Sec. 10001. Specialty crops market news allocation.
Sec. 10002. Repeal of grant program to improve movement of specialty
crops.
Sec. 10003. Farmers' market and local food promotion program.
Sec. 10004. Organic agriculture.
Sec. 10005. Investigations and enforcement of the Organic Foods
Production Act of 1990.
Sec. 10006. Food safety education initiatives.
Sec. 10007. Consolidation of plant pest and disease management and
disaster prevention programs.
Sec. 10008. Importation of seed.
Sec. 10009. Bulk shipments of apples to Canada.
Sec. 10010. Specialty crop block grants.
Sec. 10011. Department of Agriculture consultation regarding enforcement
of certain labor law provisions.
Sec. 10012. Report on honey.
Sec. 10013. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 10014. Stay of regulations.
Sec. 10015. Regulation of sulfuryl fluoride.
Sec. 10016. Local food production and program evaluation.
Sec. 10017. Clarification of use of funds for technical assistance.
TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE
Sec. 11001. Information sharing.
Sec. 11002. Publication of information on violations of prohibition on
premium adjustments.
Sec. 11003. Supplemental coverage option.
Sec. 11004. Crop margin coverage option.
Sec. 11005. Premium amounts for catastrophic risk protection.
Sec. 11006. Permanent enterprise unit subsidy.
Sec. 11007. Enterprise units for irrigated and nonirrigated crops.
Sec. 11008. Data collection.
Sec. 11009. Adjustment in actual production history to establish
insurable yields.
Sec. 11010. Submission of policies and Board review and approval.
Sec. 11011. Consultation.
Sec. 11012. Budget limitations on renegotiation of the standard
reinsurance agreement.
Sec. 11013. Test weight for corn.
Sec. 11014. Crop production on native sod.
Sec. 11015. Coverage levels by practice.
Sec. 11016. Beginning farmer and rancher provisions.
Sec. 11017. Stacked income protection plan for producers of upland
cotton.
Sec. 11018. Peanut revenue crop insurance.
Sec. 11019. Authority to correct errors.
Sec. 11020. Implementation.
Sec. 11021. Crop insurance fraud.
Sec. 11022. Research and development priorities.
Sec. 11023. Crop insurance for organic crops.
Sec. 11024. Program compliance partnerships.
Sec. 11025. Pilot programs.
Sec. 11026. Index-based weather insurance pilot program.
Sec. 11027. Enhancing producer self-help through farm financial
benchmarking.
Sec. 11028. Technical amendments.
TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS
Subtitle A--Livestock
Sec. 12101. Trichinae certification program.
Sec. 12102. Sheep production and marketing grant program.
Sec. 12103. National Aquatic Animal Health Plan.
Sec. 12104. Country of origin labeling.
Sec. 12105. National animal health laboratory network.
Sec. 12106. Food safety inspection.
Sec. 12107. National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Sec. 12108. Sense of Congress regarding feral swine eradication.
Subtitle B--Socially Disadvantaged Producers and Limited Resource
Producers
Sec. 12201. Outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers
and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers.
Sec. 12202. Office of Advocacy and Outreach.
Sec. 12203. Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research
Center.
Sec. 12204. Receipt for service or denial of service from certain
department of agriculture agencies.
Subtitle C--Other Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 12301. Grants to improve supply, stability, safety, and training of
agricultural labor force.
Sec. 12302. Program benefit eligibility status for participants in high
plains water study.
Sec. 12303. Office of Tribal Relations.
Sec. 12304. Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.
Sec. 12305. Noninsured crop assistance program.
Sec. 12306. Acer access and development program.
Sec. 12307. Science Advisory Board.
Sec. 12308. Amendments to Animal Welfare Act.
Sec. 12309. Produce represented as grown in the United States when it is
not in fact grown in the United States.
Sec. 12310. Report on water sharing.
Sec. 12311. Scientific and economic analysis of the FDA Food Safety
Modernization Act.
Sec. 12312. Payment in lieu of taxes.
Sec. 12313. Silvicultural activities.
Sec. 12314. Pima agriculture cotton trust fund.
Sec. 12315. Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund.
Sec. 12316. Wool research and promotion.
Subtitle D--Oilheat Efficiency, Renewable Fuel Research and Jobs
Training
Sec. 12401. Short title.
Sec. 12402. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 12403. Definitions.
Sec. 12404. Membership.
Sec. 12405. Functions.
Sec. 12406. Assessments.
Sec. 12407. Market survey and consumer protection.
Sec. 12408. Lobbying restrictions.
Sec. 12409. Noncompliance.
Sec. 12410. Sunset.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
In this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Agriculture.
TITLE I--COMMODITIES
Subtitle A--Repeals and Reforms
PART I--REPEALS
SEC. 1101. REPEAL OF DIRECT PAYMENTS.
Sections 1103 and 1303 of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8713, 8753) are repealed.
SEC. 1102. REPEAL OF COUNTER-CYCLICAL PAYMENTS.
(a) Repeal.--Sections 1104 and 1304 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8714, 8754) are
repealed.
(b) Continued Application for 2013 Crop Year.--Sections
1104 and 1304 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 8714, 8754), as in effect on the day before the date
of enactment of this Act, shall continue to apply through the
2013 crop year with respect to all covered commodities (as
defined in section 1001 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8702)) and
peanuts on a farm.
SEC. 1103. REPEAL OF AVERAGE CROP REVENUE ELECTION PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Section 1105 of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8715) is repealed.
(b) Continued Application for 2013 Crop Year.--Section 1105
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
8715), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of
this Act, shall continue to apply through the 2013 crop year
with respect to all covered commodities (as defined in section
1001 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 8702)) and peanuts on a farm for
which the irrevocable election under section 1105 of that Act
was made before the date of enactment of this Act.
PART II--COMMODITY POLICY
SEC. 1111. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle and subtitle B:
(1) Actual crop revenue.--The term ``actual crop
revenue'', with respect to a covered commodity for a
crop year, means the amount determined by the Secretary
under section 1117(b).
(2) Agriculture risk coverage.--The term
``agriculture risk coverage'' means coverage provided
under section 1117.
(3) Agriculture risk coverage guarantee.--The term
``agriculture risk coverage guarantee'', with respect
to a covered commodity for a crop year, means the
amount determined by the Secretary under section
1117(c).
(4) Base acres.--
(A) In general.--The term ``base acres'',
with respect to a covered commodity on a farm,
means the number of acres in effect under
sections 1001 and 1301 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
8702, 8751), as adjusted pursuant to sections
1101, 1108, and 1302 of such Act (7 U.S.C.
8711, 8718, 8752), as in effect on September
30, 2013, subject to any reallocation,
adjustment, or reduction under section 1112 of
this Act.
(B) Inclusion of generic base acres.--The
term ``base acres'' includes any generic base
acres planted to a covered commodity as
determined in section 1114(b).
(5) County coverage.--The term ``county coverage''
means agriculture risk coverage selected under section
1115(b)(1) to be obtained at the county level.
(6) Covered commodity.--The term ``covered
commodity'' means wheat, oats, and barley (including
wheat, oats, and barley used for haying and grazing),
corn, grain sorghum, long grain rice, medium grain
rice, pulse crops, soybeans, other oilseeds, and
peanuts.
(7) Effective price.--The term ``effective price'',
with respect to a covered commodity for a crop year,
means the price calculated by the Secretary under
section 1116(b) to determine whether price loss
coverage payments are required to be provided for that
crop year.
(8) Extra long staple cotton.--The term ``extra
long staple cotton'' means cotton that--
(A) is produced from pure strain varieties
of the Barbadense species or any hybrid of the
species, or other similar types of extra long
staple cotton, designated by the Secretary,
having characteristics needed for various end
uses for which United States upland cotton is
not suitable and grown in irrigated cotton-
growing regions of the United States designated
by the Secretary or other areas designated by
the Secretary as suitable for the production of
the varieties or types; and
(B) is ginned on a roller-type gin or, if
authorized by the Secretary, ginned on another
type gin for experimental purposes.
(9) Generic base acres.--The term ``generic base
acres'' means the number of base acres for cotton in
effect under section 1001 of the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8702), as adjusted
pursuant to section 1101 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 8711),
as in effect on September 30, 2013, subject to any
adjustment or reduction under section 1112 of this Act.
(10) Individual coverage.--The term ``individual
coverage'' means agriculture risk coverage selected
under section 1115(b)(2) to be obtained at the farm
level.
(11) Medium grain rice.--The term ``medium grain
rice'' includes short grain rice and temperate japonica
rice.
(12) Other oilseed.--The term ``other oilseed''
means a crop of sunflower seed, rapeseed, canola,
safflower, flaxseed, mustard seed, crambe, sesame seed,
or any oilseed designated by the Secretary.
(13) Payment acres.--The term ``payment acres'',
with respect to the provision of price loss coverage
payments and agriculture risk coverage payments, means
the number of acres determined for a farm under section
1114.
(14) Payment yield.--The term ``payment yield'',
for a farm for a covered commodity--
(A) means the yield used to make payments
pursuant to section 1104 or 1304 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
8714, 8754), as in effect on September 30,
2013; or
(B) means the yield established under
section 1113 of this Act.
(15) Price loss coverage.--The term ``price loss
coverage'' means coverage provided under section 1116.
(16) Producer.--
(A) In general.--The term ``producer''
means an owner, operator, landlord, tenant, or
sharecropper that shares in the risk of
producing a crop and is entitled to share in
the crop available for marketing from the farm,
or would have shared had the crop been
produced.
(B) Hybrid seed.--In determining whether a
grower of hybrid seed is a producer, the
Secretary shall--
(i) not take into consideration the
existence of a hybrid seed contract;
and
(ii) ensure that program
requirements do not adversely affect
the ability of the grower to receive a
payment under this title.
(17) Pulse crop.--The term ``pulse crop'' means dry
peas, lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas.
(18) Reference price.--The term ``reference
price'', with respect to a covered commodity for a crop
year, means the following:
(A) For wheat, $5.50 per bushel.
(B) For corn, $3.70 per bushel.
(C) For grain sorghum, $3.95 per bushel.
(D) For barley, $4.95 per bushel.
(E) For oats, $2.40 per bushel.
(F) For long grain rice, $14.00 per
hundredweight.
(G) For medium grain rice, $14.00 per
hundredweight.
(H) For soybeans, $8.40 per bushel.
(I) For other oilseeds, $20.15 per
hundredweight.
(J) For peanuts, $535.00 per ton.
(K) For dry peas, $11.00 per hundredweight.
(L) For lentils, $19.97 per hundredweight.
(M) For small chickpeas, $19.04 per
hundredweight.
(N) For large chickpeas, $21.54 per
hundredweight.
(19) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Agriculture.
(20) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and
(D) any other territory or possession of
the United States.
(21) Temperate japonica rice.--The term ``temperate
japonica rice'' means rice that is grown in high
altitudes or temperate regions of high latitudes with
cooler climate conditions, in the Western United
States, as determined by the Secretary, for the purpose
of--
(A) the reallocation of base acres under
section 1112;
(B) the establishment of a reference price
(as required under section 1116(g)) and an
effective price pursuant to section 1116; and
(C) the determination of the actual crop
revenue and agriculture risk coverage guarantee
pursuant to section 1117.
(22) Transitional yield.--The term ``transitional
yield'' has the meaning given the term in section
502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1502(b)).
(23) United states.--The term ``United States'',
when used in a geographical sense, means all of the
States.
(24) United states premium factor.--The term
``United States Premium Factor'' means the percentage
by which the difference in the United States loan
schedule premiums for Strict Middling (SM) 1\1/8\-inch
upland cotton and for Middling (M) 1\3/32\-inch upland
cotton exceeds the difference in the applicable
premiums for comparable international qualities.
SEC. 1112. BASE ACRES.
(a) Retention or 1-time Reallocation of Base Acres.--
(1) Election required.--
(A) Notice of election opportunity.--As
soon as practicable after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall provide notice
to the owners of a farm regarding their
opportunity to make an election, in the manner
provided in this subsection--
(i) to retain base acres, including
any generic base acres, as provided in
paragraph (2); or
(ii) in lieu of retaining base
acres, to reallocate base acres, other
than any generic base acres, as
provided in paragraph (3).
(B) Content of notice.--The notice under
subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
(i) Information that the
opportunity of an owner to make the
election is being provided only once.
(ii) Information regarding the
manner in which the owner must make the
election and the manner of notifying
the Secretary of the election.
(iii) Information regarding the
deadline before which the owner must
notify the Secretary of the election to
be in effect beginning with the 2014
crop year.
(C) Effect of failure to make election.--If
the owner of a farm fails to make the election
under this subsection, or fails to timely
notify the Secretary of the election as
required by subparagraph (B)(iii), the owner
shall be deemed to have elected to retain base
acres, including generic base acres, as
provided in paragraph (2).
(2) Retention of base acres.--
(A) Election to retain.--For the purpose of
applying this part to a covered commodity, the
Secretary shall give an owner of a farm an
opportunity to elect to retain all of the base
acres for each covered commodity on the farm.
(B) Treatment of generic base acres.--
Generic base acres are automatically retained.
(3) Reallocation of base acres.--
(A) Election to reallocate.--For the
purpose of applying this part to covered
commodities, the Secretary shall give an owner
of a farm an opportunity to elect to reallocate
all of the base acres for covered commodities
on the farm, as in effect on September 30,
2013, among those covered commodities planted
on the farm at any time during the 2009 through
2012 crop years.
(B) Reallocation formula.--The reallocation
of base acres among covered commodities on a
farm shall be in proportion to the ratio of--
(i) the 4-year average of--
(I) the acreage planted on
the farm to each covered
commodity for harvest, grazing,
haying, silage, or other
similar purposes for the 2009
through 2012 crop years; and
(II) any acreage on the
farm that the producers were
prevented from planting during
the 2009 through 2012 crop
years to that covered commodity
because of drought, flood, or
other natural disaster, or
other condition beyond the
control of the producers, as
determined by the Secretary; to
(ii) the 4-year average of--
(I) the acreage planted on
the farm to all covered
commodities for harvest,
grazing, haying, silage, or
other similar purposes for such
crop years; and
(II) any acreage on the
farm that the producers were
prevented from planting during
such crop years to covered
commodities because of drought,
flood, or other natural
disaster, or other condition
beyond the control of the
producers, as determined by the
Secretary.
(C) Treatment of generic base acres.--
Generic base acres are retained and may not be
reallocated under this paragraph.
(D) Inclusion of all 4 years in average.--
For the purpose of determining a 4-year acreage
average under subparagraph (B) for a farm, the
Secretary shall not exclude any crop year in
which a covered commodity was not planted.
(E) Treatment of multiple planting or
prevented planting.--For the purpose of
determining under subparagraph (B) the acreage
on a farm that producers planted or were
prevented from planting during the 2009 through
2012 crop years to covered commodities, if the
acreage that was planted or prevented from
being planted was devoted to another covered
commodity in the same crop year (other than a
covered commodity produced under an established
practice of double cropping), the owner may
elect the commodity to be used for that crop
year in determining the 4-year average, but may
not include both the initial commodity and the
subsequent commodity.
(F) Limitation.--The reallocation of base
acres among covered commodities on a farm under
this paragraph may not result in a total number
of base acres (including generic base acres)
for the farm in excess of the number of base
acres in effect for the farm on September 30,
2013.
(4) Application of election to all covered
commodities.--The election made under this subsection,
or deemed to be made under paragraph (1)(C), with
respect to a farm shall apply to all of the covered
commodities on the farm.
(b) Adjustment of Base Acres.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the election made
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide for
an adjustment, as appropriate, in the base acres for
covered commodities for a farm and any generic base
acres for the farm whenever any of the following
circumstances occur:
(A) A conservation reserve contract entered
into under section 1231 of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) with respect to
the farm expires or is voluntarily terminated.
(B) Cropland is released from coverage
under a conservation reserve contract by the
Secretary.
(C) The producer has eligible oilseed
acreage as the result of the Secretary
designating additional oilseeds, which shall be
determined in the same manner as eligible
oilseed acreage under section 1101(a)(1)(D) of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 8711(a)(1)(D)).
(2) Special conservation reserve acreage payment
rules.--For the crop year in which a base acres
adjustment under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph
(1) is first made, the owner of the farm shall elect to
receive price loss coverage or agriculture risk
coverage with respect to the acreage added to the farm
under this subsection or a prorated payment under the
conservation reserve contract, but not both.
(c) Prevention of Excess Base Acres.--
(1) Required reduction.--Notwithstanding the
election made under subsection (a), if the sum of the
base acres for a farm, including generic base acres,
and the acreage described in paragraph (2) exceeds the
actual cropland acreage of the farm, the Secretary
shall reduce the base acres for 1 or more covered
commodities or generic base acres for the farm so that
the sum of the base acres, including generic base
acres, and the acreage described in paragraph (2) does
not exceed the actual cropland acreage of the farm.
(2) Other acreage.--For purposes of paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall include the following:
(A) Any acreage on the farm enrolled in the
conservation reserve program or wetlands
reserve program (or successor programs) under
chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et
seq.).
(B) Any other acreage on the farm enrolled
in a Federal conservation program for which
payments are made in exchange for not producing
an agricultural commodity on the acreage.
(C) If the Secretary designates additional
oilseeds, any eligible oilseed acreage, which
shall be determined in the same manner as
eligible oilseed acreage under subsection
(b)(1)(C).
(3) Selection of acres.--The Secretary shall give
the owner of the farm the opportunity to select the
base acres for a covered commodity or generic base
acres for the farm against which the reduction required
by paragraph (1) will be made.
(4) Exception for double-cropped acreage.--In
applying paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make an
exception in the case of double cropping, as determined
by the Secretary.
(d) Reduction in Base Acres.--
(1) Reduction at option of owner.--
(A) In general.--The owner of a farm may
reduce, at any time, the base acres for any
covered commodity or generic base acres for the
farm.
(B) Effect of reduction.--A reduction under
subparagraph (A) shall be permanent and made in
a manner prescribed by the Secretary.
(2) Required action by secretary.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
proportionately reduce base acres, including
any generic base acres, on a farm for land that
has been subdivided and developed for multiple
residential units or other nonfarming uses if
the size of the tracts and the density of the
subdivision is such that the land is unlikely
to return to the previous agricultural use,
unless the producers on the farm demonstrate
that the land--
(i) remains devoted to commercial
agricultural production; or
(ii) is likely to be returned to
the previous agricultural use.
(B) Requirement.--The Secretary shall
establish procedures to identify land described
in subparagraph (A).
SEC. 1113. PAYMENT YIELDS.
(a) Establishment and Purpose.--For the purpose of making
price loss coverage payments under section 1116, the Secretary
shall provide for the establishment of a yield for each farm
for any designated oilseed for which a payment yield was not
established under section 1102 of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8712) in accordance with this
section.
(b) Payment Yields for Designated Oilseeds.--
(1) Determination of average yield.--In the case of
designated oilseeds, the Secretary shall determine the
average yield per planted acre for the designated
oilseed on a farm for the 1998 through 2001 crop years,
excluding any crop year in which the acreage planted to
the designated oilseed was zero.
(2) Adjustment for payment yield.--
(A) In general.--The payment yield for a
farm for a designated oilseed shall be equal to
the product of the following:
(i) The average yield for the
designated oilseed determined under
paragraph (1).
(ii) The ratio resulting from
dividing the national average yield for
the designated oilseed for the 1981
through 1985 crops by the national
average yield for the designated
oilseed for the 1998 through 2001
crops.
(B) No national average yield information
available.--To the extent that national average
yield information for a designated oilseed is
not available, the Secretary shall use such
information as the Secretary determines to be
fair and equitable to establish a national
average yield under this section.
(3) Use of county average yield.--If the yield per
planted acre for a crop of a designated oilseed for a
farm for any of the 1998 through 2001 crop years was
less than 75 percent of the county yield for that
designated oilseed, the Secretary shall assign a yield
for that crop year equal to 75 percent of the county
yield for the purpose of determining the average under
paragraph (1).
(c) Effect of Lack of Payment Yield.--
(1) Establishment by secretary.--In the case of a
covered commodity on a farm for which base acres have
been established or that is planted on generic base
acres, if no payment yield is otherwise established for
the covered commodity on the farm, the Secretary shall
establish an appropriate payment yield for the covered
commodity on the farm under paragraph (2).
(2) Use of similarly situated farms.--To establish
an appropriate payment yield for a covered commodity on
a farm as required by paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall take into consideration the farm program payment
yields applicable to that covered commodity for
similarly situated farms. The use of such data in an
appeal, by the Secretary or by the producer, shall not
be subject to any other provision of law.
(d) Single Opportunity To Update Yields Used To Determine
Price Loss Coverage Payments.--
(1) Election to update.--At the sole discretion of
the owner of a farm, the owner of a farm shall have a
1-time opportunity to update, on a covered commodity-
by-covered-commodity basis, the payment yield that
would otherwise be used in calculating any price loss
coverage payment for each covered commodity on the farm
for which the election is made.
(2) Time for election.--The election under
paragraph (1) shall be made at a time and manner to be
in effect beginning with the 2014 crop year as
determined by the Secretary.
(3) Method of updating yields.--If the owner of a
farm elects to update yields under this subsection, the
payment yield for a covered commodity on the farm, for
the purpose of calculating price loss coverage payments
only, shall be equal to 90 percent of the average of
the yield per planted acre for the crop of the covered
commodity on the farm for the 2008 through 2012 crop
years, as determined by the Secretary, excluding any
crop year in which the acreage planted to the crop of
the covered commodity was zero.
(4) Use of county average yield.--If the yield per
planted acre for a crop of the covered commodity for a
farm for any of the 2008 through 2012 crop years was
less than 75 percent of the average of the 2008 through
2012 county yield for that commodity, the Secretary
shall assign a yield for that crop year equal to 75
percent of the average of the 2008 through 2012 county
yield for the purposes of determining the average yield
under paragraph (3).
SEC. 1114. PAYMENT ACRES.
(a) Determination of Payment Acres.--
(1) General rule.--For the purpose of price loss
coverage and agriculture risk coverage when county
coverage has been selected under section 1115(b)(1),
but subject to subsection (e), the payment acres for
each covered commodity on a farm shall be equal to 85
percent of the base acres for the covered commodity on
the farm.
(2) Effect of individual coverage.--In the case of
agriculture risk coverage when individual coverage has
been selected under section 1115(b)(2), but subject to
subsection (e), the payment acres for a farm shall be
equal to 65 percent of the base acres for all of the
covered commodities on the farm.
(b) Treatment of Generic Base Acres.--
(1) In general.--In the case of generic base acres,
price loss coverage payments and agriculture risk
coverage payments are made only with respect to generic
base acres planted to a covered commodity for the crop
year.
(2) Attribution.--With respect to a farm containing
generic base acres, for the purpose of applying
paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) of subsection (a), generic
base acres on the farm are attributed to a covered
commodity in the following manner:
(A) If a single covered commodity is
planted and the total acreage planted exceeds
the generic base acres on the farm, the generic
base acres are attributed to that covered
commodity in an amount equal to the total
number of generic base acres.
(B) If multiple covered commodities are
planted and the total number of acres planted
to all covered commodities on the farm exceeds
the generic base acres on the farm, the generic
base acres are attributed to each of the
covered commodities on the farm on a pro rata
basis to reflect the ratio of--
(i) the acreage planted to a
covered commodity on the farm; to
(ii) the total acreage planted to
all covered commodities on the farm.
(C) If the total number of acres planted to
all covered commodities on the farm does not
exceed the generic base acres on the farm, the
number of acres planted to a covered commodity
is attributed to that covered commodity.
(3) Treated as additional acreage.--When generic
base acres are planted to a covered commodity or
acreage planted to a covered commodity is attributed to
generic base acres, the generic base acres are in
addition to other base acres on the farm.
(c) Exclusion.--The quantity of payment acres determined
under subsection (a) may not include any crop subsequently
planted during the same crop year on the same land for which
the first crop is eligible for price loss coverage payments or
agriculture risk coverage payments, unless the crop was
approved for double cropping in the county, as determined by
the Secretary.
(d) Effect of Minimal Payment Acres.--
(1) Prohibition on payments.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of this title, a producer on a farm may
not receive price loss coverage payments or agriculture
risk coverage payments if the sum of the base acres on
the farm is 10 acres or less, as determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply to a
producer that is--
(A) a socially disadvantaged farmer or
rancher (as defined in section 355(e) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2003(e))); or
(B) a limited resource farmer or rancher,
as defined by the Secretary.
(e) Effect of Planting Fruits and Vegetables.--
(1) Reduction required.--In the manner provided in
this subsection, payment acres on a farm shall be
reduced in any crop year in which fruits, vegetables
(other than mung beans and pulse crops), or wild rice
have been planted on base acres on a farm.
(2) Price loss coverage and county coverage.--In
the case of price loss coverage payments and
agricultural risk coverage payments using county
coverage, the reduction under paragraph (1) shall be
the amount equal to the base acres planted to crops
referred to in such paragraph in excess of 15 percent
of base acres.
(3) Individual coverage.--In the case of
agricultural risk coverage payments using individual
coverage, the reduction under paragraph (1) shall be
the amount equal to the base acres planted to crops
referred to in such paragraph in excess of 35 percent
of base acres.
(4) Reduction exceptions.--No reduction to payment
acres shall be made under this subsection if--
(A) cover crops or crops referred to in
paragraph (1) are grown solely for conservation
purposes and not harvested for use or sale, as
determined by the Secretary; or
(B) in any region in which there is a
history of double-cropping covered commodities
with crops referred to in paragraph (1) and
such crops were so double-cropped on the base
acres, as determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 1115. PRODUCER ELECTION.
(a) Election Required.--For the 2014 through 2018 crop
years, all of the producers on a farm shall make a 1-time,
irrevocable election to obtain--
(1) price loss coverage under section 1116 on a
covered commodity-by-covered-commodity basis; or
(2) agriculture risk coverage under section 1117.
(b) Coverage Options.--In the election under subsection
(a), the producers on a farm that elect under paragraph (2) of
such subsection to obtain agriculture risk coverage under
section 1117 shall unanimously select whether to receive
agriculture risk coverage payments based on--
(1) county coverage applicable on a covered
commodity-by-covered-commodity basis; or
(2) individual coverage applicable to all of the
covered commodities on the farm.
(c) Effect of Failure to Make Unanimous Election.--If all
the producers on a farm fail to make a unanimous election under
subsection (a) for the 2014 crop year--
(1) the Secretary shall not make any payments with
respect to the farm for the 2014 crop year under
section 1116 or 1117; and
(2) the producers on the farm shall be deemed to
have elected price loss coverage under section 1116 for
all covered commodities on the farm for the 2015
through 2018 crop years.
(d) Effect of Selection of County Coverage.--If all the
producers on a farm select county coverage for a covered
commodity under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may not make
price loss coverage payments under section 1116 to the
producers on the farm with respect to that covered commodity.
(e) Effect of Selection of Individual Coverage.--If all the
producers on a farm select individual coverage under subsection
(b)(2), in addition to the selection and election under this
section applying to each producer on the farm, the Secretary
shall consider, for purposes of making the calculations
required by subsections (b)(2) and (c)(3) of section 1117, the
producer's share of all farms in the same State--
(1) in which the producer has an interest; and
(2) for which individual coverage has been
selected.
(f) Prohibition on Reconstitution.--The Secretary shall
ensure that producers on a farm do not reconstitute the farm to
void or change an election or selection made under this
section.
SEC. 1116. PRICE LOSS COVERAGE.
(a) Price Loss Coverage Payments.--If all of the producers
on a farm make the election under subsection (a) of section
1115 to obtain price loss coverage or, subject to subsection
(c)(1) of such section, are deemed to have made such election
under subsection (c)(2) of such section, the Secretary shall
make price loss coverage payments to producers on the farm on a
covered commodity-by-covered-commodity basis if the Secretary
determines that, for any of the 2014 through 2018 crop years--
(1) the effective price for the covered commodity
for the crop year; is less than
(2) the reference price for the covered commodity
for the crop year.
(b) Effective Price.--The effective price for a covered
commodity for a crop year shall be the higher of--
(1) the national average market price received by
producers during the 12-month marketing year for the
covered commodity, as determined by the Secretary; or
(2) the national average loan rate for a marketing
assistance loan for the covered commodity in effect for
such crop year under subtitle B.
(c) Payment Rate.--The payment rate shall be equal to the
difference between--
(1) the reference price for the covered commodity;
and
(2) the effective price determined under subsection
(b) for the covered commodity.
(d) Payment Amount.--If price loss coverage payments are
required to be provided under this section for any of the 2014
through 2018 crop years for a covered commodity, the amount of
the price loss coverage payment to be paid to the producers on
a farm for the crop year shall be equal to the product obtained
by multiplying--
(1) the payment rate for the covered commodity
under subsection (c);
(2) the payment yield for the covered commodity;
and
(3) the payment acres for the covered commodity.
(e) Time for Payments.--If the Secretary determines under
this section that price loss coverage payments are required to
be provided for the covered commodity, the payments shall be
made beginning October 1, or as soon as practicable thereafter,
after the end of the applicable marketing year for the covered
commodity.
(f) Effective Price for Barley.--In determining the
effective price for barley under subsection (b), the Secretary
shall use the all-barley price.
(g) Reference Price for Temperate Japonica Rice.--The
Secretary shall provide a reference price with respect to
temperate japonica rice in an amount equal to 115 percent of
the amount established in subparagraphs (F) and (G) of section
1111(18) in order to reflect price premiums.
SEC. 1117. AGRICULTURE RISK COVERAGE.
(a) Agriculture Risk Coverage Payments.--If all of the
producers on a farm make the election under section 1115(a) to
obtain agriculture risk coverage, the Secretary shall make
agriculture risk coverage payments to producers on the farm if
the Secretary determines that, for any of the 2014 through 2018
crop years--
(1) the actual crop revenue determined under
subsection (b) for the crop year; is less than
(2) the agriculture risk coverage guarantee
determined under subsection (c) for the crop year.
(b) Actual Crop Revenue.--
(1) County coverage.--In the case of county
coverage, the amount of the actual crop revenue for a
county for a crop year of a covered commodity shall be
equal to the product obtained by multiplying--
(A) the actual average county yield per
planted acre for the covered commodity, as
determined by the Secretary; and
(B) the higher of--
(i) the national average market
price received by producers during the
12-month marketing year for the covered
commodity, as determined by the
Secretary; or
(ii) the national average loan rate
for a marketing assistance loan for the
covered commodity in effect for such
crop year under subtitle B.
(2) Individual coverage.--In the case of individual
coverage, the amount of the actual crop revenue for a
producer on a farm for a crop year shall be based on
the producer's share of all covered commodities planted
on all farms for which individual coverage has been
selected and in which the producer has an interest, to
be determined by the Secretary as follows:
(A) For each covered commodity, the product
obtained by multiplying--
(i) the total production of the
covered commodity on such farms, as
determined by the Secretary; and
(ii) the higher of--
(I) the national average
market price received by
producers during the 12-month
marketing year, as determined
by the Secretary; or
(II) the national average
loan rate for a marketing
assistance loan for the covered
commodity in effect for such
crop year under subtitle B.
(B) The sum of the amounts determined under
subparagraph (A) for all covered commodities on
such farms.
(C) The quotient obtained by dividing the
amount determined under subparagraph (B) by the
total planted acres of all covered commodities
on such farms.
(c) Agriculture Risk Coverage Guarantee.--
(1) In general.--The agriculture risk coverage
guarantee for a crop year for a covered commodity shall
equal 86 percent of the benchmark revenue.
(2) Benchmark revenue for county coverage.--In the
case of county coverage, the benchmark revenue shall be
the product obtained by multiplying--
(A) subject to paragraph (4), the average
historical county yield as determined by the
Secretary for the most recent 5 crop years,
excluding each of the crop years with the
highest and lowest yields; and
(B) subject to paragraph (5), the national
average market price received by producers
during the 12-month marketing year for the most
recent 5 crop years, excluding each of the crop
years with the highest and lowest prices.
(3) Benchmark revenue for individual coverage.--In
the case of individual coverage, the benchmark revenue
for a producer on a farm for a crop year shall be based
on the producer's share of all covered commodities
planted on all farms for which individual coverage has
been selected and in which the producer has an
interest, to be determined by the Secretary as follows:
(A) For each covered commodity for each of
the most recent 5 crop years, the product
obtained by multiplying--
(i) subject to paragraph (4), the
yield per planted acre for the covered
commodity on such farms, as determined
by the Secretary; by
(ii) subject to paragraph (5), the
national average market price received
by producers during the 12-month
marketing year.
(B) For each covered commodity, the average
of the revenues determined under subparagraph
(A) for the most recent 5 crop years, excluding
each of the crop years with the highest and
lowest revenues.
(C) For each of the 2014 through 2018 crop
years, the sum of the amounts determined under
subparagraph (B) for all covered commodities on
such farms, but adjusted to reflect the ratio
between the total number of acres planted on
such farms to a covered commodity and the total
acres of all covered commodities planted on
such farms.
(4) Yield conditions.--If the yield per planted
acre for the covered commodity or historical county
yield per planted acre for the covered commodity for
any of the 5 most recent crop years, as determined by
the Secretary, is less than 70 percent of the
transitional yield, as determined by the Secretary, the
amounts used for any of those years in paragraph (2)(A)
or (3)(A)(i) shall be 70 percent of the transitional
yield.
(5) Reference price.--If the national average
market price received by producers during the 12-month
marketing year for any of the 5 most recent crop years
is lower than the reference price for the covered
commodity, the Secretary shall use the reference price
for any of those years for the amounts in paragraph
(2)(B) or (3)(A)(ii).
(d) Payment Rate.--The payment rate for a covered
commodity, in the case of county coverage, or a farm, in the
case of individual coverage, shall be equal to the lesser of--
(1) the amount that--
(A) the agriculture risk coverage guarantee
for the crop year applicable under subsection
(c); exceeds
(B) the actual crop revenue for the crop
year applicable under subsection (b); or
(2) 10 percent of the benchmark revenue for the
crop year applicable under subsection (c).
(e) Payment Amount.--If agriculture risk coverage payments
are required to be paid for any of the 2014 through 2018 crop
years, the amount of the agriculture risk coverage payment for
the crop year shall be determined by multiplying--
(1) the payment rate determined under subsection
(d); and
(2) the payment acres determined under section
1114.
(f) Time for Payments.--If the Secretary determines that
agriculture risk coverage payments are required to be provided
for the covered commodity, payments shall be made beginning
October 1, or as soon as practicable thereafter, after the end
of the applicable marketing year for the covered commodity.
(g) Additional Duties of the Secretary.--In providing
agriculture risk coverage, the Secretary shall--
(1) to the maximum extent practicable, use all
available information and analysis, including data
mining, to check for anomalies in the determination of
agriculture risk coverage payments;
(2) to the maximum extent practicable, calculate a
separate actual crop revenue and agriculture risk
coverage guarantee for irrigated and nonirrigated
covered commodities;
(3) in the case of individual coverage, assign an
average yield for a farm on the basis of the yield
history of representative farms in the State, region,
or crop reporting district, as determined by the
Secretary, if the Secretary determines that the farm
has planted acreage in a quantity that is insufficient
to calculate a representative average yield for the
farm; and
(4) in the case of county coverage, assign an
actual or benchmark county yield for each planted acre
for the crop year for the covered commodity on the
basis of the yield history of representative farms in
the State, region, or crop reporting district, as
determined by the Secretary, if--
(A) the Secretary cannot establish the
actual or benchmark county yield for each
planted acre for a crop year for a covered
commodity in the county in accordance with
subsection (b)(1) or (c)(2); or
(B) the yield determined under subsection
(b)(1) or (c)(2) is an unrepresentative average
yield for the county, as determined by the
Secretary.
SEC. 1118. PRODUCER AGREEMENTS.
(a) Compliance With Certain Requirements.--
(1) Requirements.--Before the producers on a farm
may receive payments under this subtitle with respect
to the farm, the producers shall agree, during the crop
year for which the payments are made and in exchange
for the payments--
(A) to comply with applicable conservation
requirements under subtitle B of title XII of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811
et seq.);
(B) to comply with applicable wetland
protection requirements under subtitle C of
title XII of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.);
(C) to effectively control noxious weeds
and otherwise maintain the land in accordance
with sound agricultural practices, as
determined by the Secretary; and
(D) to use the land on the farm, in a
quantity equal to the attributable base acres
for the farm and any base acres for an
agricultural or conserving use, and not for a
nonagricultural commercial, industrial, or
residential use, as determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Compliance.--The Secretary may issue such rules
as the Secretary considers necessary to ensure producer
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1).
(3) Modification.--At the request of the transferee
or owner, the Secretary may modify the requirements of
this subsection if the modifications are consistent
with the objectives of this subsection, as determined
by the Secretary.
(b) Transfer or Change of Interest in Farm.--
(1) Termination.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), a transfer of (or change in) the
interest of the producers on a farm for which
payments under this subtitle are provided shall
result in the termination of the payments,
unless the transferee or owner of the acreage
agrees to assume all obligations under
subsection (a).
(B) Effective date.--The termination shall
take effect on the date determined by the
Secretary.
(2) Exception.--If a producer entitled to a payment
under this subtitle dies, becomes incompetent, or is
otherwise unable to receive the payment, the Secretary
shall make the payment in accordance with rules issued
by the Secretary.
(c) Acreage Reports.--As a condition on the receipt of any
benefits under this subtitle or subtitle B, the Secretary shall
require producers on a farm to submit to the Secretary annual
acreage reports with respect to all cropland on the farm.
(d) Production Reports.--As an additional condition on
receiving agriculture risk coverage payments for individual
coverage, the Secretary shall require a producer on a farm to
submit to the Secretary annual production reports with respect
to all covered commodities produced on all farms in the same
State--
(1) in which the producer has an interest; and
(2) for which individual coverage has been
selected.
(e) Effect of Inaccurate Reports.--No penalty with respect
to benefits under this subtitle or subtitle B shall be assessed
against a producer on a farm for an inaccurate acreage or
production report unless the Secretary determines that the
producer on the farm knowingly and willfully falsified the
acreage or production report.
(f) Tenants and Sharecroppers.--In carrying out this
subtitle, the Secretary shall provide adequate safeguards to
protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers.
(g) Sharing of Payments.--The Secretary shall provide for
the sharing of payments made under this subtitle among the
producers on a farm on a fair and equitable basis.
SEC. 1119. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE FOR PRODUCERS OF UPLAND COTTON.
(a) Availability.--
(1) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to
provide transition assistance to producers of upland
cotton in light of the repeal of section 1103 of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
8713), the inapplicability of sections 1116 and 1117 to
upland cotton, and the delayed implementation of the
Stacked Income Protection Plan required by section 508B
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508b), as
added by section 11017 of this Act.
(2) 2014 crop year.--For the 2014 crop of upland
cotton, the Secretary shall provide transition
assistance, pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this section, to producers on a farm for which cotton
base acres were in existence for the 2013 crop year.
(3) 2015 crop year.--For the 2015 crop of upland
cotton, the Secretary shall provide transition
assistance, pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this section, to producers on a farm--
(A) for which cotton base acres were in
existence for the 2013 crop year; and
(B) that is located in a county in which
the Stacked Income Protection Plan required by
section 508B of the Federal Crop Insurance Act
(7 U.S.C. 1508b) is not available to producers
of upland cotton for the 2015 crop year.
(b) Transition Assistance Rate.--The transition assistance
rate shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying--
(1) the June 12, 2013, midpoint estimate for the
marketing year average price of upland cotton received
by producers for the marketing year beginning August 1,
2013, minus the December 10, 2013, midpoint estimate
for the marketing year average price of upland cotton
received by producers for the marketing year beginning
August 1, 2013, as contained in the applicable World
Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report
published by the Department of Agriculture; and
(2) the national program yield for upland cotton of
597 pounds per acre.
(c) Calculation of Transition Assistance Amount.--The
amount of transition assistance to be provided under this
section to producers on a farm for a crop year shall be equal
to the product obtained by multiplying--
(1) for the 2014 crop year, 60 percent, and for the
2015 crop year, 36.5 percent, of the cotton base acres
referred to in subsection (a) for the farm, subject to
adjustment or reduction for conservation measures as
provided in subsections (b) and (c) of section 1112;
(2) the transition assistance rate in effect for
the crop year under subsection (b); and
(3) the payment yield for upland cotton for the
farm established for purposes of section 1103(c)(3) of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 8713(c)(3)), divided by the national program
yield for upland cotton of 597 pounds per acre.
(d) Time for Payment.--The Secretary may not make
transition assistance payments for a crop year under this
section before October 1 of the calendar year in which the crop
of upland cotton is harvested.
(e) Payment Limitations.--Sections 1001 through 1001C of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308 through 1308C), as
in effect on September 30, 2013, shall apply to the receipt of
transition assistance under this section in the same manner as
such sections applied to section 1103 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8713).
Subtitle B--Marketing Loans
SEC. 1201. AVAILABILITY OF NONRECOURSE MARKETING ASSISTANCE LOANS FOR
LOAN COMMODITIES.
(a) Definition of Loan Commodity.--In this subtitle, the
term ``loan commodity'' means wheat, corn, grain sorghum,
barley, oats, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, long
grain rice, medium grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, other
oilseeds, graded wool, nongraded wool, mohair, honey, dry peas,
lentils, small chickpeas, and large chickpeas.
(b) Nonrecourse Loans Available.--
(1) In general.--For each of the 2014 through 2018
crops of each loan commodity, the Secretary shall make
available to producers on a farm nonrecourse marketing
assistance loans for loan commodities produced on the
farm.
(2) Terms and conditions.--The marketing assistance
loans shall be made under terms and conditions that are
prescribed by the Secretary and at the loan rate
established under section 1202 for the loan commodity.
(c) Eligible Production.--The producers on a farm shall be
eligible for a marketing assistance loan under subsection (b)
for any quantity of a loan commodity produced on the farm.
(d) Compliance With Conservation and Wetlands
Requirements.--As a condition of the receipt of a marketing
assistance loan under subsection (b), the producer shall comply
with applicable conservation requirements under subtitle B of
title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et
seq.) and applicable wetland protection requirements under
subtitle C of title XII of that Act (16 U.S.C. 3821 et seq.)
during the term of the loan.
(e) Special Rules for Peanuts.--
(1) In general.--This subsection shall apply only
to producers of peanuts.
(2) Options for obtaining loan.--A marketing
assistance loan under this section, and loan deficiency
payments under section 1205, may be obtained at the
option of the producers on a farm through--
(A) a designated marketing association or
marketing cooperative of producers that is
approved by the Secretary; or
(B) the Farm Service Agency.
(3) Storage of loan peanuts.--As a condition on the
approval by the Secretary of an individual or entity to
provide storage for peanuts for which a marketing
assistance loan is made under this section, the
individual or entity shall agree--
(A) to provide the storage on a
nondiscriminatory basis; and
(B) to comply with such additional
requirements as the Secretary considers
appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this
section and promote fairness in the
administration of the benefits of this section.
(4) Storage, handling, and associated costs.--
(A) In general.--To ensure proper storage
of peanuts for which a loan is made under this
section, the Secretary shall pay handling and
other associated costs (other than storage
costs) incurred at the time at which the
peanuts are placed under loan, as determined by
the Secretary.
(B) Redemption and forfeiture.--The
Secretary shall--
(i) require the repayment of
handling and other associated costs
paid under subparagraph (A) for all
peanuts pledged as collateral for a
loan that is redeemed under this
section; and
(ii) pay storage, handling, and
other associated costs for all peanuts
pledged as collateral that are
forfeited under this section.
(5) Marketing.--A marketing association or
cooperative may market peanuts for which a loan is made
under this section in any manner that conforms to
consumer needs, including the separation of peanuts by
type and quality.
(6) Reimbursable agreements and payment of
administrative expenses.--The Secretary may implement
any reimbursable agreements or provide for the payment
of administrative expenses under this subsection only
in a manner that is consistent with those activities in
regard to other loan commodities.
SEC. 1202. LOAN RATES FOR NONRECOURSE MARKETING ASSISTANCE LOANS.
(a) In General.--For purposes of each of the 2014 through
2018 crop years, the loan rate for a marketing assistance loan
under section 1201 for a loan commodity shall be equal to the
following:
(1) In the case of wheat, $2.94 per bushel.
(2) In the case of corn, $1.95 per bushel.
(3) In the case of grain sorghum, $1.95 per bushel.
(4) In the case of barley, $1.95 per bushel.
(5) In the case of oats, $1.39 per bushel.
(6) In the case of base quality of upland cotton,
for each of the 2014 through 2018 crop years, the
simple average of the adjusted prevailing world price
for the 2 immediately preceding marketing years, as
determined by the Secretary and announced October 1
preceding the next domestic plantings, but in no case
less than $0.45 per pound or more than $0.52 per pound.
(7) In the case of extra long staple cotton,
$0.7977 per pound.
(8) In the case of long grain rice, $6.50 per
hundredweight.
(9) In the case of medium grain rice, $6.50 per
hundredweight.
(10) In the case of soybeans, $5.00 per bushel.
(11) In the case of other oilseeds, $10.09 per
hundredweight for each of the following kinds of
oilseeds:
(A) Sunflower seed.
(B) Rapeseed.
(C) Canola.
(D) Safflower.
(E) Flaxseed.
(F) Mustard seed.
(G) Crambe.
(H) Sesame seed.
(I) Other oilseeds designated by the
Secretary.
(12) In the case of dry peas, $5.40 per
hundredweight.
(13) In the case of lentils, $11.28 per
hundredweight.
(14) In the case of small chickpeas, $7.43 per
hundredweight.
(15) In the case of large chickpeas, $11.28 per
hundredweight.
(16) In the case of graded wool, $1.15 per pound.
(17) In the case of nongraded wool, $0.40 per
pound.
(18) In the case of mohair, $4.20 per pound.
(19) In the case of honey, $0.69 per pound.
(20) In the case of peanuts, $355 per ton.
(b) Single County Loan Rate for Other Oilseeds.--The
Secretary shall establish a single loan rate in each county for
each kind of other oilseeds described in subsection (a)(11).
SEC. 1203. TERM OF LOANS.
(a) Term of Loan.--In the case of each loan commodity, a
marketing assistance loan under section 1201 shall have a term
of 9 months beginning on the first day of the first month after
the month in which the loan is made.
(b) Extensions Prohibited.--The Secretary may not extend
the term of a marketing assistance loan for any loan commodity.
SEC. 1204. REPAYMENT OF LOANS.
(a) General Rule.--The Secretary shall permit the producers
on a farm to repay a marketing assistance loan under section
1201 for a loan commodity (other than upland cotton, long grain
rice, medium grain rice, extra long staple cotton, peanuts and
confectionery and each other kind of sunflower seed (other than
oil sunflower seed)) at a rate that is the lesser of--
(1) the loan rate established for the commodity
under section 1202, plus interest (determined in
accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283));
(2) a rate (as determined by the Secretary) that--
(A) is calculated based on average market
prices for the loan commodity during the
preceding 30-day period; and
(B) will minimize discrepancies in
marketing loan benefits across State boundaries
and across county boundaries; or
(3) a rate that the Secretary may develop using
alternative methods for calculating a repayment rate
for a loan commodity that the Secretary determines
will--
(A) minimize potential loan forfeitures;
(B) minimize the accumulation of stocks of
the commodity by the Federal Government;
(C) minimize the cost incurred by the
Federal Government in storing the commodity;
(D) allow the commodity produced in the
United States to be marketed freely and
competitively, both domestically and
internationally; and
(E) minimize discrepancies in marketing
loan benefits across State boundaries and
across county boundaries.
(b) Repayment Rates for Upland Cotton, Long Grain Rice, and
Medium Grain Rice.--The Secretary shall permit producers to
repay a marketing assistance loan under section 1201 for upland
cotton, long grain rice, and medium grain rice at a rate that
is the lesser of--
(1) the loan rate established for the commodity
under section 1202, plus interest (determined in
accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)); or
(2) the prevailing world market price for the
commodity, as determined and adjusted by the Secretary
in accordance with this section.
(c) Repayment Rates for Extra Long Staple Cotton.--
Repayment of a marketing assistance loan for extra long staple
cotton shall be at the loan rate established for the commodity
under section 1202, plus interest (determined in accordance
with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)).
(d) Prevailing World Market Price.--For purposes of this
section and section 1207, the Secretary shall prescribe by
regulation--
(1) a formula to determine the prevailing world
market price for each of upland cotton, long grain
rice, and medium grain rice; and
(2) a mechanism by which the Secretary shall
announce periodically those prevailing world market
prices.
(e) Adjustment of Prevailing World Market Price for Upland
Cotton, Long Grain Rice, and Medium Grain Rice.--
(1) Rice.--The prevailing world market price for
long grain rice and medium grain rice determined under
subsection (d) shall be adjusted to United States
quality and location.
(2) Cotton.--The prevailing world market price for
upland cotton determined under subsection (d)--
(A) shall be adjusted to United States
quality and location, with the adjustment to
include--
(i) a reduction equal to any United
States Premium Factor for upland cotton
of a quality higher than Middling (M)
1\3/32\-inch; and
(ii) the average costs to market
the commodity, including average
transportation costs, as determined by
the Secretary; and
(B) may be further adjusted, during the
period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act and ending on July 31, 2019, if the
Secretary determines the adjustment is
necessary--
(i) to minimize potential loan
forfeitures;
(ii) to minimize the accumulation
of stocks of upland cotton by the
Federal Government;
(iii) to ensure that upland cotton
produced in the United States can be
marketed freely and competitively, both
domestically and internationally; and
(iv) to ensure an appropriate
transition between current-crop and
forward-crop price quotations, except
that the Secretary may use forward-crop
price quotations prior to July 31 of a
marketing year only if--
(I) there are insufficient
current-crop price quotations;
and
(II) the forward-crop price
quotation is the lowest such
quotation available.
(3) Guidelines for additional adjustments.--In
making adjustments under this subsection, the Secretary
shall establish a mechanism for determining and
announcing the adjustments in order to avoid undue
disruption in the United States market.
(f) Repayment Rates for Confectionery and Other Kinds of
Sunflower Seeds.--The Secretary shall permit the producers on a
farm to repay a marketing assistance loan under section 1201
for confectionery and each other kind of sunflower seed (other
than oil sunflower seed) at a rate that is the lesser of--
(1) the loan rate established for the commodity
under section 1202, plus interest (determined in
accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)); or
(2) the repayment rate established for oil
sunflower seed.
(g) Payment of Cotton Storage Costs.--Effective for each of
the 2014 through 2018 crop years, the Secretary shall make
cotton storage payments available in the same manner, and at
the same rates as the Secretary provided storage payments for
the 2006 crop of cotton, except that the rates shall be reduced
by 10 percent.
(h) Repayment Rate for Peanuts.--The Secretary shall permit
producers on a farm to repay a marketing assistance loan for
peanuts under section 1201 at a rate that is the lesser of--
(1) the loan rate established for peanuts under
section 1202(a)(20), plus interest (determined in
accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)); or
(2) a rate that the Secretary determines will--
(A) minimize potential loan forfeitures;
(B) minimize the accumulation of stocks of
peanuts by the Federal Government;
(C) minimize the cost incurred by the
Federal Government in storing peanuts; and
(D) allow peanuts produced in the United
States to be marketed freely and competitively,
both domestically and internationally.
(i) Authority To Temporarily Adjust Repayment Rates.--
(1) Adjustment authority.--In the event of a severe
disruption to marketing, transportation, or related
infrastructure, the Secretary may modify the repayment
rate otherwise applicable under this section for
marketing assistance loans under section 1201 for a
loan commodity.
(2) Duration.--Any adjustment made under paragraph
(1) in the repayment rate for marketing assistance
loans for a loan commodity shall be in effect on a
short-term and temporary basis, as determined by the
Secretary.
SEC. 1205. LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS.
(a) Availability of Loan Deficiency Payments.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection
(d), the Secretary may make loan deficiency payments
available to producers on a farm that, although
eligible to obtain a marketing assistance loan under
section 1201 with respect to a loan commodity, agree to
forgo obtaining the loan for the commodity in return
for loan deficiency payments under this section.
(2) Unshorn pelts, hay, and silage.--
(A) Marketing assistance loans.--Subject to
subparagraph (B), nongraded wool in the form of
unshorn pelts and hay and silage derived from a
loan commodity are not eligible for a marketing
assistance loan under section 1201.
(B) Loan deficiency payment.--Effective for
each of the 2014 through 2018 crop years, the
Secretary may make loan deficiency payments
available under this section to producers on a
farm that produce unshorn pelts or hay and
silage derived from a loan commodity.
(b) Computation.--A loan deficiency payment for a loan
commodity or commodity referred to in subsection (a)(2) shall
be equal to the product obtained by multiplying--
(1) the payment rate determined under subsection
(c) for the commodity; by
(2) the quantity of the commodity produced by the
eligible producers, excluding any quantity for which
the producers obtain a marketing assistance loan under
section 1201.
(c) Payment Rate.--
(1) In general.--In the case of a loan commodity,
the payment rate shall be the amount by which--
(A) the loan rate established under section
1202 for the loan commodity; exceeds
(B) the rate at which a marketing
assistance loan for the loan commodity may be
repaid under section 1204.
(2) Unshorn pelts.--In the case of unshorn pelts,
the payment rate shall be the amount by which--
(A) the loan rate established under section
1202 for ungraded wool; exceeds
(B) the rate at which a marketing
assistance loan for ungraded wool may be repaid
under section 1204.
(3) Hay and silage.--In the case of hay or silage
derived from a loan commodity, the payment rate shall
be the amount by which--
(A) the loan rate established under section
1202 for the loan commodity from which the hay
or silage is derived; exceeds
(B) the rate at which a marketing
assistance loan for the loan commodity may be
repaid under section 1204.
(d) Exception for Extra Long Staple Cotton.--This section
shall not apply with respect to extra long staple cotton.
(e) Effective Date for Payment Rate Determination.--The
Secretary shall determine the amount of the loan deficiency
payment to be made under this section to the producers on a
farm with respect to a quantity of a loan commodity or
commodity referred to in subsection (a)(2) using the payment
rate in effect under subsection (c) as of the date the
producers request the payment.
SEC. 1206. PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS FOR GRAZED
ACREAGE.
(a) Eligible Producers.--
(1) In general.--Effective for each of the 2014
through 2018 crop years, in the case of a producer that
would be eligible for a loan deficiency payment under
section 1205 for wheat, barley, or oats, but that
elects to use acreage planted to the wheat, barley, or
oats for the grazing of livestock, the Secretary shall
make a payment to the producer under this section if
the producer enters into an agreement with the
Secretary to forgo any other harvesting of the wheat,
barley, or oats on that acreage.
(2) Grazing of triticale acreage.--Effective for
each of the 2014 through 2018 crop years, with respect
to a producer on a farm that uses acreage planted to
triticale for the grazing of livestock, the Secretary
shall make a payment to the producer under this section
if the producer enters into an agreement with the
Secretary to forgo any other harvesting of triticale on
that acreage.
(b) Payment Amount.--
(1) In general.--The amount of a payment made under
this section to a producer on a farm described in
subsection (a)(1) shall be equal to the amount
determined by multiplying--
(A) the loan deficiency payment rate
determined under section 1205(c) in effect, as
of the date of the agreement, for the county in
which the farm is located; by
(B) the payment quantity determined by
multiplying--
(i) the quantity of the grazed
acreage on the farm with respect to
which the producer elects to forgo
harvesting of wheat, barley, or oats;
and
(ii)(I) the payment yield in effect
for the calculation of price loss
coverage under section 1115 with
respect to that loan commodity on the
farm;
(II) in the case of a farm for
which agriculture risk coverage is
elected under section 1116(a), the
payment yield that would otherwise be
in effect with respect to that loan
commodity on the farm in the absence of
such election; or
(III) in the case of a farm for
which no payment yield is otherwise
established for that loan commodity on
the farm, an appropriate yield
established by the Secretary in a
manner consistent with section 1113(c).
(2) Grazing of triticale acreage.--The amount of a
payment made under this section to a producer on a farm
described in subsection (a)(2) shall be equal to the
amount determined by multiplying--
(A) the loan deficiency payment rate
determined under section 1205(c) in effect for
wheat, as of the date of the agreement, for the
county in which the farm is located; by
(B) the payment quantity determined by
multiplying--
(i) the quantity of the grazed
acreage on the farm with respect to
which the producer elects to forgo
harvesting of triticale; and
(ii)(I) the payment yield in effect
for the calculation of price loss
coverage under subtitle A with respect
to wheat on the farm;
(II) in the case of a farm for
which agriculture risk coverage is
elected under section 1116(a), the
payment yield that would otherwise be
in effect for wheat on the farm in the
absence of such election; or
(III) in the case of a farm for
which no payment yield is otherwise
established for wheat on the farm, an
appropriate yield established by the
Secretary in a manner consistent with
section 1113(c).
(c) Time, Manner, and Availability of Payment.--
(1) Time and manner.--A payment under this section
shall be made at the same time and in the same manner
as loan deficiency payments are made under section
1205.
(2) Availability.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
establish an availability period for the
payments authorized by this section.
(B) Certain commodities.--In the case of
wheat, barley, and oats, the availability
period shall be consistent with the
availability period for the commodity
established by the Secretary for marketing
assistance loans authorized by this subtitle.
(d) Prohibition on Crop Insurance Indemnity or Noninsured
Crop Assistance.--A 2014 through 2018 crop of wheat, barley,
oats, or triticale planted on acreage that a producer elects,
in the agreement required by subsection (a), to use for the
grazing of livestock in lieu of any other harvesting of the
crop shall not be eligible for an indemnity under a policy or
plan of insurance authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance
Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) or noninsured crop assistance under
section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333).
SEC. 1207. SPECIAL MARKETING LOAN PROVISIONS FOR UPLAND COTTON.
(a) Special Import Quota.--
(1) Definition of special import quota.--In this
subsection, the term ``special import quota'' means a
quantity of imports that is not subject to the over-
quota tariff rate of a tariff-rate quota.
(2) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--The President shall carry
out an import quota program beginning on August
1, 2014, as provided in this subsection.
(B) Program requirements.--Whenever the
Secretary determines and announces that for any
consecutive 4-week period, the Friday through
Thursday average price quotation for the
lowest-priced United States growth, as quoted
for Middling (M) 1\3/32\-inch cotton, delivered
to a definable and significant international
market, as determined by the Secretary, exceeds
the prevailing world market price, there shall
immediately be in effect a special import
quota.
(3) Quantity.--The quota shall be equal to the
consumption during a 1-week period of cotton by
domestic mills at the seasonally adjusted average rate
of the most recent 3 months for which official data of
the Department of Agriculture are available or, in the
absence of sufficient data, as estimated by the
Secretary.
(4) Application.--The quota shall apply to upland
cotton purchased not later than 90 days after the date
of the Secretary's announcement under paragraph (2) and
entered into the United States not later than 180 days
after that date.
(5) Overlap.--A special quota period may be
established that overlaps any existing quota period if
required by paragraph (2), except that a special quota
period may not be established under this subsection if
a quota period has been established under subsection
(b).
(6) Preferential tariff treatment.--The quantity
under a special import quota shall be considered to be
an in-quota quantity for purposes of--
(A) section 213(d) of the Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2703(d));
(B) section 204 of the Andean Trade
Preference Act (19 U.S.C. 3203);
(C) section 503(d) of the Trade Act of 1974
(19 U.S.C. 2463(d)); and
(D) General Note 3(a)(iv) to the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule.
(7) Limitation.--The quantity of cotton entered
into the United States during any marketing year under
the special import quota established under this
subsection may not exceed the equivalent of 10 weeks'
consumption of upland cotton by domestic mills at the
seasonally adjusted average rate of the 3 months
immediately preceding the first special import quota
established in any marketing year.
(b) Limited Global Import Quota for Upland Cotton.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Demand.--The term ``demand'' means--
(i) the average seasonally adjusted
annual rate of domestic mill
consumption of cotton during the most
recent 3 months for which official data
of the Department of Agriculture are
available or, in the absence of
sufficient data, as estimated by the
Secretary; and
(ii) the larger of--
(I) average exports of
upland cotton during the
preceding 6 marketing years; or
(II) cumulative exports of
upland cotton plus outstanding
export sales for the marketing
year in which the quota is
established.
(B) Limited global import quota.--The term
``limited global import quota'' means a
quantity of imports that is not subject to the
over-quota tariff rate of a tariff-rate quota.
(C) Supply.--The term ``supply'' means,
using the latest official data of the
Department of Agriculture--
(i) the carry-over of upland cotton
at the beginning of the marketing year
(adjusted to 480-pound bales) in which
the quota is established;
(ii) production of the current
crop; and
(iii) imports to the latest date
available during the marketing year.
(2) Program.--The President shall carry out an
import quota program that provides that whenever the
Secretary determines and announces that the average
price of the base quality of upland cotton, as
determined by the Secretary, in the designated spot
markets for a month exceeded 130 percent of the average
price of the quality of cotton in the markets for the
preceding 36 months, notwithstanding any other
provision of law, there shall immediately be in effect
a limited global import quota subject to the following
conditions:
(A) Quantity.--The quantity of the quota
shall be equal to 21 days of domestic mill
consumption of upland cotton at the seasonally
adjusted average rate of the most recent 3
months for which official data of the
Department of Agriculture are available or, in
the absence of sufficient data, as estimated by
the Secretary.
(B) Quantity if prior quota.--If a quota
has been established under this subsection
during the preceding 12 months, the quantity of
the quota next established under this
subsection shall be the smaller of 21 days of
domestic mill consumption calculated under
subparagraph (A) or the quantity required to
increase the supply to 130 percent of the
demand.
(C) Preferential tariff treatment.--The
quantity under a limited global import quota
shall be considered to be an in-quota quantity
for purposes of--
(i) section 213(d) of the Caribbean
Basin Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C.
2703(d));
(ii) section 204 of the Andean
Trade Preference Act (19 U.S.C. 3203);
(iii) section 503(d) of the Trade
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2463(d)); and
(iv) General Note 3(a)(iv) to the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
(D) Quota entry period.--When a quota is
established under this subsection, cotton may
be entered under the quota during the 90-day
period beginning on the date the quota is
established by the Secretary.
(3) No overlap.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), a
quota period may not be established that overlaps an
existing quota period or a special quota period
established under subsection (a).
(c) Economic Adjustment Assistance to Users of Upland
Cotton.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall, on a monthly basis, make economic
adjustment assistance available to domestic users of
upland cotton in the form of payments for all
documented use of that upland cotton during the
previous monthly period regardless of the origin of the
upland cotton.
(2) Value of assistance.--Effective beginning on
August 1, 2013, the value of the assistance provided
under paragraph (1) shall be 3 cents per pound.
(3) Allowable purposes.--Economic adjustment
assistance under this subsection shall be made
available only to domestic users of upland cotton that
certify that the assistance shall be used only to
acquire, construct, install, modernize, develop,
convert, or expand land, plant, buildings, equipment,
facilities, or machinery.
(4) Review or audit.--The Secretary may conduct
such review or audit of the records of a domestic user
under this subsection as the Secretary determines
necessary to carry out this subsection.
(5) Improper use of assistance.--If the Secretary
determines, after a review or audit of the records of
the domestic user, that economic adjustment assistance
under this subsection was not used for the purposes
specified in paragraph (3), the domestic user shall
be--
(A) liable for the repayment of the
assistance to the Secretary, plus interest, as
determined by the Secretary; and
(B) ineligible to receive assistance under
this subsection for a period of 1 year
following the determination of the Secretary.
SEC. 1208. SPECIAL COMPETITIVE PROVISIONS FOR EXTRA LONG STAPLE COTTON.
(a) Competitiveness Program.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, during the period beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act through July 31, 2019, the Secretary
shall carry out a program--
(1) to maintain and expand the domestic use of
extra long staple cotton produced in the United States;
(2) to increase exports of extra long staple cotton
produced in the United States; and
(3) to ensure that extra long staple cotton
produced in the United States remains competitive in
world markets.
(b) Payments Under Program; Trigger.--Under the program,
the Secretary shall make payments available under this section
whenever--
(1) for a consecutive 4-week period, the world
market price for the lowest priced competing growth of
extra long staple cotton (adjusted to United States
quality and location and for other factors affecting
the competitiveness of such cotton), as determined by
the Secretary, is below the prevailing United States
price for a competing growth of extra long staple
cotton; and
(2) the lowest priced competing growth of extra
long staple cotton (adjusted to United States quality
and location and for other factors affecting the
competitiveness of such cotton), as determined by the
Secretary, is less than 134 percent of the loan rate
for extra long staple cotton.
(c) Eligible Recipients.--The Secretary shall make payments
available under this section to domestic users of extra long
staple cotton produced in the United States and exporters of
extra long staple cotton produced in the United States that
enter into an agreement with the Commodity Credit Corporation
to participate in the program under this section.
(d) Payment Amount.--Payments under this section shall be
based on the amount of the difference in the prices referred to
in subsection (b)(1) during the fourth week of the consecutive
4-week period multiplied by the amount of documented purchases
by domestic users and sales for export by exporters made in the
week following such a consecutive 4-week period.
SEC. 1209. AVAILABILITY OF RECOURSE LOANS FOR HIGH MOISTURE FEED GRAINS
AND SEED COTTON.
(a) High Moisture Feed Grains.--
(1) Definition of high moisture state.--In this
subsection, the term ``high moisture state'' means corn
or grain sorghum having a moisture content in excess of
Commodity Credit Corporation standards for marketing
assistance loans made by the Secretary under section
1201.
(2) Recourse loans available.--For each of the 2014
through 2018 crops of corn and grain sorghum, the
Secretary shall make available recourse loans, as
determined by the Secretary, to producers on a farm
that--
(A) normally harvest all or a portion of
their crop of corn or grain sorghum in a high
moisture state;
(B) present--
(i) certified scale tickets from an
inspected, certified commercial scale,
including a licensed warehouse,
feedlot, feed mill, distillery, or
other similar entity approved by the
Secretary, pursuant to regulations
issued by the Secretary; or
(ii) field or other physical
measurements of the standing or stored
crop in regions of the United States,
as determined by the Secretary, that do
not have certified commercial scales
from which certified scale tickets may
be obtained within reasonable proximity
of harvest operation;
(C) certify that the producers on the farm
were the owners of the feed grain at the time
of delivery to, and that the quantity to be
placed under loan under this subsection was in
fact harvested on the farm and delivered to, a
feedlot, feed mill, or commercial or on-farm
high-moisture storage facility, or to a
facility maintained by the users of corn and
grain sorghum in a high moisture state; and
(D) comply with deadlines established by
the Secretary for harvesting the corn or grain
sorghum and submit applications for loans under
this subsection within deadlines established by
the Secretary.
(3) Eligibility of acquired feed grains.--A loan
under this subsection shall be made on a quantity of
corn or grain sorghum of the same crop acquired by the
producer equivalent to a quantity determined by
multiplying--
(A) the acreage of the corn or grain
sorghum in a high moisture state harvested on
the farm of the producer; by
(B) the lower of--
(i) the payment yield in effect for
the calculation of price loss coverage
under section 1115, or the payment
yield deemed to be in effect or
established under subclause (II) or
(III) of section 1206(b)(1)(B)(ii),
with respect to corn or grain sorghum
on a field that is similar to the field
from which the corn or grain sorghum
referred to in subparagraph (A) was
obtained; or
(ii) the actual yield of corn or
grain sorghum on a field, as determined
by the Secretary, that is similar to
the field from which the corn or grain
sorghum referred to in subparagraph (A)
was obtained.
(b) Recourse Loans Available for Seed Cotton.--For each of
the 2014 through 2018 crops of upland cotton and extra long
staple cotton, the Secretary shall make available recourse seed
cotton loans, as determined by the Secretary, on any
production.
(c) Repayment Rates.--Repayment of a recourse loan made
under this section shall be at the loan rate established for
the commodity by the Secretary, plus interest (determined in
accordance with section 163 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7283)).
SEC. 1210. ADJUSTMENTS OF LOANS.
(a) Adjustment Authority.--Subject to subsection (e), the
Secretary may make appropriate adjustments in the loan rates
for any loan commodity (other than cotton) for differences in
grade, type, quality, location, and other factors.
(b) Manner of Adjustment.--The adjustments under subsection
(a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be made in such a
manner that the average loan level for the commodity will, on
the basis of the anticipated incidence of the factors, be equal
to the level of support determined in accordance with this
subtitle and subtitle C.
(c) Adjustment on County Basis.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may establish loan
rates for a crop for producers in individual counties
in a manner that results in the lowest loan rate being
95 percent of the national average loan rate, if those
loan rates do not result in an increase in outlays.
(2) Prohibition.--Adjustments under this subsection
shall not result in an increase in the national average
loan rate for any year.
(d) Adjustment in Loan Rate for Cotton.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may make appropriate
adjustments in the loan rate for cotton for differences
in quality factors.
(2) Types of adjustments.--Loan rate adjustments
under paragraph (1) may include--
(A) the use of non-spot market price data,
in addition to spot market price data, that
would enhance the accuracy of the price
information used in determining quality
adjustments under this subsection;
(B) adjustments in the premiums or
discounts associated with upland cotton with a
staple length of 33 or above due to micronaire
with the goal of eliminating any unnecessary
artificial splits in the calculations of the
premiums or discounts; and
(C) such other adjustments as the Secretary
determines appropriate, after consultations
conducted in accordance with paragraph (3).
(3) Consultation with private sector.--
(A) Prior to revision.--In making
adjustments to the loan rate for cotton
(including any review of the adjustments) as
provided in this subsection, the Secretary
shall consult with representatives of the
United States cotton industry.
(B) Inapplicability of federal advisory
committee act.--The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to
consultations under this subsection.
(4) Review of adjustments.--The Secretary may
review the operation of the upland cotton quality
adjustments implemented pursuant to this subsection and
may make further adjustments to the administration of
the loan program for upland cotton, by revoking or
revising any adjustment taken under paragraph (2).
(e) Rice.--The Secretary shall not make adjustments in the
loan rates for long grain rice and medium grain rice, except
for differences in grade and quality (including milling
yields).
Subtitle C--Sugar
SEC. 1301. SUGAR POLICY.
(a) Continuation of Current Program and Loan Rates.--
(1) Sugarcane.--Section 156(a) of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 7272(a)) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``and'' at the end of
paragraph (3);
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``the
2011 crop year; and'' and inserting ``each of
the 2011 through 2018 crop years.''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (5).
(2) Sugar beets.--Section 156(b)(2) of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 7272(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
(3) Effective period.--Section 156(i) of the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(7 U.S.C. 7272(i)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
(b) Flexible Marketing Allotments for Sugar.--
(1) Sugar estimates.--Section 359b(a)(1) of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C.
1359bb(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
(2) Effective period.--Section 359l(a) of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C.
1359ll(a)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
Subtitle D--Dairy
PART I--MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR DAIRY PRODUCERS
SEC. 1401. DEFINITIONS.
In this part and part III:
(1) Actual dairy production margin.--The term
``actual dairy production margin'' means the difference
between the all-milk price and the average feed cost,
as calculated under section 1402.
(2) All-milk price.--The term ``all-milk price''
means the average price received, per hundredweight of
milk, by dairy operations for all milk sold to plants
and dealers in the United States, as determined by the
Secretary.
(3) Average feed cost.--The term ``average feed
cost'' means the average cost of feed used by a dairy
operation to produce a hundredweight of milk,
determined under section 1402 using the sum of the
following:
(A) The product determined by multiplying
1.0728 by the price of corn per bushel.
(B) The product determined by multiplying
0.00735 by the price of soybean meal per ton.
(C) The product determined by multiplying
0.0137 by the price of alfalfa hay per ton.
(4) Consecutive 2-month period.--The term
``consecutive 2-month period'' refers to the 2-month
period consisting of the months of January and
February, March and April, May and June, July and
August, September and October, or November and
December, respectively.
(5) Dairy operation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``dairy
operation'' means, as determined by the
Secretary, 1 or more dairy producers that
produce and market milk as a single dairy
operation in which each dairy producer--
(i) shares in the risk of producing
milk; and
(ii) makes contributions (including
land, labor, management, equipment, or
capital) to the dairy operation of the
individual or entity, which are at
least commensurate with the individual
or entity's share of the proceeds of
the operation.
(B) Additional ownership structures.--The
Secretary shall determine additional ownership
structures to be covered by the definition of
dairy operation.
(6) Margin protection program.--The term ``margin
protection program'' means the margin protection
program required by section 1403.
(7) Margin protection program payment.--The term
``margin protection program payment'' means a payment
made to a participating dairy operation under the
margin protection program pursuant to section 1406.
(8) Participating dairy operation.--The term
``participating dairy operation'' means a dairy
operation that registers under section 1404 to
participate in the margin protection program.
(9) Production history.--The term ``production
history'' means the production history determined for a
participating dairy operation under subsection (a) or
(b) of section 1405 when the participating dairy
operation first registers to participate in the margin
protection program.
(10) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Agriculture.
(11) United states.--The term ``United States'', in
a geographical sense, means the 50 States, the District
of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States,
and any other territory or possession of the United
States.
SEC. 1402. CALCULATION OF AVERAGE FEED COST AND ACTUAL DAIRY PRODUCTION
MARGINS.
(a) Calculation of Average Feed Cost.--The Secretary shall
calculate the national average feed cost for each month using
the following data:
(1) The price of corn for a month shall be the
price received during that month by farmers in the
United States for corn, as reported in the monthly
Agricultural Prices report by the Secretary.
(2) The price of soybean meal for a month shall be
the central Illinois price for soybean meal, as
reported in the Market News-Monthly Soybean Meal Price
Report by the Secretary.
(3) The price of alfalfa hay for a month shall be
the price received during that month by farmers in the
United States for alfalfa hay, as reported in the
monthly Agricultural Prices report by the Secretary.
(b) Calculation of Actual Dairy Production Margin.--
(1) In general.--For use in the margin protection
program, the Secretary shall calculate the actual dairy
production margin for each consecutive 2-month period
by subtracting--
(A) the average feed cost for that
consecutive 2-month period, determined in
accordance with subsection (a); from
(B) the all-milk price for that consecutive
2-month period.
(2) Time for calculation.--The calculation required
by this subsection shall be made as soon as practicable
using the full-month price of the applicable reference
month.
SEC. 1403. ESTABLISHMENT OF MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR DAIRY
PRODUCERS.
Not later than September 1, 2014, the Secretary shall
establish and administer a margin protection program for dairy
producers under which participating dairy operations are paid a
margin protection payment when actual dairy production margins
are less than the threshold levels for a margin protection
payment.
SEC. 1404. PARTICIPATION OF DAIRY OPERATIONS IN MARGIN PROTECTION
PROGRAM.
(a) Eligibility.--All dairy operations in the United States
shall be eligible to participate in the margin protection
program to receive margin protection payments.
(b) Registration Process.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall specify the
manner and form by which a participating dairy
operation may register to participate in the margin
protection program.
(2) Treatment of multiproducer dairy operations.--
If a participating dairy operation is operated by more
than 1 dairy producer, all of the dairy producers of
the participating dairy operation shall be treated as a
single dairy operation for purposes of participating in
the margin protection program.
(3) Treatment of producers with multiple dairy
operations.--If a dairy producer operates 2 or more
dairy operations, each dairy operation of the producer
shall separately register to participate in the margin
protection program.
(c) Annual Administrative Fee.--
(1) Administrative fee required.--Each
participating dairy operation shall--
(A) pay an administrative fee to register
to participate in the margin protection
program; and
(B) pay the administrative fee annually
through the duration of the margin protection
program specified in section 1409.
(2) Amount of fee.--The administrative fee for a
participating dairy operation shall be $100.
(3) Use of fees.--The Secretary shall use
administrative fees collected under this subsection to
cover administrative costs incurred to carry out the
margin protection program.
(d) Relation to Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Program.--
A dairy operation may participate in the margin protection
program or the livestock gross margin for dairy program under
the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), but not
both.
SEC. 1405. PRODUCTION HISTORY OF PARTICIPATING DAIRY OPERATIONS.
(a) Production History.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection
(b), when a dairy operation first registers to
participate in the margin protection program, the
production history of the dairy operation for the
margin protection program is equal to the highest
annual milk marketings of the participating dairy
operation during any one of the 2011, 2012, or 2013
calendar years.
(2) Adjustment.--In subsequent years, the Secretary
shall adjust the production history of a participating
dairy operation determined under paragraph (1) to
reflect any increase in the national average milk
production.
(b) Election by New Dairy Operations.--In the case of a
participating dairy operation that has been in operation for
less than a year, the participating dairy operation shall elect
1 of the following methods for the Secretary to determine the
production history of the participating dairy operation:
(1) The volume of the actual milk marketings for
the months the participating dairy operation has been
in operation extrapolated to a yearly amount.
(2) An estimate of the actual milk marketings of
the participating dairy operation based on the herd
size of the participating dairy operation relative to
the national rolling herd average data published by the
Secretary.
(c) Required Information.--A participating dairy operation
shall provide all information that the Secretary may require in
order to establish the production history of the participating
dairy operation for purposes of participating in the margin
protection program.
SEC. 1406. MARGIN PROTECTION PAYMENTS.
(a) Coverage Level Threshold and Coverage Percentage.--For
purposes of receiving margin protection payments for a
consecutive 2-month period, a participating dairy operation
shall annually elect--
(1) a coverage level threshold that is equal to
$4.00, $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50,
or $8.00; and
(2) a percentage of coverage, in 5-percent
increments, beginning with 25 percent and not exceeding
90 percent of the production history of the
participating dairy operation.
(b) Payment Threshold.--A participating dairy operation
shall receive a margin protection payment whenever the average
actual dairy production margin for a consecutive 2-month period
is less than the coverage level threshold selected by the
participating dairy operation.
(c) Amount of Margin Protection Payment.--The margin
protection payment for the participating dairy operation shall
be determined as follows:
(1) The Secretary shall calculate the amount by
which the coverage level threshold selected by the
participating dairy operation exceeds the average
actual dairy production margin for the consecutive 2-
month period.
(2) The amount determined under paragraph (1) shall
be multiplied by--
(A) the coverage percentage selected by the
participating dairy operation; and
(B) the production history of the
participating dairy operation divided by 6.
SEC. 1407. PREMIUMS FOR MARGIN PROTECTION PROGRAM.
(a) Calculation of Premiums.--For purposes of participating
in the margin protection program, a participating dairy
operation shall pay an annual premium equal to the product
obtained by multiplying--
(1) the coverage percentage elected by the
participating dairy operation under section 1406(a)(2);
(2) the production history of the participating
dairy operation; and
(3) the premium per hundredweight of milk imposed
by this section for the coverage level selected.
(b) Premium Per Hundredweight for First 4 Million Pounds of
Production.--
(1) In general.--For the first 4,000,000 pounds of
milk marketings included in the production history of a
participating dairy operation, the premium per
hundredweight for each coverage level is specified in
the table contained in paragraph (2).
(2) Producer premiums.--Except as provided in
paragraph (3), the following annual premiums apply:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coverage Level Premium per Cwt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4.00 None
$4.50 $0.010
$5.00 $0.025
$5.50 $0.040
$6.00 $0.055
$6.50 $0.090
$7.00 $0.217
$7.50 $0.300
$8.00 $0.475
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Special rule.--The premium per hundredweight
specified in the table contained in paragraph (2) for
each coverage level (except the $8.00 coverage level)
shall be reduced by 25 percent for each of calendar
years 2014 and 2015.
(c) Premium Per Hundredweight for Production in Excess of 4
Million Pounds.--
(1) In general.--For milk marketings in excess of
4,000,000 pounds included in the production history of
a participating dairy operation, the premium per
hundredweight for each coverage level is specified in
the table contained in paragraph (2).
(2) Producer premiums.--The following annual
premiums apply:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coverage Level Premium per Cwt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
$4.00 None
$4.50 $0.020
$5.00 $0.040
$5.50 $0.100
$6.00 $0.155
$6.50 $0.290
$7.00 $0.830
$7.50 $1.060
$8.00 $1.360
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Time for Payment of Premium.--The Secretary shall
provide more than 1 method by which a participating dairy
operation may pay the premium required under this section in
any manner that maximizes participating dairy operation payment
flexibility and program integrity.
(e) Premium Obligations.--
(1) Pro-ration of premium for new participants.--In
the case of a participating dairy operation that first
registers to participate in the margin protection
program for a calendar year after the start of the
calendar year, the participating dairy operation shall
pay a pro-rated premium for that calendar year based on
the portion of the calendar year for which the
participating dairy operation purchases the coverage.
(2) Legal obligation.--A participating dairy
operation in the margin protection program for a
calendar year shall be legally obligated to pay the
applicable premium for that calendar year, except that
the Secretary may waive that obligation, under terms
and conditions determined by the Secretary, for any
participating dairy operation in the case of death,
retirement, permanent dissolution of a participating
dairy operation, or other circumstances as the
Secretary considers appropriate to ensure the integrity
of the program.
SEC. 1408. EFFECT OF FAILURE TO PAY ADMINISTRATIVE FEES OR PREMIUMS.
(a) Loss of Benefits.--A participating dairy operation that
fails to pay the required annual administrative fee under
section 1404 or is in arrears on premium payments under section
1407--
(1) remains legally obligated to pay the
administrative fee or premiums, as the case may be; and
(2) may not receive margin protection payments
until the fees or premiums are fully paid.
(b) Enforcement.--The Secretary may take such action as
necessary to collect administrative fees and premium payments
for participation in the margin protection program.
SEC. 1409. DURATION.
The margin protection program shall end on December 31,
2018.
SEC. 1410. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall promulgate regulations
to address administrative and enforcement issues involved in
carrying out the margin protection program.
(b) Reconstitution.--The Secretary shall promulgate
regulations to prohibit a dairy producer from reconstituting a
dairy operation for the purpose of the dairy producer receiving
margin protection payments.
(c) Administrative Appeals.--Using authorities under
section 1001(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C.
1308(h)) and subtitle H of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act (7 U.S.C. 6991 et seq.), the Secretary shall
promulgate regulations to provide for administrative appeals of
decisions of the Secretary that are adverse to participants of
the margin protection program.
(d) Inclusion of Additional Order.--Section 143(a)(2) of
the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 7253(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ``Subsection (b) does not apply to the
authority of the Secretary under this subsection.''.
PART II--REPEAL OR REAUTHORIZATION OF OTHER DAIRY-RELATED PROVISIONS
SEC. 1421. REPEAL OF DAIRY PRODUCT PRICE SUPPORT PROGRAM.
Section 1501 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8771) is repealed.
SEC. 1422. TEMPORARY CONTINUATION AND EVENTUAL REPEAL OF MILK INCOME
LOSS CONTRACT PROGRAM.
(a) Temporary Continuation of Payments Under Milk Income
Loss Contract Program.--Section 1506 of the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8773) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(6) Termination date.--The term `termination
date' means the earlier of the following:
``(A) The date on which the Secretary
certifies to Congress that the margin
protection program required by section 1403 of
the Agricultural Act of 2014 is operational.
``(B) September 1, 2014.'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting after
``August 31, 2013,'' the following: ``and for
the period beginning February 1, 2014, and
ending on the termination date,''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and
thereafter,'' and inserting ``and ending
January 31, 2014,'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``For any
month beginning on or after September 1,
2013,'' and inserting ``During the period
beginning on September 1, 2013, and ending on
January 31, 2014,'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as
paragraph (4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the
following new paragraph (3):
``(3) Final adjustment authority.--During the
period beginning on February 1, 2014, and ending on the
termination date, if the National Average Dairy Feed
Ration Cost for a month during that period is greater
than $7.35 per hundredweight, the amount specified in
subsection (c)(2)(A) used to determine the payment rate
for that month shall be increased by 45 percent of the
percentage by which the National Average Dairy Feed
Ration Cost exceeds $7.35 per hundredweight.'';
(4) in subsection (e)(2)(A)--
(A) in clause (ii), by inserting after
``August 31, 2013,'' the following: ``and for
the period beginning February 1, 2014, and
ending on the termination date,''; and
(B) in clause (iii), by striking
``effective beginning September 1, 2013,'' and
inserting ``for the period beginning September
1, 2013, and ending January 31, 2014,'';
(5) in subsection (g), by striking ``during the
period beginning on the date that is 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act and ending on September
30, 2013'' and inserting ``until the termination
date''; and
(6) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``September
30, 2013'' and inserting ``the termination date''.
(b) Repeal of Milk Income Loss Contract Program.--
(1) Repeal.--Effective on the termination date,
section 1506 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8773) is repealed.
(2) Termination date defined.--In paragraph (1),
the term ``termination date'' means the earlier of the
following:
(A) The date on which the Secretary
certifies to Congress that the margin
protection program required by section 1403 is
operational.
(B) September 1, 2014.
SEC. 1423. REPEAL OF DAIRY EXPORT INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Section 153 of the Food Security Act of 1985
(15 U.S.C. 713a-14) is repealed.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 902(2) of the Trade
Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7201(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (D); and
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively.
SEC. 1424. EXTENSION OF DAIRY FORWARD PRICING PROGRAM.
Section 1502(e) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8772(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2015'' and
inserting ``2021''.
SEC. 1425. EXTENSION OF DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM.
Section 3 of Public Law 90-484 (7 U.S.C. 450l) is amended
by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 1426. EXTENSION OF DAIRY PROMOTION AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 113(e)(2) of the Dairy Production Stabilization Act
of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(e)(2)) is amended by striking ``2012''
and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 1427. REPEAL OF FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDER REVIEW COMMISSION.
Section 1509 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 1726) is repealed.
PART III--DAIRY PRODUCT DONATION PROGRAM
SEC. 1431. DAIRY PRODUCT DONATION PROGRAM.
(a) Program Required; Purpose.--Not later than 120 days
after the date on which the Secretary certifies to Congress
that the margin protection program is operational, the
Secretary shall establish and administer a dairy product
donation program for the purposes of--
(1) addressing low operating margins experienced by
participating dairy operations; and
(2) providing nutrition assistance to individuals
in low-income groups.
(b) Program Trigger.--The Secretary shall announce that the
dairy product donation program is in effect for a month, and
undertake activities under subsection (c) during the month,
whenever the actual dairy production margin has been $4.00 or
less per hundredweight of milk for each of the immediately
preceding 2 months.
(c) Required Program Activities.--
(1) In general.--Whenever the dairy product
donation program is in effect under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall immediately purchase dairy products, at
prevailing market prices, until such time as one of the
termination conditions specified in subsection (d)(1)
is met.
(2) Consultation.--To determine the types and
quantities of dairy products to purchase under the
dairy product donation program, the Secretary shall
consult with public and private nonprofit organizations
organized to feed low-income populations
(d) Termination of Program Activities.--
(1) Termination thresholds.--The Secretary shall
cease activities under the dairy product donation
program, and shall not reinitiate activities under the
program until the condition specified in subsection (b)
is again met, whenever any one of the following occurs:
(A) The Secretary has made purchases under
the dairy product donation program for three
consecutive months, even if the actual dairy
production margin remains $4.00 or less per
hundredweight of milk.
(B) The actual dairy production margin has
been greater than $4.00 per hundredweight of
milk for the immediately preceding month.
(C) The actual dairy production margin has
been $4.00 or less, but more than $3.00, per
hundredweight of milk for the immediately
preceding month and during the same month--
(i) the price in the United States
for cheddar cheese was more than 5
percent above the world price; or
(ii) the price in the United States
for non-fat dry milk was more than 5
percent above the world price of skim
milk powder.
(D) The actual dairy production margin has
been $3.00 or less per hundredweight of milk
for the immediately preceding month and during
the same month--
(i) the price in the United States
for cheddar cheese was more than 7
percent above the world price; or
(ii) the price in the United States
for non-fat dry milk was more than 7
percent above the world price of skim
milk powder.
(2) Determinations.--For purposes of this
subsection, the Secretary shall determine the price in
the United States for cheddar cheese and non-fat dry
milk and the world price of cheddar cheese and skim
milk powder.
(e) Distribution of Purchased Dairy Products.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
distribute, but not store, the dairy products purchased
under the dairy product donation program in a manner
that encourages the domestic consumption of such dairy
products by diverting them to persons in low-income
groups, as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Use of public or private nonprofit
organizations.--The Secretary shall utilize the
services of public and private nonprofit organizations
for the distribution of dairy products purchased under
the dairy product donation program. A public or private
nonprofit organization that receives dairy products may
transfer the products to another public or private
nonprofit organization that agrees to use the dairy
products to provide, without cost or waste, nutrition
assistance to individuals in low-income groups.
(f) Prohibition on Resale of Products.--A public or private
nonprofit organization that receives dairy products under
subsection (e) may not sell the products back into commercial
markets.
(g) Use of Commodity Credit Corporation Funds.--As
specified in section 1601(a), the funds, facilities, and
authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation shall be
available to the Secretary for the purposes of implementing and
administering the dairy product donation program.
(h) Duration.--In addition to the termination conditions
specified in subsection (d)(1), the dairy product donation
program shall end on December 31, 2018.
Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs
SEC. 1501. SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible producer on a farm.--
(A) In general.--The term ``eligible
producer on a farm'' means an individual or
entity described in subparagraph (B) that, as
determined by the Secretary, assumes the
production and market risks associated with the
agricultural production of crops or livestock.
(B) Description.--An individual or entity
referred to in subparagraph (A) is--
(i) a citizen of the United States;
(ii) a resident alien;
(iii) a partnership of citizens of
the United States; or
(iv) a corporation, limited
liability corporation, or other farm
organizational structure organized
under State law.
(2) Farm-raised fish.--The term ``farm-raised
fish'' means any aquatic species that is propagated and
reared in a controlled environment.
(3) Livestock.--The term ``livestock'' includes--
(A) cattle (including dairy cattle);
(B) bison;
(C) poultry;
(D) sheep;
(E) swine;
(F) horses; and
(G) other livestock, as determined by the
Secretary.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Agriculture.
(b) Livestock Indemnity Payments.--
(1) Payments.--For fiscal year 2012 and each
succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary shall use such
sums as are necessary of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation to make livestock indemnity payments
to eligible producers on farms that have incurred
livestock death losses in excess of the normal
mortality, as determined by the Secretary, due to--
(A) attacks by animals reintroduced into
the wild by the Federal Government or protected
by Federal law, including wolves and avian
predators; or
(B) adverse weather, as determined by the
Secretary, during the calendar year, including
losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards,
disease, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme
cold.
(2) Payment rates.--Indemnity payments to an
eligible producer on a farm under paragraph (1) shall
be made at a rate of 75 percent of the market value of
the applicable livestock on the day before the date of
death of the livestock, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Special rule for payments made due to
disease.--The Secretary shall ensure that payments made
to an eligible producer under paragraph (1) are not
made for the same livestock losses for which
compensation is provided pursuant to section 10407(d)
of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8306(d)).
(c) Livestock Forage Disaster Program.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Covered livestock.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided
in clause (ii), the term ``covered
livestock'' means livestock of an
eligible livestock producer that,
during the 60 days prior to the
beginning date of a qualifying drought
or fire condition, as determined by the
Secretary, the eligible livestock
producer--
(I) owned;
(II) leased;
(III) purchased;
(IV) entered into a
contract to purchase;
(V) is a contract grower;
or
(VI) sold or otherwise
disposed of due to qualifying
drought conditions during--
(aa) the current
production year; or
(bb) subject to
paragraph (3)(B)(ii), 1
or both of the 2
production years
immediately preceding
the current production
year.
(ii) Exclusion.--The term ``covered
livestock'' does not include livestock
that were or would have been in a
feedlot, on the beginning date of the
qualifying drought or fire condition,
as a part of the normal business
operation of the eligible livestock
producer, as determined by the
Secretary.
(B) Drought monitor.--The term ``drought
monitor'' means a system for classifying
drought severity according to a range of
abnormally dry to exceptional drought, as
defined by the Secretary.
(C) Eligible livestock producer.--
(i) In general.--The term
``eligible livestock producer'' means
an eligible producer on a farm that--
(I) is an owner, cash or
share lessee, or contract
grower of covered livestock
that provides the pastureland
or grazing land, including
cash-leased pastureland or
grazing land, for the
livestock;
(II) provides the
pastureland or grazing land for
covered livestock, including
cash-leased pastureland or
grazing land that is physically
located in a county affected by
drought;
(III) certifies grazing
loss; and
(IV) meets all other
eligibility requirements
established under this
subsection.
(ii) Exclusion.--The term
``eligible livestock producer'' does
not include an owner, cash or share
lessee, or contract grower of livestock
that rents or leases pastureland or
grazing land owned by another person on
a rate-of-gain basis.
(D) Normal carrying capacity.--The term
``normal carrying capacity'', with respect to
each type of grazing land or pastureland in a
county, means the normal carrying capacity, as
determined under paragraph (3)(D)(i), that
would be expected from the grazing land or
pastureland for livestock during the normal
grazing period, in the absence of a drought or
fire that diminishes the production of the
grazing land or pastureland.
(E) Normal grazing period.--The term
``normal grazing period'', with respect to a
county, means the normal grazing period during
the calendar year for the county, as determined
under paragraph (3)(D)(i).
(2) Program.--For fiscal year 2012 and each
succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary shall use such
sums as are necessary of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation to provide compensation for losses
to eligible livestock producers due to grazing losses
for covered livestock due to--
(A) a drought condition, as described in
paragraph (3); or
(B) fire, as described in paragraph (4).
(3) Assistance for losses due to drought
conditions.--
(A) Eligible losses.--
(i) In general.--An eligible
livestock producer may receive
assistance under this subsection only
for grazing losses for covered
livestock that occur on land that--
(I) is native or improved
pastureland with permanent
vegetative cover; or
(II) is planted to a crop
planted specifically for the
purpose of providing grazing
for covered livestock.
(ii) Exclusions.--An eligible
livestock producer may not receive
assistance under this subsection for
grazing losses that occur on land used
for haying or grazing under the
conservation reserve program
established under subchapter B of
chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3831 et seq.).
(B) Monthly payment rate.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided
in clause (ii), the payment rate for
assistance under this paragraph for 1
month shall, in the case of drought, be
equal to 60 percent of the lesser of--
(I) the monthly feed cost
for all covered livestock owned
or leased by the eligible
livestock producer, as
determined under subparagraph
(C); or
(II) the monthly feed cost
calculated by using the normal
carrying capacity of the
eligible grazing land of the
eligible livestock producer.
(ii) Partial compensation.--In the
case of an eligible livestock producer
that sold or otherwise disposed of
covered livestock due to drought
conditions in 1 or both of the 2
production years immediately preceding
the current production year, as
determined by the Secretary, the
payment rate shall be 80 percent of the
payment rate otherwise calculated in
accordance with clause (i).
(C) Monthly feed cost.--
(i) In general.--The monthly feed
cost shall equal the product obtained
by multiplying--
(I) 30 days;
(II) a payment quantity
that is equal to the feed grain
equivalent, as determined under
clause (ii); and
(III) a payment rate that
is equal to the corn price per
pound, as determined under
clause (iii).
(ii) Feed grain equivalent.--For
purposes of clause (i)(II), the feed
grain equivalent shall equal--
(I) in the case of an adult
beef cow, 15.7 pounds of corn
per day; or
(II) in the case of any
other type of weight of
livestock, an amount determined
by the Secretary that
represents the average number
of pounds of corn per day
necessary to feed the
livestock.
(iii) Corn price per pound.--For
purposes of clause (i)(III), the corn
price per pound shall equal the
quotient obtained by dividing--
(I) the higher of--
(aa) the national
average corn price per
bushel for the 12-month
period immediately
preceding March 1 of
the year for which the
disaster assistance is
calculated; or
(bb) the national
average corn price per
bushel for the 24-month
period immediately
preceding that March 1;
by
(II) 56.
(D) Normal grazing period and drought
monitor intensity.--
(i) FSA county committee
determinations.--
(I) In general.--The
Secretary shall determine the
normal carrying capacity and
normal grazing period for each
type of grazing land or
pastureland in the county
served by the applicable
committee.
(II) Changes.--No change to
the normal carrying capacity or
normal grazing period
established for a county under
subclause (I) shall be made
unless the change is requested
by the appropriate State and
county Farm Service Agency
committees.
(ii) Drought intensity.--
(I) D2.--An eligible
livestock producer that owns or
leases grazing land or
pastureland that is physically
located in a county that is
rated by the U.S. Drought
Monitor as having a D2 (severe
drought) intensity in any area
of the county for at least 8
consecutive weeks during the
normal grazing period for the
county, as determined by the
Secretary, shall be eligible to
receive assistance under this
paragraph in an amount equal to
1 monthly payment using the
monthly payment rate determined
under subparagraph (B).
(II) D3.--An eligible
livestock producer that owns or
leases grazing land or
pastureland that is physically
located in a county that is
rated by the U.S. Drought
Monitor as having at least a D3
(extreme drought) intensity in
any area of the county at any
time during the normal grazing
period for the county, as
determined by the Secretary,
shall be eligible to receive
assistance under this
paragraph--
(aa) in an amount
equal to 3 monthly
payments using the
monthly payment rate
determined under
subparagraph (B);
(bb) if the county
is rated as having a D3
(extreme drought)
intensity in any area
of the county for at
least 4 weeks during
the normal grazing
period for the county,
or is rated as having a
D4 (exceptional
drought) intensity in
any area of the county
at any time during the
normal grazing period,
in an amount equal to 4
monthly payments using
the monthly payment
rate determined under
subparagraph (B); or
(cc) if the county
is rated as having a D4
(exceptional drought)
intensity in any area
of the county for at
least 4 weeks during
the normal grazing
period, in an amount
equal to 5 monthly
payments using the
monthly rate determined
under subparagraph (B).
(4) Assistance for losses due to fire on public
managed land.--
(A) In general.--An eligible livestock
producer may receive assistance under this
paragraph only if--
(i) the grazing losses occur on
rangeland that is managed by a Federal
agency; and
(ii) the eligible livestock
producer is prohibited by the Federal
agency from grazing the normal
permitted livestock on the managed
rangeland due to a fire.
(B) Payment rate.--The payment rate for
assistance under this paragraph shall be equal
to 50 percent of the monthly feed cost for the
total number of livestock covered by the
Federal lease of the eligible livestock
producer, as determined under paragraph (3)(C).
(C) Payment duration.--
(i) In general.--Subject to clause
(ii), an eligible livestock producer
shall be eligible to receive assistance
under this paragraph for the period--
(I) beginning on the date
on which the Federal agency
excludes the eligible livestock
producer from using the managed
rangeland for grazing; and
(II) ending on the last day
of the Federal lease of the
eligible livestock producer.
(ii) Limitation.--An eligible
livestock producer may only receive
assistance under this paragraph for
losses that occur on not more than 180
days per year.
(5) No duplicative payments.--An eligible livestock
producer may elect to receive assistance for grazing or
pasture feed losses due to drought conditions under
paragraph (3) or fire under paragraph (4), but not both
for the same loss, as determined by the Secretary.
(d) Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and
Farm-Raised Fish.--
(1) In general.--For fiscal year 2012 and each
succeeding fiscal year, the Secretary shall use not
more than $20,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation to provide emergency relief to
eligible producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-
raised fish to aid in the reduction of losses due to
disease (including cattle tick fever), adverse weather,
or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires,
as determined by the Secretary, that are not covered
under subsection (b) or (c).
(2) Use of funds.--Funds made available under this
subsection shall be used to reduce losses caused by
feed or water shortages, disease, or other factors as
determined by the Secretary.
(3) Availability of funds.--Any funds made
available under this subsection shall remain available
until expended.
(e) Tree Assistance Program.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Eligible orchardist.--The term
``eligible orchardist'' means a person that
produces annual crops from trees for commercial
purposes.
(B) Natural disaster.--The term ``natural
disaster'' means plant disease, insect
infestation, drought, fire, freeze, flood,
earthquake, lightning, or other occurrence, as
determined by the Secretary.
(C) Nursery tree grower.--The term
``nursery tree grower'' means a person who
produces nursery, ornamental, fruit, nut, or
Christmas trees for commercial sale, as
determined by the Secretary.
(D) Tree.--The term ``tree'' includes a
tree, bush, and vine.
(2) Eligibility.--
(A) Loss.--Subject to subparagraph (B), for
fiscal year 2012 and each succeeding fiscal
year, the Secretary shall use such sums as are
necessary of the funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to provide assistance--
(i) under paragraph (3) to eligible
orchardists and nursery tree growers
that planted trees for commercial
purposes but lost the trees as a result
of a natural disaster, as determined by
the Secretary; and
(ii) under paragraph (3)(B) to
eligible orchardists and nursery tree
growers that have a production history
for commercial purposes on planted or
existing trees but lost the trees as a
result of a natural disaster, as
determined by the Secretary.
(B) Limitation.--An eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower shall qualify for
assistance under subparagraph (A) only if the
tree mortality of the eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower, as a result of damaging
weather or related condition, exceeds 15
percent (adjusted for normal mortality).
(3) Assistance.--Subject to paragraph (4), the
assistance provided by the Secretary to eligible
orchardists and nursery tree growers for losses
described in paragraph (2) shall consist of--
(A)(i) reimbursement of 65 percent of the
cost of replanting trees lost due to a natural
disaster, as determined by the Secretary, in
excess of 15 percent mortality (adjusted for
normal mortality); or
(ii) at the option of the Secretary,
sufficient seedlings to reestablish a stand;
and
(B) reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost
of pruning, removal, and other costs incurred
by an eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower to salvage existing trees or, in the
case of tree mortality, to prepare the land to
replant trees as a result of damage or tree
mortality due to a natural disaster, as
determined by the Secretary, in excess of 15
percent damage or mortality (adjusted for
normal tree damage and mortality).
(4) Limitations on assistance.--
(A) Definitions of legal entity and
person.--In this paragraph, the terms ``legal
entity'' and ``person'' have the meaning given
those terms in section 1001(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(a)).
(B) Amount.--The total amount of payments
received, directly or indirectly, by a person
or legal entity (excluding a joint venture or
general partnership) under this subsection may
not exceed $125,000 for any crop year, or an
equivalent value in tree seedlings.
(C) Acres.--The total quantity of acres
planted to trees or tree seedlings for which a
person or legal entity shall be entitled to
receive payments under this subsection may not
exceed 500 acres.
(f) Payment Limitations.--
(1) Definitions of legal entity and person.--In
this subsection, the terms ``legal entity'' and
``person'' have the meaning given those terms in
section 1001(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7
U.S.C. 1308(a)).
(2) Amount.--The total amount of disaster
assistance payments received, directly or indirectly,
by a person or legal entity (excluding a joint venture
or general partnership) under this section (excluding
payments received under subsection (e)) may not exceed
$125,000 for any crop year.
(3) Direct attribution.--Subsections (e) and (f) of
section 1001 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C.
1308) or any successor provisions relating to direct
attribution shall apply with respect to assistance
provided under this section.
Subtitle F--Administration
SEC. 1601. ADMINISTRATION GENERALLY.
(a) Use of Commodity Credit Corporation.--The Secretary
shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this title.
(b) Determinations by Secretary.--A determination made by
the Secretary under this title shall be final and conclusive.
(c) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in
this subsection, not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the
Commodity Credit Corporation, as appropriate, shall
promulgate such regulations as are necessary to
implement this title and the amendments made by this
title.
(2) Procedure.--The promulgation of the regulations
and administration of this title and the amendments
made by this title and sections 11003 and 11017 shall
be made without regard to--
(A) the notice and comment provisions of
section 553 of title 5, United States Code;
(B) chapter 35 of title 44, United States
Code (commonly known as the ``Paperwork
Reduction Act''); and
(C) the Statement of Policy of the
Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24,
1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to notices
of proposed rulemaking and public participation
in rulemaking.
(3) Congressional review of agency rulemaking.--In
carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall use
the authority provided under section 808 of title 5,
United States Code.
(d) Adjustment Authority Related to Trade Agreements
Compliance.--
(1) Required determination; adjustment.--If the
Secretary determines that expenditures under this title
that are subject to the total allowable domestic
support levels under the Uruguay Round Agreements (as
defined in section 2 of the Uruguay Round Agreements
Act (19 U.S.C. 3501)) will exceed such allowable levels
for any applicable reporting period, the Secretary
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, make
adjustments in the amount of such expenditures during
that period to ensure that such expenditures do not
exceed the allowable levels.
(2) Congressional notification.--Before making any
adjustment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report
describing the determination made under that paragraph
and the extent of the adjustment to be made.
SEC. 1602. SUSPENSION OF PERMANENT PRICE SUPPORT AUTHORITY.
(a) Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938.--The following
provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 shall not
be applicable to the 2014 through 2018 crops of covered
commodities (as defined in section 1111), cotton, and sugar and
shall not be applicable to milk during the period beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act through December 31, 2018:
(1) Parts II through V of subtitle B of title III
(7 U.S.C. 1326 et seq.).
(2) In the case of upland cotton, section 377 (7
U.S.C. 1377).
(3) Subtitle D of title III (7 U.S.C. 1379a et
seq.).
(4) Title IV (7 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.).
(b) Agricultural Act of 1949.--The following provisions of
the Agricultural Act of 1949 shall not be applicable to the
2014 through 2018 crops of covered commodities (as defined in
section 1111), cotton, and sugar and shall not be applicable to
milk during the period beginning on the date of enactment of
this Act and through December 31, 2018:
(1) Section 101 (7 U.S.C. 1441).
(2) Section 103(a) (7 U.S.C. 1444(a)).
(3) Section 105 (7 U.S.C. 1444b).
(4) Section 107 (7 U.S.C. 1445a).
(5) Section 110 (7 U.S.C. 1445e).
(6) Section 112 (7 U.S.C. 1445g).
(7) Section 115 (7 U.S.C. 1445k).
(8) Section 201 (7 U.S.C. 1446).
(9) Title III (7 U.S.C. 1447 et seq.).
(10) Title IV (7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), other than
sections 404, 412, and 416 (7 U.S.C. 1424, 1429, and
1431).
(11) Title V (7 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.).
(12) Title VI (7 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.).
(c) Suspension of Certain Quota Provisions.--The joint
resolution entitled ``A joint resolution relating to corn and
wheat marketing quotas under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1938, as amended'', approved May 26, 1941 (7 U.S.C. 1330 and
1340), shall not be applicable to the crops of wheat planted
for harvest in the calendar years 2014 through 2018.
SEC. 1603. PAYMENT LIMITATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 1001 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308) is amended by striking subsections (b) and
(c) and inserting the following:
``(b) Limitation on Payments for Covered Commodities (other
Than Peanuts).--The total amount of payments received, directly
or indirectly, by a person or legal entity (except a joint
venture or general partnership) for any crop year under
sections 1116 and 1117 and as marketing loan gains or loan
deficiency payments under subtitle B of title I of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (other than for peanuts) may not
exceed $125,000.
``(c) Limitation on Payments for Peanuts.--The total amount
of payments received, directly or indirectly, by a person or
legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership)
for any crop year under sections 1116 and 1117 and as marketing
loan gains or loan deficiency payments under subtitle B of
title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 for peanuts may not
exceed $125,000.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Limitation on applicability.--Section 1001(d)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(d)) is
amended by striking ``the marketing assistance loan
program or the loan deficiency payment program under
title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008'' and inserting ``the forfeiture of a commodity
pledged as collateral for a loan made available under
subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of
2014''.
(2) Treatment of federal agencies and state and
local governments.--Section 1001(f) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(f)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``or
title XII'' and inserting ``, title I of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, or title XII''; and
(B) in paragraph (6)(A), by striking ``or
title XII'' and inserting ``, title I of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, or title XII''.
(3) Foreign persons ineligible.--Section 1001C(a)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3(a))
is amended by inserting ``title I of the Agricultural
Act of 2014,'' after ``2008,''.
(c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply beginning with the 2014 crop year.
SEC. 1604. RULEMAKING RELATED TO SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION FOR ACTIVE
PERSONAL MANAGEMENT.
(a) Regulations Required.--Within 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate,
with an opportunity for notice and comment, regulations--
(1) to define the term ``significant contribution
of active personal management'' for purposes of section
1001A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-
1); and
(2) if the Secretary determines it is appropriate,
to establish limits for varying types of farming
operations on the number of individuals who may be
considered to be actively engaged in farming with
respect to the farming operation when a significant
contribution of active personal management is the basis
used to meet the requirement of being actively engaged
in farming under section 1001A of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-1) by an individual or entity.
(b) Considerations.--In promulgating the regulations
required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider--
(1) the size, nature, and management requirements
of each type of farming operation;
(2) the changing nature of active personal
management due to advancements of farming operations;
and
(3) the degree to which the regulations promulgated
pursuant to subsection (a) will adversely impact the
long-term viability of the farming operation.
(c) Family Farms.--The Secretary shall not apply the
regulations promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) to
individuals or entities comprised solely of family members (as
that term is defined in section 1001(a)(2) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(a)(2))).
(d) Monitoring.--The regulations promulgated pursuant to
subsection (a) shall include a plan for monitoring the status
of compliance reviews for whether a person or entity is in
compliance with the regulations.
(e) Paperwork Reduction.--In order to conserve Federal
resources and prevent unnecessary paperwork burdens, the
Secretary shall ensure that any additional paperwork required
as a result of the regulations promulgated pursuant to
subsection (a) be limited to those persons who are subject to
such regulations.
(f) Relation to Other Requirements.--Nothing in this
section may be construed to authorize the Secretary to alter,
directly or indirectly, existing regulations for other
requirements in section 1001A of the Food Security Act of 1985
(7 U.S.C. 1308-1).
(g) Effective Date.--The requirements of any regulation
promulgated pursuant to this section shall apply beginning with
the 2015 crop year.
SEC. 1605. ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATION.
(a) Limitations and Covered Benefits.--Section 1001D(b) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)) is
amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Limitations'' and inserting ``Limitations on
Commodity and Conservation Programs'';
(2) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and
inserting the following new paragraphs:
``(1) Limitation.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, a person or legal entity shall not be
eligible to receive any benefit described in paragraph
(2) during a crop, fiscal, or program year, as
appropriate, if the average adjusted gross income of
the person or legal entity exceeds $900,000.
``(2) Covered benefits.--Paragraph (1) applies with
respect to the following:
``(A) A payment or benefit under subtitle A
or E of title I of the Agricultural Act of
2014.
``(B) A marketing loan gain or loan
deficiency payment under subtitle B of title I
of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
``(C) Starting with fiscal year 2015, a
payment or benefit under title II of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, title II of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002,
title II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008, or title XII of the Food Security
Act of 1985.
``(D) A payment or benefit under section
524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7
U.S.C. 1524(b)).
``(E) A payment or benefit under section
196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333).''.
(b) Updating Definitions.--Paragraph (1) of section
1001D(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(a))
is amended to read as follows:
``(1) Average adjusted gross income.--In this
section, the term `average adjusted gross income', with
respect to a person or legal entity, means the average
of the adjusted gross income or comparable measure of
the person or legal entity over the 3 taxable years
preceding the most immediately preceding complete
taxable year, as determined by the Secretary.''.
(c) Income Determination.--Section 1001D of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (c); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), and (f)
as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1001D of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) by striking ``subparagraph (A) or (B)
of''; and
(B) by striking ``, the average adjusted
gross farm income, and the average adjusted
gross nonfarm income'';
(2) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``, average
adjusted gross farm income, and average adjusted gross
nonfarm income'' both places it appears;
(3) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by
subsection (c)(2) of this section)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``,
average adjusted gross farm income, and average
adjusted gross nonfarm income'' both places it
appears; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking
``paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of subsection
(b)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)(2)''; and
(4) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by
subsection (c)(2) of this section)--
(A) by striking ``paragraphs (1)(C) and
(2)(B) of subsection (b)'' and inserting
``subsection (b)(2)''; and
(B) by striking ``, average adjusted gross
farm income, or average adjusted gross nonfarm
income''.
(e) Effective Period.--Subsection (e) of section 1001D of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a), as
redesignated by subsection (c)(2) of this section, is repealed.
(f) Limitation on Applicability.--Section 1001(d) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308) is amended by
inserting before the period at the end the following: ``or
title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014''.
(g) Transition.--Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a), as in effect on the day before the
date of the enactment of this Act, shall apply with respect to
the 2013 crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for
each program described in paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of
subsection (b) of that section (as so in effect on that day).
SEC. 1606. GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
Section 1621(d) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8792(d)) is amended by striking ``each of
fiscal years 2009 through 2012'' and inserting ``fiscal year
2009 and each succeeding fiscal year''.
SEC. 1607. PERSONAL LIABILITY OF PRODUCERS FOR DEFICIENCIES.
Section 164 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7284) is amended by striking ``and
title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008''
each place it appears and inserting ``title I of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8702 et seq.),
and title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014''.
SEC. 1608. PREVENTION OF DECEASED INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING PAYMENTS UNDER
FARM COMMODITY PROGRAMS.
(a) Reconciliation.--At least twice each year, the
Secretary shall reconcile Social Security numbers of all
individuals who receive payments under this title, whether
directly or indirectly, with the Commissioner of Social
Security to determine if the individuals are alive.
(b) Preclusion.--The Secretary shall preclude the issuance
of payments to, and on behalf of, deceased individuals that
were not eligible for payments.
SEC. 1609. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Missing Punctuation.--Section 359f(c)(1)(B) of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ff(c)(1)(B))
is amended by adding a period at the end.
(b) Erroneous Cross Reference.--
(1) Amendment.--Section 1603(g) of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-
246; 122 Stat. 1739) is amended in paragraphs (2)
through (6) and the amendments made by those paragraphs
by striking ``1703(a)'' each place it appears and
inserting ``1603(a)''.
(2) Effective date.--This subsection and the
amendments made by this subsection take effect as if
included in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 1651).
(c) Continued Applicability of Appropriations General
Provision.--Section 767 of division A of Public Law 108-7 (7
U.S.C. 7911 note; 117 Stat. 48) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(a)'';
(2) by striking ``sections 1101 and 1102 of Public
Law 107-171'' and inserting ``subtitle A of title I of
the Agricultural Act of 2014''; and
(3) by striking ``such section 1102'' and inserting
``such subtitle''; and
(4) by striking subsection (b).
SEC. 1610. APPEALS.
(a) Direction, Control, and Support.--Section 272 of the
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C.
6992) is amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the
following:
``(c) Direction, Control, and Support.--
``(1) Direction and control.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), the Director shall be free from
the direction and control of any person other
than the Secretary or the Deputy Secretary of
Agriculture.
``(B) Administrative support.--The Division
shall not receive administrative support
(except on a reimbursable basis) from any
agency other than the Office of the Secretary.
``(C) Prohibition on delegation.--The
Secretary may not delegate to any other officer
or employee of the Department, other than the
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture or the
Director, the authority of the Secretary with
respect to the Division.
``(2) Exception.--The Assistant Secretary for
Administration is authorized to investigate, enforce,
and implement the provisions in law, Executive order,
or regulations that relate in general to competitive
and excepted service positions and employment within
the Division, including the position of Director, and
such authority may be further delegated to subordinate
officials.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 296(b) of the Department
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
striking ``affect--'' and inserting ``affect:'';
(2) by striking ``the authority'' each place it
appears in paragraphs (1) through (7) and inserting
``The authority'';
(3) by striking the semicolon at the end of each of
paragraphs (1) through (5) and inserting a period;
(4) in paragraph (6)(C), by striking ``; or'' at
the end and inserting a period; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) The authority of the Secretary to carry out
amendments made to this title by the Agricultural Act
of 2014.''.
SEC. 1611. ASSIGNMENT OF PAYMENTS.
(a) In General.--The provisions of section 8(g) of the Soil
Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(g)),
relating to assignment of payments, shall apply to payments
made under this title.
(b) Notice.--The producer making the assignment, or the
assignee, shall provide the Secretary with notice, in such
manner as the Secretary may require, of any assignment made
under this section.
SEC. 1612. TRACKING OF BENEFITS.
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary may track the benefits provided, directly or
indirectly, to individuals and entities under titles I and II
and the amendments made by those titles.
SEC. 1613. SIGNATURE AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--In carrying out this title and title II
and amendments made by those titles, if the Secretary approves
a document, the Secretary shall not subsequently determine the
document is inadequate or invalid because of the lack of
authority of any person signing the document on behalf of the
applicant or any other individual, entity, general partnership,
or joint venture, or the documents relied upon were determined
inadequate or invalid, unless the person signing the program
document knowingly and willfully falsified the evidence of
signature authority or a signature.
(b) Affirmation.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this section prohibits
the Secretary from asking a proper party to affirm any
document that otherwise would be considered approved
under subsection (a).
(2) No retroactive effect.--A denial of benefits
based on a lack of affirmation under paragraph (1)
shall not be retroactive with respect to third-party
producers who were not the subject of the erroneous
representation of authority, if the third-party
producers--
(A) relied on the prior approval by the
Secretary of the documents in good faith; and
(B) substantively complied with all program
requirements.
SEC. 1614. IMPLEMENTATION.
(a) Maintenance of Base Acres and Payment Yields.--The
Secretary shall maintain, for each covered commodity and upland
cotton, base acres and payment yields on a farm established
under sections 1001 and 1301 of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8702, 8751), as adjusted pursuant
to sections 1101, 1102, 1108, and 1302 of such Act (7 U.S.C.
8711, 8712, 8718, 8752), as in effect on September 30, 2013.
(b) Streamlining.--In implementing this title, the
Secretary shall--
(1) reduce administrative burdens and costs to
producers by streamlining and reducing paperwork,
forms, and other administrative requirements, including
through the implementation of the Acreage Crop
Reporting and Streamlining Initiative that, in part,
shall ensure that--
(A) a producer (or an agent of a producer)
may report information, electronically
(including geospatial data) or conventionally,
to the Department; and
(B) upon the request of the producer (or
agent thereof) the Department of Agriculture
electronically shares with the producer (or
agent) in real time and without cost to the
producer (or agent) the common land unit data,
related farm level data, and other information
of the producer;
(2) improve coordination, information sharing, and
administrative work with the Farm Service Agency, Risk
Management Agency, and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service; and
(3) take advantage of new technologies to enhance
efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery to
producers.
(c) Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make available
to the Farm Service Agency to carry out this title
$100,000,000.
(2) Additional funds.--
(A) Initial determination.--If, by
September 30, 2014, the Secretary notifies the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate that the Farm Service Agency has made
substantial progress toward implementing the
requirements of subsection (b)(1), the
Secretary shall make available to the Farm
Service Agency to carry out this title
$10,000,000 on October 1, 2014. The amount made
available under this subparagraph is in
addition to the amount made available under
paragraph (1).
(B) Subsequent determination.--If, by
September 30, 2015, the Secretary notifies the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate that the requirements of subsection
(b)(1) have been fully implemented and those
Committees provide written concurrence to the
Secretary, the Secretary shall make available
to the Farm Service Agency to carry out this
title $10,000,000 on the date the written
concurrence is provided or October 1, 2015,
whichever is later. The amount made available
under this subparagraph is in addition to the
amount made available under paragraph (1) and
any amount made available under subparagraph
(A).
(3) Producer education.--
(A) In general.--Of the funds made
available under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall provide $3,000,000 to State extension
services for the purpose of educating farmers
and ranchers on the options made available
under subtitles A, D, and E of this title and
under section 196 of the Federal Agriculture
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C.
7333).
(B) Web-based decision aids.--
(i) Use of qualified
universities.--Of the funds made
available under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall use $3,000,000 to
support qualified universities (or
university-based organizations) that
represent a diversity of regions and
commodities (including dairy), possess
expertise regarding the programs
authorized by this Act, have a history
in the development of decision aids and
producer outreach initiatives regarding
farm risk management programs, and are
able to meet the deadline established
pursuant to clause (ii) to develop web-
based decision aids to assist producers
in understanding available options
described in subparagraph (A) and to
train producers to use these decision
aids.
(ii) Deadlines.--To the maximum
extent practicable, the Secretary
shall--
(I) obligate the funds made
available under clause (i)
within 30 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act;
and
(II) require the products
described in clause (i) to be
made available to producers on
the internet within a
reasonable period of time, as
determined by the Secretary,
after the implementation of the
first rule implementing
programs required under
subtitle A of this title.
(d) Loan Implementation.--
(1) In general.--In any crop year in which an order
is issued pursuant 2 U.S.C. 901(a), the Secretary shall
use such sums as necessary of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation for such crop year to
fully restore the support, loan, or assistance that is
otherwise required under subtitles B or C of this title
or under the amendments made by subtitles B or C,
except with respect to the assistance provided under
sections 1207(c) and 1208.
(2) Repayment.--In carrying out this subsection,
the Secretary shall ensure that when a producer repays
a loan at a rate equal to the loan rate plus interest
in accordance with the repayment provisions of
subtitles B or C that the repayment amount shall
include the portion of the loan amount provided under
paragraph (1), except that this paragraph shall not
affect or reduce marketing loan gains, loan deficiency
payments, or forfeiture benefits provided for under
subtitles B or C and as supplemented in accordance with
paragraph (1).
SEC. 1615. RESEARCH OPTION.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 4(m) of the
Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714b(m)),
funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation disbursed pursuant to
the memorandum of understanding between the Government of the
United States of America and the Government of the Federative
Republic of Brazil regarding a fund for technical assistance
and capacity building with respect to dispute WT/DS 267 in the
World Trade Organization may, upon resolution of the dispute,
be used for research consistent with the conditions imposed by
subsection (b).
(b) Conditions.--Research authorized by subsection (a) must
be conducted in collaboration with research agencies of the
United States Department of Agriculture or with a college,
university, or research foundation located in the United
States. Such research and collaboration shall be subject to the
agreement of the parties to the resolved dispute described in
subsection (a).
TITLE II--CONSERVATION
Subtitle A--Conservation Reserve Program
SEC. 2001. EXTENSION AND ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS OF CONSERVATION
RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Extension.--Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
(b) Eligible Land.--Section 1231(b) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``the date of
enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008'' and inserting ``the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);
(3) by inserting before paragraph (4) the following
new paragraph:
``(3) grasslands that--
``(A) contain forbs or shrubland (including
improved rangeland and pastureland) for which
grazing is the predominant use;
``(B) are located in an area historically
dominated by grasslands; and
``(C) could provide habitat for animal and
plant populations of significant ecological
value if the land is retained in its current
use or restored to a natural condition;'';
(4) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``filterstrips
devoted to trees or shrubs'' and inserting
``filterstrips or riparian buffers devoted to trees,
shrubs, or grasses''; and
(5) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
``(5) the portion of land in a field not enrolled
in the conservation reserve in a case in which--
``(A) more than 50 percent of the land in
the field is enrolled as a buffer or
filterstrip, or more than 75 percent of the
land in the field is enrolled as a conservation
practice other than as a buffer or filterstrip;
and
``(B) the remainder of the field is--
``(i) infeasible to farm; and
``(ii) enrolled at regular rental
rates.''.
(c) Planting Status of Certain Land.--Section 1231(c) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(c)) is amended by
striking ``if'' and all that follows through the period at the
end and inserting ``if, during the crop year, the land was
devoted to a conserving use.''.
(d) Enrollment.--Subsection (d) of section 1231 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is amended to read as
follows:
``(d) Enrollment.--
``(1) Maximum acreage enrolled.--The Secretary may
maintain in the conservation reserve at any one time
during--
``(A) fiscal year 2014, no more than
27,500,000 acres;
``(B) fiscal year 2015, no more than
26,000,000 acres;
``(C) fiscal year 2016, no more than
25,000,000 acres;
``(D) fiscal year 2017, no more than
24,000,000 acres; and
``(E) fiscal year 2018, no more than
24,000,000 acres.
``(2) Grasslands.--
``(A) Limitation.--For purposes of applying
the limitations in paragraph (1), no more than
2,000,000 acres of the land described in
subsection (b)(3) may be enrolled in the
program at any one time during the 2014 through
2018 fiscal years.
``(B) Priority.--In enrolling acres under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may give
priority to land with expiring conservation
reserve program contracts.
``(C) Method of enrollment.--In enrolling
acres under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
shall make the program available to owners or
operators of eligible land on a continuous
enrollment basis with one or more ranking
periods.''.
(e) Duration of Contract.--Section 1231(e) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(e)) is amended by striking
paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Special rule for certain land.--In the case
of land devoted to hardwood trees, shelterbelts,
windbreaks, or wildlife corridors under a contract
entered into under this subchapter, the owner or
operator of the land may, within the limitations
prescribed under paragraph (1), specify the duration of
the contract.''.
(f) Conservation Priority Areas.--Section 1231(f) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``watershed areas
of the Chesapeake Bay Region, the Great Lakes Region,
the Long Island Sound Region, and other'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Watersheds.--
Watersheds'' and inserting ``Areas.--Areas''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``a watershed's
designation--'' and all that follows through the period
at the end and inserting ``an area's designation if the
Secretary finds that the area no longer contains actual
and significant adverse water quality or habitat
impacts related to agricultural production
activities.''.
SEC. 2002. FARMABLE WETLAND PROGRAM.
(a) Extension.--Section 1231B(a)(1) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018'';
and
(2) by striking ``a program'' and inserting ``a
farmable wetland program''.
(b) Eligible Acreage.--Section 1231B(b)(1)(B) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b(b)(1)(B)) is amended by
striking ``flow from a row crop agriculture drainage system''
and inserting ``surface and subsurface flow from row crop
agricultural production''.
(c) Acreage Limitation.--Section 1231B(c)(1)(B) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b(c)(1)(B)) is amended by
striking ``1,000,000'' and inserting ``750,000''.
(d) Clerical Amendments.--Section 1231B of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b) is amended--
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the
following: ``farmable wetland program''; and
(2) in subsection (f)(2), by striking ``section
1234(c)(2)(B)'' and inserting ``section
1234(d)(2)(A)(ii)''.
SEC. 2003. DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS.
(a) Limitation on Harvesting, Grazing, or Commercial Use of
Forage.--Section 1232(a)(8) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3832(a)(8)) is amended by striking ``except that''
and all that follows through the semicolon at the end of the
paragraph and inserting ``except as provided in subsection (b)
or (c) of section 1233;''.
(b) Conservation Plan Requirements.--Subsection (b) of
section 1232 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3832)
is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Conservation Plans.--The plan referred to in
subsection (a)(1) shall set forth--
``(1) the conservation measures and practices to be
carried out by the owner or operator during the term of
the contract; and
``(2) the commercial use, if any, to be permitted
on the land during the term.''.
(c) Rental Payment Reduction.--Section 1232 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3832) is amended by striking
subsection (d).
SEC. 2004. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
Section 1233 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3833) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1233. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
``(a) Cost-Share and Rental Payments.--In return for a
contract entered into by an owner or operator under the
conservation reserve program, the Secretary shall--
``(1) share the cost of carrying out the
conservation measures and practices set forth in the
contract for which the Secretary determines that cost
sharing is appropriate and in the public interest; and
``(2) for a period of years not in excess of the
term of the contract, pay an annual rental payment in
an amount necessary to compensate for--
``(A) the conversion of highly erodible
cropland or other eligible lands normally
devoted to the production of an agricultural
commodity on a farm or ranch to a less
intensive use;
``(B) the retirement of any base history
that the owner or operator agrees to retire
permanently; and
``(C) the development and management of
grasslands for multiple natural resource
conservation benefits, including to soil,
water, air, and wildlife.
``(b) Specified Activities Permitted.--The Secretary shall
permit certain activities or commercial uses of land that is
subject to a contract under the conservation reserve program if
those activities or uses are consistent with a plan approved by
the Secretary and include--
``(1) harvesting, grazing, or other commercial use
of the forage in response to a drought, flooding, or
other emergency, without any reduction in the rental
rate;
``(2) consistent with the conservation of soil,
water quality, and wildlife habitat (including habitat
during primary nesting seasons for birds in the area),
and in exchange for a reduction of not less than 25
percent in the annual rental rate for the acres covered
by the authorized activity, managed harvesting and
other commercial use (including the managed harvesting
of biomass), except that in permitting those
activities, the Secretary, in coordination with the
State technical committee--
``(A) shall develop appropriate vegetation
management requirements; and
``(B) shall identify periods during which
the activities may be conducted, such that the
frequency is at least every 5 but not more than
once every 3 years;
``(3) subject to appropriate restrictions during
the nesting season for birds in the local area that are
economically significant, in significant decline, or
conserved in accordance with Federal or State law, as
determined by the Secretary in consultation with the
State technical committee, and in exchange for a
reduction of not less than 25 percent in the annual
rental rate for the acres covered by the authorized
activity--
``(A) prescribed grazing for the control of
invasive species, which may be conducted
annually;
``(B) routine grazing, except that in
permitting such routine grazing, the Secretary,
in coordination with the State technical
committee--
``(i) shall develop appropriate
vegetation management requirements and
stocking rates for the land that are
suitable for continued routine grazing;
and
``(ii) shall identify the periods
during which routine grazing may be
conducted, such that the frequency is
not more than once every 2 years,
taking into consideration regional
differences such as--
``(I) climate, soil type,
and natural resources;
``(II) the number of years
that should be required between
routine grazing activities; and
``(III) how often during a
year in which routine grazing
is permitted that routine
grazing should be allowed to
occur; and
``(C) the installation of wind turbines and
associated access, except that in permitting
the installation of wind turbines, the
Secretary shall determine the number and
location of wind turbines that may be
installed, taking into account--
``(i) the location, size, and other
physical characteristics of the land;
``(ii) the extent to which the land
contains threatened or endangered
wildlife and wildlife habitat; and
``(iii) the purposes of the
conservation reserve program under this
subchapter;
``(4) the intermittent and seasonal use of
vegetative buffer practices incidental to agricultural
production on lands adjacent to the buffer such that
the permitted use does not destroy the permanent
vegetative cover; and
``(5) grazing by livestock of a beginning farmer or
rancher without any reduction in the rental rate, if
the grazing is--
``(A) consistent with the conservation of
soil, water quality, and wildlife habitat;
``(B) subject to appropriate restrictions
during the nesting season for birds in the
local area that are economically significant,
in significant decline, or conserved in
accordance with Federal or State law, as
determined by the Secretary in consultation
with the State technical committee; and
``(C) described in subparagraph (A) or (B)
of paragraph (3).
``(c) Authorized Activities on Grasslands.--For eligible
land described in section 1231(b)(3), the Secretary shall
permit the following activities:
``(1) Common grazing practices, including
maintenance and necessary cultural practices, on the
land in a manner that is consistent with maintaining
the viability of grassland, forb, and shrub species
appropriate to that locality.
``(2) Haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed
production, subject to appropriate restrictions during
the nesting season for birds in the local area that are
economically significant, in significant decline, or
conserved in accordance with Federal or State law, as
determined by the Secretary in consultation with the
State technical committee.
``(3) Fire presuppression, fire-related
rehabilitation, and construction of fire breaks.
``(4) Grazing-related activities, such as fencing
and livestock watering.
``(d) Resource Conserving Use.--
``(1) In general.--Beginning on the date that is 1
year before the date of termination of a contract under
the program, the Secretary shall allow an owner or
operator to make conservation and land improvements for
economic use that facilitate maintaining protection of
enrolled land after expiration of the contract.
``(2) Conservation plan.--The Secretary shall
require an owner or operator carrying out the
activities described in paragraph (1) to develop and
implement a conservation plan.
``(3) Re-enrollment prohibited.--Land improved
under paragraph (1) may not be re-enrolled in the
conservation reserve program for 5 years after the date
of termination of the contract.
``(4) Payment reduction.--In the case of an
activity carried out under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall reduce the payment otherwise payable under the
contract by an amount commensurate with the economic
value of the activity.''.
SEC. 2005. PAYMENTS.
(a) Trees, Windbreaks, Shelterbelts, and Wildlife
Corridors.--Section 1234(b)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(b)(3)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
``(A) Applicability.--This paragraph
applies to land devoted to the production of
hardwood trees, windbreaks, shelterbelts, or
wildlife corridors under a contract entered
into under this subchapter after November 28,
1990.''.
(b) Incentives for Thinning.--Section 1234 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Federal
Percentage of''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``or
thinning''; and
(ii) by amending clause (ii) to
read as follows:
``(ii) Duration.--The Secretary
shall make payments as described in
clause (i) for a period of not less
than 2 years, but not more than 4
years, beginning on the date of the
planting of the trees or shrubs.'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (g) as
subsections (d) through (h), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:
``(c) Incentive Payments.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make incentive
payments to an owner or operator of eligible land in an
amount sufficient to encourage proper thinning and
other practices to improve the condition of resources,
promote forest management, or enhance wildlife habitat
on the land.
``(2) Limitation.--A payment described in paragraph
(1) may not exceed 150 percent of the total cost of
thinning and other practices conducted by the owner or
operator.''.
(c) Annual Rental Payments.--Section 1234(d) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(2)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or other
eligible lands'' after ``highly erodible cropland''
both places it appears;
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
``(2) Methods of determination.--
``(A) In general.--The amounts payable to
owners or operators in the form of rental
payments under contracts entered into under
this subchapter may be determined through--
``(i) the submission of bids for
such contracts by owners and operators
in such manner as the Secretary may
prescribe; or
``(ii) such other means as the
Secretary determines are appropriate.
``(B) Grasslands.--In the case of eligible
land described in section 1231(b)(3), the
Secretary shall make annual payments in an
amount that is not more than 75 percent of the
grazing value of the land covered by the
contract.''; and
(3) in paragraph (5)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``conduct an annual survey'' and inserting ``,
not less frequently than once every other year,
conduct a survey'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``annual''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Use.--The Secretary may use the
estimates derived from the survey conducted
under subparagraph (A) relating to dryland cash
rental rates as a factor in determining rental
rates under this section in a manner determined
appropriate by the Secretary.''.
(d) Payment Schedule.--Subsection (e) of section 1234 of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by subsection
(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Payment Schedule.--
``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in
this section, payments under this subchapter shall be
made in cash in such amount and on such time schedule
as is agreed on and specified in the contract.
``(2) Advance payment.--Payments under this
subchapter may be made in advance of determination of
performance.''.
(e) Payment Limitation.--Section 1234(g) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(2)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, including
rental payments made in the form of in-kind
commodities,'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
(2).
SEC. 2006. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Early Termination by Owner or Operator.--Section
1235(e) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835(e)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``During fiscal year 2015, the
Secretary''; and
(B) by striking ``before January 1,
1995,'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (C)
and inserting the following:
``(C) Land devoted to hardwood trees.
``(D) Wildlife habitat, duck nesting
habitat, pollinator habitat, upland bird
habitat buffer, wildlife food plots, State
acres for wildlife enhancement, shallow water
areas for wildlife, and rare and declining
habitat.
``(E) Farmable wetland and restored
wetland.
``(F) Land that contains diversions,
erosion control structures, flood control
structures, contour grass strips, living snow
fences, salinity reducing vegetation, cross
wind trap strips, and sediment retention
structures.
``(G) Land located within a federally
designated wellhead protection area.
``(H) Land that is covered by an easement
under the conservation reserve program.
``(I) Land located within an average width,
according to the applicable Natural Resources
Conservation Service field office technical
guide, of a perennial stream or permanent water
body.
``(J) Land enrolled under the conservation
reserve enhancement program.''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``60 days after
the date on which the owner or operator submits the
notice required under paragraph (1)(C)'' and inserting
``upon approval by the Secretary''.
(b) Transition Option for Certain Farmers or Ranchers.--
Section 1235(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3835(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``Duties'' and all that
follows through ``a beginning farmer or rancher
or'' and inserting ``Transition to covered
farmer or rancher.--In the case of a contract
modification approved in order to facilitate
the transfer of land subject to a contract from
a retired farmer or rancher to a beginning
farmer or rancher, a veteran farmer or rancher
(as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of
1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))), or a'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting
``, including preparing to plant an
agricultural crop'' after ``improvements'';
(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``the
farmer or rancher'' and inserting ``the covered
farmer or rancher''; and
(D) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``section 1001A(b)(3)(B)'' and inserting
``section 1001''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``requirement of
section 1231(h)(4)(B)'' and inserting ``option pursuant
to section 1234(d)(2)(A)(ii)''.
(c) Final Year Contract.--Section 1235 of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835) is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsections:
``(g) Final Year of Contract.--The Secretary shall not
consider an owner or operator to be in violation of a term or
condition of the conservation reserve contract if--
``(1) during the year prior to expiration of the
contract, the land is enrolled in the conservation
stewardship program; and
``(2) the activity required under the conservation
stewardship program pursuant to such enrollment is
consistent with this subchapter.
``(h) Land Enrolled in Agricultural Conservation Easement
Program.--The Secretary may terminate or modify a contract
entered into under this subchapter if eligible land that is
subject to such contract is transferred into the agricultural
conservation easement program under subtitle H.''.
SEC. 2007. CONVERSION OF LAND SUBJECT TO CONTRACT TO OTHER CONSERVING
USES.
Section 1235A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3835a) is repealed.
SEC. 2008. EFFECT ON EXISTING CONTRACTS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
amendments made by this subtitle shall not affect the validity
or terms of any contract entered into by the Secretary of
Agriculture under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of
title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et
seq.) before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014, or any payments required to be made in connection with
the contract.
(b) Updating of Existing Contracts.--The Secretary shall
permit an owner or operator of land subject to a contract
entered into under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of
title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et
seq.) before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014, to update the contract to reflect the activities and uses
of land under contract permitted under the terms and conditions
of section 1233(b) of that Act (as amended by section 2004), as
determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Subtitle B--Conservation Stewardship Program
SEC. 2101. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.
(a) Revision of Current Program.--Subchapter B of chapter 2
of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) is amended to read as follows:
``Subchapter B--Conservation Stewardship Program
``SEC. 1238D. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subchapter:
``(1) Agricultural operation.--The term
`agricultural operation' means all eligible land,
whether or not contiguous, that is--
``(A) under the effective control of a
producer at the time the producer enters into a
contract under the program; and
``(B) operated with equipment, labor,
management, and production or cultivation
practices that are substantially separate from
other agricultural operations, as determined by
the Secretary.
``(2) Conservation activities.--
``(A) In general.--The term `conservation
activities' means conservation systems,
practices, or management measures.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `conservation
activities' includes--
``(i) structural measures,
vegetative measures, and land
management measures, including
agriculture drainage management
systems, as determined by the
Secretary; and
``(ii) planning needed to address a
priority resource concern.
``(3) Conservation stewardship plan.--The term
`conservation stewardship plan' means a plan that--
``(A) identifies and inventories priority
resource concerns;
``(B) establishes benchmark data and
conservation objectives;
``(C) describes conservation activities to
be implemented, managed, or improved; and
``(D) includes a schedule and evaluation
plan for the planning, installation, and
management of the new and existing conservation
activities.
``(4) Eligible land.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible land'
means--
``(i) private or tribal land on
which agricultural commodities,
livestock, or forest-related products
are produced; and
``(ii) lands associated with the
land described in clause (i) on which
priority resource concerns could be
addressed through a contract under the
program.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `eligible land'
includes--
``(i) cropland;
``(ii) grassland;
``(iii) rangeland;
``(iv) pasture land;
``(v) nonindustrial private forest
land; and
``(vi) other land in agricultural
areas (including cropped woodland,
marshes, and agricultural land used or
capable of being used for the
production of livestock), as determined
by the Secretary.
``(5) Priority resource concern.--The term
`priority resource concern' means a natural resource
concern or problem, as determined by the Secretary,
that--
``(A) is identified at the national, State,
or local level as a priority for a particular
area of a State;
``(B) represents a significant concern in a
State or region; and
``(C) is likely to be addressed
successfully through the implementation of
conservation activities under this program.
``(6) Program.--The term `program' means the
conservation stewardship program established by this
subchapter.
``(7) Stewardship threshold.--The term `stewardship
threshold' means the level of management required, as
determined by the Secretary, to conserve and improve
the quality and condition of a natural resource.
``SEC. 1238E. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment and Purpose.--During each of fiscal
years 2014 through 2018, the Secretary shall carry out a
conservation stewardship program to encourage producers to
address priority resource concerns and improve and conserve the
quality and condition of natural resources in a comprehensive
manner--
``(1) by undertaking additional conservation
activities; and
``(2) by improving, maintaining, and managing
existing conservation activities.
``(b) Exclusions.--
``(1) Land enrolled in other conservation
programs.--Subject to paragraph (2), the following land
(even if covered by the definition of eligible land) is
not eligible for enrollment in the program:
``(A) Land enrolled in the conservation
reserve program, unless--
``(i) the conservation reserve
contract will expire at the end of the
fiscal year in which the land is to be
enrolled in the program; and
``(ii) conservation reserve program
payments for land enrolled in the
program cease before the first program
payment is made to the applicant under
this subchapter.
``(B) Land enrolled in a wetland reserve
easement through the agricultural conservation
easement program.
``(C) Land enrolled in the conservation
security program.
``(2) Conversion to cropland.--Eligible land used
for crop production after the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, that had not been planted,
considered to be planted, or devoted to crop production
for at least 4 of the 6 years preceding that date shall
not be the basis for any payment under the program,
unless the land does not meet such requirement
because--
``(A) the land had previously been enrolled
in the conservation reserve program;
``(B) the land has been maintained using
long-term crop rotation practices, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(C) the land is incidental land needed
for efficient operation of the farm or ranch,
as determined by the Secretary.
``SEC. 1238F. STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS.
``(a) Submission of Contract Offers.--To be eligible to
participate in the conservation stewardship program, a producer
shall submit to the Secretary a contract offer for the
agricultural operation that--
``(1) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the
Secretary that the producer, at the time of the
contract offer, meets or exceeds the stewardship
threshold for at least 2 priority resource concerns;
and
``(2) would, at a minimum, meet or exceed the
stewardship threshold for at least 1 additional
priority resource concern by the end of the stewardship
contract by--
``(A) installing and adopting additional
conservation activities; and
``(B) improving, maintaining, and managing
existing conservation activities across the
entire agricultural operation in a manner that
increases or extends the conservation benefits
in place at the time the contract offer is
accepted by the Secretary.
``(b) Evaluation of Contract Offers.--
``(1) Ranking of applications.--In evaluating
contract offers submitted under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall rank applications based on--
``(A) the level of conservation treatment
on all applicable priority resource concerns at
the time of application;
``(B) the degree to which the proposed
conservation activities effectively increase
conservation performance;
``(C) the number of applicable priority
resource concerns proposed to be treated to
meet or exceed the stewardship threshold by the
end of the contract;
``(D) the extent to which other priority
resource concerns will be addressed to meet or
exceed the stewardship threshold by the end of
the contract period;
``(E) the extent to which the actual and
anticipated conservation benefits from the
contract are provided at the least cost
relative to other similarly beneficial contract
offers; and
``(F) the extent to which priority resource
concerns will be addressed when transitioning
from the conservation reserve program to
agricultural production.
``(2) Prohibition.--The Secretary may not assign a
higher priority to any application because the
applicant is willing to accept a lower payment than the
applicant would otherwise be eligible to receive.
``(3) Additional criteria.--The Secretary may
develop and use such additional criteria that the
Secretary determines are necessary to ensure that
national, State, and local priority resource concerns
are effectively addressed.
``(c) Entering Into Contracts.--After a determination that
a producer is eligible for the program under subsection (a),
and a determination that the contract offer ranks sufficiently
high under the evaluation criteria under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall enter into a conservation stewardship contract
with the producer to enroll the eligible land to be covered by
the contract.
``(d) Contract Provisions.--
``(1) Term.--A conservation stewardship contract
shall be for a term of 5 years.
``(2) Required provisions.--The conservation
stewardship contract of a producer shall--
``(A) state the amount of the payment the
Secretary agrees to make to the producer for
each year of the conservation stewardship
contract under section 1238G(d);
``(B) require the producer--
``(i) to implement a conservation
stewardship plan that describes the
program purposes to be achieved through
1 or more conservation activities;
``(ii) to maintain and supply
information as required by the
Secretary to determine compliance with
the conservation stewardship plan and
any other requirements of the program;
and
``(iii) not to conduct any
activities on the agricultural
operation that would tend to defeat the
purposes of the program;
``(C) permit all economic uses of the
eligible land that--
``(i) maintain the agricultural
nature of the land; and
``(ii) are consistent with the
conservation purposes of the
conservation stewardship contract;
``(D) include a provision to ensure that a
producer shall not be considered in violation
of the contract for failure to comply with the
contract due to circumstances beyond the
control of the producer, including a disaster
or related condition, as determined by the
Secretary;
``(E) include provisions requiring that
upon the violation of a term or condition of
the contract at any time the producer has
control of the land--
``(i) if the Secretary determines
that the violation warrants termination
of the contract--
``(I) the producer shall
forfeit all rights to receive
payments under the contract;
and
``(II) the producer shall
refund all or a portion of the
payments received by the
producer under the contract,
including any interest on the
payments, as determined by the
Secretary; or
``(ii) if the Secretary determines
that the violation does not warrant
termination of the contract, the
producer shall refund or accept
adjustments to the payments provided to
the producer, as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate;
``(F) include provisions in accordance with
paragraphs (3) and (4); and
``(G) include any additional provisions the
Secretary determines are necessary to carry out
the program.
``(3) Change of interest in land subject to a
contract.--
``(A) In general.--At the time of
application, a producer shall have control of
the eligible land to be enrolled in the
program. Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), a change in the interest of a producer in
eligible land covered by a contract under the
program shall result in the termination of the
contract with regard to that land.
``(B) Transfer of duties and rights.--
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if--
``(i) within a reasonable period of
time (as determined by the Secretary)
after the date of the change in the
interest in eligible land covered by a
contract under the program, the
transferee of the land provides written
notice to the Secretary that all duties
and rights under the contract have been
transferred to, and assumed by, the
transferee for the portion of the land
transferred;
``(ii) the transferee meets the
eligibility requirements of the
program; and
``(iii) the Secretary approves the
transfer of all duties and rights under
the contract.
``(4) Modification and termination of contracts.--
``(A) Voluntary modification or
termination.--The Secretary may modify or
terminate a contract with a producer if--
``(i) the producer agrees to the
modification or termination; and
``(ii) the Secretary determines
that the modification or termination is
in the public interest.
``(B) Involuntary termination.--The
Secretary may terminate a contract if the
Secretary determines that the producer violated
the contract.
``(5) Repayment.--If a contract is terminated, the
Secretary may, consistent with the purposes of the
program--
``(A) allow the producer to retain payments
already received under the contract; or
``(B) require repayment, in whole or in
part, of payments received and assess
liquidated damages.
``(e) Contract Renewal.--At the end of the initial 5-year
contract period, the Secretary may allow the producer to renew
the contract for 1 additional 5-year period if the producer--
``(1) demonstrates compliance with the terms of the
initial contract;
``(2) agrees to adopt and continue to integrate
conservation activities across the entire agricultural
operation, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(3) agrees, by the end of the contract period--
``(A) to meet the stewardship threshold of
at least 2 additional priority resource
concerns on the agricultural operation; or
``(B) to exceed the stewardship threshold
of 2 existing priority resource concerns that
are specified by the Secretary in the initial
contract.
``SEC. 1238G. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
``(a) In General.--To achieve the conservation goals of a
contract under the conservation stewardship program, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) make the program available to eligible
producers on a continuous enrollment basis with 1 or
more ranking periods, 1 of which shall occur in the
first quarter of each fiscal year;
``(2) identify not less than 5 priority resource
concerns in a particular watershed or other appropriate
region or area within a State; and
``(3) establish a science-based stewardship
threshold for each priority resource concern identified
under paragraph (2).
``(b) Allocation to States.--The Secretary shall allocate
acres to States for enrollment, based--
``(1) primarily on each State's proportion of
eligible land to the total acreage of eligible land in
all States; and
``(2) also on consideration of--
``(A) the extent and magnitude of the
conservation needs associated with agricultural
production in each State;
``(B) the degree to which implementation of
the program in the State is, or will be,
effective in helping producers address those
needs; and
``(C) other considerations to achieve
equitable geographic distribution of funds, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(c) Acreage Enrollment Limitation.--During the period
beginning on the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014, and ending on September 30, 2022, the Secretary shall, to
the maximum extent practicable--
``(1) enroll in the program an additional
10,000,000 acres for each fiscal year; and
``(2) manage the program to achieve a national
average rate of $18 per acre, which shall include the
costs of all financial assistance, technical
assistance, and any other expenses associated with
enrollment or participation in the program.
``(d) Conservation Stewardship Payments.--
``(1) Availability of payments.--The Secretary
shall provide annual payments under the program to
compensate the producer for--
``(A) installing and adopting additional
conservation activities; and
``(B) improving, maintaining, and managing
conservation activities in place at the
agricultural operation of the producer at the
time the contract offer is accepted by the
Secretary.
``(2) Payment amount.--The amount of the annual
payment shall be determined by the Secretary and based,
to the maximum extent practicable, on the following
factors:
``(A) Costs incurred by the producer
associated with planning, design, materials,
installation, labor, management, maintenance,
or training.
``(B) Income forgone by the producer.
``(C) Expected conservation benefits.
``(D) The extent to which priority resource
concerns will be addressed through the
installation and adoption of conservation
activities on the agricultural operation.
``(E) The level of stewardship in place at
the time of application and maintained over the
term of the contract.
``(F) The degree to which the conservation
activities will be integrated across the entire
agricultural operation for all applicable
priority resource concerns over the term of the
contract.
``(G) Such other factors as are determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(3) Exclusions.--A payment to a producer under
this subsection shall not be provided for--
``(A) the design, construction, or
maintenance of animal waste storage or
treatment facilities or associated waste
transport or transfer devices for animal
feeding operations; or
``(B) conservation activities for which
there is no cost incurred or income forgone to
the producer.
``(4) Delivery of payments.--In making payments
under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the
extent practicable--
``(A) prorate conservation performance over
the term of the contract so as to accommodate,
to the extent practicable, producers earning
equal annual payments in each fiscal year; and
``(B) make such payments as soon as
practicable after October 1 of each fiscal year
for activities carried out in the previous
fiscal year.
``(e) Supplemental Payments for Resource-conserving Crop
Rotations.--
``(1) Availability of payments.--The Secretary
shall provide additional payments to producers that, in
participating in the program, agree to adopt or improve
resource-conserving crop rotations to achieve
beneficial crop rotations as appropriate for the
eligible land of the producers.
``(2) Beneficial crop rotations.--The Secretary
shall determine whether a resource-conserving crop
rotation is a beneficial crop rotation eligible for
additional payments under paragraph (1) based on
whether the resource-conserving crop rotation is
designed to provide natural resource conservation and
production benefits.
``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a
payment described in paragraph (1), a producer shall
agree to adopt and maintain beneficial resource-
conserving crop rotations for the term of the contract.
``(4) Resource-conserving crop rotation.--In this
subsection, the term `resource-conserving crop
rotation' means a crop rotation that--
``(A) includes at least 1 resource-
conserving crop (as defined by the Secretary);
``(B) reduces erosion;
``(C) improves soil fertility and tilth;
``(D) interrupts pest cycles; and
``(E) in applicable areas, reduces
depletion of soil moisture or otherwise reduces
the need for irrigation.
``(f) Payment Limitations.--A person or legal entity may
not receive, directly or indirectly, payments under the program
that, in the aggregate, exceed $200,000 under all contracts
entered into during fiscal years 2014 through 2018, excluding
funding arrangements with Indian tribes, regardless of the
number of contracts entered into under the program by the
person or legal entity.
``(g) Specialty Crop and Organic Producers.--The Secretary
shall ensure that outreach and technical assistance are
available, and program specifications are appropriate to enable
specialty crop and organic producers to participate in the
program.
``(h) Coordination With Organic Certification.--The
Secretary shall establish a transparent means by which
producers may initiate organic certification under the Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) while
participating in a contract under the program.
``(i) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate
regulations that--
``(1) prescribe such other rules as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to ensure a fair and
reasonable application of the limitations established
under subsection (f); and
``(2) otherwise enable the Secretary to carry out
the program.''.
(b) Effect on Existing Contracts.--
(1) In general.--The amendment made by this section
shall not affect the validity or terms of any contract
entered into by the Secretary of Agriculture under
subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.)
before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014, or any payments required to be made in connection
with the contract.
(2) Conservation stewardship program.--Funds made
available under section 1241(a)(4) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(4)) (as amended by
section 2601(a) of this title) may be used to
administer and make payments to program participants
that enrolled into contracts during any of fiscal years
2009 through 2013.
Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program
SEC. 2201. PURPOSES.
Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C) and, in such subparagraph, by
inserting ``and'' after the semicolon; and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following new subparagraph:
``(B) developing and improving wildlife
habitat; and'';
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking paragraph (5).
SEC. 2202. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-1) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating
paragraphs (3) through (6) as paragraphs (2) through
(5), respectively; and
(2) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by
inserting ``established under the Organic Foods
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.)'' after
``national organic program''.
SEC. 2203. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-2) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2014'' and
inserting ``2018'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(2) Term.--A contract under the program shall
have a term that does not exceed 10 years.'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking
subparagraphs (A) through (G) and inserting the
following:
``(A) soil health;
``(B) water quality and quantity
improvement;
``(C) nutrient management;
``(D) pest management;
``(E) air quality improvement;
``(F) wildlife habitat development,
including pollinator habitat; or
``(G) invasive species management.''; and
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), in the
matter preceding clause (i), by
inserting ``, a veteran farmer or
rancher (as defined in section 2501(e)
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C.
2279(e))),'' before ``or a beginning
farmer or rancher''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B)
and inserting the following new
subparagraph:
``(B) Advance payments.--
``(i) In general.--Not more than 50
percent of the amount determined under
subparagraph (A) may be provided in
advance for the purpose of purchasing
materials or contracting.
``(ii) Return of funds.--If funds
provided in advance are not expended
during the 90-day period beginning on
the date of receipt of the funds, the
funds shall be returned within a
reasonable timeframe, as determined by
the Secretary.'';
(4) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the
following new subsection:
``(f) Allocation of Funding.--
``(1) Livestock.--For each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018, at least 60 percent of the funds made
available for payments under the program shall be
targeted at practices relating to livestock production.
``(2) Wildlife habitat.--For each of fiscal years
2014 through 2018, at least 5 percent of the funds made
available for payments under the program shall be
targeted at practices benefitting wildlife habitat
under subsection (g).''; and
(5) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the
following new subsection:
``(g) Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide
payments under the environmental quality incentives
program for conservation practices that support the
restoration, development, protection, and improvement
of wildlife habitat on eligible land, including--
``(A) upland wildlife habitat;
``(B) wetland wildlife habitat;
``(C) habitat for threatened and endangered
species;
``(D) fish habitat;
``(E) habitat on pivot corners and other
irregular areas of a field; and
``(F) other types of wildlife habitat, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(2) State technical committee.--In determining
the practices eligible for payment under paragraph (1)
and targeted for funding under subsection (f), the
Secretary shall consult with the relevant State
technical committee not less often than once each
year.''.
SEC. 2204. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS.
Section 1240C(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839aa-3(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``environmental''
and inserting ``conservation''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``purpose of the
environmental quality incentives program specified in
section 1240(1)'' and inserting ``purposes of the
program''.
SEC. 2205. DUTIES OF PRODUCERS.
Section 1240D(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839aa-4(2)) is amended by striking ``farm, ranch, or
forest'' and inserting ``enrolled''.
SEC. 2206. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.
Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-7) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1240G. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.
``A person or legal entity may not receive, directly or
indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments under this chapter
that, in aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all contracts entered
into under this chapter by the person or legal entity during
the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, regardless of the
number of contracts entered into under this chapter by the
person or legal entity.''.
SEC. 2207. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS.
Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-8) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the
period and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(E) facilitate on-farm conservation
research and demonstration activities; and
``(F) facilitate pilot testing of new
technologies or innovative conservation
practices.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``$37,500,000'' and
inserting ``$25,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) Reporting.--Not later than December 31, 2014, and
every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives a report on the status of projects funded under
this section, including--
``(1) funding awarded;
``(2) project results; and
``(3) incorporation of project findings, such as
new technology and innovative approaches, into the
conservation efforts implemented by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 2208. EFFECT ON EXISTING CONTRACTS.
The amendments made by this subtitle shall not affect the
validity or terms of any contract entered into by the Secretary
of Agriculture under chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) before
the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014, or any
payments required to be made in connection with the contract.
Subtitle D--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
SEC. 2301. AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Title XII of the Food Security Act of
1985 is amended by adding at the end the following new
subtitle:
``Subtitle H--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
``SEC. 1265. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an
agricultural conservation easement program for the conservation
of eligible land and natural resources through easements or
other interests in land.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the program are to--
``(1) combine the purposes and coordinate the
functions of the wetlands reserve program established
under section 1237, the grassland reserve program
established under section 1238N, and the farmland
protection program established under section 1238I, as
such sections were in effect on the day before the date
of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014;
``(2) restore, protect, and enhance wetlands on
eligible land;
``(3) protect the agricultural use and future
viability, and related conservation values, of eligible
land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land; and
``(4) protect grazing uses and related conservation
values by restoring and conserving eligible land.
``SEC. 1265A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Agricultural land easement.--The term
`agricultural land easement' means an easement or other
interest in eligible land that--
``(A) is conveyed for the purpose of
protecting natural resources and the
agricultural nature of the land; and
``(B) permits the landowner the right to
continue agricultural production and related
uses subject to an agricultural land easement
plan, as approved by the Secretary.
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means--
``(A) an agency of State or local
government or an Indian tribe (including a
farmland protection board or land resource
council established under State law); or
``(B) an organization that is--
``(i) organized for, and at all
times since the formation of the
organization has been operated
principally for, 1 or more of the
conservation purposes specified in
clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of
section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986;
``(ii) an organization described in
section 501(c)(3) of that Code that is
exempt from taxation under section
501(a) of that Code; or
``(iii) described in--
``(I) paragraph (1) or (2)
of section 509(a) of that Code;
or
``(II) section 509(a)(3) of
that Code and is controlled by
an organization described in
section 509(a)(2) of that Code.
``(3) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land'
means private or tribal land that is--
``(A) in the case of an agricultural land
easement, agricultural land, including land on
a farm or ranch--
``(i) that is subject to a pending
offer for purchase of an agricultural
land easement from an eligible entity;
``(ii)(I) that has prime, unique,
or other productive soil;
``(II) that contains historical or
archaeological resources;
``(III) the enrollment of which
would protect grazing uses and related
conservation values by restoring and
conserving land; or
``(IV) the protection of which will
further a State or local policy
consistent with the purposes of the
program; and
``(iii) that is--
``(I) cropland;
``(II) rangeland;
``(III) grassland or land
that contains forbs, or
shrubland for which grazing is
the predominant use;
``(IV) located in an area
that has been historically
dominated by grassland, forbs,
or shrubs and could provide
habitat for animal or plant
populations of significant
ecological value;
``(V) pastureland; or
``(VI) nonindustrial
private forest land that
contributes to the economic
viability of an offered parcel
or serves as a buffer to
protect such land from
development;
``(B) in the case of a wetland reserve
easement, a wetland or related area,
including--
``(i) farmed or converted wetlands,
together with adjacent land that is
functionally dependent on that land, if
the Secretary determines it--
``(I) is likely to be
successfully restored in a
cost-effective manner; and
``(II) will maximize the
wildlife benefits and wetland
functions and values, as
determined by the Secretary in
consultation with the Secretary
of the Interior at the local
level;
``(ii) cropland or grassland that
was used for agricultural production
prior to flooding from the natural
overflow of--
``(I) a closed basin lake
and adjacent land that is
functionally dependent upon it,
if the State or other entity is
willing to provide 50 percent
share of the cost of an
easement; or
``(II) a pothole and
adjacent land that is
functionally dependent on it;
``(iii) farmed wetlands and
adjoining lands that--
``(I) are enrolled in the
conservation reserve program;
``(II) have the highest
wetland functions and values,
as determined by the Secretary;
and
``(III) are likely to
return to production after they
leave the conservation reserve
program;
``(iv) riparian areas that link
wetlands that are protected by
easements or some other device that
achieves the same purpose as an
easement; or
``(v) other wetlands of an owner
that would not otherwise be eligible,
if the Secretary determines that the
inclusion of such wetlands in a wetland
reserve easement would significantly
add to the functional value of the
easement; or
``(C) in the case of either an agricultural
land easement or a wetland reserve easement,
other land that is incidental to land described
in subparagraph (A) or (B), if the Secretary
determines that it is necessary for the
efficient administration of an easement under
the program.
``(4) Program.--The term `program' means the
agricultural conservation easement program established
by this subtitle.
``(5) Wetland reserve easement.--The term `wetland
reserve easement' means a reserved interest in eligible
land that--
``(A) is defined and delineated in a deed;
and
``(B) stipulates--
``(i) the rights, title, and
interests in land conveyed to the
Secretary; and
``(ii) the rights, title, and
interests in land that are reserved to
the landowner.
``SEC. 1265B. AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS.
``(a) Availability of Assistance.--The Secretary shall
facilitate and provide funding for--
``(1) the purchase by eligible entities of
agricultural land easements in eligible land; and
``(2) technical assistance to provide for the
conservation of natural resources pursuant to an
agricultural land easement plan.
``(b) Cost-Share Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall protect the
agricultural use, including grazing, and related
conservation values of eligible land through cost-share
assistance to eligible entities for purchasing
agricultural land easements.
``(2) Scope of assistance available.--
``(A) Federal share.--An agreement
described in paragraph (4) shall provide for a
Federal share determined by the Secretary of an
amount not to exceed 50 percent of the fair
market value of the agricultural land easement,
as determined by the Secretary using--
``(i) the Uniform Standards of
Professional Appraisal Practice;
``(ii) an areawide market analysis
or survey; or
``(iii) another industry-approved
method.
``(B) Non-federal share.--
``(i) In general.--Under the
agreement, the eligible entity shall
provide a share that is at least
equivalent to that provided by the
Secretary.
``(ii) Source of contribution.--An
eligible entity may include as part of
its share under clause (i) a charitable
donation or qualified conservation
contribution (as defined by section
170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986) from the private landowner if the
eligible entity contributes its own
cash resources in an amount that is at
least 50 percent of the amount
contributed by the Secretary.
``(C) Exception.--
``(i) Grasslands.--In the case of
grassland of special environmental
significance, as determined by the
Secretary, the Secretary may provide an
amount not to exceed 75 percent of the
fair market value of the agricultural
land easement.
``(ii) Cash contribution.--For
purposes of subparagraph (B)(ii), the
Secretary may waive any portion of the
eligible entity cash contribution
requirement for projects of special
significance, subject to an increase in
the private landowner donation that is
equal to the amount of the waiver, if
the donation is voluntary and the
property is in active agricultural
production.
``(3) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--
``(A) Criteria.--The Secretary shall
establish evaluation and ranking criteria to
maximize the benefit of Federal investment
under the program.
``(B) Considerations.--In establishing the
criteria, the Secretary shall emphasize support
for--
``(i) protecting agricultural uses
and related conservation values of the
land; and
``(ii) maximizing the protection of
areas devoted to agricultural use.
``(C) Bidding down.--If the Secretary
determines that 2 or more applications for
cost-share assistance are comparable in
achieving the purpose of the program, the
Secretary shall not assign a higher priority to
any of those applications solely on the basis
of lesser cost to the program.
``(4) Agreements with eligible entities.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
enter into agreements with eligible entities to
stipulate the terms and conditions under which
the eligible entity is permitted to use cost-
share assistance provided under this section.
``(B) Length of agreements.--An agreement
shall be for a term that is--
``(i) in the case of an eligible
entity certified under the process
described in paragraph (5), a minimum
of five years; and
``(ii) for all other eligible
entities, at least three, but not more
than five years.
``(C) Minimum terms and conditions.--An
eligible entity shall be authorized to use its
own terms and conditions for agricultural land
easements so long as the Secretary determines
such terms and conditions--
``(i) are consistent with the
purposes of the program;
``(ii) permit effective enforcement
of the conservation purposes of such
easements;
``(iii) include a right of
enforcement for the Secretary, that may
be used only if the terms of the
easement are not enforced by the holder
of the easement;
``(iv) subject the land in which an
interest is purchased to an
agricultural land easement plan that--
``(I) describes the
activities which promote the
long-term viability of the land
to meet the purposes for which
the easement was acquired;
``(II) requires the
management of grasslands
according to a grasslands
management plan; and
``(III) includes a
conservation plan, where
appropriate, and requires, at
the option of the Secretary,
the conversion of highly
erodible cropland to less
intensive uses; and
``(v) include a limit on the
impervious surfaces to be allowed that
is consistent with the agricultural
activities to be conducted.
``(D) Substitution of qualified projects.--
An agreement shall allow, upon mutual agreement
of the parties, substitution of qualified
projects that are identified at the time of the
proposed substitution.
``(E) Effect of violation.--If a violation
occurs of a term or condition of an agreement
under this subsection--
``(i) the Secretary may terminate
the agreement; and
``(ii) the Secretary may require
the eligible entity to refund all or
part of any payments received by the
entity under the program, with interest
on the payments as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(5) Certification of eligible entities.--
``(A) Certification process.--The Secretary
shall establish a process under which the
Secretary may--
``(i) directly certify eligible
entities that meet established
criteria;
``(ii) enter into long-term
agreements with certified eligible
entities; and
``(iii) accept proposals for cost-
share assistance for the purchase of
agricultural land easements throughout
the duration of such agreements.
``(B) Certification criteria.--In order to
be certified, an eligible entity shall
demonstrate to the Secretary that the entity
will maintain, at a minimum, for the duration
of the agreement--
``(i) a plan for administering
easements that is consistent with the
purpose of the program;
``(ii) the capacity and resources
to monitor and enforce agricultural
land easements; and
``(iii) policies and procedures to
ensure--
``(I) the long-term
integrity of agricultural land
easements on eligible land;
``(II) timely completion of
acquisitions of such easements;
and
``(III) timely and complete
evaluation and reporting to the
Secretary on the use of funds
provided under the program.
``(C) Review and revision.--
``(i) Review.--The Secretary shall
conduct a review of eligible entities
certified under subparagraph (A) every
three years to ensure that such
entities are meeting the criteria
established under subparagraph (B).
``(ii) Revocation.--If the
Secretary finds that a certified
eligible entity no longer meets the
criteria established under subparagraph
(B), the Secretary may--
``(I) allow the certified
eligible entity a specified
period of time, at a minimum
180 days, in which to take such
actions as may be necessary to
meet the criteria; and
``(II) revoke the
certification of the eligible
entity, if, after the specified
period of time, the certified
eligible entity does not meet
such criteria.
``(c) Method of Enrollment.--The Secretary shall enroll
eligible land under this section through the use of--
``(1) permanent easements; or
``(2) easements for the maximum duration allowed
under applicable State laws.
``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide
technical assistance, if requested, to assist in--
``(1) compliance with the terms and conditions of
easements; and
``(2) implementation of an agricultural land
easement plan.
``SEC. 1265C. WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENTS.
``(a) Availability of Assistance.--The Secretary shall
provide assistance to owners of eligible land to restore,
protect, and enhance wetlands through--
``(1) wetland reserve easements and related wetland
reserve easement plans; and
``(2) technical assistance.
``(b) Easements.--
``(1) Method of enrollment.--The Secretary shall
enroll eligible land under this section through the use
of--
``(A) 30-year easements;
``(B) permanent easements;
``(C) easements for the maximum duration
allowed under applicable State laws; or
``(D) as an option for Indian tribes only,
30-year contracts.
``(2) Limitations.--
``(A) Ineligible land.--The Secretary may
not acquire easements on--
``(i) land established to trees
under the conservation reserve program,
except in cases where the Secretary
determines it would further the
purposes of this section; and
``(ii) farmed wetlands or converted
wetlands where the conversion was not
commenced prior to December 23, 1985.
``(B) Changes in ownership.--No wetland
reserve easement shall be created on land that
has changed ownership during the preceding 24-
month period unless--
``(i) the new ownership was
acquired by will or succession as a
result of the death of the previous
owner;
``(ii)(I) the ownership change
occurred because of foreclosure on the
land; and
``(II) immediately before the
foreclosure, the owner of the land
exercises a right of redemption from
the mortgage holder in accordance with
State law; or
``(iii) the Secretary determines
that the land was acquired under
circumstances that give adequate
assurances that such land was not
acquired for the purposes of placing it
in the program.
``(3) Evaluation and ranking of offers.--
``(A) Criteria.--The Secretary shall
establish evaluation and ranking criteria for
offers from landowners under this section to
maximize the benefit of Federal investment
under the program.
``(B) Considerations.--When evaluating
offers from landowners, the Secretary may
consider--
``(i) the conservation benefits of
obtaining a wetland reserve easement,
including the potential environmental
benefits if the land was removed from
agricultural production;
``(ii) the cost effectiveness of
each wetland reserve easement, so as to
maximize the environmental benefits per
dollar expended;
``(iii) whether the landowner or
another person is offering to
contribute financially to the cost of
the wetland reserve easement to
leverage Federal funds; and
``(iv) such other factors as the
Secretary determines are necessary to
carry out the purposes of the program.
``(C) Priority.--The Secretary shall give
priority to acquiring wetland reserve easements
based on the value of the wetland reserve
easement for protecting and enhancing habitat
for migratory birds and other wildlife.
``(4) Agreement.--To be eligible to place eligible
land into the program through a wetland reserve
easement, the owner of such land shall enter into an
agreement with the Secretary to--
``(A) grant an easement on such land to the
Secretary;
``(B) authorize the implementation of a
wetland reserve easement plan developed for the
eligible land under subsection (f);
``(C) create and record an appropriate deed
restriction in accordance with applicable State
law to reflect the easement agreed to;
``(D) provide a written statement of
consent to such easement signed by those
holding a security interest in the land;
``(E) comply with the terms and conditions
of the easement and any related agreements; and
``(F) permanently retire any existing base
history for the land on which the easement has
been obtained.
``(5) Terms and conditions of easement.--
``(A) In general.--A wetland reserve
easement shall include terms and conditions
that--
``(i) permit--
``(I) repairs,
improvements, and inspections
on the land that are necessary
to maintain existing public
drainage systems; and
``(II) owners to control
public access on the easement
areas while identifying access
routes to be used for
restoration activities and
management and easement
monitoring;
``(ii) prohibit--
``(I) the alteration of
wildlife habitat and other
natural features of such land,
unless specifically authorized
by the Secretary;
``(II) the spraying of such
land with chemicals or the
mowing of such land, except
where such spraying or mowing
is authorized by the Secretary
or is necessary--
``(aa) to comply
with Federal or State
noxious weed control
laws;
``(bb) to comply
with a Federal or State
emergency pest
treatment program; or
``(cc) to meet
habitat needs of
specific wildlife
species;
``(III) any activities to
be carried out on the owner's
or successor's land that is
immediately adjacent to, and
functionally related to, the
land that is subject to the
easement if such activities
will alter, degrade, or
otherwise diminish the
functional value of the
eligible land; and
``(IV) the adoption of any
other practice that would tend
to defeat the purposes of the
program, as determined by the
Secretary;
``(iii) provide for the efficient
and effective establishment of wetland
functions and values; and
``(iv) include such additional
provisions as the Secretary determines
are desirable to carry out the program
or facilitate the practical
administration thereof.
``(B) Violation.--On the violation of a
term or condition of a wetland reserve
easement, the wetland reserve easement shall
remain in force and the Secretary may require
the owner to refund all or part of any payments
received by the owner under the program, with
interest on the payments as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(C) Compatible uses.--Land subject to a
wetland reserve easement may be used for
compatible economic uses, including such
activities as hunting and fishing, managed
timber harvest, or periodic haying or grazing,
if such use is specifically permitted by the
wetland reserve easement plan developed for the
land under subsection (f) and is consistent
with the long-term protection and enhancement
of the wetland resources for which the easement
was established.
``(D) Reservation of grazing rights.--The
Secretary may include in the terms and
conditions of a wetland reserve easement a
provision under which the owner reserves
grazing rights if--
``(i) the Secretary determines that
the reservation and use of the grazing
rights--
``(I) is compatible with
the land subject to the
easement;
``(II) is consistent with
the historical natural uses of
the land and the long-term
protection and enhancement
goals for which the easement
was established; and
``(III) complies with the
wetland reserve easement plan
developed for the land under
subsection (f); and
``(ii) the agreement provides for a
commensurate reduction in the easement
payment to account for the grazing
value, as determined by the Secretary.
``(6) Compensation.--
``(A) Determination.--
``(i) Permanent easements.--The
Secretary shall pay as compensation for
a permanent wetland reserve easement
acquired under the program an amount
necessary to encourage enrollment in
the program, based on the lowest of--
``(I) the fair market value
of the land, as determined by
the Secretary, using the
Uniform Standards of
Professional Appraisal Practice
or an areawide market analysis
or survey;
``(II) the amount
corresponding to a geographical
cap, as determined by the
Secretary in regulations; or
``(III) the offer made by
the landowner.
``(ii) Other.--Compensation for a
30-year contract or 30-year wetland
reserve easement shall be not less than
50 percent, but not more than 75
percent, of the compensation that would
be paid for a permanent wetland reserve
easement.
``(B) Form of payment.--Compensation for a
wetland reserve easement shall be provided by
the Secretary in the form of a cash payment, in
an amount determined under subparagraph (A).
``(C) Payment schedule.--
``(i) Easements valued at $500,000
or less.--For wetland reserve easements
valued at $500,000 or less, the
Secretary may provide payments in not
more than 10 annual payments.
``(ii) Easements valued at more
than $500,000.--For wetland reserve
easements valued at more than $500,000,
the Secretary may provide payments in
at least 5, but not more than 10 annual
payments, except that, if the Secretary
determines it would further the
purposes of the program, the Secretary
may make a lump-sum payment for such an
easement.
``(c) Easement Restoration.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide
financial assistance to owners of eligible land to
carry out the establishment of conservation measures
and practices and protect wetland functions and values,
including necessary maintenance activities, as set
forth in a wetland reserve easement plan developed for
the eligible land under subsection (f).
``(2) Payments.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) in the case of a permanent wetland
reserve easement, pay an amount that is not
less than 75 percent, but not more than 100
percent, of the eligible costs, as determined
by the Secretary; and
``(B) in the case of a 30-year contract or
30-year wetland reserve easement, pay an amount
that is not less than 50 percent, but not more
than 75 percent, of the eligible costs, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(d) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall assist
owners in complying with the terms and conditions of a
wetland reserve easement.
``(2) Contracts or agreements.--The Secretary may
enter into 1 or more contracts with private entities or
agreements with a State, nongovernmental organization,
or Indian tribe to carry out necessary restoration,
enhancement, or maintenance of a wetland reserve
easement if the Secretary determines that the contract
or agreement will advance the purposes of the program.
``(e) Wetland Reserve Enhancement Option.--The Secretary
may enter into 1 or more agreements with a State (including a
political subdivision or agency of a State), nongovernmental
organization, or Indian tribe to carry out a special wetland
reserve enhancement option that the Secretary determines would
advance the purposes of program.
``(f) Administration.--
``(1) Wetland reserve easement plan.--The Secretary
shall develop a wetland reserve easement plan for any
eligible land subject to a wetland reserve easement,
which shall include practices and activities necessary
to restore, protect, enhance, and maintain the enrolled
land.
``(2) Delegation of easement administration.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may
delegate any of the management, monitoring, and
enforcement responsibilities of the Secretary
under this section to other Federal or State
agencies that have the appropriate authority,
expertise, and resources necessary to carry out
such delegated responsibilities, or to
conservation organizations if the Secretary
determines the organization has similar
expertise and resources.
``(B) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not
delegate any of the monitoring or enforcement
responsibilities under this section to
conservation organizations.
``(3) Payments.--
``(A) Timing of payments.--The Secretary
shall provide payment for obligations incurred
by the Secretary under this section--
``(i) with respect to any easement
restoration obligation under subsection
(c), as soon as possible after the
obligation is incurred; and
``(ii) with respect to any annual
easement payment obligation incurred by
the Secretary, as soon as possible
after October 1 of each calendar year.
``(B) Payments to others.--If an owner who
is entitled to a payment under this section
dies, becomes incompetent, is otherwise unable
to receive such payment, or is succeeded by
another person or entity who renders or
completes the required performance, the
Secretary shall make such payment, in
accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary and without regard to any other
provision of law, in such manner as the
Secretary determines is fair and reasonable in
light of all of the circumstances.
``(g) Application.--The relevant provisions of this section
shall also apply to a 30-year contract.
``SEC. 1265D. ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) Ineligible Land.--The Secretary may not use program
funds for the purposes of acquiring an easement on--
``(1) lands owned by an agency of the United
States, other than land held in trust for Indian
tribes;
``(2) lands owned in fee title by a State,
including an agency or a subdivision of a State, or a
unit of local government;
``(3) land subject to an easement or deed
restriction which, as determined by the Secretary,
provides similar protection as would be provided by
enrollment in the program; or
``(4) lands where the purposes of the program would
be undermined due to on-site or off-site conditions,
such as risk of hazardous substances, proposed or
existing rights of way, infrastructure development, or
adjacent land uses.
``(b) Priority.--In evaluating applications under the
program, the Secretary may give priority to land that is
currently enrolled in the conservation reserve program in a
contract that is set to expire within 1 year and--
``(1) in the case of an agricultural land easement,
is grassland that would benefit from protection under a
long-term easement; and
``(2) in the case of a wetland reserve easement, is
a wetland or related area with the highest wetland
functions and value and is likely to return to
production after the land leaves the conservation
reserve program.
``(c) Subordination, Exchange, Modification, and
Termination.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may subordinate,
exchange, modify, or terminate any interest in land, or
portion of such interest, administered by the
Secretary, either directly or on behalf of the
Commodity Credit Corporation under the program if the
Secretary determines that--
``(A) it is in the Federal Government's
interest to subordinate, exchange, modify, or
terminate the interest in land;
``(B) the subordination, exchange,
modification, or termination action--
``(i) will address a compelling
public need for which there is no
practicable alternative; or
``(ii) such action will further the
practical administration of the
program; and
``(C) the subordination, exchange,
modification, or termination action will result
in comparable conservation value and equivalent
or greater economic value to the United States.
``(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall work with
the owner, and eligible entity if applicable, to
address any subordination, exchange, modification, or
termination of the interest, or portion of such
interest, in land.
``(3) Notice.--At least 90 days before taking any
termination action described in paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall provide written notice of such action
to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
``(d) Land Enrolled in Other Programs.--
``(1) Conservation reserve program.--The Secretary
may terminate or modify a contract entered into under
section 1231(a) if eligible land that is subject to
such contract is transferred into the program.
``(2) Other.--In accordance with the provisions of
subtitle H of title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014,
land enrolled in the wetlands reserve program,
grassland reserve program, or farmland protection
program on the day before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 shall be considered enrolled
in the program.
``(e) Compliance With Certain Requirements.--The Secretary
may not provide assistance under this subtitle to an eligible
entity or owner of eligible land unless the eligible entity or
owner agrees, during the crop year for which the assistance is
provided--
``(1) to comply with applicable conservation
requirements under subtitle B; and
``(2) to comply with applicable wetland protection
requirements under subtitle C.''.
(b) Cross Reference; Calculation.--Section 1244 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``and'' at the end
of subparagraph (A);
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end
of subparagraph (B); and
(iii) by striking subparagraph (C);
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as
paragraph (3); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the
following new paragraph:
``(2) the agricultural conservation easement
program established under subtitle H; and''; and
(2) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``programs administered under
subchapters B and C of chapter 1 of
subtitle D'' and inserting
``conservation reserve program
established under subchapter B of
chapter 1 of subtitle D and wetland
reserve easements under section
1265C''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``an easement acquired under
subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle
D'' and inserting ``a wetland reserve
easement under section 1265C'';
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting
the following:
``(4) Exclusions.--
``(A) Shelterbelts and windbreaks.--The
limitations established under paragraph (1)
shall not apply to cropland that is subject to
an easement under subchapter B of chapter 1 of
subtitle D that is used for the establishment
of shelterbelts and windbreaks.
``(B) Wet and saturated soils.--For the
purposes of enrolling land in a wetland reserve
easement under section 1265C, the limitations
established under paragraph (1) shall not apply
to cropland designated by the Secretary with
subclass w in the land capability classes IV
through VIII because of severe use limitations
due to soil saturation or inundation.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Calculation.--In calculating the percentages
described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include
any acreage that was included in calculations of
percentages made under such paragraph, as in effect on
the day before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, and that remains enrolled
when the calculation is made after that date under
paragraph (1).''.
Subtitle E--Regional Conservation Partnership Program
SEC. 2401. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by
inserting after subtitle H, as added by section 2301, the
following new subtitle:
``Subtitle I--Regional Conservation Partnership Program
``SEC. 1271. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
regional conservation partnership program to implement eligible
activities on eligible land through--
``(1) partnership agreements with eligible
partners; and
``(2) contracts with producers.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the program are as
follows:
``(1) To use covered programs to accomplish
purposes and functions similar to those of the
following programs, as in effect on the day before the
date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014:
``(A) The agricultural water enhancement
program established under section 1240I.
``(B) The Chesapeake Bay watershed program
established under section 1240Q.
``(C) The cooperative conservation
partnership initiative established under
section 1243.
``(D) The Great Lakes basin program for
soil erosion and sediment control established
under section 1240P.
``(2) To further the conservation, restoration, and
sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife, and related
natural resources on eligible land on a regional or
watershed scale.
``(3) To encourage eligible partners to cooperate
with producers in--
``(A) meeting or avoiding the need for
national, State, and local natural resource
regulatory requirements related to production
on eligible land; and
``(B) implementing projects that will
result in the installation and maintenance of
eligible activities that affect multiple
agricultural or nonindustrial private forest
operations on a local, regional, State, or
multistate basis.
``SEC. 1271A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Covered program.--The term `covered program'
means the following:
``(A) The agricultural conservation
easement program.
``(B) The environmental quality incentives
program.
``(C) The conservation stewardship program.
``(D) The healthy forests reserve program
established under section 501 of the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C.
6571).
``(2) Eligible activity.--The term `eligible
activity' means a conservation activity for any of the
following:
``(A) Water quality restoration or
enhancement projects, including nutrient
management and sediment reduction.
``(B) Water quantity conservation,
restoration, or enhancement projects relating
to surface water and groundwater resources,
including--
``(i) the conversion of irrigated
cropland to the production of less
water-intensive agricultural
commodities or dryland farming; or
``(ii) irrigation system
improvement and irrigation efficiency
enhancement.
``(C) Drought mitigation.
``(D) Flood prevention.
``(E) Water retention.
``(F) Air quality improvement.
``(G) Habitat conservation, restoration,
and enhancement.
``(H) Erosion control and sediment
reduction.
``(I) Forest restoration.
``(J) Other related activities that the
Secretary determines will help achieve
conservation benefits.
``(3) Eligible land.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible land'
means--
``(i) land on which agricultural
commodities, livestock, or forest-
related products are produced; and
``(ii) lands associated with the
lands described in clause (i).
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `eligible land'
includes--
``(i) cropland;
``(ii) grassland;
``(iii) rangeland;
``(iv) pastureland;
``(v) nonindustrial private forest
land; and
``(vi) other land incidental to
agricultural production (including
wetlands and riparian buffers) on which
significant natural resource issues
could be addressed under the program.
``(4) Eligible partner.--The term `eligible
partner' means any of the following:
``(A) An agricultural or silvicultural
producer association or other group of
producers.
``(B) A State or unit of local government.
``(C) An Indian tribe.
``(D) A farmer cooperative.
``(E) A water district, irrigation
district, rural water district or association,
or other organization with specific water
delivery authority to producers on agricultural
land.
``(F) A municipal water or wastewater
treatment entity.
``(G) An institution of higher education.
``(H) An organization or entity with an
established history of working cooperatively
with producers on agricultural land, as
determined by the Secretary, to address--
``(i) local conservation priorities
related to agricultural production,
wildlife habitat development, or
nonindustrial private forest land
management; or
``(ii) critical watershed-scale
soil erosion, water quality, sediment
reduction, or other natural resource
issues.
``(5) Partnership agreement.--The term `partnership
agreement' means an agreement entered into under
section 1271B between the Secretary and an eligible
partner.
``(6) Program.--The term `program' means the
regional conservation partnership program established
by this subtitle.
``SEC. 1271B. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS.
``(a) Partnership Agreements Authorized.--The Secretary may
enter into a partnership agreement with an eligible partner to
implement a project that will assist producers with installing
and maintaining an eligible activity on eligible land.
``(b) Length.--A partnership agreement shall be for a
period not to exceed 5 years, except that the Secretary may
extend the agreement one time for up to 12 months when an
extension is necessary to meet the objectives of the program.
``(c) Duties of Partners.--
``(1) In general.--Under a partnership agreement,
the eligible partner shall--
``(A) define the scope of a project,
including--
``(i) the eligible activities to be
implemented;
``(ii) the potential agricultural
or nonindustrial private forest land
operations affected;
``(iii) the local, State,
multistate, or other geographic area
covered; and
``(iv) the planning, outreach,
implementation, and assessment to be
conducted;
``(B) conduct outreach and education to
producers for potential participation in the
project;
``(C) at the request of a producer, act on
behalf of a producer participating in the
project in applying for assistance under
section 1271C;
``(D) leverage financial or technical
assistance provided by the Secretary with
additional funds to help achieve the project
objectives;
``(E) conduct an assessment of the
project's effects; and
``(F) at the conclusion of the project,
report to the Secretary on its results and
funds leveraged.
``(2) Contribution.--An eligible partner shall
provide a significant portion of the overall costs of
the scope of the project that is the subject of the
agreement entered into under subsection (a), as
determined by the Secretary.
``(d) Applications.--
``(1) Competitive process.--The Secretary shall
conduct a competitive process to select applications
for partnership agreements and may assess and rank
applications with similar conservation purposes as a
group.
``(2) Criteria used.--In carrying out the process
described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make
public the criteria used in evaluating applications.
``(3) Content.--An application to the Secretary
shall include a description of--
``(A) the scope of the project, as
described in subsection (c)(1)(A);
``(B) the plan for monitoring, evaluating,
and reporting on progress made toward achieving
the project's objectives;
``(C) the program resources requested for
the project, including the covered programs to
be used and estimated funding needed from the
Secretary;
``(D) each eligible partner collaborating
to achieve project objectives, including their
roles, responsibilities, capabilities, and
financial contribution; and
``(E) any other elements the Secretary
considers necessary to adequately evaluate and
competitively select applications for funding
under the program.
``(4) Priority to certain applications.--The
Secretary may give a higher priority to applications
that--
``(A) assist producers in meeting or
avoiding the need for a natural resource
regulatory requirement;
``(B) have a high percentage of producers
in the area to be covered by the agreement;
``(C) significantly leverage non-Federal
financial and technical resources and
coordinate with other local, State, or national
efforts;
``(D) deliver high percentages of applied
conservation to address conservation priorities
or regional, State, or national conservation
initiatives;
``(E) provide innovation in conservation
methods and delivery, including outcome-based
performance measures and methods; or
``(F) meet other factors that are important
for achieving the purposes of the program, as
determined by the Secretary.
``SEC. 1271C. ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCERS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall enter into contracts
with producers to provide financial and technical assistance
to--
``(1) producers participating in a project with an
eligible partner; or
``(2) producers that fit within the scope of a
project described in section 1271B or a critical
conservation area designated under section 1271F, but
who are seeking to implement an eligible activity on
eligible land independent of an eligible partner.
``(b) Terms and Conditions.--
``(1) Consistency with program rules.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B) and paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall ensure that the terms and
conditions of a contract under this section are
consistent with the applicable rules of the
covered programs to be used as part of the
partnership agreement, as described in the
application under section 1271B(d)(3)(C).
``(B) Adjustments.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary
may adjust the rules of a covered
program, including--
``(I) operational guidance
and requirements for a covered
program at the discretion of
the Secretary so as to provide
a simplified application and
evaluation process; and
``(II) nonstatutory,
regulatory rules or provisions
to better reflect unique local
circumstances and purposes if
the Secretary determines such
adjustments are necessary to
achieve the purposes of the
covered program.
``(ii) Limitation.--The Secretary
shall not adjust the application of
statutory requirements for a covered
program, including requirements
governing appeals, payment limits, and
conservation compliance.
``(iii) Irrigation.--In States
where irrigation has not been used
significantly for agricultural
purposes, as determined by the
Secretary, the Secretary shall not
limit eligibility under section 1271B
or this section on the basis of prior
irrigation history.
``(2) Alternative funding arrangements.--
``(A) In general.--For the purposes of
providing assistance for land described in
subsection (a) and section 1271F, the Secretary
may enter into alternative funding arrangements
with a multistate water resource agency or
authority if--
``(i) the Secretary determines that
the goals and objectives of the program
will be met by the alternative funding
arrangements;
``(ii) the agency or authority
certifies that the limitations
established under this section on
agreements with individual producers
will not be exceeded; and
``(iii) all participating producers
meet applicable payment eligibility
provisions.
``(B) Conditions.--As a condition of
receiving funding under subparagraph (A), the
multistate water resource agency or authority
shall agree--
``(i) to submit an annual
independent audit to the Secretary that
describes the use of funds under this
paragraph;
``(ii) to provide any data
necessary for the Secretary to issue a
report on the use of funds under this
paragraph; and
``(iii) not to use any of the funds
provided pursuant to subparagraph (A)
for administration or to provide for
administrative costs through contracts
with another entity.
``(C) Limitation.--The Secretary may enter
into not more than 20 alternative funding
arrangements under this paragraph.
``(c) Payments.--
``(1) In general.--In accordance with statutory
requirements of the covered programs involved, the
Secretary may make payments to a producer in an amount
determined by the Secretary to be necessary to achieve
the purposes of the program.
``(2) Payments to certain producers.--The Secretary
may provide payments for a period of 5 years--
``(A) to producers participating in a
project that addresses water quantity concerns
and in an amount sufficient to encourage
conversion from irrigated to dryland farming;
and
``(B) to producers participating in a
project that addresses water quality concerns
and in an amount sufficient to encourage
adoption of conservation practices and systems
that improve nutrient management.
``(3) Waiver authority.--To assist in the
implementation of the program, the Secretary may waive
the applicability of the limitation in section
1001D(b)(2) of this Act for participating producers if
the Secretary determines that the waiver is necessary
to fulfill the objectives of the program.
``SEC. 1271D. FUNDING.
``(a) Availability of Funds.--The Secretary shall use
$100,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation
for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018 to carry out the
program.
``(b) Duration of Availability.--Funds made available under
subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.
``(c) Additional Funding and Acres.--
``(1) In general.--In addition to the funds made
available under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
reserve 7 percent of the funds and acres made available
for a covered program for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018 in order to ensure additional resources
are available to carry out this program.
``(2) Unused funds and acres.--Any funds or acres
reserved under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year from a
covered program that are not committed under this
program by April 1 of that fiscal year shall be
returned for use under the covered program.
``(d) Allocation of Funding.--Of the funds and acres made
available for the program under subsection (a) and reserved for
the program under subsection (c), the Secretary shall
allocate--
``(1) 25 percent of the funds and acres to projects
based on a State competitive process administered by
the State Conservationist, with the advice of the State
technical committee established under subtitle G;
``(2) 40 percent of the funds and acres to projects
based on a national competitive process to be
established by the Secretary; and
``(3) 35 percent of the funds and acres to projects
for critical conservation areas designated under
section 1271F.
``(e) Limitation on Administrative Expenses.--None of the
funds made available or reserved for the program may be used to
pay for the administrative expenses of eligible partners.
``SEC. 1271E. ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) Disclosure.--In addition to the criteria used in
evaluating applications as described in section 1271B(d)(2),
the Secretary shall make publicly available information on
projects selected through the competitive process described in
section 1271B(d)(1).
``(b) Reporting.--Not later than December 31, 2014, and
every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report on the status of projects funded under the
program, including--
``(1) the number and types of eligible partners and
producers participating in the partnership agreements
selected;
``(2) the number of producers receiving assistance;
``(3) total funding committed to projects,
including from Federal and non-Federal resources; and
``(4) a description of how the funds under section
1271C(b)(2) are being administered, including--
``(A) any oversight mechanisms that the
Secretary has implemented;
``(B) the process through which the
Secretary is resolving appeals by program
participants; and
``(C) the means by which the Secretary is
tracking adherence to any applicable provisions
for payment eligibility.
``SEC. 1271F. CRITICAL CONSERVATION AREAS.
``(a) In General.--In administering funds under section
1271D(d)(3), the Secretary shall select applications for
partnership agreements and producer contracts within critical
conservation areas designated under this section.
``(b) Critical Conservation Area Designations.--
``(1) Priority.--In designating critical
conservation areas under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to geographical areas based on the
degree to which the geographical area--
``(A) includes multiple States with
significant agricultural production;
``(B) is covered by an existing regional,
State, binational, or multistate agreement or
plan that has established objectives, goals,
and work plans and is adopted by a Federal,
State, or regional authority;
``(C) would benefit from water quality
improvement, including through reducing
erosion, promoting sediment control, and
addressing nutrient management activities
affecting large bodies of water of regional,
national, or international significance;
``(D) would benefit from water quantity
improvement, including improvement relating
to--
``(i) groundwater, surface water,
aquifer, or other water sources; or
``(ii) a need to promote water
retention and flood prevention; or
``(E) contains producers that need
assistance in meeting or avoiding the need for
a natural resource regulatory requirement that
could have a negative impact on the economic
scope of the agricultural operations within the
area.
``(2) Expiration.--Critical conservation area
designations under this section shall expire after 5
years, subject to redesignation, except that the
Secretary may withdraw designation from an area if the
Secretary finds the area no longer meets the conditions
described in paragraph (1).
``(3) Limitation.--The Secretary may not designate
more than 8 geographical areas as critical conservation
areas under this section.
``(c) Administration.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), the Secretary shall administer any partnership
agreement or producer contract under this section in a
manner that is consistent with the terms of the
program.
``(2) Relationship to existing activity.--The
Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
ensure that eligible activities carried out in critical
conservation areas designated under this section
complement and are consistent with other Federal and
State programs and water quality and quantity
strategies.
``(3) Additional authority.--For a critical
conservation area described in subsection (b)(1)(D),
the Secretary may use authorities under the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001 et
seq.), other than section 14 of such Act (16 U.S.C.
1012), to carry out projects for the purposes of this
section.''.
Subtitle F--Other Conservation Programs
SEC. 2501. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND.
Section 1240M(e) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839bb(e)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 2502. GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Section 1240O(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3839bb-2(b)) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018.
``(2) Availability of funds.--In addition to funds
made available under paragraph (1), of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use
$5,000,000, to remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 2503. VOLUNTARY PUBLIC ACCESS AND HABITAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Funding.--Section 1240R(f)(1) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5(f)(1)) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``Fiscal years 2009
through 2012'' and inserting ``Mandatory funding''; and
(2) by inserting ``and $40,000,000 for the period
of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' before the period
at the end.
(b) Report on Program Effectiveness.--Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report evaluating the
effectiveness of the voluntary public access and habitat
incentive program established by section 1240R of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5), including--
(1) identifying cooperating agencies;
(2) identifying the number of land holdings and
total acres enrolled by State;
(3) evaluating the extent of improved access on
eligible land, improved wildlife habitat, and related
economic benefits; and
(4) any other relevant information and data
relating to the program that would be helpful to such
Committees.
SEC. 2504. AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION EXPERIENCED SERVICES PROGRAM.
Subsection (c)(2) of section 1252 of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Exclusion.--Funds made available to carry out
the conservation reserve program may not be used to
carry out the ACES program.''.
SEC. 2505. SMALL WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM.
(a) Availability of Funds.--Section 14(h)(1) of the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C.
1012(h)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon;
(3) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(H) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2014, to
remain available until expended.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 14(h)(2)(E)
of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C.
1012(h)(2)(E)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 2506. EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16
U.S.C. 2203) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Sec. 403. The Secretary'' and
inserting the following:
``SEC. 403. EMERGENCY MEASURES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Floodplain Easements.--
``(1) Modification and termination.--The Secretary
may modify or terminate a floodplain easement
administered by the Secretary under this section if--
``(A) the current owner agrees to the
modification or termination; and
``(B) the Secretary determines that the
modification or termination--
``(i) will address a compelling
public need for which there is no
practicable alternative; and
``(ii) is in the public interest.
``(2) Consideration.--
``(A) Termination.--As consideration for
termination of an easement and associated
agreements under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall enter into compensatory arrangements as
determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
``(B) Modification.--In the case of a
modification under paragraph (1)--
``(i) as a condition of the
modification, the current owner shall
enter into a compensatory arrangement
(as determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary) to incur the costs of
modification; and
``(ii) the Secretary shall ensure
that--
``(I) the modification will
not adversely affect the
floodplain functions and values
for which the easement was
acquired;
``(II) any adverse impacts
will be mitigated by enrollment
and restoration of other land
that provides greater
floodplain functions and values
at no additional cost to the
Federal Government; and
``(III) the modification
will result in equal or greater
environmental and economic
values to the United States.''.
SEC. 2507. TERMINAL LAKES.
Section 2507 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (43 U.S.C. 2211 note; Public Law 107-171) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 2507. TERMINAL LAKES ASSISTANCE.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land'
means privately owned agricultural land (including land
in which a State has a property interest as a result of
State water law)--
``(A) that a landowner voluntarily agrees
to sell to a State; and
``(B) which--
``(i)(I) is ineligible for
enrollment as a wetland reserve
easement established under the
agricultural conservation easement
program under subtitle H of the Food
Security Act of 1985;
``(II) is flooded to--
``(aa) an average depth of
at least 6.5 feet; or
``(bb) a level below which
the State determines the
management of the water level
is beyond the control of the
State or landowner; or
``(III) is inaccessible for
agricultural use due to the flooding of
adjoining property (such as islands of
agricultural land created by flooding);
``(ii) is located within a
watershed with water rights available
for lease or purchase; and
``(iii) has been used during at
least 5 of the immediately preceding 30
years--
``(I) to produce crops or
hay; or
``(II) as livestock pasture
or grazing.
``(2) Program.--The term `program' means the
voluntary land purchase program established under this
section.
``(3) Terminal lake.--The term `terminal lake'
means a lake and its associated riparian and watershed
resources that is--
``(A) considered flooded because there is
no natural outlet for water accumulating in the
lake or the associated riparian area such that
the watershed and surrounding land is
consistently flooded; or
``(B) considered terminal because it has no
natural outlet and is at risk due to a history
of consistent Federal assistance to address
critical resource conditions, including
insufficient water available to meet the needs
of the lake, general uses, and water rights.
``(b) Assistance.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) provide grants under subsection (c) for the
purchase of eligible land impacted by a terminal lake
described in subsection (a)(3)(A); and
``(2) provide funds to the Secretary of the
Interior pursuant to subsection (e)(2) with assistance
in accordance with subsection (d) for terminal lakes
described in subsection (a)(3)(B).
``(c) Land Purchase Grants.--
``(1) In general.--Using funds provided under
subsection (e)(1), the Secretary shall make available
land purchase grants to States for the purchase of
eligible land in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) Implementation.--
``(A) Amount.--A land purchase grant shall
be in an amount not to exceed the lesser of--
``(i) 50 percent of the total
purchase price per acre of the eligible
land; or
``(ii)(I) in the case of eligible
land that was used to produce crops or
hay, $400 per acre; and
``(II) in the case of eligible land
that was pasture or grazing land, $200
per acre.
``(B) Determination of purchase price.--A
State purchasing eligible land with a land
purchase grant shall ensure, to the maximum
extent practicable, that the purchase price of
such land reflects the value, if any, of other
encumbrances on the eligible land to be
purchased, including easements and mineral
rights.
``(C) Cost-share required.--To be eligible
to receive a land purchase grant, a State shall
provide matching non-Federal funds in an amount
equal to 50 percent of the amount described in
subparagraph (A), including additional non-
Federal funds.
``(D) Conditions.--To receive a land
purchase grant, a State shall agree--
``(i) to ensure that any eligible
land purchased is--
``(I) conveyed in fee
simple to the State; and
``(II) free from mortgages
or other liens at the time
title is transferred;
``(ii) to maintain ownership of the
eligible land in perpetuity;
``(iii) to pay (from funds other
than grant dollars awarded) any costs
associated with the purchase of
eligible land under this section,
including surveys and legal fees; and
``(iv) to keep eligible land in a
conserving use, as defined by the
Secretary.
``(E) Loss of federal benefits.--Eligible
land purchased with a grant under this section
shall lose eligibility for any benefits under
other Federal programs, including--
``(i) benefits under title XII of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3801 et seq.);
``(ii) benefits under the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et
seq.); and
``(iii) covered benefits described
in section 1001D(b) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-
3a).
``(F) Prohibition.--Any Federal rights or
benefits associated with eligible land prior to
purchase by a State may not be transferred to
any other land or person in anticipation of or
as a result of such purchase.
``(d) Water Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior,
acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, may use
the funds described in subsection (e)(2) to administer
and provide financial assistance to carry out this
subsection to provide water and assistance to a
terminal lake described in subsection (a)(3)(B) through
willing sellers or willing participants only--
``(A) to lease water;
``(B) to purchase land, water appurtenant
to the land, and related interests; and
``(C) to carry out research, support, and
conservation activities for associated fish,
wildlife, plant, and habitat resources.
``(2) Exclusions.--The Secretary of the Interior
may not use this subsection to deliver assistance to
the Great Salt Lake in Utah, lakes that are considered
dry lakes, or other lakes that do not meet the purposes
of this section, as determined by the Secretary of the
Interior.
``(3) Transitional provision.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of this section, any funds made
available before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 under a provision of
law described in subparagraph (B) shall remain
available using the provisions of law
(including regulations) in effect on the day
before the date of enactment of that Act.
``(B) Described laws.--The provisions of
law described in this section are--
``(i) section 2507 of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (43 U.S.C. 2211 note; Public Law
107-171) (as in effect on the day
before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014);
``(ii) section 207 of the Energy
and Water Development Appropriations
Act, 2003 (Public Law 108-7; 117 Stat.
146);
``(iii) section 208 of the Energy
and Water Development Appropriations
Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-103; 119
Stat. 2268, 123 Stat. 2856); and
``(iv) section 208 of the Energy
and Water Development and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010
(Public Law 111-85; 123 Stat. 2858, 123
Stat. 2967, 125 Stat. 867).
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out subsection (c) $25,000,000, to remain available
until expended.
``(2) Commodity credit corporation.--As soon as
practicable after the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, the Secretary shall transfer
to the `Bureau of Reclamation--Water and Related
Resources' account $150,000,000 from the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out subsection
(d), to remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 2508. SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION.
(a) Congressional Policy and Declaration of Purpose.--
Section 4 of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of
1977 (16 U.S.C. 2003) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``and tribal''
after ``State'' each place it appears; and
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``,
tribal,'' after ``State''.
(b) Continuing Appraisal of Soil, Water, and Related
Resources.--Section 5 of the Soil and Water Resources
Conservation Act of 1977 (16 U.S.C. 2004) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ``and State''
and inserting ``, State, and tribal'';
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ``, tribal''
after ``State'' each place it appears; and
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``State soil'' and
inserting ``State and tribal soil''; and
(B) by striking ``local'' and inserting
``local, tribal,''.
(c) Soil and Water Conservation Program.--Section 6(a) of
the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16
U.S.C. 2005(a)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``, tribal,'' after ``State'' the
first place it appears;
(2) by inserting ``, tribal'' after ``State'' each
other place it appears; and
(3) by inserting ``, tribal,'' after ``private''.
(d) Utilization of Available Information and Data.--Section
9 of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16
U.S.C. 2008) is amended by inserting ``, tribal'' after
``State''.
Subtitle G--Funding and Administration
SEC. 2601. FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended by striking subsection (a) and
inserting the following:
``(a) Annual Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018, the Secretary shall use the funds, facilities,
and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry
out the following programs under this title (including the
provision of technical assistance):
``(1) The conservation reserve program under
subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, including, to
the maximum extent practicable--
``(A) $10,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2014 through 2018 to provide payments
under section 1234(c); and
``(B) $33,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2014 through 2018 to carry out section
1235(f) to facilitate the transfer of land
subject to contracts from retired or retiring
owners and operators to beginning farmers or
ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or
ranchers.
``(2) The agricultural conservation easement
program under subtitle H using to the maximum extent
practicable--
``(A) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
``(B) $425,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
``(C) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
``(D) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;
and
``(E) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
``(3) The conservation security program under
subchapter A of chapter 2 of subtitle D, using such
sums as are necessary to administer contracts entered
into before September 30, 2008.
``(4) The conservation stewardship program under
subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D.
``(5) The environmental quality incentives program
under chapter 4 of subtitle D, using, to the maximum
extent practicable--
``(A) $1,350,000,000 for fiscal year 2014;
``(B) $1,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
``(C) $1,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
``(D) $1,650,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;
and
``(E) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year
2018.''.
(b) Guaranteed Availability of Funds.--Section 1241 of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (h) as
subsections (c) through (i), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the
following:
``(b) Availability of Funds.--Amounts made available by
subsection (a) for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 shall be used
by the Secretary to carry out the programs specified in such
subsection and shall remain available until expended.''; and
(3) in subsection (d) (as redesignated by paragraph
(1)), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and inserting
``subsection (c)''.
SEC. 2602. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841) is amended by striking subsection (c) (as redesignated by
section 2601(b)(1)) and inserting the following:
``(c) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) Availability.--Commodity Credit Corporation
funds made available for a fiscal year for each of the
programs specified in subsection (a)--
``(A) shall be available for the provision
of technical assistance for the programs for
which funds are made available as necessary to
implement the programs effectively;
``(B) except for technical assistance for
the conservation reserve program under
subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, shall
be apportioned for the provision of technical
assistance in the amount determined by the
Secretary, at the sole discretion of the
Secretary; and
``(C) shall not be available for the
provision of technical assistance for
conservation programs specified in subsection
(a) other than the program for which the funds
were made available.
``(2) Priority.--
``(A) In general.--In the delivery of
technical assistance under the Soil
Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16
U.S.C. 590a et seq.), the Secretary shall give
priority to producers who request technical
assistance from the Secretary in order to
comply for the first time with the requirements
of subtitle B and subtitle C of this title as a
result of the amendments made by section 2611
of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
``(B) Report.--Not later than 270 days
after the date of enactment of the Agricultural
Act of 2014, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report regarding the extent to which
the conservation compliance requirements
contained in the amendments made by section
2611 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 apply to
and impact specialty crop growers, including
national analysis and surveys to determine the
extent of specialty crop acreage that includes
highly erodible land and wetlands.
``(3) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2014,
the Secretary shall submit (and update as necessary in
subsequent years) to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report--
``(A) detailing the amount of technical
assistance funds requested and apportioned in
each program specified in subsection (a) during
the preceding fiscal year; and
``(B) any other data relating to this
provision that would be helpful to such
Committees.
``(4) Compliance report.--Not later than November 1
of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
includes--
``(A) a description of the extent to which
the requests for highly erodible land
conservation and wetland compliance
determinations are being addressed in a timely
manner;
``(B) the total number of requests
completed in the previous fiscal year;
``(C) the incomplete determinations on
record; and
``(D) the number of requests that are still
outstanding more than 1 year since the date on
which the requests were received from the
producer.''.
SEC. 2603. REGIONAL EQUITY.
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841) is amended by striking subsection (e) (as redesignated by
section 2601(b)(1)) and inserting the following:
``(e) Regional Equity.--
``(1) Equitable distribution.--When determining
funding allocations each fiscal year, the Secretary
shall, after considering available funding and program
demand in each State, provide a distribution of funds
for conservation programs under subtitle D (excluding
the conservation reserve program under subchapter B of
chapter 1), subtitle H, and subtitle I to ensure
equitable program participation proportional to
historical funding allocations and usage by all States.
``(2) Minimum percentage.--In determining the
specific funding allocations under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall--
``(A) ensure that during the first quarter
of each fiscal year each State has the
opportunity to establish that the State can use
an aggregate allocation amount of at least 0.6
percent of the funds made available for those
conservation programs; and
``(B) for each State that can so establish,
provide an aggregate amount of at least 0.6
percent of the funds made available for those
conservation programs.''.
SEC. 2604. RESERVATION OF FUNDS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN
FARMERS OR RANCHERS FOR CONSERVATION ACCESS.
Subsection (h) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) (as redesignated by section 2601(b)(1))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Preference.--In providing assistance under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to a
veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section
2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))) that qualifies
under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).''.
SEC. 2605. ANNUAL REPORT ON PROGRAM ENROLLMENTS AND ASSISTANCE.
Subsection (i) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) (as redesignated by section 2601(b)(1))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``wetlands
reserve program'' and inserting ``agricultural
conservation easement program'';
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and
redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as
paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
(3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``agricultural water
enhancement program'' and inserting ``regional
conservation partnership program''; and
(B) by striking ``1240I(g)'' and inserting
``1271C(c)(3)''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Payments made under the conservation
stewardship program.
``(6) Exceptions provided by the Secretary under
section 1265B(b)(2)(C).''.
SEC. 2606. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS.
Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3844) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(E) Veteran farmers or ranchers (as
defined in section 2501(e) of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of
1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).'';
(2) in subsection (d), by inserting ``, H, and I''
before the period at the end;
(3) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking
``country'' and inserting ``county''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking
``subsection (c)(2)(B) or (f)(4)'' and
inserting ``subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii) or
(g)(2)'';
(4) in subsection (h)(2), by inserting ``,
including, to the extent practicable, practices that
maximize benefits for honey bees'' after
``pollinators''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following new
subsections:
``(j) Improved Administrative Efficiency and
Effectiveness.--In administrating a conservation program under
this title, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable--
``(1) seek to reduce administrative burdens and
costs to producers by streamlining conservation
planning and program resources; and
``(2) take advantage of new technologies to enhance
efficiency and effectiveness.
``(k) Relation to Other Payments.--Any payment received by
an owner or operator under this title, including an easement
payment or rental payment, shall be in addition to, and not
affect, the total amount of payments that the owner or operator
is otherwise eligible to receive under any of the following:
``(1) This Act.
``(2) The Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1421
et seq.).
``(3) The Agricultural Act of 2014.
``(4) Any law that succeeds a law specified in
paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
``(l) Funding for Indian Tribes.--In carrying out the
conservation stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter
2 of subtitle D and the environmental quality incentives
program under chapter 4 of subtitle D, the Secretary may enter
into alternative funding arrangements with Indian tribes if the
Secretary determines that the goals and objectives of the
programs will be met by such arrangements, and that statutory
limitations regarding contracts with individual producers will
not be exceeded by any tribal member.''.
SEC. 2607. STANDARDS FOR STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES.
Section 1261(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3861(b)) is amended by striking ``Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008, the Secretary shall develop'' and inserting ``The
Secretary shall review and update as necessary''.
SEC. 2608. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.
Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 1246. REGULATIONS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall promulgate such
regulations as are necessary to implement programs under this
title, including such regulations as the Secretary determines
to be necessary to ensure a fair and reasonable application of
the limitations established under section 1244(f).
``(b) Rulemaking Procedure.--The promulgation of
regulations and administration of programs under this title--
``(1) shall be carried out without regard to
chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly
known as the Paperwork Reduction Act); and
``(2) shall be made as an interim rule effective on
publication with an opportunity for notice and comment.
``(c) Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking.--In
promulgating regulations under this section, the Secretary
shall use the authority provided under section 808 of title 5,
United States Code.''.
SEC. 2609. WETLANDS MITIGATION.
Section 1222(k) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3822(k)) is amended to read as follows:
``(k) Mitigation Banking.--
``(1) Mitigation banking program.--
``(A) In general.--Using authorities
available to the Secretary, the Secretary shall
operate a program or work with third parties to
establish mitigation banks to assist persons in
complying with the provisions of this section
while mitigating any loss of wetland values and
functions.
``(B) Funding.--Of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary
shall use $10,000,000, to remain available
until expended, to carry out this paragraph.
``(2) Applicability.--Subsection (f)(2)(C) shall
not apply to this subsection.
``(3) Policy and criteria.--The Secretary shall
develop the appropriate policy and criteria that will
allow willing persons to access existing mitigation
banks, under this section or any other authority, that
will serve the purposes of this section without
requiring the Secretary to hold an easement, in whole
or in part, in a mitigation bank.''.
SEC. 2610. LESSER PRAIRIE-CHICKEN CONSERVATION REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of a
review and analysis of each of the activities (including those
administered by the Secretary) that pertain to the conservation
of the lesser prairie-chicken, including the conservation
reserve program, the environmental quality incentives program,
the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative, the Western Association
of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Candidate Conservation Agreement
with Assurances for Oil and Gas, and the Western Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide
Conservation Plan.
(b) Contents.--The Secretary shall include in the report
required by this section, at a minimum--
(1) with respect to each activity described in
subsection (a) as it relates to the conservation of the
lesser prairie-chicken, findings regarding--
(A) the cost of the activity to the Federal
Government, impacted State governments, and the
private sector;
(B) the conservation effectiveness of the
activity; and
(C) the cost effectiveness of the activity;
and
(2) a ranking of the activities described in
subsection (a) based on their relative cost
effectiveness.
SEC. 2611. HIGHLY ERODIBLE LAND AND WETLAND CONSERVATION FOR CROP
INSURANCE.
(a) Highly Erodible Land Program Ineligibility.--
(1) In general.--Section 1211(a)(1) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)(1)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or''
at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by adding ``or''
at the end; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) any portion of the premium paid by
the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for a
policy or plan of insurance under the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), on
the condition that if a person is determined to
have committed a violation under this
subsection during a crop year, ineligibility
under this subparagraph shall--
``(i) only apply to reinsurance
years subsequent to the date of final
determination of a violation, including
all administrative appeals; and
``(ii) not apply to the existing
reinsurance year or any reinsurance
year prior to the date of final
determination;''.
(2) Exemptions.--Section 1212(a)(2) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812(a)(2)) is
amended--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking
``(2) If,'' and inserting the following:
``(2) Eligibility based on compliance with
conservation plan.--
``(A) In general.--If,'';
(B) in the second sentence, by striking
``In carrying'' and inserting the following:
``(B) Minimization of documentation.--In
carrying''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Crop insurance.--
``(i) Operations new to
compliance.--Notwithstanding section
1211(a), in the case of a person that
is subject to section 1211 for the
first time solely due to the amendment
made by section 2611(a) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, any person
who produces an agricultural commodity
on the land that is the basis of the
payments described in section
1211(a)(1)(E) shall have 5 reinsurance
years after the date on which such
payments become subject to section 1211
to develop and comply with an approved
conservation plan so as to maintain
eligibility for such payments.
``(ii) Existing operations with
prior violations.--Notwithstanding
section 1211(a), in the case of a
person that the Secretary determines
would have been in violation of section
1211(a) if the person had continued
participation in the programs requiring
compliance at any time after the date
of enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014 and is currently in violation of
section 1211(a), the person shall have
2 reinsurance years after the date on
which the payments described in section
1211(a)(1)(E) become subject to section
1211 to develop and comply with an
approved conservation plan, as
determined by the Secretary, so as to
maintain eligibility for such payments.
``(iii) Applicable reinsurance
year.--Ineligibility for the payment
described in section 1211(a)(1)(E) for
a violation under this subparagraph
during a crop year shall--
``(I) only apply to
reinsurance years subsequent to
the date of a final
determination of a violation,
including all administrative
appeals; and
``(II) not apply to the
existing reinsurance year or
any reinsurance year prior to
the date of the final
determination.''.
(3) Crop insurance premium assistance.--Section
1213(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3812a(d)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(4) Crop insurance premium assistance.--For the
purpose of determining the eligibility of a person for
the payment described in section 1211(a)(1)(E), the
Secretary shall apply the procedures described in
section 1221(c)(3)(E) and coordinate the certification
process so as to avoid duplication or unnecessary
paperwork.''.
(b) Wetland Conservation Program Ineligibility.--Section
1221 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e)
as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the
following:
``(c) Ineligibility for Crop Insurance Premium
Assistance.--
``(1) Requirements.--
``(A) In general.--If a person is
determined to have committed a violation under
subsection (a) or (d) during a crop year, the
person shall be ineligible to receive any
payment of any portion of premium paid by the
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation for a plan
or policy of insurance under the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) pursuant
to this subsection.
``(B) Applicability.--Ineligibility under
this subsection shall--
``(i) only apply to reinsurance
years subsequent to the date of a final
determination of a violation, including
all administrative appeals; and
``(ii) not apply to the existing
reinsurance year or any reinsurance
year prior to the date of the final
determination.
``(2) Conversions.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), ineligibility for crop insurance
premium assistance shall apply in accordance
with this paragraph.
``(B) New conversions.--In the case of a
wetland that the Secretary determines was
converted after the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014--
``(i) the person shall be
ineligible to receive crop insurance
premium subsidies in subsequent
reinsurance years unless the Secretary
determines that an exemption pursuant
to section 1222 applies; or
``(ii) for any violation that the
Secretary determines impacts less than
5 acres of an entire farm, the person
may pay a contribution in an amount
equal to 150 percent of the cost of
mitigation, as determined by the
Secretary, to the fund described in
section 1241(f) for wetland restoration
in lieu of ineligibility to receive
crop insurance premium assistance.
``(C) Prior conversions.--In the case of a
wetland that the Secretary determines was
converted prior to the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, ineligibility under
this subsection shall not apply.
``(D) Conversions and new policies or plans
of insurance.--In the case of an agricultural
commodity for which an individual policy or
plan of insurance is available for the first
time to the person after the date of enactment
of the Agricultural Act of 2014--
``(i) ineligibility shall apply
only to conversions that take place
after the date on which the policy or
plan of insurance first becomes
available to the person; and
``(ii) the person shall take such
steps as the Secretary determines
appropriate to mitigate any prior
conversion in a timely manner but not
to exceed 2 reinsurance years.
``(3) Limitations.--
``(A) Mitigation required.--Except as
otherwise provided in this paragraph, a person
subject to a final determination, including all
administrative appeals, of a violation
described in subsection (d) shall have 1
reinsurance year to initiate a mitigation plan
to remedy the violation, as determined by the
Secretary, before becoming ineligible under
this subsection in the following reinsurance
year to receive any payment of any portion of
the premium paid by the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation for a policy or plan of insurance
under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1501 et seq.).
``(B) Persons covered for the first time.--
Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph
(1), in the case of a person that is subject to
this subsection for the first time solely due
to the amendment made by section 2611(b) of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, the person shall have
2 reinsurance years after the reinsurance year
in which a final determination is made,
including all administrative appeals, of a
violation described in this subsection to take
such steps as the Secretary determines
appropriate to remedy or mitigate the violation
in accordance with this subsection.
``(C) Good faith.--If the Secretary
determines that a person subject to a final
determination, including all administrative
appeals, of a violation described in this
subsection acted in good faith and without
intent to commit a violation described in this
subsection as described in section 1222(h), the
person shall have 2 reinsurance years to take
such steps as the Secretary determines
appropriate to remedy or mitigate the violation
in accordance with this subsection.
``(D) Tenant relief.--
``(i) In general.--If a tenant is
determined to be ineligible for
payments and other benefits under this
subsection, the Secretary may limit the
ineligibility only to the farm that is
the basis for the ineligibility
determination if the tenant has
established, to the satisfaction of the
Secretary that--
``(I) the tenant has made a
good faith effort to meet the
requirements of this section,
including enlisting the
assistance of the Secretary to
obtain a reasonable plan for
restoration or mitigation for
the farm;
``(II) the landlord on the
farm refuses to comply with the
plan on the farm; and
``(III) the Secretary
determines that the lack of
compliance is not a part of a
scheme or device to avoid the
compliance.
``(ii) Report.--The Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture
of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate an annual
report concerning the ineligibility
determinations limited during the
previous 12-month period under this
subparagraph.
``(E) Certificate of compliance.--
``(i) In general.--Beginning with
the first full reinsurance year
immediately following the date of
enactment of this paragraph, all
persons seeking eligibility for the
payment of a portion of the premium
paid by the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation for a policy or plan of
insurance under the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
shall provide certification of
compliance with this section as
determined by the Secretary.
``(ii) Timely evaluation.--The
Secretary shall evaluate the
certification in a timely manner and--
``(I) a person who has
properly complied with
certification shall be held
harmless with regard to
eligibility during the period
of evaluation; and
``(II) if the Secretary
fails to evaluate the
certification in a timely
manner and the person is
subsequently found to be in
violation of this subsection,
ineligibility shall not apply
to the person for that
violation.
``(iii) Equitable contribution.--
``(I) In general.--If a
person fails to notify the
Secretary as required and is
subsequently found to be in
violation of this subsection,
the Secretary shall--
``(aa) determine
the amount of an
equitable contribution
to conservation by the
person for the
violation; and
``(bb) deposit the
contribution in the
fund described in
section 1241(f).
``(II) Limitation.--The
contribution shall not exceed
the total of the portion of the
premium paid by the Federal
Crop Insurance Corporation for
a policy or plan of insurance
for all years the person is
determined to have been in
violation subsequent to the
date on which certification was
first required under this
subparagraph.
``(4) Duties of the secretary.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out this
subsection, the Secretary shall use existing
processes and procedures for certifying
compliance.
``(B) Responsibility.--The Secretary,
acting through the agencies of the Department
of Agriculture, shall be solely responsible for
determining whether a producer is eligible to
receive crop insurance premium subsidies in
accordance with this subsection.
``(C) Limitation.--The Secretary shall
ensure that no agent, approved insurance
provider, or employee or contractor of an
agency or approved insurance provider, bears
responsibility or liability for the eligibility
of an insured producer under this subsection,
other than in cases of misrepresentation,
fraud, or scheme and device.''.
Subtitle H--Repeal of Superseded Program Authorities and Transitional
Provisions; Technical Amendments
SEC. 2701. COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 1230 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3830) is repealed.
SEC. 2702. EMERGENCY FORESTRY CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section
1231A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831a) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts and agreements.--
The amendment made by this section shall not affect the
validity or terms of any contract or agreement entered
into by the Secretary of Agriculture under section
1231A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3831a) before the date of enactment of the Agricultural
Act of 2014, or any payments required to be made in
connection with the contract or agreement.
(2) Funding.--The Secretary may use funds made
available to carry out the conservation reserve program
under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et
seq.) to continue to carry out contracts or agreements
referred to in paragraph (1) using the provisions of
law and regulation applicable to such contracts or
agreements as in existence on the day before the date
of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2703. WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837 et seq.) is repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts, agreements, and
easements.--The amendment made by this section shall
not affect the validity or terms of any contract,
agreement, or easement entered into by the Secretary of
Agriculture under subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle
D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3837 et seq.) before the date of enactment of
the Agricultural Act of 2014, or any payments required
to be made in connection with the contract, agreement,
or easement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of subchapter C of
chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837 et
seq.), any funds made available from the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
wetlands reserve program under that subchapter
for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 shall be
made available to carry out contracts,
agreements, or easements referred to in
paragraph (1) that were entered into prior to
the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (including the provision of technical
assistance), provided that no such contract,
agreement, or easement is modified so as to
increase the amount of the payment received.
(B) Other.--The Secretary may use funds
made available to carry out the agricultural
conservation easement program under subtitle H
of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985,
as added by section 2301, to continue to carry
out contracts, agreements, and easements
referred to in paragraph (1) using the
provisions of law and regulation applicable to
such contracts, agreements, and easements as in
existence on the day before the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2704. FARMLAND PROTECTION PROGRAM AND FARM VIABILITY PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
subchapter C of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838h et seq.) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing agreements and easements.--
The amendment made by this section shall not affect the
validity or terms of any agreement or easement entered
into by the Secretary of Agriculture under subchapter C
of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838h et seq.) before
the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014,
or any payments required to be made in connection with
the agreement or easement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of subchapter C of
chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838h et
seq.), any funds made available from the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
farmland protection program under that
subchapter for fiscal years 2009 through 2013
shall be made available to carry out agreements
and easements referred to in paragraph (1) that
were entered into prior to the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(including the provision of technical
assistance).
(B) Other.--On exhaustion of funds made
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
may use funds made available to carry out the
agricultural conservation easement program
under subtitle H of title XII of the Food
Security Act of 1985, as added by section 2301,
to continue to carry out agreements and
easements referred to in paragraph (1) using
the provisions of law and regulation applicable
to such agreements and easements as in
existence on the day before the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2705. GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
subchapter D of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838n et seq.) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts, agreements, and
easements.--The amendment made by this section shall
not affect the validity or terms of any contract,
agreement, or easement entered into by the Secretary of
Agriculture under subchapter D of chapter 2 of subtitle
D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3838n et seq.) before the date of enactment of
the Agricultural Act of 2014, or any payments required
to be made in connection with the contract, agreement,
or easement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of subchapter D of
chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838n et
seq.), any funds made available from the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
grassland reserve program under that subchapter
for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 shall be
made available to carry out contracts,
agreements, or easements referred to in
paragraph (1) that were entered into prior to
the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (including the provision of technical
assistance), provided that no such contract,
agreement, or easement is modified so as to
increase the amount of the payment received.
(B) Other.--The Secretary may use funds
made available to carry out the agricultural
conservation easement program under subtitle H
of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985,
as added by section 2301, to continue to carry
out contracts, agreements, and easements
referred to in paragraph (1) using the
provisions of law and regulation applicable to
such contracts, agreements, and easements as in
existence on the day before the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2706. AGRICULTURAL WATER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section
1240I of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-9) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts and agreements.--
The amendment made by this section shall not affect the
validity or terms of any contract or agreement entered
into by the Secretary of Agriculture under section
1240I of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-9) before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, or any payments required to
be made in connection with the contract or agreement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of section 1240I of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-9), any funds made available from the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
agricultural water enhancement program under
that section for fiscal years 2009 through 2013
shall be made available to carry out contracts
and agreements referred to in paragraph (1)
that were entered into prior to the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(including the provision of technical
assistance).
(B) Other.--On exhaustion of funds made
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
may use funds made available to carry out the
regional conservation partnership program under
subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security
Act of 1985, as added by section 2401, to
continue to carry out contracts and agreements
referred to in paragraph (1) using the
provisions of law and regulation applicable to
such contracts and agreements as in existence
on the day before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2707. WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section
1240N of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts and agreements.--
The amendment made by this section shall not affect the
validity or terms of any contract or agreement entered
into by the Secretary of Agriculture under section
1240N of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839bb-1) before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, or any payments required to
be made in connection with the contract or agreement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of section 1240N of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839bb-1), any funds made available from the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
wildlife habitat incentive program under that
section for fiscal years 2009 through 2013
shall be made available to carry out contracts
or agreements referred to in paragraph (1)
which were entered into prior to the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(including the provision of technical
assistance).
(B) Other.--On exhaustion of funds made
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
may use funds made available to carry out the
environmental quality incentives program under
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et
seq.) to continue to carry out contracts or
agreements referred to in paragraph (1) using
the provisions of law and regulation applicable
to such contracts or agreements as in existence
on the day before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2708. GREAT LAKES BASIN PROGRAM.
Section 1240P of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839bb-3) is repealed.
SEC. 2709. CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section
1240Q of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-4) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts, agreements, and
easements.--The amendment made by this section shall
not affect the validity or terms of any contract,
agreement, or easement entered into by the Secretary of
Agriculture under section 1240Q of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-4) before the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014, or any
payments required to be made in connection with the
contract, agreement, or easement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of section 1240Q of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839bb-4), any funds made available from the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
Chesapeake Bay watershed program under that
section for fiscal years 2009 through 2013
shall be made available to carry out contracts,
agreements, and easements referred to in
paragraph (1) that were entered into prior to
the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (including the provision of technical
assistance).
(B) Other.--The Secretary may use funds
made available to carry out the regional
conservation partnership program under subtitle
I of title XII of the Food Security Act of
1985, as added by section 2401, to continue to
carry out contracts, agreements, and easements
referred to in paragraph (1) using the
provisions of law and regulation applicable to
such contracts, agreements, and easements as in
existence on the day before the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2710. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.
(a) Repeal.--Except as provided in subsection (b), section
1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) is
repealed.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts and agreements.--
The amendment made by this section shall not affect the
validity or terms of any contract or agreement entered
into by the Secretary of Agriculture under section 1243
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843)
before the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014, or any payments required to be made in connection
with the contract or agreement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--
Notwithstanding the repeal of section 1243 of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843),
any funds made available from the Commodity
Credit Corporation to carry out the cooperative
conservation partnership initiative under that
section for fiscal years 2009 through 2013
shall be made available to carry out contracts
and agreements referred to in paragraph (1)
that were entered into prior to the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(including the provision of technical
assistance).
(B) Other.--On exhaustion of funds made
available under subparagraph (A), the Secretary
may use funds made available to carry out the
regional conservation partnership program under
subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security
Act of 1985, as added by section 2401, to
continue to carry out contracts and agreements
referred to in paragraph (1) using the
provisions of law and regulation applicable to
such contracts and agreements as in existence
on the day before the date of enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014.
SEC. 2711. ENVIRONMENTAL EASEMENT PROGRAM.
Chapter 3 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839 et seq.) is repealed.
SEC. 2712. TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Applicability.--This section is applicable to
activities under--
(1) the wetlands reserve program, the farmland
protection program, and the farm viability program
being merged into the agricultural conservation
easement program under the amendment made by section
2301;
(2) the wildlife habitat incentive program being
merged into the environmental quality incentives
program under the amendments made by subtitle C;
(3) the agricultural water enhancement program, the
Chesapeake Bay watershed program, the cooperative
conservation partnership initiative, and the Great
Lakes basin program being merged into the regional
conservation partnership program under the amendment
made by section 2401; and
(4) the grassland reserve program being merged into
the conservation reserve program under the amendments
made by subtitle A and into the agricultural
conservation easement program under the amendment made
by section 2301.
(b) Interim Administration.--Subject to subsection (d),
with respect to the implementation of the agricultural
conservation easement program under subtitle H of title XII of
the Food Security Act of 1985, as added by section 2301, the
amendments to the environmental quality incentives program made
by subtitle C, the regional conservation partnership program
under subtitle I of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985,
as added by section 2401, and the amendments to the
conservation reserve program made by subtitle A, the Secretary
shall use the regulations in existence as of the day before the
date of enactment of this Act that are applicable to the
wetlands reserve program, the grassland reserve program, the
farmland protection program, the farm viability program, the
wildlife habitat incentive program, the agricultural water
enhancement program, the Chesapeake Bay watershed program, the
cooperative conservation partnership initiative, and the Great
Lakes basin program repealed by this subtitle, to the extent
that the terms and conditions of such regulations are
consistent with--
(1) the provisions of the agricultural conservation
easement program and the regional conservation
partnership program; and
(2) the amendments to the environmental quality
incentives program and the conservation reserve program
made by this title.
(c) Funding.--The Secretary may only use funds authorized
in this title or in the amendments made by this title for the
specific programs listed in subsection (b), including any
restrictions on the use of those funds, for the purposes
identified in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b).
(d) Termination of Authority.--The authority of the
Secretary to carry out subsection (b) shall terminate on the
date that is 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e) Permanent Administration.--Effective beginning on the
termination date described in subsection (d), the Secretary
shall provide technical assistance, financial assistance, and
easement enrollment in accordance with any final regulations
that the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this title
and the amendments made by this title.
SEC. 2713. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)) is amended in the matter preceding
paragraph (1) by striking ``E'' and inserting ``I''.
(b) Program Ineligibility.--Section 1211(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)) is amended by striking
``predominate'' each place it appears and inserting
``predominant''.
(c) Specialty Crop Producers.--Section 1242(i) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(i)) is amended in the
header by striking ``Speciality'' and inserting ``Specialty''.
TITLE III--TRADE
Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act
SEC. 3001. GENERAL AUTHORITY.
Section 201 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1721) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``(to be implemented by the Administrator)''
after ``under this title''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (7) and the second
sentence and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(7) build resilience to mitigate and prevent food
crises and reduce the future need for emergency aid.''.
SEC. 3002. SET-ASIDE FOR SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH WHICH
NONEMERGENCY ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED.
Section 202(e) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(e))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``13 percent'' and inserting
``20 percent'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``new'' and inserting ``and enhancing'';
(C) by striking subparagraph (B);
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (D); and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following new subparagraphs:
``(B) meeting specific administrative,
management, personnel, transportation, storage,
and distribution costs for carrying out
programs in foreign countries under this title;
``(C) implementing income-generating,
community development, health, nutrition,
cooperative development, agricultural, and
other developmental activities within 1 or more
recipient countries or within 1 or more
countries in the same region; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Investment authority.--An eligible
organization that receives funds made available under
paragraph (1) may invest the funds pending the eligible
organization's use of the funds. Any interest earned on
such investment may be used for the purposes for which
the assistance was provided to the eligible
organization without further appropriation by
Congress.''.
SEC. 3003. FOOD AID QUALITY.
Section 202(h) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(h))
is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall use
funds made available for fiscal year 2014 and
subsequent fiscal years to carry out this title--
``(A) to assess the types and quality of
agricultural commodities and products donated
for food aid;
``(B) to adjust products and formulations,
including potential introduction of new
fortificants and products, as necessary to
cost-effectively meet nutrient needs of target
populations;
``(C) to test prototypes;
``(D) to adopt new specifications or
improve existing specifications for
micronutrient fortified food aid products,
based on the latest developments in food and
nutrition science, and in coordination with
other international partners;
``(E) to develop new program guidance to
facilitate improved matching of products to
purposes having nutritional intent, in
coordination with other international partners;
``(F) to develop improved guidance for
implementing partners on how to address
nutritional deficiencies that emerge among
recipients for whom food assistance is the sole
source of diet in emergency programs that
extend beyond 1 year, in coordination with
other international partners; and
``(G) to evaluate, in appropriate settings
and as necessary, the performance and cost-
effectiveness of new or modified specialized
food products and program approaches designed
to meet the nutritional needs of the most
vulnerable groups, such as pregnant and
lactating mothers, and children under the age
of 5.''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``fiscal years
2009 through 2011'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2014
through 2018''.
SEC. 3004. MINIMUM LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE.
Section 204(a) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1724(a))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3005. FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP.
(a) Membership.--Section 205(b) of the Food for Peace Act
(7 U.S.C. 1725(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(6);
(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph
(8); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following
new paragraph:
``(7) representatives from the United States
agricultural processing sector involved in providing
agricultural commodities for programs under this Act;
and''.
(b) Consultation.--Section 205(d) of the Food for Peace Act
(7 U.S.C. 1725(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking the first sentence and inserting
the following:
``(1) Consultation in advance of issuance of
implementation regulations, handbooks, and
guidelines.--Not later than 45 days before a proposed
regulation, handbook, or guideline implementing this
title, or a proposed significant revision to a
regulation, handbook, or guideline implementing this
title, becomes final, the Administrator shall provide
the proposal to the Group for review and comment.'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Consultation regarding food aid quality
efforts.--The Administrator shall seek input from and
consult with the Group on the implementation of section
202(h).''.
(c) Reauthorization.--Section 205(f) of the Food for Peace
Act (7 U.S.C. 1725(f)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3006. OVERSIGHT, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION.
(a) Regulations and Guidance.--Section 207(c) of the Food
for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a(c)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Guidance'' after ``Regulations'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ``Not later than 270 days after
the date of the enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014, the Administrator shall issue all regulations and
revisions to agency guidance necessary to implement the
amendments made to this title by such Act.''; and
(3) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and guidance''
after ``develop regulations''.
(b) Funding.--Section 207(f) of the Food for Peace Act (7
U.S.C. 1726a(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(F), by striking ``upgraded''
and inserting ``maintenance of'';
(2) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4); and
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``$22,000,000'' and all that follows through
the period at the end and inserting
``$17,000,000 of the funds made available under
this title for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018, except for paragraph (2)(F), for
which not more than $500,000 shall be made
available for each of the fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
(c) Implementation Reports.--Not later than 270 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
Agency for International Development shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
and the Committees on Agriculture and Foreign Affairs of the
House of Representatives a report describing--
(1) the implementation of section 207(c) of the
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a(c));
(2) the surveys, studies, monitoring, reporting,
and audit requirements for programs conducted under
title II of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.) by an
eligible organization that is a nongovernmental
organization (as such term is defined in section 402 of
such Act (7 U.S.C. 1732)); and
(3) the surveys, studies, monitoring, reporting,
and audit requirements for such programs by an eligible
organization that is an intergovernmental organization,
such as the World Food Program or other multilateral
organization.
SEC. 3007. ASSISTANCE FOR STOCKPILING AND RAPID TRANSPORTATION,
DELIVERY, AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHELF-STABLE
PREPACKAGED FOODS.
Section 208(f) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1726b(f)) is amended by striking ``$8,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2001 through 2012'' and inserting ``$10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018''.
SEC. 3008. IMPACT ON LOCAL FARMERS AND ECONOMY AND REPORT ON USE OF
FUNDS.
(a) Impact on Local Farmers and Economy.--Section 403(b) of
the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733(b)) is amended by adding
at the end the following new sentence: ``The Secretary or the
Administrator, as appropriate, shall seek information, as part
of the regular proposal and submission process, from
implementing agencies on the potential costs and benefits to
the local economy of sales of agricultural commodities within
the recipient country.''.
(b) Report on Use of Funds.--Section 403 of the Food for
Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(m) Report on Use of Funds.--
``(1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of the Agricultural Act
of 2014, and annually thereafter, the Administrator
shall submit to Congress a report that--
``(A) specifies the amount of funds
(including funds for administrative costs,
indirect cost recovery, internal
transportation, storage, and handling, and
associated distribution costs) provided to each
eligible organization that received assistance
under this Act in the previous fiscal year;
``(B) describes how those funds were used
by the eligible organization;
``(C) describes the actual rate of return
for each commodity made available under this
Act, including--
``(i) factors that influenced the
rate of return; and
``(ii) for the commodity, the costs
of bagging or further processing, ocean
transportation, inland transportation
in the recipient country, storage
costs, and any other information that
the Administrator determines to be
necessary; and
``(D) for each instance in which a
commodity was made available under this Act at
a rate of return less than 70 percent,
describes the reasons for the rate of return
realized.
``(2) Rate of return described.--For purposes of
applying paragraph (1)(C), the rate of return for a
commodity shall be equal to the proportion that--
``(A) the proceeds the implementing
partners generate through monetization; bears
to
``(B) the cost to the Federal Government to
procure and ship the commodity to a recipient
country for monetization.''.
SEC. 3009. PREPOSITIONING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.
Section 407(c)(4) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1736a(c)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''; and
(B) by striking ``for each such fiscal year
not more than $10,000,000 of such funds'' and
inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2001
through 2013 not more than $10,000,000 of such
funds and for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018 not more than $15,000,000 of such funds'';
and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following new subparagraph:
``(B) Additional prepositioning sites.--The
Administrator may establish additional sites
for prepositioning in foreign countries or
change the location of current sites for
prepositioning in foreign countries after
conducting, and based on the results of,
assessments of need, the availability of
appropriate technology for long-term storage,
feasibility, and cost.''.
SEC. 3010. ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING FOOD AID PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.
Section 407(f)(1) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1736a(f)(1)) is amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``agricultural trade'' and inserting ``food aid'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting before
the semicolon at the end the following: ``and the total
number of beneficiaries of the project and the
activities carried out through such project''; and
(3) in subparagraph (B)(iii)--
(A) in the matter preceding subclause (I),
by inserting ``, and the total number of
beneficiaries in,'' after ``commodities made
available to'';
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end of
subclause (I);
(C) by inserting ``and'' at the end of
subclause (II); and
(D) by inserting after subclause (II) the
following new subclause:
``(III) the McGovern-Dole
International Food for
Education and Child Nutrition
Program established by section
3107 of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 1736o-1);''.
SEC. 3011. DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENTS TO FINANCE SALES OR TO PROVIDE OTHER
ASSISTANCE.
Section 408 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is
amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3012. MINIMUM LEVEL OF NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.
Subsection (e) of section 412 of the Food for Peace Act (7
U.S.C. 1736f) is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Minimum Level of Nonemergency Food Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), of the
amounts made available to carry out emergency and
nonemergency food assistance programs under title II,
not less than 20 nor more than 30 percent for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018 shall be expended for
nonemergency food assistance programs under title II.
``(2) Minimum level.--The amount made available to
carry out nonemergency food assistance programs under
title II shall not be less than $350,000,000 for any
fiscal year.''.
SEC. 3013. MICRONUTRIENT FORTIFICATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Elimination of Obsolete Reference to Study.--Section
415(a)(2)(B) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736g-
2(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``, using recommendations''
and all that follows through ``quality enhancements''.
(b) Extension.--Section 415(c) of the Food for Peace Act (7
U.S.C. 1736g-2(c)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3014. JOHN OGONOWSKI AND DOUG BEREUTER FARMER-TO-FARMER PROGRAM.
(a) Funding and Reauthorization of Program.--Section 501 of
the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1737) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2013, and not less than the greater of $15,000,000 or
0.6 percent of the amounts made available for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018,''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
(b) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 270 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
that contains--
(1) a review of the John Ogonowski and Doug
Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program authorized by section
501 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1737); and
(2) recommendations relating to actions that the
Comptroller General determines to be necessary to
improve the monitoring and evaluation of assistance
provided under such program.
SEC. 3015. COORDINATION OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS REPORT.
Section 413 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736g) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) In General.--To the maximum''
and inserting ``To the maximum''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
SEC. 3101. EXPORT CREDIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
(a) Short-Term Credit Guarantees.--Section 202 of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5622) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``3-year'' and
inserting ``24-month'';
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``country'' and
inserting ``obligor'';
(3) by striking subsection (i);
(4) by redesignating subsections (j) and (k) as
subsections (i) and (j), respectfully; and
(5) in subsection (j)(2) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (C)
through (E) as subparagraphs (A) through (C),
respectfully;
(C) in subparagraph (B) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(D) in subparagraph (C) (as so
redesignated)--
(i) by striking ``, but do not
exceed,''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(D) notwithstanding any other provision
of this section, administer and carry out (only
after consulting with the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and
Forestry of the Senate) the program pursuant to
such terms as may be agreed between the parties
to address the World Trade Organization dispute
WTO/DS267 to the extent not superseded by any
applicable international undertakings on
officially supported export credits to which
the United States is a party.''.
(b) Funding.--Subsection (b) of section 211 of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5641) is amended to
read as follows:
``(b) Export Credit Guarantee Program.--The Commodity
Credit Corporation shall make available for each fiscal year
$5,500,000,000 of credit guarantees under section 202(a).''.
SEC. 3102. FUNDING FOR MARKET ACCESS PROGRAM.
Section 211(c)(1)(A) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
(7 U.S.C. 5641(c)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3103. FOREIGN MARKET DEVELOPMENT COOPERATOR PROGRAM.
Section 703(a) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7
U.S.C. 5723(a)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws
SEC. 3201. FOOD FOR PROGRESS ACT OF 1985.
(a) Extension.--The Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C.
1736o) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018'';
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018'';
(3) in subsection (k), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(4) in subsection (l)(1), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
(b) Repeal of Completed Project.--Subsection (f) of the
Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o) is amended by
striking paragraph (6).
SEC. 3202. BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST ACT.
Section 302 of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7
U.S.C. 1736f-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(i), by striking
``2012'' both places it appears and inserting ``2018'';
and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2012'' both
places it appears and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3203. PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO EMERGING MARKETS.
(a) Direct Credits or Export Credit Guarantees.--Section
1542(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (Public Law 101-624; 7 U.S.C. 5622 note) is amended by
striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
(b) Development of Agricultural Systems.--Section
1542(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624; 7 U.S.C. 5622 note) is
amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 3204. MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD
NUTRITION PROGRAM.
(a) Reauthorization.--Section 3107(l)(2) of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-
1(l)(2)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
(b) Technical Correction.--Section 3107(d) of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1(d))
is amended by striking ``to'' in the matter preceding paragraph
(1).
SEC. 3205. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.
(a) Purpose.--Section 3205(b) of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5680(b)) is amended by
striking ``related barriers to trade'' and inserting
``technical barriers to trade''.
(b) Funding.--Section 3205(e)(2) of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5680(e)(2)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(C); and
(2) by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E) and
inserting the following new subparagraph:
``(D) $9,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2011 through 2018.''.
(c) U.S. Atlantic Spiny Dogfish Study.--Not later than 90
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall conduct an economic study on the existing market in the
United States for U.S. Atlantic Spiny Dogfish.
SEC. 3206. GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST.
Section 3202(c) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (Public Law 110-246; 22 U.S.C. 2220a note) is amended
by striking ``2008 through 2012'' and inserting ``2014 through
2018''.
SEC. 3207. LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD AID PROCUREMENT PROJECTS.
Section 3206 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 1726c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``(b) Study; Field-Based
Projects.--'' and all that follows through
``(2) Field-based projects.--'' and inserting
the following:
``(b) Field-Based Projects.--'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and
(B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively,
and indenting appropriately;
(C) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated),
by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and inserting
``paragraph (2)''; and
(D) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated),
by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting
``paragraph (1)'';
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``subsection
(b)(2)'' and inserting ``subsection (b)'';
(3) by striking subsections (d), (f), and (g);
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection
(d);
(5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B);
and
(ii) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by striking ``(A)
Application.--'' and all that
follows through ``To be
eligible'' in clause (i) and
inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--To be eligible'';
(II) by redesignating
clause (ii) as subparagraph (B)
and indenting appropriately;
and
(III) in subparagraph (B)
(as so redesignated), by
striking ``clause (i)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (A)'';
and
(B) by striking paragraph (4); and
(6) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
``(2) Preference.--In carrying out this section,
the Secretary may give a preference to eligible
organizations that have, or are working toward,
projects under the McGovern-Dole International Food for
Education and Child Nutrition Program established under
section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1).
``(3) Reporting.--Each year, the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report that describes the use of funds under this
section, including--
``(A) the impact of procurements and
projects on--
``(i) local and regional
agricultural producers; and
``(ii) markets and consumers,
including low-income consumers; and
``(B) implementation time frames and
costs.''.
SEC. 3208. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR TRADE AND FOREIGN
AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
(a) Definition of Agriculture Committees and
Subcommittees.--In this section, the term ``agriculture
committees and subcommittees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives;
(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate; and
(3) the subcommittees on agriculture, rural
development, food and drug administration, and related
agencies of the Committees on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives and the Senate.
(b) Proposal.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation
with the agriculture committees and subcommittees,
shall propose a reorganization of international trade
functions for imports and exports of the Department of
Agriculture.
(2) Considerations.--In producing the proposal
under this section, the Secretary shall--
(A) in recognition of the importance of
agricultural exports to the farm economy and
the economy as a whole, include a plan for the
establishment of an Under Secretary of
Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural
Affairs;
(B) take into consideration how the Under
Secretary described in subparagraph (A) would
serve as a multiagency coordinator of sanitary
and phytosanitary issues and nontariff trade
barriers in agriculture with respect to imports
and exports of agricultural products; and
(C) take into consideration all
implications of a reorganization described in
paragraph (1) on domestic programs and
operations of the Department of Agriculture.
(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act and before the reorganization
described in paragraph (1) can take effect, the
Secretary shall submit to the agriculture committees
and subcommittees a report that--
(A) includes the results of the proposal
under this section; and
(B) provides a notice of the reorganization
plan.
(4) Implementation.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of the submission of the report under
paragraph (3), the Secretary shall implement a
reorganization of international trade functions for
imports and exports of the Department of Agriculture,
including the establishment of an Under Secretary of
Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
(c) Confirmation Required.--The position of Under Secretary
of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
established under subsection (b)(2)(A) shall be appointed by
the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
TITLE IV--NUTRITION
Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SEC. 4001. PREVENTING PAYMENT OF CASH TO RECIPIENTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FOR THE RETURN OF
EMPTY BOTTLES AND CANS USED TO CONTAIN FOOD
PURCHASED WITH BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM.
Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2012(k)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and hot foods'' and inserting
``hot foods''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``and any
deposit fee in excess of the amount of the State fee
reimbursement (if any) required to purchase any food or
food product contained in a returnable bottle or can,
regardless of whether the fee is included in the shelf
price posted for the food or food product,''.
SEC. 4002. RETAIL FOOD STORES.
(a) Definition of Retail Food Store.--Section 3(p)(1)(A) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(p)(1)(A)) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``at least 7'' after ``a variety
of''; and
(2) by striking ``at least 2'' and inserting ``at
least 3''.
(b) Alternative Benefit Delivery.--Section 7(f) of the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Imposition of costs.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall require
participating retail food stores (including
restaurants participating in a State option
restaurant program intended to serve the
elderly, disabled, and homeless) to pay 100
percent of the costs of acquiring, and arrange
for the implementation of, electronic benefit
transfer point-of-sale equipment and supplies,
including related services.
``(B) Exemptions.--The Secretary may exempt
from subparagraph (A)--
``(i) farmers' markets and other
direct-to-consumer markets, military
commissaries, nonprofit food buying
cooperatives, and establishments,
organizations, programs, or group
living arrangements described in
paragraphs (5), (7), and (8) of section
3(k); and
``(ii) establishments described in
paragraphs (3), (4), and (9) of section
3(k), other than restaurants
participating in a State option
restaurant program.
``(C) Interchange fees.--Nothing in this
paragraph permits the charging of fees relating
to the redemption of supplemental nutrition
assistance program benefits, in accordance with
subsection (h)(13).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Termination of manual vouchers.--
``(A) In general.--Effective beginning on
the date of enactment of this paragraph, except
as provided in subparagraph (B), no State shall
issue manual vouchers to a household that
receives supplemental nutrition assistance
under this Act or allow retail food stores to
accept manual vouchers as payment, unless the
Secretary determines that the manual vouchers
are necessary, such as in the event of an
electronic benefit transfer system failure or a
disaster situation.
``(B) Exemptions.--The Secretary may exempt
categories of retail food stores or individual
retail food stores from subparagraph (A) based
on criteria established by the Secretary.
``(5) Unique identification number required.--
``(A) In general.--To enhance the anti-
fraud protections of the program, the Secretary
shall require all parties providing electronic
benefit transfer services to provide for and
maintain unique terminal identification number
information through the supplemental nutrition
assistance program electronic benefit transfer
transaction routing system.
``(B) Regulations.--
``(i) In general.--Not earlier than
2 years after the date of enactment of
this paragraph, the Secretary shall
issue proposed regulations to carry out
this paragraph.
``(ii) Commercial practices.--In
issuing regulations to carry out this
paragraph, the Secretary shall consider
existing commercial practices for other
point-of-sale debit transactions.''.
(c) Electronic Benefit Transfer Auditability.--Section
7(h)(2)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2016(h)(2)(C)) is amended by striking clause (ii) and inserting
the following:
``(ii) unless determined by the
Secretary to be located in an area with
significantly limited access to food,
measures that require an electronic
benefit transfer system--
``(I) to set and enforce
sales restrictions based on
benefit transfer payment
eligibility by using scanning
or product lookup entry; and
``(II) to deny benefit
tenders for manually entered
sales of ineligible items.''.
(d) Electronic Benefit Transfers.--Section 7(h)(3)(B) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(3)(B)) is
amended by striking ``is operational--'' and all that follows
through ``(ii) in the case of other participating stores,'' and
inserting ``is operational''.
(e) Approval of Retail Food Stores and Wholesale Food
Concerns.--Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2018) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), in the second sentence,
by striking ``; and (C)'' and inserting ``; (C) whether
the applicant is located in an area with significantly
limited access to food; and (D)'';
(2) in subsection (c), in the first sentence, by
inserting ``purchase invoices, or program-related
records,'' after ``relevant income and sales tax filing
documents,''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) EBT Service Requirement.--An approved retail food
store shall provide adequate EBT service as described in
section 7(h)(3)(B).''.
SEC. 4003. ENHANCING SERVICES TO ELDERLY AND DISABLED SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.
(a) Enhancing Services to Elderly and Disabled Program
Participants.--Section 3(p) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(p)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) a governmental or private nonprofit food
purchasing and delivery service that--
``(A) purchases food for, and delivers the
food to, individuals who are--
``(i) unable to shop for food; and
``(ii)(I) not less than 60 years of
age; or
``(II) physically or mentally
handicapped or otherwise disabled;
``(B) clearly notifies the participating
household at the time the household places a
food order--
``(i) of any delivery fee
associated with the food purchase and
delivery provided to the household by
the service; and
``(ii) that a delivery fee cannot
be paid with benefits provided under
supplemental nutrition assistance
program; and
``(C) sells food purchased for the
household at the price paid by the service for
the food and without any additional cost
markup.''.
(b) Implementation.--
(1) Issuance of rules.--The Secretary shall issue
regulations that--
(A) establish criteria to identify a food
purchasing and delivery service referred to in
section 3(p)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(p)(5)); and
(B) establish procedures to ensure that the
service--
(i) does not charge more for a food
item than the price paid by the service
for the food item;
(ii) offers food delivery service
at no or low cost to households under
that Act;
(iii) ensures that benefits
provided under the supplemental
nutrition assistance program are used
only to purchase food (as defined in
section 3 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2012));
(iv) limits the purchase of food,
and the delivery of the food, to
households eligible to receive services
described in section 3(p)(5) of that
Act (7 U.S.C. 2012(p)(5));
(v) has established adequate
safeguards against fraudulent
activities, including unauthorized use
of electronic benefit cards issued
under that Act; and
(vi) meets such other requirements
as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(2) Limitation.--Before the issuance of rules under
paragraph (1), the Secretary may not approve more than
20 food purchasing and delivery services referred to in
section 3(p)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2012(p)(5)) to participate as retail food
stores under the supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
SEC. 4004. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 4(b)(6)(F) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)(6)(F)) is amended by
striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
(b) Feasibility Study, Report, and Demonstration Project
for Indian Tribes.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Indian; indian tribe.--The terms
``Indian'' and ``Indian tribe'' have the
meaning given the terms in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(B) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal
organization'' has the meaning given the term
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(2) Study.--The Secretary shall conduct a study to
determine the feasibility of tribal administration of
Federal food assistance programs, services, functions,
and activities (or portions thereof), in lieu of State
agencies or other administrating entities.
(3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that--
(A) contains a list of programs, services,
functions, and activities with respect to which
it would be feasible to be administered by a
tribal organization;
(B) a description of whether that
administration would necessitate a statutory or
regulatory change; and
(C) such other issues that may be
determined by the Secretary and developed
through consultation pursuant to paragraph (4).
(4) Consultation with indian tribes.--In developing
the report required by paragraph (3), the Secretary
shall consult with tribal organizations.
(5) Funding.--Out of any funds made available under
section 18 for fiscal year 2014, the Secretary shall
make available to carry out the study and report
described in paragraphs (2) and (3) $1,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
(6) Traditional and local foods demonstration
project.--
(A) In general.--Subject to the
availability of appropriations, the Secretary
shall pilot a demonstration project by awarding
a grant to 1 or more tribal organizations
authorized to administer the food distribution
program on Indian reservations under section
4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2013(b)) for the purpose of purchasing
nutritious and traditional foods, and when
practicable, foods produced locally by Indian
producers, for distribution to recipients of
foods distributed under that program.
(B) Administration.--The Secretary may
award a grant on a noncompetitive basis to 1 or
more tribal organizations that have the
administrative and financial capability to
conduct a demonstration project, as determined
by the Secretary.
(C) Consultation, technical assistance, and
training.--During the implementation phase of
the demonstration project, the Secretary shall
consult with Indian tribes and provide outreach
to Indian farmers, ranchers, and producers
regarding the training and capacity to
participate in the demonstration project.
(D) Funding.--
(i) Authorization of
appropriations.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this
section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2014 through 2018.
(ii) Relationship to other
authorities.--The funds and authorities
provided under this subparagraph are in
addition to any other funds or
authorities the Secretary may have to
carry out activities described in this
paragraph.
SEC. 4005. EXCLUSION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA FROM EXCESS MEDICAL EXPENSE
DEDUCTION.
Section 5(e)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2014(e)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) Exclusion of medical marijuana.--The
Secretary shall promulgate rules to ensure that
medical marijuana is not treated as a medical
expense for purposes of this paragraph.''.
SEC. 4006. STANDARD UTILITY ALLOWANCES BASED ON THE RECEIPT OF ENERGY
ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.
(a) Standard Utility Allowances in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program.--Section 5(e)(6)(C) of the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(C)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by inserting ``, subject to
clause (iv)'' after ``Secretary''; and
(2) in clause (iv), by striking subclause (I) and
inserting the following:
``(I) In general.--Subject
to subclause (II), if a State
agency elects to use a standard
utility allowance that reflects
heating and cooling costs, the
standard utility allowance
shall be made available to
households that received a
payment, or on behalf of which
a payment was made, under the
Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Act of 1981 (42
U.S.C. 8621 et seq.) or other
similar energy assistance
program, if in the current
month or in the immediately
preceding 12 months, the
household either received such
a payment, or such a payment
was made on behalf of the
household, that was greater
than $20 annually, as
determined by the Secretary.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 2605(f)(2)(A) of the
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C.
8624(f)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon the
following: ``, except that, for purposes of the supplemental
nutrition assistance program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), such payments or
allowances were greater than $20 annually, consistent with
section 5(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I) of that Act (7 U.S.C.
2014(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I)), as determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture''.
(c) Application and Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), this section and the amendments made by this
section shall--
(A) take effect 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(B) apply with respect to certification
periods that begin after that date.
(2) State option to delay implementation for
current recipients.--A State may, at the option of the
State, implement a policy that eliminates or reduces
the effect of the amendments made by this section on
households that received a standard utility allowance
as of the date of enactment of this Act, for not more
than a 5-month period beginning on the date on which
the amendments would otherwise apply to the respective
household.
SEC. 4007. ELIGIBILITY DISQUALIFICATIONS.
Section 6(e)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2015(e)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``section;'' and
inserting the following:
``section, subject to the condition that
the course or program of study--
``(i) is part of a program of
career and technical education (as
defined in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) that may
be completed in not more than 4 years
at an institution of higher education
(as defined in section 102 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1002)); or
``(ii) is limited to remedial
courses, basic adult education,
literacy, or English as a second
language;''.
SEC. 4008. ELIGIBILITY DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN CONVICTED FELONS.
(a) In General.--Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(r) Disqualification for Certain Convicted Felons.--
``(1) In general.--An individual shall not be
eligible for benefits under this Act if--
``(A) the individual is convicted of--
``(i) aggravated sexual abuse under
section 2241 of title 18, United States
Code;
``(ii) murder under section 1111 of
title 18, United States Code;
``(iii) an offense under chapter
110 of title 18, United States Code;
``(iv) a Federal or State offense
involving sexual assault, as defined in
40002(a) of the Violence Against Women
Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13925(a)); or
``(v) an offense under State law
determined by the Attorney General to
be substantially similar to an offense
described in clause (i), (ii), or
(iii); and
``(B) the individual is not in compliance
with the terms of the sentence of the
individual or the restrictions under subsection
(k).
``(2) Effects on assistance and benefits for
others.--The amount of benefits otherwise required to
be provided to an eligible household under this Act
shall be determined by considering the individual to
whom paragraph (1) applies not to be a member of the
household, except that the income and resources of the
individual shall be considered to be income and
resources of the household.
``(3) Enforcement.--Each State shall require each
individual applying for benefits under this Act to
attest to whether the individual, or any member of the
household of the individual, has been convicted of a
crime described in paragraph (1).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 5(a) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(a)) is amended in the
second sentence by striking ``sections 6(b), 6(d)(2), and
6(g)'' and inserting ``subsections (b), (d)(2), (g), and (r) of
section 6''.
(c) Inapplicability to Convictions Occurring on or Before
Enactment.--The amendments made by this section shall not apply
to a conviction if the conviction is for conduct occurring on
or before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4009. ENDING SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS
FOR LOTTERY OR GAMBLING WINNERS.
(a) In General.--Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015) (as amended by section 4008) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(s) Ineligibility for Benefits Due to Receipt of
Substantial Lottery or Gambling Winnings.--
``(1) In general.--Any household in which a member
receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings, as
determined by the Secretary, shall lose eligibility for
benefits immediately upon receipt of the winnings.
``(2) Duration of ineligibility.--A household
described in paragraph (1) shall remain ineligible for
participation until the household meets the allowable
financial resources and income eligibility requirements
under subsections (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), (k),
(l), (m), and (n) of section 5.
``(3) Agreements.--As determined by the Secretary,
each State agency, to the maximum extent practicable,
shall establish agreements with entities responsible
for the regulation or sponsorship of gaming in the
State to determine whether individuals participating in
the supplemental nutrition assistance program have
received substantial lottery or gambling winnings.''.
SEC. 4010. IMPROVING SECURITY OF FOOD ASSISTANCE.
Section 7(h)(8) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2016(h)(8)) is amended--
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``card
fee'' and inserting ``of cards'';
(2) by striking ``A State'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) Fees.--A State''; and
(3) by adding after subparagraph (A) (as so
designated) the following:
``(B) Purposeful loss of cards.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to terms
and conditions established by the
Secretary in accordance with clause
(ii), if a household makes excessive
requests for replacement of the
electronic benefit transfer card of the
household, the Secretary may require a
State agency to decline to issue a
replacement card to the household
unless the household, upon request of
the State agency, provides an
explanation for the loss of the card.
``(ii) Requirements.--The terms and
conditions established by the Secretary
shall provide that--
``(I) the household be
given the opportunity to
provide the requested
explanation and meet the
requirements under this
paragraph promptly;
``(II) after an excessive
number of lost cards, the head
of the household shall be
required to review program
rights and responsibilities
with State agency personnel
authorized to make
determinations under section
5(a); and
``(III) any action taken,
including actions required
under section 6(b)(2), other
than the withholding of the
electronic benefit transfer
card until an explanation
described in subclause (I) is
provided, shall be consistent
with the due process
protections under section 6(b)
or 11(e)(10), as appropriate.
``(C) Protecting vulnerable persons.--In
implementing this paragraph, a State agency
shall act to protect homeless persons, persons
with disabilities, victims of crimes, and other
vulnerable persons who lose electronic benefit
transfer cards but are not intentionally
committing fraud.
``(D) Effect on eligibility.--While a State
may decline to issue an electronic benefits
transfer card until a household satisfies the
requirements under this paragraph, nothing in
this paragraph shall be considered a denial of,
or limitation on, the eligibility for benefits
under section 5.''.
SEC. 4011. TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION FOR RETAIL FOOD STORES.
(a) Mobile Technologies.--Section 7(h) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)) (as amended by section
4030(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(14) Mobile technologies.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall approve retail food
stores to redeem benefits through electronic
means other than wired point of sale devices
for electronic benefit transfer transactions,
if the retail food stores--
``(i) establish recipient
protections regarding privacy, ease of
use, access, and support similar to the
protections provided for transactions
made in retail food stores;
``(ii) bear the costs of obtaining,
installing, and maintaining mobile
technologies, including mechanisms
needed to process EBT cards and
transaction fees;
``(iii) demonstrate the foods
purchased with benefits issued under
this section through mobile
technologies are purchased at a price
not higher than the price of the same
food purchased by other methods used by
the retail food store, as determined by
the Secretary;
``(iv) provide adequate
documentation for each authorized
transaction, as determined by the
Secretary; and
``(v) meet other criteria as
established by the Secretary.
``(B) Demonstration project on acceptance
of benefits of mobile transactions.--
``(i) In general.--Before
authorizing implementation of
subparagraph (A) in all States, the
Secretary shall pilot the use of mobile
technologies determined by the
Secretary to be appropriate to test the
feasibility and implications for
program integrity, by allowing retail
food stores to accept benefits from
recipients of supplemental nutrition
assistance through mobile transactions.
``(ii) Demonstration projects.--To
be eligible to participate in a
demonstration project under clause (i),
a retail food store shall submit to the
Secretary for approval a plan that
includes--
``(I) a description of the
technology;
``(II) the manner by which
the retail food store will
provide proof of the
transaction to households;
``(III) the provision of
data to the Secretary,
consistent with requirements
established by the Secretary,
in a manner that allows the
Secretary to evaluate the
impact of the demonstration on
participant access, ease of
use, and program integrity; and
``(IV) such other criteria
as the Secretary may require.
``(iii) Date of completion.--The
demonstration projects under this
subparagraph shall be completed and
final reports submitted to the
Secretary by not later than July 1,
2016.
``(C) Report to congress.--The Secretary
shall--
``(i) by not later than January 1,
2017, authorize implementation of
subparagraph (A) in all States, unless
the Secretary makes a finding, based on
the data provided under subparagraph
(B), that implementation in all States
is not in the best interest of the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program; and
``(ii) if the determination made in
clause (i) is not to implement
subparagraph (A) in all States, submit
a report to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate that includes the basis of
the finding.''.
(b) Acceptance of Benefits Through On-line Transactions.--
(1) In general.--Section 7 of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(k) Option To Accept Program Benefits Through On-line
Transactions.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (4), the
Secretary shall approve retail food stores to accept
benefits from recipients of supplemental nutrition
assistance through on-line transactions.
``(2) Requirements to accept benefits.--A retail
food store seeking to accept benefits from recipients
of supplemental nutrition assistance through on-line
transactions shall--
``(A) establish recipient protections
regarding privacy, ease of use, access, and
support similar to the protections provided for
transactions made in retail food stores;
``(B) ensure benefits are not used to pay
delivery, ordering, convenience, or other fees
or charges;
``(C) clearly notify participating
households at the time a food order is placed--
``(i) of any delivery, ordering,
convenience, or other fee or charge
associated with the food purchase; and
``(ii) that any such fee cannot be
paid with benefits provided under this
Act;
``(D) ensure the security of on-line
transactions by using the most effective
technology available that the Secretary
considers appropriate and cost-effective and
that is comparable to the security of
transactions at retail food stores; and
``(E) meet other criteria as established by
the Secretary.
``(3) State agency action.--Each State agency shall
ensure that recipients of supplemental nutrition
assistance can use benefits on-line as described in
this subsection as appropriate.
``(4) Demonstration project on acceptance of
benefits through on-line transactions.--
``(A) In general.--Before the Secretary
authorizes implementation of paragraph (1) in
all States, the Secretary shall carry out a
number of demonstration projects as determined
by the Secretary to test the feasibility of
allowing retail food stores to accept benefits
through on-line transactions.
``(B) Demonstration projects.--To be
eligible to participate in a demonstration
project under subparagraph (A), a retail food
store shall submit to the Secretary for
approval a plan that includes--
``(i) a method of ensuring that
benefits may be used to purchase only
eligible items under this Act;
``(ii) a description of the method
of educating participant households
about the availability and operation of
on-line purchasing;
``(iii) adequate testing of the on-
line purchasing option prior to
implementation;
``(iv) the provision of data as
requested by the Secretary for purposes
of analyzing the impact of the project
on participant access, ease of use, and
program integrity;
``(v) reports on progress,
challenges, and results, as determined
by the Secretary; and
``(vi) such other criteria,
including security criteria, as
established by the Secretary.
``(C) Date of completion.--The
demonstration projects under this paragraph
shall be completed and final reports submitted
to the Secretary by not later than July 1,
2016.
``(5) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) by not later than January 1, 2017,
authorize implementation of paragraph (1) in
all States, unless the Secretary makes a
finding, based on the data provided under
paragraph (4), that implementation in all
States is not in the best interest of the
supplemental nutrition assistance program; and
``(B) if the determination made in
subparagraph (A) is not to implement in all
States, submit a report to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate that includes the basis
of the finding.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 7(b) of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(b)) is amended by
striking ``purchase food in retail food
stores'' and inserting ``purchase food from
retail food stores''.
(B) Section 10 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2019) is amended in the
first sentence by inserting ``retail food
stores authorized to accept and redeem benefits
through on-line transactions shall be
authorized to accept benefits prior to the
delivery of food if the delivery occurs within
a reasonable time of the purchase, as
determined by the Secretary,'' after ``food so
purchased,''.
(c) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section or an
amendment made by this section alters any requirements of the
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) unless
specifically authorized in this section or an amendment made by
this section.
SEC. 4012. USE OF BENEFITS FOR PURCHASE OF COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED
AGRICULTURE SHARE.
Subsection (o)(4) of section 3 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012) (as redesignated by section
4030(a)(4)) is amended by inserting ``, or agricultural
producers who market agricultural products directly to
consumers'' after ``such food''.
SEC. 4013. IMPROVED WAGE VERIFICATION USING THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF
NEW HIRES.
Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2020(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and after
compliance with the requirement specified in paragraph
(24)'' after ``section 16(e) of this Act'';
(2) in paragraph (22), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(3) in paragraph (23)(C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(24) that the State agency shall request wage
data directly from the National Directory of New Hires
established under section 453(i) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 653(i)) relevant to determining
eligibility to receive supplemental nutrition
assistance program benefits and determining the correct
amount of those benefits at the time of
certification.''.
SEC. 4014. RESTAURANT MEALS PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)) (as amended by section 4013) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (23)(C), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(2) in paragraph (24), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(25) if the State elects to carry out a program
to contract with private establishments to offer meals
at concessional prices, as described in paragraphs (3),
(4), and (9) of section 3(k)--
``(A) the plans of the State agency for
operating the program, including--
``(i) documentation of a need that
eligible homeless, elderly, and
disabled clients are underserved in a
particular geographic area;
``(ii) the manner by which the
State agency will limit participation
to only those private establishments
that the State determines necessary to
meet the need identified in clause (i);
and
``(iii) any other conditions the
Secretary may prescribe, such as the
level of security necessary to ensure
that only eligible recipients
participate in the program; and
``(B) a report by the State agency to the
Secretary annually, the schedule of which shall
be established by the Secretary, that
includes--
``(i) the number of households and
individual recipients authorized to
participate in the program, including
any information on whether the
individual recipient is elderly,
disabled, or homeless; and
``(ii) an assessment of whether the
program is meeting an established need,
as documented under subparagraph
(A)(i).''.
(b) Approval of Retail Food Stores and Wholesale Food
Concerns.--Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2018) (as amended by section 4002(d)(2)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(h) Private Establishments.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), no
private establishment that contracts with a State
agency to offer meals at concessional prices as
described in paragraphs (3), (4), and (9) of section
3(k) may be authorized to accept and redeem benefits
unless the Secretary determines that the participation
of the private establishment is required to meet a
documented need in accordance with section 11(e)(25).
``(2) Existing contracts.--
``(A) In general.--If, on the day before
the date of enactment of this subsection, a
State has entered into a contract with a
private establishment described in paragraph
(1) and the Secretary has not determined that
the participation of the private establishment
is necessary to meet a documented need in
accordance with section 11(e)(25), the
Secretary shall allow the operation of the
private establishment to continue without that
determination of need for a period not to
exceed 180 days from the date on which the
Secretary establishes determination criteria,
by regulation, under section 11(e)(25).
``(B) Justification.--If the Secretary
determines to terminate a contract with a
private establishment that is in effect on the
date of enactment of this subsection, the
Secretary shall provide justification to the
State in which the private establishment is
located for that termination.
``(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 90 days
after September 30, 2014, and 90 days after the last
day of each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the
effectiveness of a program under this subsection using
any information received from States under section
11(e)(25) as well as any other information the
Secretary may have relating to the manner in which
benefits are used.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 3(k) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(k)) is amended by
inserting ``subject to section 9(h)'' after ``concessional
prices'' each place it appears.
SEC. 4015. MANDATING STATE IMMIGRATION VERIFICATION.
Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2020) is amended by striking subsection (p) and inserting the
following:
``(p) State Verification Option.--In carrying out the
supplemental nutrition assistance program, a State agency shall
be required to use an immigration status verification system
established under section 1137 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1320b-7), and an income and eligibility verification
system, in accordance with standards set by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 4016. DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDIZATION FOR IMPROVED INTEROPERABILITY.
(a) Data Exchange Standardization.--Section 11 of the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(v) Data Exchange Standards for Improved
Interoperability.--
``(1) Designation.--The Secretary shall, in
consultation with an interagency work group established
by the Office of Management and Budget, and considering
State government perspectives, designate data exchange
standards to govern, under this Act--
``(A) necessary categories of information
that State agencies operating related programs
are required under applicable law to
electronically exchange with another State
agency; and
``(B) Federal reporting and data exchange
required under applicable law.
``(2) Requirements.--The data exchange standards
required by paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent
practicable--
``(A) incorporate a widely accepted,
nonproprietary, searchable, computer-readable
format, such as the eXtensible Markup Language;
``(B) contain interoperable standards
developed and maintained by intergovernmental
partnerships, such as the National Information
Exchange Model;
``(C) incorporate interoperable standards
developed and maintained by Federal entities
with authority over contracting and financial
assistance;
``(D) be consistent with and implement
applicable accounting principles;
``(E) be implemented in a manner that is
cost-effective and improves program efficiency
and effectiveness; and
``(F) be capable of being continually
upgraded as necessary.
``(3) Rules of construction.--Nothing in this
subsection requires a change to existing data exchange
standards for Federal reporting found to be effective
and efficient.''.
(b) Application Date.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
issue a proposed rule to carry out the amendments made
by this section.
(2) Requirements.--The rule shall--
(A) identify federally required data
exchanges;
(B) include specification and timing of
exchanges to be standardized;
(C) address the factors used in determining
whether and when to standardize data exchanges;
(D) specify State implementation options;
and
(E) describe future milestones.
SEC. 4017. PILOT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATION IN
IDENTIFYING AND REDUCING FRAUD IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2021) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Pilot Projects to Improve Federal-State Cooperation
in Identifying and Reducing Fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program.--
``(1) Pilot projects required.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
carry out, under such terms and conditions as
are determined by the Secretary, pilot projects
to test innovative Federal-State partnerships
to identify, investigate, and reduce fraud by
retail food stores and wholesale food concerns
in the supplemental nutrition assistance
program, including allowing States to operate
programs to investigate that fraud.
``(B) Requirement.--At least 1 pilot
project described in subparagraph (A) shall be
carried out in an urban area that is among the
10 largest urban areas in the United States
(based on population), if--
``(i) the supplemental nutrition
assistance program is separately
administered in the area; and
``(ii) if the administration of the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program in the area complies with the
other applicable requirements of the
program.
``(2) Selection criteria.--Pilot projects shall be
selected based on criteria the Secretary establishes,
which shall include--
``(A) enhancing existing efforts by the
Secretary to reduce fraud described in
paragraph (1)(A);
``(B) requiring participant States to
maintain the overall level of effort of the
States at addressing recipient fraud, as
determined by the Secretary, prior to
participation in the pilot project;
``(C) collaborating with other law
enforcement authorities as necessary to carry
out an effective pilot project;
``(D) commitment of the participant State
agency to follow Federal rules and procedures
with respect to investigations described in
paragraph (1)(A); and
``(E) the extent to which a State has
committed resources to recipient fraud and the
relative success of those efforts.
``(3) Evaluation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
evaluate the pilot projects selected under this
subsection to measure the impact of the pilot
projects.
``(B) Requirements.--The evaluation shall
include--
``(i) the impact of each pilot
project on increasing the capacity of
the Secretary to address fraud
described in paragraph (1)(A);
``(ii) the effectiveness of the
pilot projects in identifying,
preventing and reducing fraud described
in paragraph (1)(A); and
``(iii) the cost effectiveness of
the pilot projects.
``(4) Report to congress.--Not later than September
30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate, a report that includes a description of the
results of each pilot project, including--
``(A) an evaluation of the impact of the
pilot project on fraud described in paragraph
(1)(A); and
``(B) the costs associated with the pilot
project.
``(5) Funding.--Any costs incurred by a State to
operate pilot projects under this subsection that are
in excess of the amount expended under this Act to
identify, investigate, and reduce fraud described in
paragraph (1)(A) in the respective State in the
previous fiscal year shall not be eligible for Federal
reimbursement under this Act.''.
SEC. 4018. PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) Administrative Cost-sharing and Quality Control.--
Section 16(a)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2025(a)(4)) is amended by inserting after ``recruitment
activities'' the following: ``designed to persuade an
individual to apply for program benefits or that promote the
program through television, radio, or billboard
advertisements''.
(b) Limitation on Use of Funds Authorized to Be
Appropriated Under Act.--Section 18 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(g) Ban on Recruitment and Promotion Activities.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), no funds authorized to be appropriated under this
Act shall be used by the Secretary for--
``(A) recruitment activities designed to
persuade an individual to apply for
supplemental nutrition assistance program
benefits;
``(B) television, radio, or billboard
advertisements that are designed to promote
supplemental nutrition assistance program
benefits and enrollment; or
``(C) any agreements with foreign
governments designed to promote supplemental
nutrition assistance program benefits and
enrollment.
``(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply
to programmatic activities undertaken with respect to
benefits made under section 5(h).''.
(c) Ban on Recruitment Activities by Entities That Receive
Funds.--Section 18 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2027) (as amended by subsection (b)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(h) Ban on Recruitment by Entities That Receive Funds.--
The Secretary shall issue regulations that prohibit entities
that receive funds under this Act to compensate any person for
conducting outreach activities relating to participation in, or
for recruiting individuals to apply to receive benefits under,
the supplemental nutrition assistance program, if the amount of
the compensation would be based on the number of individuals
who apply to receive the benefits.''.
SEC. 4019. TOLERANCE LEVEL FOR EXCLUDING SMALL ERRORS.
Section 16(c)(1)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(1)(A)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``In carrying'' and inserting the
following:
``(i) In general.--In carrying'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Tolerance level for
excluding small errors.--The Secretary
shall set the tolerance level for
excluding small errors for the purposes
of this subsection--
``(I) for fiscal year 2014,
at an amount not greater than
$37; and
``(II) for each fiscal year
thereafter, the amount
specified in subclause (I)
adjusted by the percentage by
which the thrifty food plan is
adjusted under section 3(u)(4)
between June 30, 2013, and June
30 of the immediately preceding
fiscal year.''.
SEC. 4020. QUALITY CONTROL STANDARDS.
(a) In General.--Section 16(c)(1)(D)(i) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(1)(D)(i)) is amended by
striking subclause (I).
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 13(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2022(a)(1)) is amended in the first
sentence by striking ``section 16(c)(1)(D)(i)(III)''
and inserting ``section 16(c)(1)(D)(i)(II)''.
(2) Section 16(c)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(1)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (D)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) by redesignating
subclauses (II) through (IV) as
subclauses (I) through (III),
respectively; and
(II) in subclause (III) (as
so redesignated), by striking
``through (III)'' and inserting
``and (II)''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking
``waiver amount or'';
(B) in subparagraph (E)(i), by striking
``(D)(i)(III)'' and inserting ``(D)(i)(II)'';
and
(C) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``(D)(i)(II)'' each place it appears and
inserting ``(D)(i)(I)''.
SEC. 4021. PERFORMANCE BONUS PAYMENTS.
Section 16(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2025(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Use of performance bonus payments.--A State
agency may use a performance bonus payment received
under this subsection only to carry out the program
established under this Act, including investments in--
``(A) technology;
``(B) improvements in administration and
distribution; and
``(C) actions to prevent fraud, waste, and
abuse.''.
SEC. 4022. PILOT PROJECTS TO REDUCE DEPENDENCY AND INCREASE WORK
REQUIREMENTS AND WORK EFFORT UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 16(h) of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``15 months'' and
inserting ``24 months''; and
(ii) by striking ``, except that
for fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year
2014, the amount shall be
$79,000,000'';
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking ``If a State'' and
inserting the following:
``(i) In general.--If a State'';
and
(ii) by adding at the end the
following:
``(ii) Timing.--The Secretary shall
collect such information as the
Secretary determines to be necessary
about the expenditures and anticipated
expenditures by the State agencies of
the funds initially allocated to the
State agencies under subparagraph (A)
to make reallocations of unexpended
funds under clause (i) within a
timeframe that allows each State agency
to which funds are reallocated at least
270 days to expend the reallocated
funds.
``(iii) Opportunity.--The Secretary
shall ensure that all State agencies
have an opportunity to obtain
reallocated funds.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Pilot projects to reduce dependency
and increase work requirements and work effort
under supplemental nutrition assistance
program.--
``(i) Pilot projects required.--
``(I) In general.--The
Secretary shall carry out pilot
projects under which State
agencies shall enter into
cooperative agreements with the
Secretary to develop and test
methods, including operating
work programs with certain
features comparable to the
program of block grants to
States for temporary assistance
for needy families established
under part A of title IV of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
601 et seq.), for employment
and training programs and
services to raise the number of
work registrants under section
6(d) of this Act who obtain
unsubsidized employment,
increase the earned income of
the registrants, and reduce the
reliance of the registrants on
public assistance, so as to
reduce the need for
supplemental nutrition
assistance benefits.
``(II) Requirements.--Pilot
projects shall--
``(aa) meet such
terms and conditions as
the Secretary considers
to be appropriate; and
``(bb) except as
otherwise provided in
this subparagraph, be
in accordance with the
requirements of
sections 6(d) and 20.
``(ii) Selection criteria.--
``(I) In general.--The
Secretary shall select pilot
projects under this
subparagraph in accordance with
the criteria established under
this clause and additional
criteria established by the
Secretary.
``(II) Qualifying
criteria.--To be eligible to
participate in a pilot project,
a State agency shall--
``(aa) agree to
participate in the
evaluation described in
clause (vii), including
providing evidence that
the State has a robust
data collection system
for program
administration and
cooperating to make
available State data on
the employment
activities and post-
participation
employment, earnings,
and public benefit
receipt of participants
to ensure proper and
timely evaluation;
``(bb) commit to
collaborate with the
State workforce board
and other job training
programs in the State
and local area; and
``(cc) commit to
maintain at least the
amount of State funding
for employment and
training programs and
services under
paragraphs (2) and (3)
and under section 20 as
the State expended for
fiscal year 2013.
``(III) Selection
criteria.--In selecting pilot
projects, the Secretary shall--
``(aa) consider the
degree to which the
pilot project would
enhance existing
employment and training
programs in the State;
``(bb) consider the
degree to which the
pilot project would
enhance the employment
and earnings of program
participants;
``(cc) consider
whether there is
evidence that the pilot
project could be
replicated easily by
other States or
political subdivisions;
``(dd) consider
whether the State
agency has a
demonstrated capacity
to operate high quality
employment and training
programs; and
``(ee) ensure the
pilot projects, when
considered as a group,
test a range of
strategies, including
strategies that--
``(AA) target
individuals with low
skills or limited work
experience, individuals
subject to the
requirements under
section 6(o), and
individuals who are
working;
``(BB) are located
in a range of
geographic areas and
States, including rural
and urban areas;
``(CC) emphasize
education and training,
rehabilitative services
for individuals with
barriers to employment,
rapid attachment to
employment, and mixed
strategies; and
``(DD) test
programs that assign
work registrants to
mandatory and voluntary
participation in
employment and training
activities.
``(iii) Accountability .--
``(I) In general.--The
Secretary shall establish and
implement a process to
terminate a pilot project for
which the State has failed to
meet the criteria described in
clause (ii) or other criteria
established by the Secretary.
``(II) Timing.--The process
shall include a reasonable time
period, not to exceed 180 days,
for State agencies found
noncompliant to correct the
noncompliance.
``(iv) Employment and training
activities.--Allowable programs and
services carried out under this
subparagraph shall include those
programs and services authorized under
this Act and employment and training
activities authorized under the program
of block grants to States for temporary
assistance for needy families
established under part A of title IV of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601
et seq.), including:
``(I) Employment in the
public or private sector that
is not subsidized by any public
program.
``(II) Employment in the
private sector for which the
employer receives a subsidy
from public funds to offset all
or a part of the wages and
costs of employing an adult.
``(III) Employment in the
public sector for which the
employer receives a subsidy
from public funds to offset all
or a part of the wages and
costs of employing an adult.
``(IV) A work activity
that--
``(aa) is performed
in return for public
benefits;
``(bb) provides an
adult with an
opportunity to acquire
the general skills,
knowledge, and work
habits necessary to
obtain employment;
``(cc) is designed
to improve the
employability of those
who cannot find
unsubsidized
employment; and
``(dd) is
supervised by an
employer, work site
sponsor, or other
responsible party on an
ongoing basis.
``(V) Training in the
public or private sector that--
``(aa) is given to
a paid employee while
the employee is engaged
in productive work; and
``(bb) provides
knowledge and skills
essential to the full
and adequate
performance of the job.
``(VI) Job search,
obtaining employment, or
preparation to seek or obtain
employment, including--
``(aa) life skills
training;
``(bb) substance
abuse treatment or
mental health
treatment, determined
to be necessary and
documented by a
qualified medical,
substance abuse, or
mental health
professional; and
``(cc)
rehabilitation
activities, supervised
by a public agency or
other responsible party
on an ongoing basis.
``(VII) Structured programs
and embedded activities--
``(aa) in which
adults perform work for
the direct benefit of
the community under the
auspices of public or
nonprofit
organizations;
``(bb) that are
limited to projects
that serve useful
community purposes in
fields such as health,
social service,
environmental
protection, education,
urban and rural
redevelopment, welfare,
recreation, public
facilities, public
safety, and child care;
``(cc) that are
designed to improve the
employability of adults
not otherwise able to
obtain unsubsidized
employment;
``(dd) that are
supervised on an
ongoing basis; and
``(ee) with respect
to which a State agency
takes into account, to
the maximum extent
practicable, the prior
training, experience,
and skills of a
recipient in making
appropriate community
service assignments.
``(VIII) Career and
technical training programs
that are--
``(aa) directly
related to the
preparation of adults
for employment in
current or emerging
occupations; and
``(bb) supervised
on an ongoing basis.
``(IX) Training or
education for job skills that
are--
``(aa) required by
an employer to provide
an adult with the
ability to obtain
employment or to
advance or adapt to the
changing demands of the
workplace; and
``(bb) supervised
on an ongoing basis.
``(X) Education that is--
``(aa) related to a
specific occupation,
job, or job offer; and
``(bb) supervised
on an ongoing basis.
``(XI) In the case of an
adult who has not completed
secondary school or received a
certificate of general
equivalence, regular attendance
that is--
``(aa) in
accordance with the
requirements of the
secondary school or
course of study, at a
secondary school or in
a course of study
leading to a
certificate of general
equivalence; and
``(bb) supervised
on an ongoing basis.
``(XII) Providing child
care to enable another
recipient of public benefits to
participate in a community
service program that--
``(aa) does not
provide compensation
for the community
service;
``(bb) is a
structured program
designed to improve the
employability of adults
who participate in the
program; and
``(cc) is
supervised on an
ongoing basis.
``(v) Sanctions.--Subject to clause
(vi), no work registrant shall be
eligible to participate in the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program if the individual refuses
without good cause to participate in an
employment and training program under
this subparagraph, to the extent
required by the State agency.
``(vi) Standards.--
``(I) In general.--
Employment and training
activities under this
subparagraph shall be
considered to be carried out
under section 6(d), including
for the purpose of satisfying
any conditions of participation
and duration of ineligibility.
``(II) Standards for
certain employment
activities.--The Secretary
shall establish standards for
employment activities described
in subclauses (I), (II), and
(III) of clause (iv) that
ensure that failure to work for
reasons beyond the control of
an individual, such as
involuntary reduction in hours
of employment, shall not result
in ineligibility.
``(III) Participation in
other programs.--Before
assigning a work registrant to
mandatory employment and
training activities, a State
agency shall--
``(aa) assess
whether the work
registrant is
participating in
substantial employment
and training activities
outside of the pilot
project that are
expected to result in
the work registrant
gaining increased
skills, training, work,
or experience
consistent with the
objectives of the pilot
project; and
``(bb) if
determined to be
acceptable, count hours
engaged in the
activities toward any
minimum participation
requirement.
``(vii) Evaluation and reporting.--
``(I) Independent
evaluation.--
``(aa) In
general.--The Secretary
shall, under such terms
and conditions as the
Secretary determines to
be appropriate, conduct
for each State agency
that enters into a
cooperative agreement
under clause (i) an
independent
longitudinal evaluation
of each pilot project
of the State agency
under this
subparagraph, with
results reported not
less frequently than in
consecutive 12-month
increments.
``(bb) Purpose.--
The purpose of the
independent evaluation
shall be to measure the
impact of employment
and training programs
and services provided
by each State agency
under the pilot
projects on the ability
of adults in each pilot
project target
population to find and
retain employment that
leads to increased
household income and
reduced reliance on
public assistance, as
well as other measures
of household well-
being, compared to what
would have occurred in
the absence of the
pilot project.
``(cc)
Methodology.--The
independent evaluation
shall use valid
statistical methods
that can determine, for
each pilot project, the
difference, if any,
between supplemental
nutrition assistance
and other public
benefit receipt
expenditures,
employment, earnings
and other impacts as
determined by the
Secretary--
``(AA) as a result
of the employment and
training programs and
services provided by
the State agency under
the pilot project; as
compared to
``(BB) a control
group that is not
subject to the
employment and training
programs and services
provided by the State
agency under the pilot
project.
``(II) Reporting.--Not
later than December 31, 2015,
and each December 31 thereafter
until the completion of the
last evaluation under subclause
(I), the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Agriculture
of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate and
share broadly, including by
posting on the Internet website
of the Department of
Agriculture, a report that
includes a description of--
``(aa) the status
of each pilot project
carried out under this
subparagraph;
``(bb) the results
of the evaluation
completed during the
previous fiscal year;
``(cc) to the
maximum extent
practicable, baseline
information relevant to
the stated goals and
desired outcomes of the
pilot project;
``(dd) the
employment and training
programs and services
each State tested under
the pilot, including--
``(AA) the system
of the State for
assessing the ability
of work registrants to
participate in and meet
the requirements of
employment and training
activities and
assigning work
registrants to
appropriate activities;
and
``(BB) the
employment and training
activities and services
provided under the
pilot;
``(ee) the impact
of the employment and
training programs and
services on appropriate
employment, income, and
public benefit receipt
as well as other
outcomes among
households
participating in the
pilot project, relative
to households not
participating; and
``(ff) the steps
and funding necessary
to incorporate into
State employment and
training programs and
services the components
of the pilot projects
that demonstrate
increased employment
and earnings.
``(viii) Funding.--
``(I) In general.--Subject
to subclause (II), from amounts
made available under section
18(a)(1), the Secretary shall
use to carry out this
subparagraph--
``(aa) for fiscal
year 2014, $10,000,000;
and
``(bb) for fiscal
year 2015,
$190,000,000.
``(II) Limitations.--
``(aa) In
general.--The Secretary
shall not fund more
than 10 pilot projects
under this
subparagraph.
``(bb) Duration.--
Each pilot project
shall be in effect for
not more than 3 years.
``(III) Availability of
funds.--Funds made available
under subclause (I) shall
remain available through
September 30, 2018.
``(ix) Use of funds.--
``(I) In general.--Funds
made available under this
subparagraph for pilot projects
shall be used only for--
``(aa) pilot
projects that comply
with this Act;
``(bb) the program
and administrative
costs of carrying out
the pilot projects;
``(cc) the costs
incurred in developing
systems and providing
information and data
for the independent
evaluations under
clause (vii); and
``(dd) the costs of
the evaluations under
clause (vii).
``(II) Maintenance of
effort.--Funds made available
under this subparagraph shall
be used only to supplement, not
to supplant, non-Federal funds
used for existing employment
and training activities or
services.
``(III) Other funds.--In
carrying out pilot projects,
States may contribute
additional funds obtained from
other sources, including
Federal, State, or private
funds, on the condition that
the use of the contributions is
permissible under Federal
law.''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the
following:
``(5) Monitoring.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
monitor the employment and training programs
carried out by State agencies under section
6(d)(4) and assess the effectiveness of the
programs in--
``(i) preparing members of
households participating in the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program for employment, including the
acquisition of basic skills necessary
for employment; and
``(ii) increasing the number of
household members who obtain and retain
employment subsequent to participation
in the employment and training
programs.
``(B) Reporting measures.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary,
in consultation with the Secretary of
Labor, shall develop State reporting
measures that identify improvements in
the skills, training, education, or
work experience of members of
households participating in the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program.
``(ii) Requirements.--Measures
shall--
``(I) be based on common
measures of performance for
Federal workforce training
programs; and
``(II) include additional
indicators that reflect the
challenges facing the types of
members of households
participating in the
supplemental nutrition
assistance program who
participate in a specific
employment and training
component.
``(iii) State requirements.--The
Secretary shall require that each State
employment and training plan submitted
under section 11(e)(19) identifies
appropriate reporting measures for each
proposed component that serves a
threshold number of participants
determined by the Secretary of at least
100 people a year.
``(iv) Inclusions.--Reporting
measures described in clause (iii) may
include--
``(I) the percentage and
number of program participants
who received employment and
training services and are in
unsubsidized employment
subsequent to the receipt of
those services;
``(II) the percentage and
number of program participants
who obtain a recognized
credential, including a
registered apprenticeship, or a
regular secondary school
diploma or its recognized
equivalent, while participating
in, or within 1 year after
receiving, employment and
training services;
``(III) the percentage and
number of program participants
who are in an education or
training program that is
intended to lead to a
recognized credential,
including a registered
apprenticeship or on-the-job
training program, a regular
secondary school diploma or its
recognized equivalent, or
unsubsidized employment;
``(IV) subject to terms and
conditions established by the
Secretary, measures developed
by each State agency to assess
the skills acquisition of
employment and training program
participants that reflect the
goals of the specific
employment and training program
components of the State agency,
which may include, at a
minimum--
``(aa) the
percentage and number
of program participants
who are meeting program
requirements in each
component of the
education and training
program of the State
agency;
``(bb) the
percentage and number
of program participants
who are gaining skills
likely to lead to
employment as measured
through testing,
quantitative or
qualitative assessment,
or other method; and
``(cc) the
percentage and number
of program participants
who do not comply with
employment and training
requirements and who
are ineligible under
section 6(b); and
``(V) other indicators
approved by the Secretary.
``(C) Oversight of state employment and
training activities.--The Secretary shall
assess State employment and training programs
on a periodic basis to ensure--
``(i) compliance with Federal
employment and training program rules
and regulations;
``(ii) that program activities are
appropriate to meet the needs of the
individuals referred by the State
agency to an employment and training
program component;
``(iii) that reporting measures are
appropriate to identify improvements in
skills, training, work and experience
for participants in an employment and
training program component; and
``(iv) for States receiving
additional allocations under paragraph
(1)(E), any information the Secretary
may require to evaluate the compliance
of the State agency with paragraph (1),
which may include--
``(I) a report for each
fiscal year of the number of
individuals in the State who
meet the conditions of
paragraph (1)(E)(ii), the
number of individuals the State
agency offers a position in a
program described in
subparagraph (B) or (C) of
section 6(o)(2), and the number
who participate in such a
program;
``(II) a description of the
types of employment and
training programs the State
agency uses to comply with
paragraph (1)(E) and the
availability of those programs
throughout the State; and
``(III) any additional
information the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(D) State report.--Each State agency
shall annually prepare and submit to the
Secretary a report on the State employment and
training program that includes, using measures
identified under subparagraph (B), the numbers
of supplemental nutrition assistance program
participants who have gained skills, training,
work, or experience that will increase the
ability of the participants to obtain regular
employment.
``(E) Modifications to the state employment
and training plan.--Subject to terms and
conditions established by the Secretary, if the
Secretary determines that the performance of a
State agency with respect to employment and
training outcomes is inadequate, the Secretary
may require the State agency to make
modifications to the State employment and
training plan to improve the outcomes.
``(F) Periodic evaluation.--Subject to
terms and conditions established by the
Secretary, not later than October 1, 2016, and
not less frequently than once every 5 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study
to review existing practice and research to
identify employment and training program
components and practices that--
``(i) effectively assist members of
households participating in the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program in gaining skills, training,
work, or experience that will increase
the ability of the participants to
obtain regular employment; and
``(ii) are best integrated with
statewide workforce development
systems.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2014) is amended--
(A) in subsection (d)(14), by inserting
``or a pilot project under section
16(h)(1)(F)'' after ``6(d)(4)(I)'';
(B) in subsection (e)(3)(B)(iii), by
inserting ``or a pilot project under section
16(h)(1)(F)'' after ``6(d)(4)''; and
(C) in subsection (g)(3), in the first
sentence, by inserting ``or a pilot project
under section 16(h)(1)(F)'' after ``6(d)''.
(2) Section 16(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or a
pilot project under paragraph (1)(F)'' after
``6(d)(4)''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``or a
pilot project under paragraph (1)(F)'' after
``6(d)(4)''.
(3) Section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(hh) of the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2026(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(hh)) is amended by inserting
``(h)(1)(F),'' after ``(g),''.
(c) Application Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendments made by this
section (other than the amendments made by subsection
(a)(2)) shall apply beginning on the date of enactment
of this Act.
(2) Process for selecting pilot programs.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall--
(i) develop and publish the process
for selecting pilot projects under
section 16(h)(1)(F) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (as added by
subsection (a)(1)(C)); and
(ii) issue such request for
proposals for the independent
evaluation as is determined appropriate
by the Secretary.
(B) Application.--The Secretary shall begin
considering proposals not earlier than 90 days
after the date on which the Secretary completes
the actions described in subparagraph (A).
(C) Selection.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the Secretary completes
the actions described in subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall select pilot projects from the
applications submitted in response to the
request for proposals issued under subparagraph
(A).
(3) Monitoring of employment and training
programs.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall issue interim final regulations
implementing the amendments made by subsection
(a)(2).
(B) State action.--States shall include
reporting measures required under section
16(h)(5) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(as amended by subsection (a)(2)) in the
employment and training plans of the States for
the first full fiscal year that begins not
earlier than 180 days after the date that the
regulations described in subparagraph (A) are
published.
SEC. 4023. COOPERATION WITH PROGRAM RESEARCH AND EVALUATION.
Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2026) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Cooperation With Program Research and Evaluation.--
Subject to the requirements of this Act, including protections
under section 11(e)(8), States, State agencies, local agencies,
institutions, facilities such as data consortiums, and
contractors participating in programs authorized under this Act
shall--
``(1) cooperate with officials and contractors
acting on behalf of the Secretary in the conduct of
evaluations and studies under this Act; and
``(2) submit information at such time and in such
manner as the Secretary may require.''.
SEC. 4024. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)) is amended in the first sentence by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 4025. REVIEW, REPORT, AND REGULATION OF CASH NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM BENEFITS PROVIDED IN PUERTO RICO.
Section 19 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2028) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Review, Report, and Regulation of Cash Nutrition
Assistance Program Benefits Provided in Puerto Rico.--
``(1) Review.--The Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall carry
out a review of the provision of nutrition assistance
in Puerto Rico in the form of cash benefits under this
section that shall include--
``(A) an examination of the history of and
purpose for distribution of a portion of
monthly benefits in the form of cash;
``(B) an examination of current barriers to
the redemption of non-cash benefits by current
program participants and retailers;
``(C) an examination of current usage of
cash benefits for the purchase of non-food and
other prohibited items;
``(D) an identification and assessment of
potential adverse effects of the
discontinuation of a portion of benefits in the
form of cash for program participants and
retailers; and
``(E) an examination of such other factors
as the Secretary determines to be relevant.
``(2) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a report that
describes the results of the review conducted under
this subsection.
``(3) Regulation.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), and notwithstanding the
second sentence of subsection (b)(1)(B)(i), the
Secretary shall disapprove any plan submitted
pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(A)--
``(i) for fiscal year 2017 that
provides for the distribution of more
than 20 percent of the nutrition
assistance benefit of a participant in
the form of cash;
``(ii) for fiscal year 2018 that
provides for the distribution of more
than 15 percent of the nutrition
assistance benefit of a participant in
the form of cash;
``(iii) for fiscal year 2019 that
provides for the distribution of more
than 10 percent of the nutrition
assistance benefit of a participant in
the form of cash;
``(iv) for fiscal year 2020 that
provides for the distribution of more
than 5 percent of the nutrition
assistance benefit of a participant in
the form of cash; and
``(v) for fiscal year 2021 that
provides for the distribution of any
portion of the nutrition assistance
benefit of a participant in the form of
cash.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), the Secretary, informed by
the report required under paragraph (2), may
approve a plan that exempts participants or
categories of participants if the Secretary
determines that discontinuation of benefits in
the form of cash is likely to have significant
adverse effects.
``(4) Funding.--Out of any funds made available
under section 18 for fiscal year 2014, the Secretary
shall make available to carry out the review and report
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) $1,000,000, to
remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 4026. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS.
Section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2034) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) in subclause (I), by
inserting after ``individuals''
the following: ``through food
distribution, community
outreach to assist in
participation in Federally
assisted nutrition programs, or
improving access to food as
part of a comprehensive
service;''; and
(II) in subclause (III), by
inserting ``food access,''
after ``food,''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking
subclause (I) and inserting the
following:
``(I) equipment necessary
for the efficient operation of
a project;''; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Gleaner.--The term `gleaner' means an entity
that--
``(A) collects edible, surplus food that
would be thrown away and distributes the food
to agencies or nonprofit organizations that
feed the hungry; or
``(B) harvests for free distribution to the
needy, or for donation to agencies or nonprofit
organizations for ultimate distribution to the
needy, an agricultural crop that has been
donated by the owner of the crop.
``(3) Hunger-free communities goal.--The term
`hunger-free communities goal' means any of the 14
goals described in House Concurrent Resolution 302,
102nd Congress, agreed to October 5, 1992.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year
thereafter.'' and inserting the following:
``each of fiscal years 2008 through 2014; and
``(C) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2015 and
each fiscal year thereafter.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``private nonprofit entity'' and
inserting ``public food program service
provider, a tribal organization, or a private
nonprofit entity, including gleaners,'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``or'' after the semicolon at
the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by
inserting ``or'' after the semicolon at
the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) efforts to reduce food insecurity in
the community, including food distribution,
improving access to services, or coordinating
services and programs;'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and''
after the semicolon at the end;
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) collaborate with 1 or more local partner
organizations to achieve at least 1 hunger-free
communities goal.'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or''
after the semicolon at the end;
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) develop new resources and strategies to help
reduce food insecurity in the community and prevent
food insecurity in the future by--
``(A) developing creative food resources;
``(B) coordinating food services with park
and recreation programs and other community-
based outlets to reduce barriers to access; or
``(C) creating nutrition education programs
for at- risk populations to enhance food-
purchasing and food- preparation skills and to
heighten awareness of the connection between
diet and health.'';
(5) in subsection (f)(2), by striking ``3 years''
and inserting ``5 years''; and
(6) by striking subsections (h) and (i) and
inserting the following:
``(h) Reports to Congress.--Not later than September 30,
2014, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report that describes each grant made under this
section, including--
``(1) a description of any activity funded;
``(2) the degree of success of each activity funded
in achieving hunger-free community goals; and
``(3) the degree of success in improving the long-
term capacity of a community to address food and
agriculture problems related to hunger or access to
healthy food.''.
SEC. 4027. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.
(a) Purchase of Commodities.--Section 27(a) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2008 through
2012'' and inserting ``2014 through 2018'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) for each of fiscal years 2015 through
2018, the sum obtained by adding the total
dollar amount of commodities specified in
subparagraph (C) and--
``(i) for fiscal year 2015,
$50,000,000;
``(ii) for fiscal year 2016,
$40,000,000;
``(iii) for fiscal year 2017,
$20,000,000; and
``(iv) for fiscal year 2018,
$15,000,000; and
``(E) for fiscal year 2019 and each
subsequent fiscal year, the total dollar amount
of commodities specified in subparagraph
(D)(iv) adjusted by the percentage by which the
thrifty food plan has been adjusted under
section 3(u)(4) to reflect changes between June
30, 2017, and June 30 of the immediately
preceding fiscal year.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Funds availability.--For purposes of the
funds described in this subsection, the Secretary
shall--
``(A) make the funds available for 2 fiscal
years; and
``(B) allow States to carry over unexpended
balances to the next fiscal year pursuant to
such terms and conditions as are determined by
the Secretary.''.
(b) Emergency Food Program Infrastructure Grants.--Section
209(d) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C.
7511a(d)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 4028. NUTRITION EDUCATION.
Section 28(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2036a(b)) is amended by inserting ``and physical
activity'' after ``healthy food choices''.
SEC. 4029. RETAIL FOOD STORE AND RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 29. RETAIL FOOD STORE AND RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide
the Department of Agriculture with additional resources to
prevent trafficking in violation of this Act by strengthening
recipient and retail food store program integrity.
``(b) Use of Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Additional funds are provided
under this section to supplement the retail food store
and recipient integrity activities of the Department.
``(2) Information technologies.--The Secretary
shall use an appropriate amount of the funds provided
under this section to employ information technologies
known as data mining and data warehousing and other
available information technologies to administer the
supplemental nutrition assistance program and enforce
regulations promulgated under section 4(c).
``(c) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
``(2) Mandatory funding.--
``(A) In general.--Out of any funds in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the
Secretary to carry out this section not less
than $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2014, to
remain available until expended.
``(B) Receipt and acceptance.--The
Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall
accept, and shall use to carry out this section
the funds transferred under subparagraph (A),
without further appropriation.
``(C) Maintenance of funding.--The funding
provided under subparagraph (A) shall
supplement (and not supplant) other Federal
funding for programs carried out under this
Act.''.
SEC. 4030. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2012) is amended--
(1) in subsection (g), by striking ``coupon,'' the
last place it appears and inserting ``coupon'';
(2) in subsection (k)(7), by striking ``or are''
and inserting ``and'';
(3) by striking subsection (l);
(4) by redesignating subsections (m) through (t) as
subsections (l) through (s), respectively; and
(5) by inserting after subsection (s) (as so
redesignated) the following:
``(t) `Supplemental nutrition assistance program' means the
program operated pursuant to this Act.''.
(b) Section 4(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2013(a)) is amended in the last sentence by striking
``benefits'' and inserting ``Benefits''.
(c) Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2014) is amended--
(1) in the last sentence of subsection (i)(2)(D),
by striking ``section 13(b)(2)'' and inserting
``section 13(b)''; and
(2) in subsection (k)(4)(A), by striking
``paragraph (2)(H)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(2)(G)''.
(d) Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) is amended in subparagraphs (B)(vii) and
(F)(iii) by indenting both clauses appropriately.
(e) Section 7(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2016(h)) is amended by redesignating the second
paragraph (12) (relating to interchange fees) as paragraph
(13).
(f) Section 9(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2018(a)) is amended by indenting paragraph (3)
appropriately.
(g) Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2021) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3)(C), by striking ``civil
money penalties'' and inserting ``civil penalties'';
and
(2) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``(7 U.S.C.
1786)'' and inserting ``(42 U.S.C. 1786)''.
(h) Section 15(b)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2024(b)(1)) is amended in the first sentence by
striking ``an benefit'' both places it appears and inserting
``a benefit''.
(i) Section 16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2025(a)) is amended in the proviso following paragraph
(8) by striking ``as amended.''.
(j) Section 18(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2027(e)) is amended in the first sentence by striking
``sections 7(f)'' and inserting ``section 7(f)''.
(k) Section 22(b)(10)(B)(i) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2031(b)(10)(B)(i)) is amended in the last
sentence by striking ``Food benefits'' and inserting
``Benefits''.
(l) Section 26(f)(3)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2035(f)(3)(C)) is amended by striking
``subsection'' and inserting ``subsections''.
(m) Section 27(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2036(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``(Public Law 98-
8; 7 U.S.C. 612c note)'' and inserting ``(7 U.S.C. 7515)''.
(n) Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work
Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (21 U.S.C. 862a) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``food stamp
program (as defined in section 3(l) of the Food Stamp
Act of 1977) or any State program carried out under the
Food Stamp Act of 1977'' and inserting ``supplemental
nutrition assistance program (as defined in section 3
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012))
or any State program carried out under that Act'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``the food stamp act of 1977'' and inserting
``the food and nutrition act of 2008''; and
(B) by striking ``food stamp program (as
defined in section 3(l) of the Food Stamp Act
of 1977), or any State program carried out
under the Food Stamp Act of 1977'' and
inserting ``supplemental nutrition assistance
program (as defined in section 3 of the Food
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012)), or
any State program carried out under that Act'';
and
(3) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ``section
3(s) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, when referring to
the food stamp program (as defined in section 3(l) of
the Food Stamp Act of 1977) or any State program
carried out under the Food Stamp Act of 1977'' and
inserting ``section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012), when referring to the
supplemental nutrition assistance program (as defined
in that section) or any State program carried out under
that Act''.
(o) Section 3803(c)(2)(C)(vii) of title 31 of the United
States Code is amended by striking ``section 3(l)'' and
inserting ``section 3''.
(p) Section 453(j)(10) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 653(j)(10)) is amended in the paragraph heading by
striking ``food stamp programs'' and inserting ``supplemental
nutrition assistance program benefits''.
(q) Section 1137 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1320b-7)--
(1) in subsection (a)(5)(B), by striking ``food
stamp'' and inserting ``supplemental nutrition
assistance''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``food stamp
program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977'' and
inserting ``supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)''.
(r) Section 1631(n) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1383) is amended in the subsection heading by striking ``Food
Stamp'' and inserting ``Supplemental Nutrition Assistance''.
(s) Section 509 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3056g) is amended in the section heading by striking
``food stamp programs'' and inserting ``supplemental nutrition
assistance programs''.
(t) Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended
by striking ``Food Stamp Act of 1977'' and inserting ``Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008''.
(u) Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection
Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended--
(1) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``food
stamps'' and inserting ``the supplemental nutrition
assistance program'';
(2) in subsection (i)(1), by striking ``food stamps
provided under the Food Stamp Act of 1977'' and
inserting ``supplemental nutrition assistance benefits
provided under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008'';
and
(3) in subsection (l)(2)(B), by striking ``Food
Stamp Act of 1977'' and inserting ``Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008''.
(v) Section 4115(c)(2)(H) of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 1871) is
amended by striking ``531'' and inserting ``454''.
SEC. 4031. COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--Prior to establishing the pilot
program under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
conduct a study to be completed not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act to assess--
(A) the capabilities of the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands to operate the
supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) in a similar
manner as the program is operated in the States
(as defined in section 3 of that Act (7 U.S.C.
2012)); and
(B) alternative models of the supplemental
nutrition assistance program operation and
benefit delivery that best meet the nutrition
assistance needs of the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands.
(2) Scope.--The study conducted under paragraph
(1)(A) shall assess the capability of the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands to fulfill the
responsibilities of a State agency (as defined in
section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2012)), including--
(A) extending and limiting participation to
eligible households, as required by sections 5
and 6 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2014, 2015);
(B) issuing benefits through EBT cards, as
required by section 7 of that Act (7 U.S.C.
2016);
(C) maintaining the integrity of the
program, including operation of a quality
control system, as required by section 16(c) of
that Act (7 U.S.C. 2025(c));
(D) implementing work requirements,
including operating an employment and training
program, as required by section 6(d) of that
Act (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)); and
(E) paying a share of administrative costs
with non-Federal funds, as required by section
16(a) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2016(a)).
(b) Establishment.--If the Secretary determines that a
pilot program is feasible, the Secretary shall establish a
pilot program for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands to operate the supplemental nutrition assistance
program in the same manner in which the program is operated in
the States.
(c) Scope.--The Secretary shall use the information
obtained from the study conducted under subsection (a) to
establish the scope of the pilot program established under
subsection (b).
(d) Report.--Not later than June 30, 2019, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate a report on the pilot program
carried out under this section, including an analysis of the
feasibility of operating the supplemental nutrition assistance
program in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in
the same manner in which the program is operated in the States.
(e) Funding.--
(1) Study.--Of the funds made available under
section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)), the Secretary may use to conduct
the study described in subsection (a) not more than
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
(2) Pilot program.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), of the funds made available
under section 18(a)(1) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)),
the Secretary may use to establish and carry
out the pilot program under subsection (b),
including the Federal costs for providing
technical assistance to the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, authorizing and
monitoring retail food stores, and assessing
pilot operations, not more than--
(i) $13,500,000 for fiscal year
2016; and
(ii) $8,500,000 for each of fiscal
years 2017 and 2018.
(B) Exception.--If the Secretary determines
that a pilot program described in subsection
(b) is not feasible, the Secretary shall
provide to the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands any unspent funds described in
subparagraph (A), which shall--
(i) be made available for
obligation under the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands nutrition
assistance program block grant in
addition to any other funds made
available for that grant; and
(ii) remain available until
expended.
SEC. 4032. ANNUAL STATE REPORT ON VERIFICATION OF SNAP PARTICIPATION.
(a) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
specified by the Secretary during the 180-day period beginning
on the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter,
each State agency that carries out the supplemental nutrition
assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) shall submit to the Secretary a
report containing sufficient information for the Secretary to
determine whether the State agency has, for the most recently
concluded fiscal year preceding that annual date, verified that
the State agency in that fiscal year--
(1) did not issue benefits to a deceased
individual; and
(2) did not issue benefits to an individual who had
been permanently disqualified from receiving benefits.
(b) Penalty for Noncompliance.--For any fiscal year for
which a State agency fails to comply with subsection (a), the
Secretary shall impose a penalty that includes a reduction of
up to 50 percent of the amount that would be otherwise payable
to the State agency under section 16(a) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a)) with respect to that
fiscal year.
(c) Report of Pilot Program to Test Prevention of Duplicate
Participation.--Not later than 90 days after the completion in
multiple States of a temporary pilot program to test the
detection and prevention of duplicate participation by
beneficiaries of the supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report
assessing the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost for the
expansion of the pilot program nationwide.
SEC. 4033. SERVICE OF TRADITIONAL FOODS IN PUBLIC FACILITIES.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to provide access to traditional foods in food
service programs;
(2) to encourage increased consumption of
traditional foods to decrease health disparities among
Indians, particularly Alaska Natives; and
(3) to provide alternative food options for food
service programs.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Alaska native.--The term ``Alaska Native''
means a person who is a member of any Native village,
Village Corporation, or Regional Corporation (as those
terms are defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)).
(2) Commissioner.--The term ``Commissioner'' means
the Commissioner of Food and Drugs.
(3) Food service program.--The term ``food service
program'' includes--
(A) food service at residential child care
facilities that have a license from an
appropriate State agency;
(B) any child nutrition program (as that
term is defined in section 25(b) of the Richard
B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1769f(b));
(C) food service at hospitals, clinics, and
long-term care facilities; and
(D) senior meal programs.
(4) Indian; indian tribe.--The terms ``Indian'' and
``Indian tribe'' have the meanings given those terms in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(5) Traditional food.--
(A) In general.--The term ``traditional
food'' means food that has traditionally been
prepared and consumed by an Indian tribe.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``traditional
food'' includes--
(i) wild game meat;
(ii) fish;
(iii) seafood;
(iv) marine mammals;
(v) plants; and
(vi) berries.
(6) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal
organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(c) Program.--The Secretary and the Commissioner shall
allow the donation to and serving of traditional food through
food service programs at public facilities and nonprofit
facilities, including facilities operated by Indian tribes and
facilities operated by tribal organizations, that primarily
serve Indians if the operator of the food service program--
(1) ensures that the food is received whole,
gutted, gilled, as quarters, or as a roast, without
further processing;
(2) makes a reasonable determination that--
(A) the animal was not diseased;
(B) the food was butchered, dressed,
transported, and stored to prevent
contamination, undesirable microbial growth, or
deterioration; and
(C) the food will not cause a significant
health hazard or potential for human illness;
(3) carries out any further preparation or
processing of the food at a different time or in a
different space from the preparation or processing of
other food for the applicable program to prevent cross-
contamination;
(4) cleans and sanitizes food-contact surfaces of
equipment and utensils after processing the traditional
food;
(5) labels donated traditional food with the name
of the food;
(6) stores the traditional food separately from
other food for the applicable program, including
through storage in a separate freezer or refrigerator
or in a separate compartment or shelf in the freezer or
refrigerator;
(7) follows Federal, State, local, county, tribal,
or other non-Federal law regarding the safe preparation
and service of food in public or nonprofit facilities;
and
(8) follows other such criteria as established by
the Secretary and Commissioner.
(d) Liability.--
(1) In general.--The United States, an Indian
tribe, and a tribal organization shall not be liable in
any civil action for any damage, injury, or death
caused to any person by the donation to or serving of
traditional foods through food service programs.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1)
alters any liability or other obligation of the United
States under the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 1450 et seq.).
Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs
SEC. 4101. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.
Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act
of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended in
the first sentence by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 4102. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.
Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of
1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended--
(1) in paragraphs (1) and (2)(B) of subsection (a),
by striking ``2012'' each place it appears and
inserting ``2018'';
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (d)(2), by
striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018'';
(3) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the
following:
``(g) Eligibility.--Except as provided in subsection (m),
the States shall only provide assistance under the commodity
supplemental food program to low-income persons aged 60 and
older.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Phase-Out.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, an individual who receives assistance under the commodity
supplemental food program on the day before the date of
enactment of this subsection shall continue to receive that
assistance until the date on which the individual is no longer
eligible for assistance under the eligibility requirements for
the program in effect on the day before the date of enactment
of this subsection.''.
SEC. 4103. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES TO SPECIAL NUTRITION
PROJECTS.
Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture and Food Act of
1981 (7 U.S.C. 1431e(2)(A)) is amended in the first sentence by
striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 4104. PROCESSING OF COMMODITIES.
(a) In General.--Section 17 of the Commodity Distribution
Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note;
Public Law 100-237) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and
processing'' after ``donations''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Processing.--
``(1) In general.--For any program included under
subsection (b), the Secretary may, notwithstanding any
other provision of Federal or State law relating to the
procurement of goods and services--
``(A) retain title to commodities delivered
to a processor, on behalf of a State (including
a State distributing agency and a recipient
agency), until such time as end products
containing the commodities, or similar
commodities as approved by the Secretary, are
delivered to a State distributing agency or to
a recipient agency; and
``(B) promulgate regulations to ensure
accountability for commodities provided to a
processor for processing into end products, and
to facilitate processing of commodities into
end products for use by recipient agencies.
``(2) Regulations.--The regulations described in
paragraph (1)(B) may provide that--
``(A) a processor that receives commodities
for processing into end products, or provides a
service with respect to the commodities or end
products, in accordance with the agreement of
the processor with a State distributing agency
or a recipient agency, provide to the Secretary
a bond or other means of financial assurance to
protect the value of the commodities; and
``(B) in the event a processor fails to
deliver to a State distributing agency or a
recipient agency an end product in conformance
with the processing agreement entered into
under this Act, the Secretary--
``(i) take action with respect to
the bond or other means of financial
assurance pursuant to regulations
promulgated under this subsection; and
``(ii) distribute any proceeds
obtained by the Secretary to 1 or more
State distributing agencies and
recipient agencies, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 18 of the Commodity Distribution
Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note;
Public Law 100-237) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) and
(2) and inserting the following:
``(1) Commodities.--The term `commodities' means
agricultural commodities and their products that are
donated by the Secretary for use by recipient agencies.
``(2) End product.--The term `end product' means a
food product that contains processed commodities.''.
(c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 3 of the
Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 (7
U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 100-237) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking
subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
``(B) the program established under section
4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2013(b));''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(D), by striking ``the
Committee on Education and Labor'' and
inserting ``the Committee on Education and the
Workforce'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii), by striking
``section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7
U.S.C. 601 et seq.)'' and inserting ``section 32 of the
Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c)'';
(3) in subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii), by striking
subclause (II) and inserting the following:
``(II) the program
established under section 4(b)
of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b));'';
and
(4) in subsection (k), by striking ``the Committee
on Education and Labor'' and inserting ``the Committee
on Education and the Workforce''.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
SEC. 4201. PURCHASE OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
SCHOOLS AND SERVICE INSTITUTIONS.
Section 10603(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c-4(b)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 4202. PILOT PROJECT FOR PROCUREMENT OF UNPROCESSED FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES.
Section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1755) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits
and Vegetables.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a
pilot project under which the Secretary shall
facilitate the procurement of unprocessed fruits and
vegetables in not more than 8 States receiving funds
under this Act.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the pilot project
required by this subsection is to provide selected
States flexibility for the procurement of unprocessed
fruits and vegetables by permitting each State--
``(A) to utilize multiple suppliers and
products established and qualified by the
Secretary; and
``(B) to allow geographic preference, if
desired, in the procurement of the products
under the pilot project.
``(3) Selection and participation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
select States for participation in the pilot
project in accordance with criteria established
by the Secretary and terms and conditions
established for participation.
``(B) Requirement.--The Secretary shall
ensure that at least 1 project is located in a
State in each of--
``(i) the Pacific Northwest Region;
``(ii) the Northeast Region;
``(iii) the Western Region;
``(iv) the Midwest Region; and
``(v) the Southern Region.
``(4) Priority.--In selecting States for
participation in the pilot project, the Secretary shall
prioritize applications based on--
``(A) the quantity and variety of growers
of local fruits and vegetables in the States on
a per capita basis;
``(B) the demonstrated commitment of the
States to farm-to-school efforts, as evidenced
by prior efforts to increase and promote farm-
to-school programs in the States; and
``(C) whether the States contain a
sufficient quantity of local educational
agencies, various population sizes, and
geographical locations.
``(5) Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.--
``(A) Recordkeeping requirement.--States
selected to participate in the pilot project,
and participating school food authorities
within those States, shall keep records of the
fruits and vegetables received under the pilot
project in such manner and form as requested by
the Secretary.
``(B) Reporting requirement.--Each
participating State shall submit to the
Secretary a report on the success of the pilot
project in the State, including information
on--
``(i) the quantity and cost of each
type of fruit and vegetable received by
the State under the pilot project; and
``(ii) the benefit provided by
those procurements in conducting school
food service in the State, including
meeting school meal requirements.''.
SEC. 4203. SENIORS FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 4402(a) of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(a)) is amended by
striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
takes effect on October 1, 2013.
SEC. 4204. DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICANS.
Section 301(a) of the National Nutrition Monitoring and
Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341(a)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(3) Pregnant women and young children.--Not later
than the 2020 report and in each report thereafter, the
Secretaries shall include national nutritional and
dietary information and guidelines for pregnant women
and children from birth until the age of 2.''.
SEC. 4205. MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE.
Subtitle D of title II of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6951 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 242. MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish, in the
office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer
Services, a multiagency task force for the purpose of providing
coordination and direction for commodity programs.
``(b) Composition.--The Task Force shall be composed of at
least 4 members, including--
``(1) a representative from the Food Distribution
Division of the Food and Nutrition Service, who shall--
``(A) be appointed by the Under Secretary
for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services; and
``(B) serve as Chairperson of the Task
Force;
``(2) at least 1 representative from the
Agricultural Marketing Service, who shall be appointed
by the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs;
``(3) at least 1 representative from the Farm
Services Agency, who shall be appointed by the Under
Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services;
and
``(4) at least 1 representative from the Food
Safety and Inspection Service, who shall be appointed
by the Under Secretary for Food Safety.
``(c) Duties.--
``(1) In general.--The Task Force shall be
responsible for evaluation and monitoring of the
commodity programs to ensure that the commodity
programs meet the mission of the Department--
``(A) to support the United States farm
sector; and
``(B) to contribute to the health and well-
being of individuals in the United States
through the distribution of domestic
agricultural products through commodity
programs.
``(2) Specific duties.--In carrying out paragraph
(1), the Task Force shall--
``(A) review and make recommendations
regarding the specifications used for the
procurement of food commodities;
``(B) review and make recommendations
regarding the efficient and effective
distribution of food commodities; and
``(C) review and make recommendations
regarding the degree to which the quantity,
quality, and specifications of procured food
commodities align the needs of producers and
the preferences of recipient agencies.
``(d) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes, for
the period covered by the report--
``(1) the findings and recommendations of the Task
Force; and
``(2) policies implemented for the improvement of
commodity procurement programs.''.
SEC. 4206. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.
Subtitle D of title II of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6951 et seq.) (as amended
by section 4205) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 243. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to enhance
the authorities of the Secretary to support efforts to provide
access to healthy food by establishing an initiative to improve
access to healthy foods in underserved areas, to create and
preserve quality jobs, and to revitalize low-income communities
by providing loans and grants to eligible fresh, healthy food
retailers to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to
entry in underserved areas.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Community development financial
institution.--The term `community development financial
institution' has the meaning given the term in section
103 of the Community Development Banking and Financial
Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702).
``(2) Initiative.--The term `Initiative' means the
Healthy Food Financing Initiative established under
subsection (c)(1).
``(3) National fund manager.--The term `national
fund manager' means a community development financial
institution that is--
``(A) in existence on the date of enactment
of this section; and
``(B) certified by the Community
Development Financial Institution Fund of the
Department of Treasury to manage the Initiative
for purposes of--
``(i) raising private capital;
``(ii) providing financial and
technical assistance to partnerships;
and
``(iii) funding eligible projects
to attract fresh, healthy food
retailers to underserved areas, in
accordance with this section.
``(4) Partnership.--The term `partnership' means a
regional, State, or local public-private partnership
that--
``(A) is organized to improve access to
fresh, healthy foods;
``(B) provides financial and technical
assistance to eligible projects; and
``(C) meets such other criteria as the
Secretary may establish.
``(5) Perishable food.--The term `perishable food'
means a staple food that is fresh, refrigerated, or
frozen.
``(6) Quality job.--The term `quality job' means a
job that provides wages and other benefits comparable
to, or better than, similar positions in existing
businesses of similar size in similar local economies.
``(7) Staple food.--
``(A) In general.--The term `staple food'
means food that is a basic dietary item.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `staple food'
includes--
``(i) bread or cereal;
``(ii) flour;
``(iii) fruits;
``(iv) vegetables;
``(v) meat; and
``(vi) dairy products.
``(c) Initiative.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish
an initiative to achieve the purpose described in
subsection (a) in accordance with this subsection.
``(2) Implementation.--
``(A) In general.--
``(i) In general.--In carrying out
the Initiative, the Secretary shall
provide funding to entities with
eligible projects, as described in
subparagraph (B), subject to the
priorities described in subparagraph
(C).
``(ii) Use of funds.--Funds
provided to an entity pursuant to
clause (i) shall be used--
``(I) to create revolving
loan pools of capital or other
products to provide loans to
finance eligible projects or
partnerships;
``(II) to provide grants
for eligible projects or
partnerships;
``(III) to provide
technical assistance to funded
projects and entities seeking
Initiative funding; and
``(IV) to cover
administrative expenses of the
national fund manager in an
amount not to exceed 10 percent
of the Federal funds provided.
``(B) Eligible projects.--Subject to the
approval of the Secretary, the national fund
manager shall establish eligibility criteria
for projects under the Initiative, which shall
include the existence or planned execution of
agreements--
``(i) to expand or preserve the
availability of staple foods in
underserved areas with moderate- and
low-income populations by maintaining
or increasing the number of retail
outlets that offer an assortment of
perishable food and staple food items,
as determined by the Secretary, in
those areas; and
``(ii) to accept benefits under the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program established under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.).
``(C) Priorities.--In carrying out the
Initiative, priority shall be given to projects
that--
``(i) are located in severely
distressed low-income communities, as
defined by the Community Development
Financial Institutions Fund of the
Department of Treasury; and
``(ii) include 1 or more of the
following characteristics:
``(I) The project will
create or retain quality jobs
for low-income residents in the
community.
``(II) The project supports
regional food systems and
locally grown foods, to the
maximum extent practicable.
``(III) In areas served by
public transit, the project is
accessible by public transit.
``(IV) The project involves
women- or minority-owned
businesses.
``(V) The project receives
funding from other sources,
including other Federal
agencies.
``(VI) The project
otherwise advances the purpose
of this section, as determined
by the Secretary.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section
$125,000,000, to remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 4207. PURCHASE OF HALAL AND KOSHER FOOD FOR EMERGENCY FOOD
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 202 of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7
U.S.C. 7502) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Kosher and Halal Food.--As soon as practicable after
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall
finalize and implement a plan--
``(1) to increase the purchase of Kosher and Halal
food from food manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal
certification to carry out the program established
under this Act if the Kosher and Halal food purchased
is cost neutral as compared to food that is not from
food manufacturers with a Kosher or Halal
certification; and
``(2) to modify the labeling of the commodities
list used to carry out the program in a manner that
enables Kosher and Halal distribution entities to
identify which commodities to obtain from local food
banks.''.
SEC. 4208. FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE.
Section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 4405. FOOD INSECURITY NUTRITION INCENTIVE.
``(a) In General.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means--
``(A) a nonprofit organization (including
an emergency feeding organization);
``(B) an agricultural cooperative;
``(C) a producer network or association;
``(D) a community health organization;
``(E) a public benefit corporation;
``(F) an economic development corporation;
``(G) a farmers' market;
``(H) a community-supported agriculture
program;
``(I) a buying club;
``(J) a retail food store participating in
the supplemental nutrition assistance program;
``(K) a State, local, or tribal agency; and
``(L) any other entity the Secretary
designates.
``(2) Emergency feeding organization.--The term
`emergency feeding organization' has the meaning given
the term in section 201A of the Emergency Food
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501).
``(3) Supplemental nutrition assistance program.--
The term `supplemental nutrition assistance program'
means the supplemental nutrition assistance program
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
``(b) Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Grants.--
``(1) Authorization.--
``(A) In general.--In each of the years
specified in subsection (c), the Secretary
shall make grants to eligible entities in
accordance with paragraph (2).
``(B) Federal share.--The Federal share of
the cost of carrying out an activity under this
subsection shall not exceed 50 percent of the
total cost of the activity.
``(C) Non-federal share.--
``(i) In general.--The non-Federal
share of the cost of an activity under
this subsection may be provided--
``(I) in cash or in-kind
contributions as determined by
the Secretary, including
facilities, equipment, or
services; and
``(II) by a State or local
government or a private source.
``(ii) Limitation.--In the case of
a for-profit entity, the non-Federal
share described in clause (i) shall not
include services of an employee,
including salaries paid or expenses
covered by the employer.
``(2) Criteria.--
``(A) In general.--For purposes of this
subsection, an eligible entity is a
governmental agency or nonprofit organization
that--
``(i) meets the application
criteria set forth by the Secretary;
and
``(ii) proposes a project that, at
a minimum--
``(I) has the support of
the State agency;
``(II) would increase the
purchase of fruits and
vegetables by low-income
consumers participating in the
supplemental nutrition
assistance program by providing
incentives at the point of
purchase;
``(III) agrees to
participate in the evaluation
described in paragraph (4);
``(IV) ensures that the
same terms and conditions apply
to purchases made by
individuals with benefits
issued under this Act and
incentives provided for in this
subsection as apply to
purchases made by individuals
who are not members of
households receiving benefits,
such as provided for in section
278.2(b) of title 7, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a
successor regulation); and
``(V) includes effective
and efficient technologies for
benefit redemption systems that
may be replicated in other
States and communities.
``(B) Priority.--In awarding grants under
this section, the Secretary shall give priority
to projects that--
``(i) maximize the share of funds
used for direct incentives to
participants;
``(ii) use direct-to-consumer sales
marketing;
``(iii) demonstrate a track record
of designing and implementing
successful nutrition incentive programs
that connect low-income consumers and
agricultural producers;
``(iv) provide locally or
regionally produced fruits and
vegetables;
``(v) are located in underserved
communities; or
``(vi) address other criteria as
established by the Secretary.
``(3) Applicability.--
``(A) In general.--The value of any benefit
provided to a participant in any activity
funded under this subsection shall be treated
as supplemental nutrition benefits under
section 8(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2017(b)).
``(B) Prohibition on collection of sales
taxes.--Each State shall ensure that no State
or local tax is collected on a purchase of food
under this subsection.
``(C) No limitation on benefits.--A grant
made available under this subsection shall not
be used to carry out any project that limits
the use of benefits under the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)
or any other Federal nutrition law.
``(D) Household allotment.--Assistance
provided under this subsection to households
receiving benefits under the supplemental
nutrition assistance program shall not--
``(i) be considered part of the
supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits of the household; or
``(ii) be used in the collection or
disposition of claims under section 13
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2022).
``(4) Evaluation.--
``(A) Independent evaluation.--The
Secretary shall provide for an independent
evaluation of projects selected under this
subsection that measures the impact of each
project on--
``(i) improving the nutrition and
health status of participating
households receiving incentives under
this subsection; and
``(ii) increasing fruit and
vegetable purchases in participating
households.
``(B) Requirement.--The independent
evaluation under subparagraph (A) shall use
rigorous methodologies capable of producing
scientifically valid information regarding the
effectiveness of a project.
``(C) Costs.--The Secretary may use funds
not to exceed 10 percent of the funding
provided to carry out this section to pay costs
associated with administering, monitoring, and
evaluating each project.
``(c) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection
(b) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
``(2) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use
to carry out subsection (b)--
``(A) $35,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2014 and 2015;
``(B) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2016 and 2017; and
``(C) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.''.
SEC. 4209. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM.
Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 413. FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations under subsection (e), the Secretary, acting
through the Director of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture, and working in consultation with other appropriate
Federal agencies that oversee national service programs, shall
administer a competitively awarded food and agriculture service
learning grant program (referred to in this section as the
`Program') to increase knowledge of agriculture and improve the
nutritional health of children.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are--
``(1) to increase capacity for food, garden, and
nutrition education within host organizations or
entities and school cafeterias and in the classroom;
``(2) to complement and build on the efforts of the
farm to school programs implemented under section 18(g)
of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1769(g));
``(3) to complement efforts by the Department and
school food authorities to implement the school lunch
program established under the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and
the school breakfast program established by section 4
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773);
``(4) to carry out activities that advance the
nutritional health of children and nutrition education
in elementary schools and secondary schools (as those
terms are defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)); and
``(5) to foster higher levels of community
engagement and support the expansion of national
service and volunteer opportunities.
``(c) Grants.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the
Director of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture shall make competitive grants to eligible
entities that carry out the purposes described in
paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b).
``(2) Priorities.--In making grants under this
section, the Secretary may consider projects that are
carried out by entities that--
``(A) have a proven track record in
carrying out the purposes described in
subsection (b);
``(B) work in underserved rural and urban
communities;
``(C) teach and engage children in
experiential learning about agriculture,
gardening, nutrition, cooking, and where food
comes from; and
``(D) facilitate a connection between
elementary schools and secondary schools and
agricultural producers in the local and
regional area.
``(d) Accountability.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may require a
partner organization or other qualified entity to
collect and report any data on the activities carried
out under the Program, as determined by the Secretary.
``(2) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) conduct regular evaluations of the
activities carried out under the Program; and
``(B) submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report that includes a
description of the results of each evaluation
conducted under subparagraph (A).
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program
$25,000,000, to remain available until expended.
``(2) Administration.--Paragraphs (4), (7), (8),
and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive,
Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C.
450i(b)) shall apply with respect to the making of a
competitive grant under this section.
``(3) Maintenance of effort.--Funds made available
under paragraph (1) shall be used only to supplement,
not to supplant, the amount of Federal funding
otherwise expended for nutrition, research, and
extension programs of the Department.''.
SEC. 4210. NUTRITION INFORMATION AND AWARENESS PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 4403 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3171 note; Public Law 107-171) is repealed.
SEC. 4211. TERMINATION OF EXISTING AGREEMENT.
Effective beginning on the date of the enactment of this
Act, the memorandum of understanding entered into on July 22,
2004, by the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States
Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Mexico and known as the ``Partnership for
Nutrition Assistance Initiative'' is null and void.
SEC. 4212. REVIEW OF SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACTS IN FEDERAL NUTRITION
PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation
of sole-source contracts in Federal nutrition programs carried
out by the Secretary, and the effect the contracts have on
program participation, program goals, nonprogram consumers,
retailers, and free market dynamics.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report that describes the findings of the review
conducted under subsection (a).
SEC. 4213. PULSE CROP PRODUCTS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage
greater awareness and interest in the number and variety of
pulse crop products available to schoolchildren, as recommended
by the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans published
under section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and
Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341).
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible pulse crop.--The term ``eligible pulse
crop'' means dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and
chickpeas.
(2) Pulse crop product.--The term ``pulse crop
product'' means a food product derived in whole or in
part from an eligible pulse crop.
(c) Purchase of Pulse Crops and Pulse Crop Products.--In
addition to the commodities delivered under section 6 of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755),
subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary
shall purchase eligible pulse crops and pulse crop products for
use in--
(1) the school lunch program established under the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1751 et seq.); and
(2) the school breakfast program established by
section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1773).
(d) Evaluation.--Not later than September 30, 2016, the
Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the activities
conducted under subsection (c), including--
(1) an evaluation of whether children participating
in the school lunch and breakfast programs described in
subsection (c) increased overall consumption of
eligible pulse crops as a result of the activities;
(2) an evaluation of which eligible pulse crops and
pulse crop products are most acceptable for use in the
school lunch and breakfast programs;
(3) any recommendations of the Secretary regarding
the integration of the use of pulse crop products in
carrying out the school lunch and breakfast programs;
(4) an evaluation of any change in the nutrient
composition in the school lunch and breakfast programs
due to the activities; and
(5) an evaluation of any other outcomes determined
to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(e) Report.--As soon as practicable after the completion of
the evaluation under subsection (d), the Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representative a report describing the results of the
evaluation.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000, to
remain available until expended.
SEC. 4214. PILOT PROJECT FOR CANNED, FROZEN, OR DRIED FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), in the 2014-
2015 school year, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot project
in schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable
Program under section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769a) (referred to in this section
as the ``Program''), in not less than 5 States, to evaluate the
impact of allowing schools to offer canned, frozen, or dried
fruits and vegetables as part of the Program.
(b) Requirements.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish criteria
for the conditions under which canned, frozen, or dried fruits
and vegetables may be offered, which shall be in accordance
with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans published
under section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and
Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341).
(c) Evaluation.--With respect to the pilot project, the
Secretary shall evaluate--
(1) the impacts on fruit and vegetable consumption
at the schools participating in the pilot project;
(2) the impacts of the pilot project on school
participation in the Program and operation of the
Program;
(3) the implementation strategies used by the
schools participating in the pilot project;
(4) the acceptance of the pilot project by key
stakeholders; and
(5) such other outcomes as are determined by the
Secretary.
(d) Reports.--
(1) Interim report.--Not later than January 1,
2015, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the
results of the evaluation under subsection (c).
(2) Final report .--On completion of the pilot
project, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the
results of the evaluation under subsection (c).
(e) Notice of Availability.--As soon as practicable after
the date on which the Secretary establishes the criteria for
the pilot project under subsection (b), the Secretary shall
notify potentially eligible schools of the potential
eligibility of the schools for participation in the pilot
project.
(f) Relationship to Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.--
Nothing in this section permits a school that is not a part of
the pilot project to offer anything other than fresh fruits and
vegetables through the Program.
(g) Funding.--The Secretary shall use $5,000,000 of amounts
otherwise made available to the Secretary to carry out this
section.
TITLE V--CREDIT
Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans
SEC. 5001. ELIGIBILITY FOR FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS.
(a) In General.--Section 302(a) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) In General.--The'' and
inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Eligibility requirements.--The'';
(2) in the first sentence, by striking ``and
limited liability companies'' and inserting ``limited
liability companies, and such other legal entities as
the Secretary considers appropriate,'';
(3) in the second sentence, by redesignating
paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through
(D), respectively;
(4) in each of the second and third sentences, by
striking ``and limited liability companies'' each place
it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies,
and such other legal entities'';
(5) in the third sentence--
(A) by striking ``clause (3)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (C)'';
(B) by striking ``clause (4)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (D)''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Special rules.--
``(A) Eligibility of certain operating-only
entities.--An entity that is or will become
only the operator of a family farm shall be
considered to meet the owner-operator
requirements of paragraph (1) if the
individuals that are the owners of the family
farm own more than 50 percent (or such other
percentage as the Secretary determines is
appropriate) of the entity.
``(B) Eligibility of certain embedded
entities.--An entity that is an owner-operator
described in paragraph (1), or an operator
described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph
that is owned, in whole or in part, by other
entities, shall be considered to meet the
direct ownership requirement imposed under
paragraph (1) if at least 75 percent of the
ownership interests of each embedded entity of
the entity is owned directly or indirectly by
the individuals that own the family farm.''.
(b) Direct Farm Ownership Experience Requirement.--Section
302(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1922(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A) by inserting ``or has other acceptable
experience for a period of time, as determined by the
Secretary,'' after ``3 years''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 304(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(c)(2)) by striking
``paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 302(a)'' and
inserting ``subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section
302(a)(1)''.
(2) Section 310D(a) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1934(a)) is amended in
the second sentence--
(A) by inserting after ``partnership'' the
following: ``, or such other legal entities as
the Secretary considers appropriate,''; and
(B) by striking ``or partners'' each place
it appears and inserting ``partners, or
owners''.
SEC. 5002. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
(a) Eligibility.--Section 304(c) of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(c)) is amended by
striking ``or limited liability companies'' and inserting
``limited liability companies, or such other legal entities as
the Secretary considers appropriate''.
(b) Limitations Applicable to Loan Guarantees.--Section
304(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1924(e)) is amended by striking ``shall be 75 percent of
the principal amount of the loan.'' and inserting ``shall be--
``(1) 80 percent of the principal amount of the
loan; or
``(2) in the case of a producer that is a qualified
socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher or a beginning
farmer or rancher, 90 percent of the principal amount
of the loan.''.
(c) Extension of Program.--Section 304 of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1924) is amended by
striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section
$150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.
SEC. 5003. JOINT FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS.
Section 307(a)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1927(a)(3)) is amended by striking
subparagraph (D) and inserting the following:
``(D) Joint financing arrangements.--If a
direct farm ownership loan is made under this
subtitle as part of a joint financing
arrangement and the amount of the direct farm
ownership loan does not exceed 50 percent of
the total principal amount financed under the
arrangement, the interest rate on the direct
farm ownership loan shall be a rate equal to
the greater of--
``(i) the difference between--
``(I) 2 percent; and
``(II) the interest rate
for farm ownership loans under
this subtitle; or
``(ii) 2.5 percent.''.
SEC. 5004. ELIMINATION OF MINERAL RIGHTS APPRAISAL REQUIREMENT.
Section 307 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1927) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection
(d).
SEC. 5005. DOWN PAYMENT LOAN PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 310E(b)(1)(C) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935(b)(1)(C)) is
amended by striking ``$500,000'' and inserting ``$667,000''.
(b) Technical Correction.--Section 310E(b) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935(b))
is amended by striking paragraph (2) (as added by section 7(a)
of Public Law 102-554; 106 Stat. 4145).
Subtitle B--Operating Loans
SEC. 5101. ELIGIBILITY FOR FARM OPERATING LOANS.
Section 311(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) In General.--The'' and
inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Eligibility requirements.--The'';
(2) in the first sentence, by striking ``and
limited liability companies'' and inserting `` limited
liability companies, and such other legal entities as
the Secretary considers appropriate,'';
(3) in the second sentence, by redesignating
paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through
(D), respectively;
(4) in each of the second and third sentences, by
striking ``and limited liability companies'' each place
it appears and inserting ``limited liability companies,
and such other legal entities'';
(5) in the third sentence--
(A) by striking ``clause (3)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (C)''; and
(B) by striking ``clause (4)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (D)''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Special rule.--An entity that is an operator
described in paragraph (1) that is owned, in whole or
in part, by other entities, shall be considered to meet
the direct ownership requirement imposed under
paragraph (1) if at least 75 percent of the ownership
interests of each embedded entity of the entity is
owned directly or indirectly by the individuals that
own the family farm.''.
SEC. 5102. ELIMINATION OF RURAL RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR OPERATING
LOANS TO YOUTH.
Section 311(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(b)(1)) is amended by striking
``who are rural residents''.
SEC. 5103. DEFAULTS BY YOUTH LOAN BORROWERS.
Section 311(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(b)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(5) Equitable considerations for default.--
``(A) Debt forgiveness.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary
may, on a case-by-case basis, provide
debt forgiveness to a borrower for a
loan made under this subsection if the
borrower was unable to timely repay the
loan due to circumstances beyond the
control of the borrower, as determined
by the Secretary, including any natural
disaster, act of terrorism, or other
man-made disaster that results in an
inordinate level of damage or
disruption severely affecting the
borrower.
``(ii) Eligibility for future
loans.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, debt forgiveness
provided under this subparagraph shall
not be used by any Federal agency in
determining the eligibility of the
borrower for any loan made or
guaranteed by the agency.
``(B) Education loans.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, if a borrower becomes
delinquent or is provided with debt forgiveness
with respect to a youth loan made under this
subsection, the borrower shall not become
ineligible, as a result of the delinquency or
debt forgiveness, to receive loans and loan
guarantees from the Federal Government to pay
for education expenses of the borrower.''.
SEC. 5104. TERM LIMITS ON DIRECT OPERATING LOANS.
Section 311(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(c)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(5) Annual report on term limits on direct
operating loans.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
prepare a report annually that describes--
``(i) the status of the direct
operating loan program of the
Department of Agriculture; and
``(ii) the impact of term limits on
direct loan borrowers.
``(B) Demographic information.--
``(i) In general.--The report shall
provide a demographic breakdown, on a
State-by-State basis, of--
``(I) all direct loan
borrowers; and
``(II) borrowers that have
reached the eligibility limit
for direct lending programs
during the previous calendar
year.
``(ii) Demographic information.--
The available demographic information
shall include, to the maximum extent
practicable, a description of race or
ethnicity, gender, age, type of farm or
ranch, financial classification, number
of years of indebtedness, veteran
status, and other similar information,
as determined by the Secretary.
``(C) Additional content.--In addition to
information described in subparagraph (B), the
report shall provide--
``(i) a demographic analysis of the
borrowers impacted by term limits;
``(ii) information on the
conditions impacting the direct lending
portfolio of the Department of
Agriculture, including impacts by
region and agriculture sector, and
credit availability within those
regions and sectors;
``(iii) to the maximum extent
practicable, information on the status
of borrower operations impacted by term
limits; and
``(iv) recommendations, if
appropriate, to address any
identifiable unmet credit needs.
``(D) Submission.--The Secretary shall--
``(i) annually submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a copy of the report; and
``(ii) make the report available to
the public, including posting the
report on the website of the Department
of Agriculture.''.
SEC. 5105. VALUATION OF LOCAL OR REGIONAL CROPS.
Section 312 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1942) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e) Valuation of Local or Regional Crops.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop ways
to determine unit prices (or other appropriate forms of
valuation) for crops and other agricultural products,
the end use of which is intended to be in locally or
regionally produced agricultural food products, to
facilitate lending to local and regional food
producers.
``(2) Price history.--The Secretary shall implement
a mechanism for local and regional food producers to
establish price history for the crops and other
agricultural products produced by local and regional
food producers.''.
SEC. 5106. MICROLOANS.
(a) In General.--Section 313 of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1943) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(c) Microloans.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary may establish a program to make or guarantee
microloans.
``(2) Limitations.--The Secretary shall not make or
guarantee a microloan under this subsection that would
cause the total principal indebtedness outstanding at
any 1 time for microloans made under this title to any
1 borrower to exceed $50,000.
``(3) Applications.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary shall limit the
administrative burdens and streamline the application
and approval process for microloans under this
subsection.
``(4) Cooperative lending pilot projects.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph
(B), during each of the 2014 through 2018
fiscal years, the Secretary may carry out a
pilot project to make loans to community
development financial institutions, as the
Secretary determines appropriate--
``(i) to make or guarantee
microloans consistent with the terms
provided under this subsection; and
``(ii) to provide business,
financial, marketing, and credit
management services to microloan
borrowers.
``(B) Requirements.--Prior to making a loan
to an institution described in subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall--
``(i) review and approve--
``(I) the loan loss reserve
fund for microloans established
by the institution; and
``(II) the underwriting
standards for microloans of the
institution; and
``(ii) establish such other
requirements for making a loan to the
institution as the Secretary determines
necessary.
``(C) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a
loan under subparagraph (A), an institution
described in subparagraph (A) shall, as
determined by the Secretary--
``(i) have the legal authority
necessary to carry out the actions
described in subparagraph (A);
``(ii) have a proven track record
of successfully assisting agricultural
borrowers; and
``(iii) have the services of a
staff with appropriate loan making and
servicing expertise.
``(D) Oversight.--Not less often than
annually, on a date determined by the
Secretary, an institution that has a loan under
this paragraph shall provide to the Secretary
such information as the Secretary may require
to ensure that the services provided by the
institution are serving the purposes of this
subsection.
``(E) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not
make more than $10,000,000 in loans under this
paragraph in any fiscal year.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 311(c) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(c)) is amended by
striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Definition of direct operating loan.--In this
subsection, the term `direct operating loan' does not
include--
``(A) a loan made to a youth under
subsection (b); or
``(B) a microloan made to a beginning
farmer or rancher or a veteran farmer or
rancher (as defined in section 2501(e) of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)).''.
(2) Section 312(a) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1942(a)) is amended in
the matter preceding paragraph (1) by inserting
``(including a microloan, as defined by the
Secretary)'' after ``A direct loan''.
(3) Section 316(a)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1946(a)(2)) is amended
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting
``a microloan to a beginning farmer or rancher or
veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section
2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)), or'' after ``The
interest rate on''.
SEC. 5107. TERM LIMITS ON GUARANTEED OPERATING LOANS.
Section 319 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1949) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a) Graduation
Plan.--''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
Subtitle C--Emergency Loans
SEC. 5201. ELIGIBILITY FOR EMERGENCY LOANS.
Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``owner-operators (in the case of
loans for a purpose under subtitle A) or operators (in
the case of loans for a purpose under subtitle B)''
each place it appears and inserting ``(in the case of
farm ownership loans in accordance with subtitle A)
owner-operators or operators, or (in the case of loans
for a purpose under subtitle B) operators'';
(2) in the first sentence--
(A) by inserting ``, or such other legal
entities as the Secretary considers
appropriate'' after ``limited liability
companies'' the first place it appears;
(B) by inserting ``, or other legal
entities'' after ``limited liability
companies'' the second place it appears; and
(C) by striking ``and limited liability
companies,'' and inserting ``limited liability
companies, and such other legal entities'';
(3) in the second sentence, by striking ``ownership
and operator'' and inserting ``ownership or operator'';
and
(4) by adding at the end the following: ``An entity
that is an owner-operator or operator described in this
subsection shall be considered to meet the direct
ownership requirement imposed under this subsection if
at least 75 percent of the ownership interests of each
embedded entity of the entity is owned directly or
indirectly by the individuals that own the family
farm.''.
Subtitle D--Administrative Provisions
SEC. 5301. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS
PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 333B(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b(h)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 5302. FARMER LOAN PILOT PROJECTS.
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act is amended by inserting after section 333C (7 U.S.C. 1983c)
the following:
``SEC. 333D. FARMER LOAN PILOT PROJECTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may conduct pilot projects
of limited scope and duration that are consistent with subtitle
A through this subtitle to evaluate processes and techniques
that may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the
programs carried out under subtitle A through this subtitle.
``(b) Notification.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) not less than 60 days before the date on
which the Secretary initiates a pilot project under
subsection (a), submit notice of the proposed pilot
project to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and
``(2) consider any recommendations or feedback
provided to the Secretary in response to the notice
provided under paragraph (1).''.
SEC. 5303. DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.
(a) In General.--Section 343(a)(11) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)) is
amended in subparagraphs (C) and (D)--
(1) by striking ``or joint operation,'' each place
it appears and inserting ``joint operation, or such
other legal entity as the Secretary considers
appropriate,'';
(2) by striking ``or joint operators,'' each place
it appears and inserting ``joint operators, or
owners,''; and
(3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``corporation,
has stockholders,'' each place it appears in clauses
(i)(II)(bb) and (ii)(II)(bb) and inserting
``cooperative, corporation, partnership, joint
operation, or other such legal entity as the Secretary
considers appropriate, has members, stockholders,
partners, or joint operators,''.
(b) Modification of Acreage Ownership Limitation.--Section
343(a)(11)(F) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)(F)) is amended by striking ``median
acreage'' and inserting ``average acreage''.
SEC. 5304. LOAN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS.
Section 346(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(1)) is amended in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 5305. LOAN FUND SET-ASIDES.
Section 346(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018'';
and
(2) by striking ``of the total amount''.
SEC. 5306. BORROWER TRAINING.
Section 359(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2006a(c)(2)) is amended by striking
``section 302(a)(2) or 311(a)(2)'' and inserting ``section
302(a)(1)(B) or 311(a)(1)(B)''.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous
SEC. 5401. STATE AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAMS.
Section 506 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7
U.S.C. 5106) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 5402. LOANS TO PURCHASERS OF HIGHLY FRACTIONATED LAND.
The first section of Public Law 91-229 (25 U.S.C. 488) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by
striking ``loans from'' and all that follows through
``1929)'' and inserting ``direct loans in a manner
consistent with direct loans pursuant to subtitle D of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1981 et seq.)''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) by striking ``pursuant to section
205(c) of the Indian Land Consolidation Act (25
U.S.C. 2204(c))''; and
(B) by inserting ``or to intermediaries in
order to establish revolving loan funds for the
purchase of highly fractionated land under that
section'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 5403. REMOVAL OF DUPLICATIVE APPRAISALS.
Notwithstanding any other law (including regulations), in
making loans under the first section of Public Law 91-229 (25
U.S.C. 488), borrowers who are Indian tribes, members of Indian
tribes, or tribal corporations shall only be required to obtain
1 appraisal under an appraisal standard recognized as of the
date of enactment of this Act by the Secretary or the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 5404. COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE BY FARM CREDIT SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that --
(1) the reasonable disclosure to stockholders by
Farm Credit System institutions regarding the
compensation of Farm Credit System institution senior
officers is beneficial to stockholders' understanding
of the operation of their institutions;
(2) transparency regarding compensation practices
reinforces the cooperative nature of Farm Credit System
institutions;
(3) the unique cooperative structure of the Farm
Credit System should be considered when promulgating
rules;
(4) the participation of stockholders in the
election of the boards of directors of Farm Credit
System institutions provides stockholders the
opportunity to participate in the management of their
institutions;
(5) as representatives of stockholders, the boards
of directors of Farm Credit System institutions
importantly establish and oversee the compensation
practices of Farm Credit System institutions to ensure
the safe and sound operation of those institutions; and
(6) any regulation should strengthen and not hinder
the ability of Farm Credit System boards of directors
to oversee compensation practices.
(b) Implementation.--Not later than 60 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Farm Credit Administration shall
review its rules to reflect Congressional intent that a primary
responsibility of the boards of directors of Farm Credit System
institutions, as elected representatives of their stockholders,
is to oversee compensation practices.
TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Subtitle A--Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
SEC. 6001. WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND WASTEWATER FACILITY GRANTS.
Section 306(a)(2)(B)(vii) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)(B)(vii)) is amended
by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6002. ELIMINATION OF RESERVATION OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANT
PROGRAM FUNDS.
Section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)) is amended by striking
subparagraph (C).
SEC. 6003. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM.
Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by striking
paragraph (22) and inserting the following:
``(22) Rural water and wastewater circuit rider
program.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
continue a national rural water and wastewater
circuit rider program that--
``(i) is consistent with the
activities and results of the program
conducted before the date of enactment
of this clause, as determined by the
Secretary; and
``(ii) receives funding from the
Secretary, acting through the Rural
Utilities Service.
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this paragraph $20,000,000 for fiscal year
2014 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.
SEC. 6004. USE OF LOAN GUARANTEES FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
Section 306(a)(24) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(24)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(C) Use of loan guarantees for community
facilities.--The Secretary shall consider the
benefits to communities that result from using
loan guarantees in carrying out the community
facilities program and, to the maximum extent
practicable, use guarantees to enhance
community involvement.''.
SEC. 6005. TRIBAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY
FACILITIES.
Section 306(a)(25)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(25)(C)) is amended by
striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6006. ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND
TRAINING.
Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(26) Essential community facilities technical
assistance and training.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may make
grants to public bodies and private nonprofit
corporations (such as States, counties, cities,
townships, and incorporated towns and villages,
boroughs, authorities, districts, and Indian
tribes on Federal and State reservations) that
will serve rural areas for the purpose of
enabling the public bodies and private
nonprofit corporations to provide to
associations described in paragraph (1)
technical assistance and training, with respect
to essential community facilities programs
authorized under this subsection--
``(i) to assist communities in
identifying and planning for community
facility needs;
``(ii) to identify public and
private resources to finance community
facility needs;
``(iii) to prepare reports and
surveys necessary to request financial
assistance to develop community
facilities;
``(iv) to prepare applications for
financial assistance;
``(v) to improve the management,
including financial management, related
to the operation of community
facilities; or
``(vi) to assist with other areas
of need identified by the Secretary.
``(B) Selection priority.--In selecting
recipients of grants under this paragraph, the
Secretary shall give priority to private,
nonprofit, or public organizations that have
experience in providing technical assistance
and training to rural entities.
``(C) Funding.--Not less than 3 nor more
than 5 percent of any funds appropriated to
carry out each of the essential community
facilities grant, loan and loan guarantee
programs as authorized under this subsection
for a fiscal year shall be reserved for grants
under this paragraph.''.
SEC. 6007. EMERGENCY AND IMMINENT COMMUNITY WATER ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROGRAM.
Section 306A(i)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a(i)(2)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6008. WATER SYSTEMS FOR RURAL AND NATIVE VILLAGES IN ALASKA.
Section 306D(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926d(d)(1)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6009. HOUSEHOLD WATER WELL SYSTEMS.
Section 306E(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926e(d)) is amended by striking
``$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012'' and
inserting ``$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018''.
SEC. 6010. RURAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY LOAN PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 310B(a)(2)(A) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(a)(2)(A)) is
amended by inserting ``(including through the financing of
working capital)'' after ``employment''.
(b) Greater Flexibility for Adequate Collateral Through
Accounts Receivable.--Section 310B(g)(7) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(7)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``In determining'' and inserting
the following:
``(A) In general.--In determining''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Accounts receivable.--In the
discretion of the Secretary, if the Secretary
determines that the action would not create or
otherwise contribute to an unreasonable risk of
default or loss to the Federal Government, the
Secretary may take accounts receivable as
security for the obligations entered into in
connection with loans and a borrower may use
accounts receivable as collateral to secure a
loan made or guaranteed under this
subsection.''.
(c) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate such
regulations as are necessary to implement the amendments made
by this section.
SEC. 6011. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS.
Section 310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and by inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
SEC. 6012. RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932) is amended by striking
subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Rural Business Development Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants
under this subsection to eligible entities described in
paragraph (2) in rural areas that primarily serve rural
areas for purposes described in paragraph (3).
``(2) Eligible entities.--The Secretary may make
grants under this subsection to--
``(A) governmental entities;
``(B) Indian tribes; and
``(C) nonprofit entities.
``(3) Eligible purposes for grants.--Eligible
entities that receive grants under this subsection may
use the grant funds for--
``(A) business opportunity projects that--
``(i) identify and analyze business
opportunities;
``(ii) identify, train, and provide
technical assistance to existing or
prospective rural entrepreneurs and
managers;
``(iii) assist in the establishment
of new rural businesses and the
maintenance of existing businesses,
including through business support
centers;
``(iv) conduct regional, community,
and local economic development planning
and coordination, and leadership
development; and
``(v) establish centers for
training, technology, and trade that
will provide training to rural
businesses in the use of interactive
communications technologies to develop
international trade opportunities and
markets; and
``(B) projects that support the development
of business enterprises that finance or
facilitate--
``(i) the development of small and
emerging private business enterprise;
``(ii) the establishment,
expansion, and operation of rural
distance learning networks;
``(iii) the development of rural
learning programs that provide
educational instruction or job training
instruction related to potential
employment or job advancement to adult
students; and
``(iv) the provision of technical
assistance and training to rural
communities for the purpose of
improving passenger transportation
services or facilities.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--
``(A) In general.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out
this subsection $65,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2014 through 2018, to remain available
until expended.
``(B) Allocation.--Of the funds made
available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal
year, not more than 10 percent shall be used
for the purposes described in paragraph
(3)(A).''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 306(a) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a))
is amended by striking paragraph (11).
SEC. 6013. RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph
(13);
(2) by inserting after paragraph (11) the
following:
``(12) Interagency working group.--Not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of the Agricultural
Act of 2014, the Secretary shall coordinate and chair
an interagency working group to foster cooperative
development and ensure coordination with Federal
agencies and national and local cooperative
organizations that have cooperative programs and
interests.''; and
(3) in paragraph (13) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2012'' and inserting ``$40,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018''.
SEC. 6014. LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL FOOD PRODUCTS.
Section 310B(g)(9)(B)(v)(I) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)(v)(I)) is amended
by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6015. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS PROGRAM.
Section 310B(i)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)(4)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6016. RURAL ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP ZONES.
Section 310B(j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(j)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6017. INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 310H. INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make or guarantee
loans to eligible entities described in subsection (b) so that
the eligible entities may relend the funds to individuals and
entities for the purposes described in subsection (c).
``(b) Eligible Entities.--Entities eligible for loans and
loan guarantees described in subsection (a) are--
``(1) public agencies;
``(2) Indian tribes;
``(3) cooperatives; and
``(4) nonprofit corporations.
``(c) Eligible Purposes.--The proceeds from loans made or
guaranteed by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) may be
relent by eligible entities for projects that--
``(1) predominately serve communities in rural
areas; and
``(2) as determined by the Secretary--
``(A) promote community development;
``(B) establish new businesses;
``(C) establish and support microlending
programs; and
``(D) create or retain employment
opportunities.
``(d) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not make loans under
section 623(a) of the Community Economic Development Act of
1981 (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1323(b)(2) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 7 U.S.C. 1932 note) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``and'' at the
end;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(3) by striking subparagraph (C).
SEC. 6018. RURAL COLLEGE COORDINATED STRATEGY.
Section 331 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1981) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d) Rural College Coordinated Strategy.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a
coordinated strategy across the relevant programs
within the Rural Development mission areas to serve the
specific, local needs of rural communities when making
investments in rural community colleges and technical
colleges through other authorities in effect on the
date of enactment of this subsection.
``(2) Consultation.--In developing a coordinated
strategy, the Secretary shall consult with groups
representing rural-serving community colleges and
technical colleges to coordinate critical investments
in rural community colleges and technical colleges
involved in workforce training.
``(3) Administration.--Nothing in this subsection
provides a priority for funding under authorities in
effect on the date of enactment of this subsection.
``(4) Use.--The Secretary shall use the coordinated
strategy and information developed for the strategy to
more effectively serve rural communities with respect
to investments in community colleges and technical
colleges.''.
SEC. 6019. RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
Section 333 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1983) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``require'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``require''
after ``(1)'';
(3) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, require''
after ``314'';
(4) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``require''
after ``loans,'';
(5) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by inserting ``require'' after ``(4)'';
and
(B) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(6) in paragraph (5)--
(A) by inserting ``require'' after ``(5)'';
and
(B) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) in the case of water and waste disposal
direct and guaranteed loans provided under section 306,
encourage, to the maximum extent practicable, private
or cooperative lenders to finance rural water and waste
disposal facilities by--
``(A) maximizing the use of loan guarantees
to finance eligible projects in rural
communities in which the population exceeds
5,500;
``(B) maximizing the use of direct loans to
finance eligible projects in rural communities
if the impact on ratepayers will be material
when compared to financing with a loan
guarantee;
``(C) establishing and applying a
materiality standard when determining the
difference in impact on ratepayers between a
direct loan and a loan guarantee;
``(D) in the case of projects that require
interim financing in excess of $500,000,
requiring that the projects initially seek the
financing from private or cooperative lenders;
and
``(E) determining if an existing direct
loan borrower can refinance with a private or
cooperative lender, including with a loan
guarantee, prior to providing a new direct
loan.''.
SEC. 6020. SIMPLIFIED APPLICATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 333A of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(h) Simplified Application Forms.--Except as provided in
subsection (g)(2), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, develop a simplified application process,
including a single page application if practicable, for grants
and relending authorized under sections 306, 306C, 306D, 306E,
310B(b), 310B(c), 310B(e), 310B(f), 310H, 379B, and 379E.''.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a report that contains an evaluation of the
implementation of the amendment made by subsection (a).
SEC. 6021. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.
Section 378 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008m) is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6022. GRANTS FOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTERS.
Section 379B(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008p(d)) is amended by striking
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.
SEC. 6023. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 379E(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2014 through 2018.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6024. HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
Section 379G(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u(e)) is amended by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6025. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 379H. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) In General.--In the case of any rural development
program described in subsection (d)(2), the Secretary may give
priority to an application for a project that, as determined
and approved by the Secretary--
``(1) meets the applicable eligibility requirements
of this title;
``(2) will be carried out solely in a rural area;
and
``(3) supports strategic community and economic
development plans on a multijurisdictional basis.
``(b) Rural Area.--For purposes of subsection (a)(2), the
Secretary shall consider an application to be for a project
that will be carried out solely in a rural area only if--
``(1) in the case of an application for a project
in the rural community facilities category described in
subsection (d)(2)(A), the project will be carried out
in a rural area described in section 343(a)(13)(C));
``(2) in the case of an application for a project
in the rural utilities category described in subsection
(d)(2)(B), the project will be carried out in a rural
area described in section 343(a)(13)(B); and
``(3) in the case of an application for a project
in the rural business and cooperative development
category described in subsection (d)(2)(C), the project
will be carried out in a rural area described in
section 343(a)(13)(A).
``(c) Evaluation.--
``(1) In general.--In evaluating strategic
applications, the Secretary shall give a higher
priority to strategic applications for a plan described
in subsection (a) that demonstrates to the Secretary--
``(A) the plan was developed through the
collaboration of multiple stakeholders in the
service area of the plan, including the
participation of combinations of stakeholders
such as State, local, and tribal governments,
nonprofit institutions, institutions of higher
education, and private entities;
``(B) an understanding of the applicable
regional resources that could support the plan,
including natural resources, human resources,
infrastructure, and financial resources;
``(C) investment from other Federal
agencies;
``(D) investment from philanthropic
organizations; and
``(E) clear objectives for the plan and the
ability to establish measurable performance
measures and to track progress toward meeting
the objectives.
``(2) Consistency with plans.--Applications
involving State, county, municipal, or tribal
governments shall include an indication of consistency
with an adopted regional economic or community
development plan.
``(d) Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3) and
subsection (e), the Secretary may reserve for projects
that support multijurisdictional strategic community
and economic development plans described in subsection
(a) an amount that does not exceed 10 percent of the
funds made available for a fiscal year for a functional
category described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Functional categories.--The functional
categories described in this subsection are the
following:
``(A) Rural community facilities
category.--The rural community facilities
category consists of all amounts made available
for community facility grants and direct and
guaranteed loans under paragraph (1), (19),
(20), (21), (24), or (25) of section 306(a).
``(B) Rural utilities category.--The rural
utilities category consists of all amounts made
available for--
``(i) water or waste disposal
grants or direct or guaranteed loans
under paragraph (1), (2), or (24) of
section 306(a);
``(ii) rural water or wastewater
technical assistance and training
grants under section 306(a)(14);
``(iii) emergency community water
assistance grants under section 306A;
or
``(iv) solid waste management
grants under section 310B(b).
``(C) Rural business and cooperative
development category.--The rural business and
cooperative development category consists of
all amounts made available for--
``(i) business and industry direct
and guaranteed loans under section
310B(a)(2)(A); or
``(ii) rural business development
grants under section 310B(c).
``(3) Period.--The reservation of funds described
in paragraph (2) may only extend through June 30 of the
fiscal year in which the funds were first made
available.
``(e) Approved Applications.--
``(1) In general.--Any applicant who submitted a
rural development application that was approved before
the date of enactment of this section may amend the
application to qualify for the funds reserved under
subsection (d)(1).
``(2) Rural utilities.--Any rural development
application authorized under section 306(a)(2),
306(a)(14), 306(a)(24), 306A, or 310B(b) and approved
by the Secretary before the date of enactment of this
section shall be eligible for the funds reserved under
subsection (d)(1) on the same basis as the applications
submitted under this section until September 30,
2016.''.
SEC. 6026. DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 382M(a) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
2009aa-12(a)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
(b) Termination of Authority.--Section 382N of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa-
13) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6027. NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL AUTHORITY.
(a) Audit.--Section 383L(c) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Ac (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-10(c)) is amended by
inserting ``for any fiscal year for which funds are
appropriated'' after ``annual basis''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 383N(a) of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
2009bb-12(a)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
(c) Termination of Authority.--Section 383O of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-
13) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6028. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM.
Section 384S of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-18) is amended by striking ``$50,000,000
for the period of fiscal years 2008 through 2012'' and
inserting ``$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018''.
Subtitle B--Rural Electrification Act of 1936
SEC. 6101. FEES FOR CERTAIN LOAN GUARANTEES.
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is amended by
inserting after section 4 (7 U.S.C. 904) the following:
``SEC. 5. FEES FOR CERTAIN LOAN GUARANTEES.
``(a) In General.--For electrification baseload generation
loan guarantees, the Secretary shall, at the request of the
borrower, charge an upfront fee to cover the costs of the loan
guarantee.
``(b) Fee.--The fee described in subsection (a) for a loan
guarantee shall be equal to the costs of the loan guarantee
(within the meaning of section 502(5)(C) of the Federal Credit
Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a(5)(C))).
``(c) Limitation.--Funds received from a borrower to pay
the fee described in this section shall not be derived from a
loan or other debt obligation that is made or guaranteed by the
Federal Government.''.
SEC. 6102. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED FOR ELECTRIFICATION OR
TELEPHONE PURPOSES.
Section 313A(f) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 940c-1(f)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 6103. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.
Section 315(d) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 940e(d)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting
``2018''.
SEC. 6104. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN RURAL
AREAS.
(a) In General.--Section 601 of the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting the following:
``(2) Priority.--In making loans or loan guarantees
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
``(A) establish not less than 2 evaluation
periods for each fiscal year to compare loan
and loan guarantee applications and to
prioritize loans and loan guarantees to all or
part of rural communities that do not have
residential broadband service that meets the
minimum acceptable level of broadband service
established under subsection (e);
``(B) give the highest priority to
applicants that offer to provide broadband
service to the greatest proportion of unserved
households or households that do not have
residential broadband service that meets the
minimum acceptable level of broadband service
established under subsection (e), as--
``(i) certified by the affected
community, city, county, or designee;
or
``(ii) demonstrated on--
``(I) the broadband map of
the affected State if the map
contains address-level data; or
``(II) the National
Broadband Map if address-level
data is unavailable; and
``(C) provide equal consideration to all
qualified applicants, including applicants that
have not previously received loans or loan
guarantees under paragraph (1); and
``(D) give priority to applicants that
offer in the applications of the applicants to
provide broadband service not predominantly for
business service, if at least 25 percent of the
customers in the proposed service territory are
commercial interests.'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking clause
(i) and inserting the following:
``(i) demonstrate the ability to
furnish, improve in order to meet the
minimum acceptable level of broadband
service established under subsection
(e), or extend broadband service to all
or part of an unserved rural area or an
area below the minimum acceptable level
of broadband service established under
subsection (e);'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by
striking clause (i) and inserting the
following:
``(i) not less than 15 percent of
the households in the proposed service
territory are unserved or have service
levels below the minimum acceptable
level of broadband service established
under subsection (e); and'';
(ii) in the heading of subparagraph
(B), by striking ``25''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in the subparagraph
heading, by striking ``3 or
more''; and
(II) by striking clause (i)
and inserting the following:
``(i) In general.--Except as
provided in clause (ii), subparagraph
(A)(ii) shall not apply to an incumbent
service provider in the portion of a
proposed service territory in which the
provider is upgrading broadband service
to meet the minimum acceptable level of
broadband service established under
subsection (e) for the existing
territory of the incumbent service
provider.'';
(C) in paragraph (3)(B), by adding at the
end the following:
``(iii) Information.--Information
submitted under this subparagraph shall
be--
``(I) certified by the
affected community, city,
county, or designee; or
``(II) demonstrated on--
``(aa) the
broadband map of the
affected State if the
map contains address-
level data; or
``(bb) the National
Broadband Map if
address-level data is
unavailable.'';
(D) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting
the following:
``(5) Notice requirements.--The Secretary shall
promptly provide a fully searchable database on the
website of the Rural Utilities Service that contains,
at a minimum--
``(A) notice of each application for a loan
or loan guarantee under this section describing
the application, including--
``(i) the identity of the
applicant;
``(ii) a description of each
application, including--
``(I) each area proposed to
be served by the applicant; and
``(II) the amount and type
of support requested by each
applicant;
``(iii) the status of each
application;
``(iv) the estimated number and
proportion relative to the service
territory of households without
terrestrial-based broadband service in
those areas; and
``(v) a list of the census block
groups or proposed service territory,
in a manner specified by the Secretary,
that the applicant proposes to service;
``(B) notice of each entity receiving
assistance under this section, including--
``(i) the name of the entity;
``(ii) the type of assistance being
received;
``(iii) the purpose for which the
entity is receiving the assistance;
``(iv) each semiannual report
submitted under paragraph (8)(A)
(redacted to protect any proprietary
information in the report); and
``(C) such other information as is
sufficient to allow the public to understand
assistance provided under this section.'';
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Reporting.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
require any entity receiving assistance under
this section to submit a semiannual report for
3 years after completion of the project, in a
format specified by the Secretary, that
describes--
``(i) the use by the entity of the
assistance, including new equipment and
capacity enhancements that support
high-speed broadband access for
educational institutions, health care
providers, and public safety service
providers (including the estimated
number of end users who are currently
using or forecasted to use the new or
upgraded infrastructure); and
``(ii) the progress towards
fulfilling the objectives for which the
assistance was granted, including--
``(I) the number and
location of residences and
businesses that will receive
new broadband service, existing
network service improvements,
and facility upgrades resulting
from the Federal assistance;
``(II) the speed of
broadband service;
``(III) the average price
of broadband service in a
proposed service area;
``(IV) any changes in
broadband service adoption
rates, including new
subscribers generated from
demand-side projects; and
``(V) any metrics the
Secretary determines to be
appropriate;
``(B) Additional reporting.--The Secretary
may require any additional reporting and
information by any recipient of any assistance
under this section so as to ensure compliance
with this section.
``(9) Default and deobligation.--In addition to
other authority under applicable law, the Secretary
shall establish written procedures for all broadband
programs administered by the Rural Utilities Service
under this or any other Act that, to the maximum extent
practicable--
``(A) recover funds from loan defaults;
``(B) deobligate any awards, less allowable
costs that demonstrate an insufficient level of
performance (including metrics determined by
the Secretary) or fraudulent spending, to the
extent funds with respect to the award are
available in the account relating to the
program established by this section;
``(C) award those funds, on a competitive
basis, to new or existing applicants consistent
with this section; and
``(D) minimize overlap among the programs.
``(10) Service area assessment.--The Secretary
shall, with respect to an application for assistance
under this section--
``(A) provide not less than 15 days for
broadband service providers to voluntarily
submit information concerning the broadband
services that the providers offer in the census
block groups or tracts described in paragraph
(5)(A)(v) so that the Secretary may assess
whether the applications submitted meet the
eligibility requirements under this section;
and
``(B) if no broadband service provider
submits information under subparagraph (A),
consider the number of providers in the census
block group or tract to be established by
using--
``(i) the most current National
Broadband Map of the National
Telecommunications and Information
Administration; or
``(ii) any other data regarding the
availability of broadband service that
the Secretary may collect or obtain
through reasonable efforts.'';
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as
paragraph (3); and
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), for
purposes of this section, the minimum acceptable level
of broadband service for a rural area shall be at
least--
``(A) a 4-Mbps downstream transmission
capacity; and
``(B) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission
capacity.
``(2) Adjustments.--
``(A) In general.--At least once every 2
years, the Secretary shall review, and may
adjust through notice published in the Federal
Register, the minimum acceptable level of
broadband service established under paragraph
(1) to ensure that high quality, cost-effective
broadband service is provided to rural areas
over time.
``(B) Considerations.--In making an
adjustment to the minimum acceptable level of
broadband service under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary may consider establishing different
transmission rates for fixed broadband service
and mobile broadband service.'';
(4) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting the following:
``(2) Terms.--In determining the term and
conditions of a loan or loan guarantee, the Secretary
may--
``(A) consider whether the recipient is or
would be serving an area that is unserved or
has service levels below the minimum acceptable
level of broadband service established under
subsection (e); and
``(B) if the Secretary makes a
determination in the affirmative under
subparagraph (A), establish a limited initial
deferral period or comparable terms necessary
to achieve the financial feasibility and long-
term sustainability of the project.'';
(5) in subsection (j)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``,
including any loan terms or conditions for
which the Secretary provided additional
assistance to unserved areas'' before the
semicolon at the end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and''
after the semicolon at the end;
(C) in paragraph (6), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) the overall progress towards fulfilling the
goal of improving the quality of rural life by
expanding rural broadband access, as demonstrated by
metrics, including--
``(A) the number of residences and
businesses receiving new broadband services;
``(B) network improvements, including
facility upgrades and equipment purchases;
``(C) average broadband speeds and prices
on a local and statewide basis;
``(D) any changes in broadband adoption
rates; and
``(E) any specific activities that
increased high speed broadband access for
educational institutions, health care
providers, and public safety service
providers.''; and
(6) in subsections (k)(1) and (l), by striking
``2012'' each place it appears and inserting ``2018''.
(b) Study on Providing Effective Data for National
Broadband Map.--.
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation
with the Secretary of Commerce and the Chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission, shall conduct a
study of the ways that data collected under the
broadband programs of the Secretary of Agriculture
could be most effectively shared with the Commission to
support the development and maintenance of the National
Broadband Map by the Commission.
(2) Inclusions.--The study shall include a
consideration of the circumstances under which address-
level data could be collected by the Secretary and
appropriately shared with the Commission.
(3) Completion.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
complete the study required under this subsection.
(4) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date
of completion of the study, the Secretary shall submit
a report describing the results of the study to--
(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives;
(B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of
the House of Representatives;
(C) the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and
(D) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
SEC. 6105. RURAL GIGABIT NETWORK PILOT PROGRAM.
Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
950bb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 603. RURAL GIGABIT NETWORK PILOT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definition of Ultra-high Speed Service.--In this
section, the term `ultra-high speed service' means broadband
service operating at a 1 gigabit per second downstream
transmission capacity.
``(b) Pilot Program.--The Secretary shall establish a pilot
program to be known as the `Rural Gigabit Network Pilot
Program', under which the Secretary may, at the discretion of
the Secretary, provide grants, loans, or loan guarantees to
eligible entities.
``(c) Eligibility.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to obtain
assistance under this section, an entity shall--
``(A) demonstrate to the Secretary the
ability to furnish or extend ultra-high speed
service to a rural area;
``(B) submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary
may require;
``(C) not already provide ultra-high speed
service to a rural area within any State in the
proposed service territory; and
``(D) agree to complete buildout of ultra-
high speed service by not later than 3 years
after the initial date on which assistance
under this section is made available.
``(2) Eligible projects.--Assistance under this
section may only be used to carry out a project in a
proposed service territory if--
``(A) the proposed service territory is a
rural area; and
``(B) ultra-high speed service is not
provided in any part of the proposed service
territory.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
SEC. 6201. DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2335A of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 950aaa-5) is amended by striking ``$100,000,000 for each
of fiscal years 1996 through 2012'' and inserting ``$75,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of Public Law 102-
551 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa note) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6202. AGRICULTURAL TRANSPORTATION.
Section 203(j) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7
U.S.C. 1622(j)) is amended by striking ``the Interstate
Commerce Commission, the Maritime Commission,,'' and inserting
``the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Maritime
Commission,''.
SEC. 6203. VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT MARKET DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
Section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of
2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the
following:
``(6) Priority.--
``(A) Eligible independent producers of
value-added agricultural products.--In awarding
grants under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary
shall give priority to--
``(i) operators of small- and
medium-sized farms and ranches that are
structured as family farms;
``(ii) beginning farmers or
ranchers;
``(iii) socially disadvantaged
farmers or ranchers; and
``(iv) veteran farmers or ranchers
(as defined in section 2501(e) of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).
``(B) Eligible agricultural producer
groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and
majority-controlled producer-based business
venture.--In awarding grants under paragraph
(1)(B), the Secretary shall give priority to
projects (including farmer or rancher
cooperative projects) that best contribute to
creating or increasing marketing opportunities
for operators, farmers, and ranchers described
in subparagraph (A).''; and
(2) in paragraph (7)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``On October 1,
2008,'' and inserting ``On the date of
enactment of the Agricultural Act of
2014,''; and
(ii) by striking ``$15,000,000''
and inserting ``$63,000,000''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 6204. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
Section 6402(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(i)) is amended by striking
``$6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012'' and
inserting ``$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018''.
SEC. 6205. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM.
Subtitle E of title VI of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171; 116 Stat. 424) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 6407. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to help
rural families and small businesses achieve cost savings by
providing loans to qualified consumers to implement durable
cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means--
``(A) any public power district, public
utility district, or similar entity, or any
electric cooperative described in section
501(c)(12) or 1381(a)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, that borrowed and repaid,
prepaid, or is paying an electric loan made or
guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service (or
any predecessor agency);
``(B) any entity primarily owned or
controlled by 1 or more entities described in
subparagraph (A); or
``(C) any other entity that is an eligible
borrower of the Rural Utilities Service, as
determined under section 1710.101 of title 7,
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation).
``(2) Energy efficiency measures.--The term `energy
efficiency measures' means, for or at property served
by an eligible entity, structural improvements and
investments in cost-effective, commercial technologies
to increase energy efficiency.
``(3) Qualified consumer.--The term `qualified
consumer' means a consumer served by an eligible entity
that has the ability to repay a loan made under
subsection (d), as determined by the eligible entity.
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.
``(c) Loans to Eligible Entities.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall make loans to eligible entities that
agree to use the loan funds to make loans to qualified
consumers for the purpose of implementing energy
efficiency measures.
``(2) Requirements.--
``(A) In general.--As a condition of
receiving a loan under this subsection, an
eligible entity shall--
``(i) establish a list of energy
efficiency measures that is expected to
decrease energy use or costs of
qualified consumers;
``(ii) prepare an implementation
plan for use of the loan funds,
including use of any interest to be
received pursuant to subsection
(d)(1)(A);
``(iii) provide for appropriate
measurement and verification to
ensure--
``(I) the effectiveness of
the energy efficiency loans
made by the eligible entity;
and
``(II) that there is no
conflict of interest in
carrying out this section; and
``(iv) demonstrate expertise in
effective use of energy efficiency
measures at an appropriate scale.
``(B) Revision of list of energy efficiency
measures.--Subject to the approval of the
Secretary, an eligible entity may update the
list required under subparagraph (A)(i) to
account for newly available efficiency
technologies.
``(C) Existing energy efficiency
programs.--An eligible entity that, at any time
before the date that is 60 days after the date
of enactment of this section, has established
an energy efficiency program for qualified
consumers may use an existing list of energy
efficiency measures, implementation plan, or
measurement and verification system of that
program to satisfy the requirements of
subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines
the list, plan, or systems are consistent with
the purposes of this section.
``(3) No interest.--A loan under this subsection
shall bear no interest.
``(4) Repayment.--With respect to a loan under
paragraph (1)--
``(A) the term shall not exceed 20 years
from the date on which the loan is closed; and
``(B) except as provided in paragraph (6),
the repayment of each advance shall be
amortized for a period not to exceed 10 years.
``(5) Amount of advances.--Any advance of loan
funds to an eligible entity in any single year shall
not exceed 50 percent of the approved loan amount.
``(6) Special advance for start-up activities.--
``(A) In general.--In order to assist an
eligible entity in defraying the appropriate
start-up costs (as determined by the Secretary)
of establishing new programs or modifying
existing programs to carry out subsection (d),
the Secretary shall allow an eligible entity to
request a special advance.
``(B) Amount.--No eligible entity may
receive a special advance under this paragraph
for an amount that is greater than 4 percent of
the loan amount received by the eligible entity
under paragraph (1).
``(C) Repayment.--Repayment of the special
advance--
``(i) shall be required during the
10-year period beginning on the date on
which the special advance is made; and
``(ii) at the election of the
eligible entity, may be deferred to the
end of the 10-year period.
``(7) Limitation.--All special advances shall be
made under a loan described in paragraph (1) during the
first 10 years of the term of the loan.
``(d) Loans to Qualified Consumers.--
``(1) Terms of loans.--Loans made by an eligible
entity to qualified consumers using loan funds provided
by the Secretary under subsection (c)--
``(A) may bear interest, not to exceed 3
percent, to be used for purposes that include--
``(i) to establish a loan loss
reserve; and
``(ii) to offset personnel and
program costs of eligible entities to
provide the loans;
``(B) shall finance energy efficiency
measures for the purpose of decreasing energy
usage or costs of the qualified consumer by an
amount that ensures, to the maximum extent
practicable, that a loan term of not more than
10 years will not pose an undue financial
burden on the qualified consumer, as determined
by the eligible entity;
``(C) shall not be used to fund purchases
of, or modifications to, personal property
unless the personal property is or becomes
attached to real property (including a
manufactured home) as a fixture;
``(D) shall be repaid through charges added
to the electric bill for the property for, or
at which, energy efficiency measures are or
will be implemented, on the condition that this
requirement does not prohibit--
``(i) the voluntary prepayment of a
loan by the owner of the property; or
``(ii) the use of any additional
repayment mechanisms that are--
``(I) demonstrated to have
appropriate risk mitigation
features, as determined by the
eligible entity; or
``(II) required if the
qualified consumer is no longer
a customer of the eligible
entity; and
``(E) shall require an energy audit by an
eligible entity to determine the impact of
proposed energy efficiency measures on the
energy costs and consumption of the qualified
consumer.
``(2) Contractors.--In addition to any other
qualified general contractor, eligible entities may
serve as general contractors.
``(e) Contract for Measurement and Verification, Training,
and Technical Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary--
``(A) shall establish a plan for
measurement and verification, training, and
technical assistance of the program; and
``(B) may enter into 1 or more contracts
with a qualified entity for the purposes of--
``(i) providing measurement and
verification activities; and
``(ii) developing a program to
provide technical assistance and
training to the employees of eligible
entities to carry out this section.
``(2) Use of subcontractors authorized.--A
qualified entity that enters into a contract under
paragraph (1) may use subcontractors to assist the
qualified entity in carrying out the contract.
``(f) Additional Authority.--The authority provided in this
section is in addition to any other authority of the Secretary
to offer loans under any other law.
``(g) Effective Period.--Subject to the availability of
funds and except as otherwise provided in this section, the
loans and other expenditures required to be made under this
section shall be available until expended, with the Secretary
authorized to make new loans as loans are repaid.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.
SEC. 6206. STUDY OF RURAL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of Transportation shall publish an updated version of
the study described in section 6206 of the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008 (as amended by subsection (b)).
(b) Addition to Study.--Section 6206(b) of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246; 122
Stat. 1971) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) the sufficiency of infrastructure along
waterways in the United States and the impact of the
infrastructure on the movement of agricultural goods in
terms of safety, efficiency and speed, as well as the
benefits derived through upgrades and repairs to locks
and dams.''.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and
the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress the
updated version of the study required by subsection (a).
SEC. 6207. REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
Section 15751 of title 40, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Not more than'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), not more than''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Limited funding.--In a case in which less
than $10,000,000 is made available to a Commission for
a fiscal year under this section, paragraph (1) shall
not apply.''.
SEC. 6208. DEFINITION OF RURAL AREA FOR PURPOSES OF THE HOUSING ACT OF
1949.
The second sentence of section 520 of the Housing Act of
1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490) is amended--
(1) by striking ``1990 or 2000 decennial census
shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of
data from the decennial census in the year 2010'' and
inserting ``1990, 2000, or 2010 decennial census, and
any area deemed to be a `rural area' for purposes of
this title under any other provision of law at any time
during the period beginning January 1, 2000, and ending
December 31, 2010, shall continue to be so classified
until the receipt of data from the decennial census in
the year 2020''; and
(2) by striking ``25,000'' and inserting
``35,000''.
SEC. 6209. PROGRAM METRICS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall collect data regarding
economic activities created through grants and loans, including
any technical assistance provided as a component of the grant
or loan program, and measure the short- and long-term viability
of award recipients and any entities to whom those recipients
provide assistance using award funds, under--
(1) section 231 of the Agricultural Risk Protection
Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a);
(2) section 313(b)(2) of the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c(b)(2)); or
(3) section 310B(c), 310B(e), 310B(g), 310H, or
379E, or subtitle E, of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c), 1932(e), 1932(g),
2008s, 2009 et seq.).
(b) Data.--The data collected under subsection (a) shall
include information collected from recipients both during the
award period and for a period of time, as determined by the
Secretary, which is not less than 2 years after the award
period ends.
(c) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a report that contains the data described in
subsection (a).
(2) Detailed information.--The report shall include
detailed information regarding--
(A) actions taken by the Secretary to use
the data;
(B) the percentage increase of employees;
(C) the number of business starts and
clients served;
(D) any benefit, such as an increase in
revenue or customer base; and
(E) such other information as the Secretary
considers appropriate.
SEC. 6210. FUNDING OF PENDING RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN AND GRANT
APPLICATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall use funds made
available under subsection (b) to provide funds for
applications that are pending on the date of enactment of this
Act in accordance with the terms and conditions of section 6029
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law
110-246; 122 Stat. 1955).
(b) Funding.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
beginning in fiscal year 2014, of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this
section $150,000,000, to remain available until expended.
TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle A--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977
SEC. 7101. OPTION TO BE INCLUDED AS NON-LAND-GRANT COLLEGE OF
AGRICULTURE.
Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
``(5) Cooperating forestry school.--
``(A) In general.--The term `cooperating
forestry school' means an institution--
``(i) that is eligible to receive
funds under Public Law 87-788 (commonly
known as the McIntire-Stennis
Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C.
582a et seq.); and
``(ii) with respect to which the
Secretary has not received a
declaration of the intent of that
institution to not be considered a
cooperating forestry school.
``(B) Termination of declaration.--A
declaration of the intent of an institution to
not be considered a cooperating forestry school
submitted to the Secretary shall be in effect
until September 30, 2018.'';
(2) in paragraph (10)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``that'';
(ii) in clause (i)--
(I) by inserting ``that''
before ``qualify''; and
(II) by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(iii) in clause (ii)--
(I) by inserting ``that''
before ``offer''; and
(II) by striking the period
at the end and inserting ``;
and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the
following new clause:
``(iii) with respect to which the
Secretary has not received a
declaration of the intent of a college
or university to not be considered a
Hispanic-serving agricultural college
or university.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) Termination of declaration of
intent.--A declaration of the intent of a
college or university to not be considered a
Hispanic-serving agricultural college or
university submitted to the Secretary shall be
in effect until September 30, 2018.''; and
(3) in paragraph (14)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``agriculture or forestry'' and inserting
``food and agricultural sciences'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following new subparagraph:
``(B) Designation.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this
subparagraph, the Secretary shall establish an
ongoing process through which public colleges
or universities may apply for designation as an
NLGCA Institution.''.
SEC. 7102. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND
ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.
(a) Extension of Termination Date.--Section 1408(h) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123(h)) is amended by striking ``2012''
and inserting ``2018''.
(b) Duties of National Agricultural Research, Extension,
Education, and Economics Advisory Board.--Section 1408(c) of
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate'' and all that
follows through the semi-colon and inserting
``Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
on--''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(A) long-term and short-term national
policies and priorities consistent with the
purposes specified in section 1402 for
agricultural research, extension, education,
and economics; and
``(B) the annual establishment of
priorities that--
``(i) are in accordance with the
purposes specified in a provision of a
covered law (as defined in subsection
(d) of section 1492) under which
competitive grants (described in
subsection (c) of such section) are
awarded; and
``(ii) the Board determines are
national priorities.'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the
national research policies and priorities set
forth in'' inserting ``national research
policies and priorities that are consistent
with the purposes specified in''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) consult with industry groups on agricultural
research, extension, education, and economics, and make
recommendations to the Secretary based on that
consultation.''.
SEC. 7103. SPECIALTY CROP COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment of Subcommittee.--Section 1408A(a) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Not later than'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--Not later than''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Citrus disease subcommittee.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 45 days
after the date of the enactment of the
Agricultural Act of 2014, the Secretary shall
establish within the speciality crops
committee, and appoint the initial members of,
a citrus disease subcommittee to carry out the
responsibilities of the subcommittee described
in subsection (g) in accordance with subsection
(j)(3) of section 412 of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632).
``(B) Composition.--The citrus disease
subcommittee shall be composed of 9 members,
each of whom is a domestic producer of citrus
in a State, represented as follows:
``(i) Three of such members shall
represent Arizona or California.
``(ii) Five of such members shall
represent Florida.
``(iii) One of such members shall
represent Texas.
``(C) Membership.--The Secretary may
appoint individuals who are not members of the
specialty crops committee or the Advisory Board
established under section 1408 as members of
the citrus disease subcommittee
``(D) Termination.--The subcommittee
established under subparagraph (A) shall
terminate on September 30, 2018.
``(E) Federal advisory committee act.--The
subcommittee established under subparagraph (A)
shall be covered by the exemption to section
9(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.) applicable to the Advisory Board
under section 1408(f).''.
(b) Members.--Section 1408A(b) of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3123a(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Individuals'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) Eligibility.--Individuals'';
(2) by striking ``Members'' and inserting the
following:
``(2) Service.--Members''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) Diversity.--Membership of the specialty crops
committee shall reflect diversity in the specialty
crops represented.''.
(c) Annual Committee Report.--Section 1408A(c) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Measures'' and
inserting ``Programs'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2);
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5)
as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
(4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``Programs that would'' and
inserting ``Research, extension, and teaching
programs designed to improve competitiveness in
the specialty crop industry, including programs
that would'';
(B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``,
including improving the quality and taste of
processed specialty crops'' before the
semicolon; and
(C) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``the
remote sensing and the'' before
``mechanization''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Analysis of the alignment of specialty crops
committee recommendations with grants awarded through
the specialty crop research initiative established
under section 412 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7632).''.
(d) Consultation With Specialty Crop Industry.--Section
1408A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as
subsections (e) and (f), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the
following:
``(d) Consultation With Specialty Crop Industry.--In
studying the scope and effectiveness of programs under
subsection (a), the specialty crops committee shall consult on
an ongoing basis with diverse sectors of the specialty crop
industry.''; and
(3) in subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph
(1)), by striking ``subsection (d)'' and inserting
``subsection (e)''.
(e) Duties of Citrus Disease Subcommittee.--Section 1408A
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a), as amended by subsection
(d), is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(g) Citrus Disease Subcommittee Duties.--For the purposes
of subsection (j) of section 412 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632),
the citrus disease subcommittee shall--
``(1) advise the Secretary on citrus research,
extension, and development needs;
``(2) propose, by a favorable vote of two-thirds of
the members of the subcommittee, a research and
extension agenda and annual budgets for the funds made
available to carry out such subsection;
``(3) evaluate and review ongoing research and
extension funded under the emergency citrus disease
research and extension program (as defined in such
subsection);
``(4) establish, by a favorable vote of two-thirds
of the members of the subcommittee, annual priorities
for the award of grants under such subsection;
``(5) provide the Secretary any comments on grants
awarded under such subsection during the previous
fiscal year; and
``(6) engage in regular consultation and
collaboration with the Department and other
institutional, governmental, and private persons
conducting scientific research on, and extension
activities related to, the causes or treatments of
citrus diseases and pests, both domestic and invasive,
for purposes of--
``(A) maximizing the effectiveness of
research and extension projects funded under
the citrus disease research and extension
program;
``(B) hastening the development of useful
treatments;
``(C) avoiding duplicative and wasteful
expenditures; and
``(D) providing the Secretary with such
information and advice as the Secretary may
request.''.
SEC. 7104. VETERINARY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.
The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1415A
(7 U.S.C. 3151a) the following new section:
``SEC. 1415B. VETERINARY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Qualified entity.--The term `qualified
entity' means--
``(A) a for-profit or nonprofit entity
located in the United States that, or an
individual who, operates a veterinary clinic
providing veterinary services--
``(i) in a rural area, as defined
in section 343(a) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1991(a)); and
``(ii) in a veterinarian shortage
situation;
``(B) a State, national, allied, or
regional veterinary organization or specialty
board recognized by the American Veterinary
Medical Association;
``(C) a college or school of veterinary
medicine accredited by the American Veterinary
Medical Association;
``(D) a university research foundation or
veterinary medical foundation;
``(E) a department of veterinary science or
department of comparative medicine accredited
by the Department of Education;
``(F) a State agricultural experiment
station; or
``(G) a State, local, or tribal government
agency.
``(2) Veterinarian shortage situation.--The term
`veterinarian shortage situation' means a veterinarian
shortage situation as determined by the Secretary under
section 1415A.
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) Competitive grants.--The Secretary shall
carry out a program to make competitive grants to
qualified entities that carry out programs or
activities described in paragraph (2) for the purpose
of developing, implementing, and sustaining veterinary
services.
``(2) Eligibility requirements.--A qualified entity
shall be eligible to receive a grant described in
paragraph (1) if the entity carries out programs or
activities that the Secretary determines will--
``(A) substantially relieve veterinarian
shortage situations;
``(B) support or facilitate private
veterinary practices engaged in public health
activities; or
``(C) support or facilitate the practices
of veterinarians who are providing or have
completed providing services under an agreement
entered into with the Secretary under section
1415A(a)(2).
``(c) Award Processes and Preferences.--
``(1) Application, evaluation, and input
processes.--In administering the grant program
established under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(A) use an appropriate application and
evaluation process, as determined by the
Secretary; and
``(B) seek the input of interested persons.
``(2) Coordination preference.--In selecting
recipients of grants to be used for any of the purposes
described in subsection (d)(1), the Secretary shall
give a preference to qualified entities that provide
documentation of coordination with other qualified
entities, with respect to any such purpose.
``(3) Consideration of available funds.--In
selecting recipients of grants to be used for any of
the purposes described in subsection (d), the Secretary
shall take into consideration the amount of funds
available for grants and the purposes for which the
grant funds will be used.
``(4) Nature of grants.--A grant awarded under this
section shall be considered to be a competitive
research, extension, or education grant.
``(d) Use of Grants To Relieve Veterinarian Shortage
Situations and Support Veterinary Services.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2), a qualified entity may use funds provided by a
grant awarded under this section to relieve
veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary
services for any of the following purposes:
``(A) To promote recruitment (including for
programs in secondary schools), placement, and
retention of veterinarians, veterinary
technicians, students of veterinary medicine,
and students of veterinary technology.
``(B) To allow veterinary students,
veterinary interns, externs, fellows, and
residents, and veterinary technician students
to cover expenses (other than the types of
expenses described in section 1415A(c)(5)) to
attend training programs in food safety or food
animal medicine.
``(C) To establish or expand accredited
veterinary education programs (including
faculty recruitment and retention), veterinary
residency and fellowship programs, or
veterinary internship and externship programs
carried out in coordination with accredited
colleges of veterinary medicine.
``(D) To provide continuing education and
extension, including veterinary telemedicine
and other distance-based education, for
veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and
other health professionals needed to strengthen
veterinary programs and enhance food safety.
``(E) To provide technical assistance for
the preparation of applications submitted to
the Secretary for designation as a veterinarian
shortage situation under this section or
section 1415A.
``(2) Qualified entities operating veterinary
clinics.--A qualified entity described in subsection
(a)(1)(A) may only use funds provided by a grant
awarded under this section to establish or expand
veterinary practices, including--
``(A) equipping veterinary offices;
``(B) sharing in the reasonable overhead
costs of such veterinary practices, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(C) establishing mobile veterinary
facilities in which a portion of the facilities
will address education or extension needs.
``(e) Special Requirements for Certain Grants.--
``(1) Terms of service requirements.--
``(A) In general.--Funds provided through a
grant made under this section to a qualified
entity described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and
used by such entity under subsection (d)(2)
shall be subject to an agreement between the
Secretary and such entity that includes a
required term of service for such entity
(including a qualified entity operating as an
individual), as established by the Secretary.
``(B) Considerations.--In establishing a
term of service under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall consider only--
``(i) the amount of the grant
awarded; and
``(ii) the specific purpose of the
grant.
``(2) Breach remedies.--
``(A) In general.--An agreement under
paragraph (1) shall provide remedies for any
breach of the agreement by the qualified entity
referred to in paragraph (1)(A), including
repayment or partial repayment of the grant
funds, with interest.
``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may grant a
waiver of the repayment obligation for breach
of contract if the Secretary determines that
such qualified entity demonstrates extreme
hardship or extreme need.
``(C) Treatment of amounts recovered.--
Funds recovered under this paragraph shall--
``(i) be credited to the account
available to carry out this section;
and
``(ii) remain available until
expended without further appropriation.
``(f) Prohibition on Use of Grant Funds for Construction.--
Except as provided in subsection (d)(2), funds made available
for grants under this section may not be used--
``(1) to construct a new building or facility; or
``(2) to acquire, expand, remodel, or alter an
existing building or facility, including site grading
and improvement and architect fees.
``(g) Regulations.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate
regulations to carry out this section.
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out
this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal
year thereafter, to remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 7105. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SCIENCES
EDUCATION.
Section 1417(m) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(m))
is amended by striking ``section $60,000,000'' and all that
follows and inserting the following: ``section--
``(1) $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1990
through 2013; and
``(2) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
SEC. 7106. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.
Section 1419A of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155) is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting
``agricultural and food'' before ``policy'';
(2) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding
paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Secretary may'' and
inserting ``Secretary shall, acting through the
Office of the Chief Economist,''; and
(B) by striking ``make grants, competitive
grants, and special research grants to, and
enter into cooperative agreements and other
contracting instruments with,'' and inserting
``make competitive grants to, or enter into
cooperative agreements with,'';
(3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following new subsection:
``(b) Eligible Recipients.--An entity eligible to apply for
funding under subsection (a) is a State agricultural experiment
station, college or university, or other public research
institution or organization that has a history of providing--
``(1) unbiased, nonpartisan economic analysis to
Congress on the areas specified in paragraphs (1)
through (4) of subsection (a); or
``(2) objective, scientific information to Federal
agencies and the public to support and enhance
efficient, accurate implementation of Federal drought
preparedness and drought response programs, including
interagency thresholds used to determine eligibility
for mitigation or emergency assistance.'';
(4) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as
subsections (d) and (e), respectively;
(5) by inserting after subsection (b) the following
new subsection:
``(c) Preference.--In making awards under this section, the
Secretary shall give a preference to policy research centers
that have--
``(1) extensive databases, models, and demonstrated
experience in providing Congress with agricultural
market projections, rural development analysis,
agricultural policy analysis, and baseline projections
at the farm, multiregional, national, and international
levels; or
``(2) information, analysis, and research relating
to drought mitigation.'';
(6) in subsection (d)(2) (as redesignated by
paragraph (4)), by inserting ``applied'' after
``theoretical and''; and
(7) by striking subsection (e) (as redesignated by
paragraph (4)) and inserting the following new
subsection:
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.
SEC. 7107. EDUCATION GRANTS TO ALASKA NATIVE SERVING INSTITUTIONS AND
NATIVE HAWAIIAN SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1419B of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3156) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(or
grants without regard to any requirement for
competition)''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2012''
and inserting ``2018''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(or
grants without regard to any requirement for
competition)''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2012''
and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7108. REPEAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 1424 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174) is
repealed.
SEC. 7109. REPEAL OF PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.
Section 1424A of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3174a) is
repealed.
SEC. 7110. NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.
Section 1425(f) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175(f))
is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7111. CONTINUING ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Section 1433 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3195) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1433. CONTINUING ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE, FOOD SECURITY, AND
STEWARDSHIP RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION
PROGRAMS.
``(a) Capacity and Infrastructure Program.--
``(1) In general.--In each State with one or more
accredited colleges of veterinary medicine, the deans
of the accredited college or colleges and the director
of the State agricultural experiment station shall
develop a comprehensive animal health and disease
research program for the State based on the animal
health research capacity of each eligible institution
in the State, which shall be submitted to the Secretary
for approval and shall be used for the allocation of
funds available to the State under this section.
``(2) Use of funds.--An eligible institution
allocated funds to carry out animal health and disease
research under this section may only use such funds--
``(A) to meet the expenses of conducting
animal health and disease research, publishing
and disseminating the results of such research,
and contributing to the retirement of employees
subject to the Act of March 4, 1940 (7 U.S.C.
331);
``(B) for administrative planning and
direction; and
``(C) to purchase equipment and supplies
necessary for conducting research described in
subparagraph (A).
``(3) Cooperation among eligible institutions.--The
Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall
encourage eligible institutions to cooperate in setting
research priorities under this section through
conducting regular regional and national meetings.
``(b) Competitive Grant Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, for purposes of
addressing the critical needs of animal agriculture,
shall award competitive grants to eligible entities
under which such eligible entities--
``(A) conduct research--
``(i) to promote food security,
such as by--
``(I) improving feed
efficiency;
``(II) improving energetic
efficiency;
``(III) connecting
genomics, proteomics,
metabolomics and related
phenomena to animal production;
``(IV) improving
reproductive efficiency; and
``(V) enhancing pre- and
post-harvest food safety
systems; and
``(ii) on the relationship between
animal and human health, such as by--
``(I) exploring new
approaches for vaccine
development;
``(II) understanding and
controlling zoonosis, including
its impact on food safety;
``(III) improving animal
health through feed; and
``(IV) enhancing product
quality and nutritive value;
and
``(B) develop and disseminate to the public
tools and information based on the research
conducted under subparagraph (A) and sound
science.
``(2) Eligible entities.--An entity eligible to
receive a grant under this subsection is any of the
following:
``(A) A State cooperative institution.
``(B) An NLGCA Institution.
``(3) Administration.--In carrying out this
subsection, the Secretary shall establish procedures--
``(A) to seek and accept proposals for
grants;
``(B) to review and determine the relevance
and merit of proposals, in consultation with
representatives of the animal agriculture
industry;
``(C) to provide a scientific peer review
of each proposal conducted by a panel of
subject matter experts from Federal agencies,
academic institutions, State animal health
agencies, and the animal agriculture industry;
and
``(D) to award competitive grants on the
basis of merit, quality, and relevance.
``(c) Funding.--
``(1) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
``(2) Reservation of funds.--The Secretary shall
reserve not less than $5,000,000 of the funds made
available under paragraph (1) to carry out the capacity
and infrastructure program under subsection (a).
``(3) Initial apportionment.--The amounts made
available under paragraph (1) that are remaining after
the reservation of funds under paragraph (2), shall be
apportioned as follows:
``(A) 15 percent of such amounts shall be
used to carry out the capacity and
infrastructure program under subsection (a).
``(B) 85 percent of such funds shall be
used to carry out the competitive grant program
under subsection (b).
``(4) Additional apportionment.--The funds reserved
under paragraph (2) and apportioned under paragraph
(3)(A) to carry out the capacity and infrastructure
program under subsection (a) shall be apportioned as
follows:
``(A) Four percent shall be retained by the
Department of Agriculture for administration,
program assistance to the eligible
institutions, and program coordination.
``(B) 48 percent shall be distributed among
the several States in the proportion that the
value of and income to producers from domestic
livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture
species in each State bears to the total value
of and income to producers from domestic
livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture
species in all the States. The Secretary shall
determine the total value of and income from
domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial
aquaculture species in all the States and the
proportionate value of and income from domestic
livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture
species for each State, based on the most
current inventory of all cattle, sheep, swine,
horses, poultry, and commercial aquaculture
species published by the Department of
Agriculture.
``(C) 48 percent shall be distributed among
the several States in the proportion that the
animal health research capacity of the eligible
institutions in each State bears to the total
animal health research capacity in all the
States. The Secretary shall determine the
animal health research capacity of the eligible
institutions.
``(5) Special rules for apportionment of certain
funds.--With respect to funds reserved under paragraph
(2) and apportioned under paragraph (3)(A) to carry out
the capacity and infrastructure program under
subsection (a), the following shall apply:
``(A) When the amount available under this
section for allotment to any State on the basis
of domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial
aquaculture species values and incomes exceeds
the amount for which the eligible institution
or institutions in the State are eligible on
the basis of animal health research capacity,
the excess may be used, at the discretion of
the Secretary, for remodeling of facilities,
construction of new facilities, or increase in
staffing, proportionate to the need for added
research capacity.
``(B) Whenever a new college of veterinary
medicine is established in a State and is
accredited, the Secretary, after consultation
with the dean of such college and the director
of the State agricultural experiment station
and where applicable, deans of other accredited
colleges in the State, shall provide for the
reallocation of funds available to the State
pursuant to paragraph (4) between the new
college and other eligible institutions in the
State, based on the animal health research
capacity of each eligible institution.
``(C) Whenever two or more States jointly
establish an accredited regional college of
veterinary medicine or jointly support an
accredited college of veterinary medicine
serving the States involved, the Secretary is
authorized to make funds which are available to
such States pursuant to paragraph (4) available
for such college in such amount that reflects
the combined relative value of, and income
from, domestic livestock, poultry, and
commercial aquaculture species in the
cooperating States, such amount to be adjusted,
as necessary, pursuant to subsection (a)(1) and
subparagraph (B).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Definition of state cooperative institution.--
Section 1404(18) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3103(18)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``subtitles E, G,'' and inserting ``subtitles
G,'';
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as
subparagraph (G); and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the
following new subparagraph:
``(F) section 1430; and''.
(2) Definition of capacity and infrastructure
program.--Section 251(f)(1)(C)(vi) of the Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7
U.S.C.6971(f)(1)(C)(vi)) is amended by inserting
``except for the competitive grant program under
section 1433(b)'' before the period at the end.
(3) Subtitle e of the national agricultural
research, extension, and teaching policy act of 1977.--
Subtitle E of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended--
(A) in section 1431(a) (7 U.S.C. 3193(a)),
by inserting ``under sections 1433(a) and
1434'' after ``eligible institutions'';
(B) in section 1435 (7 U.S.C. 3197), by
striking ``for allocation under the terms of
this subtitle'' and inserting ``to carry out
sections 1433(a) and 1434'';
(C) in section 1436 (7 U.S.C. 3198), in the
first sentence, by striking ``section 1433 of
this title'' and inserting ``subsection (c) of
section 1433 to carry out subsection (a) of
such section'';
(D) in section 1437 (7 U.S.C. 3199), in the
first sentence, by striking ``States under
section 1433 of this title'' and inserting
``States under subsection (c) of section 1433
to carry out subsection (a) of such section'';
(E) in section 1438 (7 U.S.C. 3200), in the
first sentence by striking ``under this
subtitle'' and inserting ``under subsection (c)
of section 1433 to carry out subsection (a) of
such section''; and
(F) in section 1439 (7 U.S.C. 3201), by
striking ``under this subtitle'' and inserting
``under subsection (c) of section 1433 to carry
out subsection (a) of such section or section
1434, as applicable,''.
(4) Authorization for appropriations for existing
and certain new agricultural research programs.--
Section 1463(c) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3311(c)) is amended by striking ``sections 1433 and
1434'' and inserting ``sections 1433(a) and 1434''.
SEC. 7112. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES
AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE
UNIVERSITY.
Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b))
is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7113. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCE FACILITIES
AND EQUIPMENT AT INSULAR AREA LAND-GRANT
INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Supporting Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural
Research.--
(1) In general.--Section 1447B(a) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Purpose.--It is the intent of Congress to assist the
land-grant colleges and universities in the insular areas in
efforts to--
``(1) acquire, alter, or repair facilities or
relevant equipment necessary for conducting
agricultural research; and
``(2) support tropical and subtropical agricultural
research, including pest and disease research.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1447B of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2) is amended in the
heading--
(A) by inserting ``and support tropical and
subtropical agricultural research'' after
``equipment''; and
(B) by striking ``institutions'' and
inserting ``colleges and universities''.
(b) Extension.--Section 1447B(d) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2(d)) is amended by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7114. REPEAL OF NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING VIRTUAL CENTERS.
Section 1448 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222c) is
repealed.
SEC. 7115. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c))
is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7116. COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM FOR HISPANIC AGRICULTURAL WORKERS
AND YOUTH.
Section 1456(e)(1) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3243(e)(1)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a
competitive grants program--
``(A) to fund fundamental and applied
research and extension at Hispanic-serving
agricultural colleges and universities in
agriculture, human nutrition, food science,
bioenergy, and environmental science; and
``(B) to award competitive grants to
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and
universities to provide for training in the
food and agricultural sciences of Hispanic
agricultural workers and Hispanic youth working
in the food and agricultural sciences.''.
SEC. 7117. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
Section 1459A(c) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b(c))
is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section--
``(1) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal
years 1999 through 2013; and
``(2) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
SEC. 7118. REPEAL OF RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS.
Section 1462A of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310a) is
repealed.
SEC. 7119. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH.
Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is
amended by striking ``2012'' each place it appears in
subsections (a) and (b) and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7120. EXTENSION SERVICE.
Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is
amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7121. AUDITING, REPORTING, BOOKKEEPING, AND ADMINISTRATIVE
REQUIREMENTS.
Section 1469 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3315) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d)
as subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following
new subsection:
``(b) Agreements With Former Agricultural Research
Facilities of the Department.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary, for purposes of supporting ongoing
research and information dissemination activities, including
supporting research and those activities through co-locating
scientists and other technical personnel, sharing of laboratory
and field equipment, and providing financial support, shall
enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other
legal instruments with former Department of Agriculture
agricultural research facilities.''.
SEC. 7122. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations and Termination.--
Section 1473D of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2012'' and
inserting ``2018''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(e) There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this section--
``(1) such sums as are necessary for fiscal year
2013; and
``(2) $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
(b) Competitive Grants.--Section 1473D(c)(1) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``use
such research funding, special or competitive grants, or other
means, as the Secretary determines,'' and inserting ``make
competitive grants''.
SEC. 7123. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1473F(b) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319i(b))
is amended by striking ``2012'' and inserting ``2018''.
SEC. 7124. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) Competitive Grants.--Section 1475(b) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322(b)) is amended in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by inserting ``competitive'' before ``grants''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1477 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1477. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this subtitle--
``(1) $7,500,000 for each of fiscal years 1991
through 2013; and
``(2) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.
``(b) Prohibition on Use.--Funds made available under this
section may not be used to acquire or construct a building.''.
SEC. 7125. RANGELAND RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
Section 1483(a) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3336(a))
is amended by striking ``subtitle'' and all that follows and
inserting the following: ``subtitle--
``(1) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1991
through 2013; and
``(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
SEC. 7126. SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR BIOSECURITY PLANNING AND RESPONSE.
Section 1484(a) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351(a))
is amended by striking ``response such sums as are necessary''
and all that follows and inserting the following: ``response--
``(1) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2013; and
``(2) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
SEC. 7127. DISTANCE EDUCATION AND RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS PROGRAM
FOR INSULAR AREA INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas.--
(1) Competitive grants.--Section 1490(a) of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362(a)) is amended by
striking ``or noncompetitive''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Section
1490(f) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3362(f)) is amended by striking ``section'' and all
that follows and inserting the following: ``section--
``(1) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2013; and
``(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
(b) Resident Instruction Grants for Insular Areas.--Section
1491(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363(c)) is amended by
striking ``such sums as are necessary'' and all that follows
and inserting the following: ``to carry out this section--
``(1) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2013; and
``(2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.''.
SEC. 7128. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.
(a) In General.--The National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subtitle:
``Subtitle P--General Provisions
``SEC. 1492. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.
``(a) In General.--The recipient of a competitive grant
