[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2559 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.2559
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
An Act
To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to strengthen the safety net for
agricultural producers by providing greater access to more affordable
risk management tools and improved protection from production and income
loss, to improve the efficiency and integrity of the Federal crop
insurance program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

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(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Risk
Protection Act of 2000''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Subtitle A--Crop Insurance Coverage

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TITLE I

-CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE

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limited-resource farmers.
Subtitle F--Effective Dates and Implementation

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TITLE II

-AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE

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TITLE III

-BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000

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TITLE IV

-PLANT PROTECTION ACT

control
organisms, noxious weeds, articles, and means of conveyance.

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Subtitle D--Authorization of Appropriations

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TITLE V

-INSPECTION ANIMALS

(a) Expected Market Price.--Section 508(c) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (5)
and inserting the following:
``(5) Expected market price.--
``(A) Establishment or approval.--For the purposes of this
title, the Corporation shall establish or approve the price
level (referred to in this title as the `expected market
price') of each agricultural commodity for which insurance is
offered.
``(B) General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in
subparagraph (C), the expected market price of an agricultural
commodity shall be not less than the projected market price of
the agricultural commodity, as determined by the Corporation.
``(C) Other authorized approaches.--The expected market
price of an agricultural commodity--
``(i) may be based on the actual market price of the
agricultural commodity at the time of harvest, as
determined by the Corporation;
``(ii) in the case of revenue and other similar plans
of insurance, may be the actual market price of the
agricultural commodity, as determined by the Corporation;
``(iii) in the case of cost of production or similar
plans of insurance, shall be the projected cost of
producing the agricultural commodity, as determined by the
Corporation; or
``(iv) in the case of other plans of insurance, may be
an appropriate amount, as determined by the Corporation.''.
(b) Premium Amounts.--Section 508(d) of the Federal Crop Insurance
Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and
inserting the following:
``(B) In the case of additional coverage equal to or
greater than 50 percent of the recorded or appraised average
yield indemnified at not greater than 100 percent of the
expected market price, or a comparable coverage for a policy or
plan of insurance that is not based on individual yield, the
amount of the premium shall--
``(i) be sufficient to cover anticipated losses and a
reasonable reserve; and
``(ii) include an amount for operating and
administrative expenses, as determined by the Corporation,
on an industry-wide basis as a percentage of the amount of
the premium used to define loss ratio.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Performance-based discount.--The Corporation may provide
a performance-based premium discount for a producer of an
agricultural commodity who has good insurance or production
experience relative to other producers of that agricultural
commodity in the same area, as determined by the Corporation.''.
(c) Payment Schedule.--Section 508(e)(2) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)(2)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding the subparagraphs, by striking
``The amount'' and inserting ``Subject to paragraph (4), the
amount''; and
(2) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and inserting the
following:
``(B) In the case of additional coverage equal to or
greater than 50 percent, but less than 55 percent, of the
recorded or appraised average yield indemnified at not greater
than 100 percent of the expected market price, or a comparable
coverage for a policy or plan of insurance that is not based on
individual yield, the amount shall be equal to the sum of--
``(i) 67 percent of the amount of the premium
established under subsection (d)(2)(B)(i) for the coverage
level selected; and
``(ii) the amount determined under subsection
(d)(2)(B)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover
operating and administrative expenses.
``(C) In the case of additional coverage equal to or
greater than 55 percent, but less than 65 percent, of the
recorded or appraised average yield indemnified at not greater
than 100 percent of the expected market price, or a comparable
coverage for a policy or plan of insurance that is not based on
individual yield, the amount shall be equal to the sum of--
``(i) 64 percent of the amount of the premium
established under subsection (d)(2)(B)(i) for the coverage
level selected; and
``(ii) the amount determined under subsection
(d)(2)(B)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover
operating and administrative expenses.
``(D) In the case of additional coverage equal to or
greater than 65 percent, but less than 75 percent, of the
recorded or appraised average yield indemnified at not greater
than 100 percent of the expected market price, or a comparable
coverage for a policy or plan of insurance that is not based on
individual yield, the amount shall be equal to the sum of--
``(i) 59 percent of the amount of the premium
established under subsection (d)(2)(B)(i) for the coverage
level selected; and
``(ii) the amount determined under subsection
(d)(2)(B)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover
operating and administrative expenses.
``(E) In the case of additional coverage equal to or
greater than 75 percent, but less than 80 percent, of the
recorded or appraised average yield indemnified at not greater
than 100 percent of the expected market price, or a comparable
coverage for a policy or plan of insurance that is not based on
individual yield, the amount shall be equal to the sum of--
``(i) 55 percent of the amount of the premium
established under subsection (d)(2)(B)(i) for the coverage
level selected; and
``(ii) the amount determined under subsection
(d)(2)(B)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover
operating and administrative expenses.
``(F) In the case of additional coverage equal to or
greater than 80 percent, but less than 85 percent, of the
recorded or appraised average yield indemnified at not greater
than 100 percent of the expected market price, or a comparable
coverage for a policy or plan of insurance that is not based on
individual yield, the amount shall be equal to the sum of--
``(i) 48 percent of the amount of the premium
established under subsection (d)(2)(B)(i) for the coverage
level selected; and
``(ii) the amount determined under subsection
(d)(2)(B)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover
operating and administrative expenses.
``(G) Subject to subsection (c)(4), in the case of
additional coverage equal to or greater than 85 percent of the
recorded or appraised average yield indemnified at not greater
than 100 percent of the expected market price, or a comparable
coverage for a policy or plan of insurance that is not based on
individual yield, the amount shall be equal to the sum of--
``(i) 38 percent of the amount of the premium
established under subsection (d)(2)(B)(i) for the coverage
level selected; and
``(ii) the amount determined under subsection
(d)(2)(B)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover
operating and administrative expenses.''.
(d) Temporary Prohibition on Continuous Coverage.--Section 508(e)
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)) is amended by
striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
``(4) Temporary prohibition on continuous coverage.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), during each of the 2001 through 2005
reinsurance years, additional coverage under subsection (c) shall
be available only in 5 percent increments beginning at 50 percent
of the recorded or appraised average yield.''.
(e) Premium Payment Disclosure.--Section 508(e) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(5) Premium payment disclosure.--Each policy or plan of
insurance under this title shall prominently indicate the dollar
amount of the portion of the premium paid by the Corporation.''.
(f) Conforming Amendment.--Section 508(g)(2)(D) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(g)(2)(D)) is amended by striking ``(as
provided in subsection (e)(4))''.

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-CROP INSURANCE

(a) Premium Schedule.--Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance
Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(h)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking the second sentence; and
(2) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
``(5) Premium schedule.--
``(A) Payment by corporation.--In the case of a policy or
plan of insurance developed and approved under this subsection
or section 522, or conducted under section 523 (other than a
policy or plan of insurance applicable to livestock), the
Corporation shall pay a portion of the premium of the policy or
plan of insurance that is equal to--
``(i) the percentage, specified in subsection (e) for a
similar level of coverage, of the total amount of the
premium used to define loss ratio; and
``(ii) an amount for administrative and operating
expenses determined in accordance with subsection (k)(4).
``(B) Transitional schedule.--Effective only during the
2001 reinsurance year, in the case of a policy or plan of
insurance developed and approved under this subsection or
section 522, or conducted under section 523 (other than a
policy or plan of insurance applicable to livestock), and first
approved by the Board after the date of the enactment of this
subparagraph, the payment by the Corporation of a portion of
the premium of the policy may not exceed the dollar amount that
would otherwise be authorized under subsection (e) (consistent
with subsection (c)(5), as in effect on the day before the date
of the enactment of this subparagraph).''.
(b) Reimbursement Rate.--Section 508(k)(4) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(k)(4)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) Other reductions.--Beginning with the 2002
reinsurance year, in the case of a policy or plan of insurance
approved by the Board that was not reinsured during the 1998
reinsurance year but, had it been reinsured, would have
received a reduced rate of reimbursement during the 1998
reinsurance year, the rate of reimbursement for administrative
and operating costs established for the policy or plan of
insurance shall take into account the factors used to determine
the rate of reimbursement for administrative and operating
costs during the 1998 reinsurance year, including the expected
difference in premium and actual administrative and operating
costs of the policy or plan of insurance relative to an
individual yield policy or plan of insurance and other
appropriate factors, as determined by the Corporation.''.

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(a) Alternative Coverage.--Section 508(b) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (3)
and inserting the following:
``(3) Alternative catastrophic coverage.--Beginning with the
2001 crop year, the Corporation shall offer producers of an
agricultural commodity the option of selecting either of the
following:
``(A) The catastrophic risk protection coverage available
under paragraph (2)(A).
``(B) An alternative catastrophic risk protection coverage
that--
``(i) indemnifies the producer on an area yield and
loss basis if such a policy or plan of insurance is offered
for the agricultural commodity in the county in which the
farm is located;
``(ii) provides, on a uniform national basis, a higher
combination of yield and price protection than the coverage
available under paragraph (2)(A); and
``(iii) the Corporation determines is comparable to the
coverage available under paragraph (2)(A) for purposes of
subsection (e)(2)(A).''.
(b) Administrative Fee.--
(1) Revised fee.--Section 508(b)(5) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(5)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$50'' and inserting
``$100'';
(B) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``amounts required
under subparagraphs (A) and (B)'' and inserting
``administrative fee required by this paragraph''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 748 of the Agriculture,
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (as contained in section 101(a)
of division A of Public Law 105-277; 7 U.S.C. 1508 note), is
amended by striking ``$50'' and inserting ``$100''.
(c) Payment of Administrative Fee on Behalf of Producers.--Section
508(b)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(5)), as
amended by subsection (b)(1)(B), is amended by inserting after
subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) Payment on behalf of producers.--
``(i) Payment authorized.--If State law permits a
licensing fee or other payment to be paid by an insurance
provider to a cooperative association or trade association
and rebated to a producer with catastrophic risk protection
or additional coverage, a cooperative association or trade
association located in that State may pay, on behalf of a
member of the association in that State or a contiguous
State who consents to be insured under such an arrangement,
all or a portion of the administrative fee required by this
paragraph for catastrophic risk protection.
``(ii) Treatment of licensing fees.--A licensing fee or
other payment made by an insurance provider to the
cooperative association or trade association in connection
with the issuance of catastrophic risk protection or
additional coverage to members of the cooperative
association or trade association shall be subject to the
laws regarding rebates of the State in which the fee or
other payment is made.
``(iii) Selection of provider.--Nothing in this
subparagraph limits the option of a producer to select the
licensed insurance agent or other approved insurance
provider from whom the producer will purchase a policy or
plan of insurance or to refuse coverage for which a payment
is offered to be made under clause (i).
``(iv) Delivery of insurance.--A policy or plan of
insurance for which a payment is made under clause (i)
shall be delivered by a licensed insurance agent or other
approved insurance provider.
``(v) Additional coverage encouraged.--A cooperative
association or trade association, and any approved
insurance provider with whom a licensing fee or other
arrangement under this subparagraph is made, shall
encourage producer members to purchase appropriate levels
of additional coverage in order to meet the risk management
needs of the member producers.
``(vi) Report.--Not later than April 1, 2002, 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 evaluates--
``(I) the operation of this subparagraph; and
``(II) the impact of this subparagraph on
participation in the Federal crop insurance program,
including the impact on levels of coverage
purchased.''.
(d) Reimbursement Rate Change.--Section 508(b)(11) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(11)) is amended by striking ``11
percent'' and inserting ``8 percent''.

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Section 508(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(c))
is amended by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
``(10) Administrative fee.--
``(A) Fee required.--If a producer elects to purchase
coverage for a crop at a level in excess of catastrophic risk
protection, the producer shall pay an administrative fee for
the additional coverage of $30 per crop per county.
``(B) Use of fees; waiver.--Subparagraphs (D) and (E) of
subsection (b)(5) shall apply with respect to the collection
and use of administrative fees under this paragraph.''.

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(a) Assigned Yields.--Section 508(g)(2)(B) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(g)(2)(B)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``assigned a yield'' and inserting ``assigned--
``(i) a yield'';
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) a yield determined by the Corporation, in the
case of--
``(I) a producer that has not had a share of the
production of the insured crop for more than two crop
years, as determined by the Secretary;
``(II) a producer that produces an agricultural
commodity on land that has not been farmed by the
producer; or
``(III) a producer that rotates a crop produced on
a farm to a crop that has not been produced on the
farm.''.
(b) Actual Production History Adjustments.--Section 508(g) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(g)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(4) Adjustment in actual production history to establish
insurable yields.--
``(A) Application.--This paragraph shall apply whenever the
Corporation uses the actual production records of the producer
to establish the producer's actual production history for an
agricultural commodity for any of the 2001 and subsequent crop
years.
``(B) Election to use percentage of transitional yield.--
If, for one or more of the crop years used to establish the
producer's actual production history of an agricultural
commodity, the producer's recorded or appraised yield of the
commodity was less than 60 percent of the applicable
transitional yield, as determined by the Corporation, the
Corporation shall, at the election of the producer--
``(i) exclude any of such recorded or appraised yield;
and
``(ii) replace each excluded yield with a yield equal
to 60 percent of the applicable transitional yield.
``(C) Premium adjustment.--In the case of a producer that
makes an election under subparagraph (B), the Corporation shall
adjust the premium to reflect the risk associated with the
adjustment made in the actual production history of the
producer.
``(5) Adjustment to reflect increased yields from successful
pest control efforts.--
``(A) Situations justifying adjustment.--The Corporation
shall develop a methodology for adjusting the actual production
history of a producer when each of the following apply:
``(i) The producer's farm is located in an area where
systematic, area-wide efforts have been undertaken using
certain operations or measures, or the producer's farm is a
location at which certain operations or measures have been
undertaken, to detect, eradicate, suppress, or control, or
at least to prevent or retard the spread of, a plant
disease or plant pest, including a plant pest (as defined
in section 102 of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act
of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 147a)).
``(ii) The presence of the plant disease or plant pest
has been found to adversely affect the yield of the
agricultural commodity for which the producer is applying
for insurance.
``(iii) The efforts described in clause (i) have been
effective.
``(B) Adjustment amount.--The amount by which the
Corporation adjusts the actual production history of a producer
of an agricultural commodity shall reflect the degree to which
the success of the systematic, area-wide efforts described in
subparagraph (A), on average, increases the yield of the
commodity on the producer's farm, as determined by the
Corporation.''.

185d2835745ac294ecae62572cce8c327feb5b7be6c41488a6160b2513acf3f3

Section 508(i) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(i))
is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Corporation''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Review of rating methodologies.--To maximize
participation in the Federal crop insurance program and to ensure
equity for producers, the Corporation shall periodically review the
methodologies employed for rating plans of insurance under this
title consistent with section 507(c)(2).
``(3) Analysis of rating and loss history.--The Corporation
shall analyze the rating and loss history of approved policies and
plans of insurance for agricultural commodities by area.
``(4) Premium adjustment.--If the Corporation makes a
determination that premium rates are excessive for an agricultural
commodity in an area relative to the requirements of subsection
(d)(2) for that area, then, for the 2002 crop year (and as
necessary thereafter), the Corporation shall make appropriate
adjustments in the premium rates for that area for that
agricultural commodity.''.

5d77d71b8d78a242b408e5609bfa32392c96d6785f0058a3de68289362cea6b4

Section 508 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is
amended by striking subsection (m) and inserting the following:
``(m) Quality Loss Adjustment Coverage.--
``(1) Effect of coverage.--If a policy or plan of insurance
offered under this title includes quality loss adjustment coverage,
the coverage shall provide for a reduction in the quantity of
production of the agricultural commodity considered produced during
a crop year, or a similar adjustment, as a result of the
agricultural commodity not meeting the quality standards
established in the policy or plan of insurance.
``(2) Additional quality loss adjustment.--
``(A) Producer option.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, in addition to the quality loss adjustment coverage
available under paragraph (1), the Corporation shall offer
producers the option of purchasing quality loss adjustment
coverage on a basis that is smaller than a unit with respect to
an agricultural commodity that satisfies each of the following:
``(i) The agricultural commodity is sold on an
identity-preserved basis.
``(ii) All quality determinations are made solely by
the Federal agency designated to grade or classify the
agricultural commodity.
``(iii) All quality determinations are made in
accordance with standards published by the Federal agency
in the Federal Register.
``(iv) The discount schedules that reflect the
reduction in quality of the agricultural commodity are
established by the Secretary.
``(B) Basis for adjustment.--Under this paragraph, the
Corporation shall set the quality standards below which quality
losses will be paid based on the variability of the grade of
the agricultural commodity from the base quality for the
agricultural commodity.
``(3) Review of criteria and procedures.--The Corporation shall
contract with a qualified person to review the quality loss
adjustment procedures of the Corporation so that the procedures
more accurately reflect local quality discounts that are applied to
agricultural commodities insured under this title. Based on the
review, the Corporation shall make adjustments in the procedures,
taking into consideration the actuarial soundness of the adjustment
and the prevention of fraud, waste, and abuse.''.

6bf7213c4b36e0f87404a9fe58e94824e3ebaa035bc4017f406ca8dac7124122

The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is amended
by inserting after section 508 (7 U.S.C. 1508) the following:
``SEC. 508A. DOUBLE INSURANCE AND PREVENTED PLANTING.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) First crop.--The term `first crop' means the first crop
of the first agricultural commodity planted for harvest, or
prevented from being planted, on specific acreage during a crop
year and insured under this title.
``(2) Second crop.--The term `second crop' means a second crop
of the same agricultural commodity as the first crop, or a crop of
a different agricultural commodity following the first crop,
planted on the same acreage as the first crop for harvest in the
same crop year, except the term does not include a replanted crop.
``(3) Replanted crop.--The term `replanted crop' means any
agricultural commodity replanted on the same acreage as the first
crop for harvest in the same crop year if the replanting is
required by the terms of the policy of insurance covering the first
crop.
``(b) Double Insurance.--
``(1) Options on loss to first crop.--Except as provided in
subsections (d) and (e), if a first crop insured under this title
in a crop year has a total or partial insurable loss, the producer
of the first crop may elect one of the following options:
``(A) No second crop planted.--The producer may--
``(i) elect to not plant a second crop on the same
acreage for harvest in the same crop year; and
``(ii) collect an indemnity payment that is equal to
100 percent of the insurable loss for the first crop.
``(B) Second crop planted.--The producer may--
``(i) plant a second crop on the same acreage for
harvest in the same crop year; and
``(ii) collect an indemnity payment established by the
Corporation for the first crop, but not to exceed 35
percent of the insurable loss for the first crop.
``(2) Effect of no loss to second crop.--If a producer makes an
election under paragraph (1)(B) and the producer does not suffer an
insurable loss to the second crop, the producer may collect an
indemnity payment for the first crop that is equal to--
``(A) 100 percent of the insurable loss for the first crop;
less
``(B) the amount previously collected under paragraph
(1)(B)(ii).
``(3) Premium for first crop if second crop planted.--
``(A) Initial premium.--If a producer makes an election
under paragraph (1)(B), the producer shall be responsible for a
premium for the first crop that is commensurate with the
indemnity paid under paragraph (1)(B)(ii). The Corporation
shall adjust the total premium for the first crop to reflect
the reduced indemnity.
``(B) Effect of no loss to second crop.--If the producer
makes an election under paragraph (1)(B) and the producer does
not suffer an insurable loss to the second crop, the producer
shall be responsible for a premium for the first crop that is
equal to--
``(i) the full premium owed by the producer for the
first crop; less
``(ii) the amount of premium previously paid under
subparagraph (A).
``(c) Prevented Planting Coverage.--
``(1) Options on loss to first crop.--Except as provided in
subsections (d) and (e), if a first crop insured under this title
in a crop year is prevented from being planted, the producer of the
first crop may elect one of the following options:
``(A) No second crop planted.--The producer may--
``(i) elect to not plant a second crop on the same
acreage for harvest in the same crop year; and
``(ii) subject to paragraph (4), collect an indemnity
payment that is equal to 100 percent of the prevented
planting guarantee for the acreage for the first crop.
``(B) Second crop planted.--The producer may--
``(i) plant a second crop on the same acreage for
harvest in the same crop year; and
``(ii) subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), collect an
indemnity payment established by the Corporation for the
first crop, but not to exceed 35 percent of the prevented
planting guarantee for the acreage for the first crop.
``(2) Premium for first crop if second planted.--If the
producer makes an election under paragraph (1)(B), the producer
shall pay a premium for the first crop that is commensurate with
the indemnity paid under paragraph (1)(B)(ii). The Corporation
shall adjust the total premium for the first crop to reflect the
reduced indemnity.
``(3) Effect on actual production history.--Except in the case
of double cropping described in subsection (d), if a producer make
an election under paragraph (1)(B) for a crop year, the Corporation
shall assign the producer a recorded yield for that crop year for
the first crop equal to 60 percent of the producer's actual
production history for the agricultural commodity involved, for
purposes of determining the producer's actual production history
for subsequent crop years.
``(4) Area conditions required for payment.--The Corporation
shall limit prevented planting payments for producers to those
situations in which other producers, in the area where a first crop
is prevented from being planted is located, are also generally
affected by the conditions that prevented the first crop from being
planted.
``(5) Planting date.--If a producer plants the second crop
before the latest planting date established by the Corporation for
the first crop, the Corporation shall not make a prevented planting
payment with regard to the first crop.
``(d) Exception for Established Double Cropping Practices.--A
producer may receive full indemnity payments on two or more crops
planted for harvest in the same crop year and insured under this title
if each of the following conditions are met:
``(1) There is an established practice of planting two or more
crops for harvest in the same crop year in the area, as determined
by the Corporation.
``(2) An additional coverage policy or plan of insurance is
offered with respect to the agricultural commodities planted on the
same acreage for harvest in the same crop year in the area.
``(3) The producer has a history of planting two or more crops
for harvest in the same crop year or the applicable acreage has
historically had two or more crops planted for harvest in the same
crop year.
``(4) The second or more crops are customarily planted after
the first crop for harvest on the same acreage in the same year in
the area.
``(e) Subsequent Crops.--Except in the case of double cropping
described in subsection (d), if a producer elects to plant a crop
(other than a replanted crop) subsequent to a second crop on the same
acreage as the first crop and second crop for harvest in the same crop
year, the producer shall not be eligible for insurance under this
title, or noninsured crop assistance under section 196 of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333), for the subsequent
crop.''.

7929844c924ca21e58cb4eb50c57934bf44bed0e7b27975cea8a6ebe84271f17

(a) Operation and Administration of Program.--Section 196(a)(2) of
the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333(a)(2)) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Combination of similar types or varieties.--At the
option of the Secretary, all types or varieties of a crop or
commodity, described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), may be
considered to be a single eligible crop under this section.''.
(b) Timely Application.--Section 196(b)(1) of the Agricultural
Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333(b)(1)) is amended in the second
sentence by striking ``at such time as the Secretary may require'' and
inserting ``not later than 30 days before the beginning of the coverage
period, as determined by the Secretary''.
(c) Records and Reports.--Section 196(b) of the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Records.--To be eligible for assistance under this
section, a producer shall provide annually to the Secretary records
of crop acreage, acreage yields, and production for each crop, as
required by the Secretary.''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``annual'' after ``shall
provide''.
(d) Loss Requirements.--Section 196 of the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended by striking subsection (c)
and inserting the following:
``(c) Loss Requirements.--
``(1) Cause.--To be eligible for assistance under this section,
a producer of an eligible crop shall have suffered a loss of a
noninsured commodity as the result of a cause described in
subsection (a)(3).
``(2) Assistance.--On making a determination described in
subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall provide assistance under
this section to producers of an eligible crop that have suffered a
loss as a result of the cause described in subsection (a)(3).
``(3) Prevented planting.--Subject to paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall make a prevented planting noninsured crop disaster
assistance payment if the producer is prevented from planting more
than 35 percent of the acreage intended for the eligible crop
because of drought, flood, or other natural disaster, as determined
by the Secretary.
``(4) Area trigger.--The Secretary shall provide assistance to
individual producers without any requirement of an area loss.''.
(e) Service Fee.--Section 196 of the Agricultural Market Transition
Act (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Service Fee.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive assistance for an
eligible crop for a crop year under this section, a producer shall
pay to the Secretary (at the time at which the producer submits the
application under subsection (b)(1)) a service fee for the eligible
crop in an amount that is equal to the lesser of--
``(A) $100 per crop per county; or
``(B) $300 per producer per county, but not to exceed a
total of $900 per producer.
``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary shall waive the service fee
required under paragraph (1) in the case of a limited resource
farmer, as defined by the Secretary.
``(3) Use.--The Secretary shall deposit service fees collected
under this subsection in the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund.''.
Subtitle B--Improving Program Integrity

fb3b0bdc7d8cad4d26624b674bd11c3ada047ee7be78137da4a60a740b38bbbe

(a) Additional Methods of Ensuring Program Compliance and
Integrity.--Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1514) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 515. PROGRAM COMPLIANCE AND INTEGRITY.
``(a) Purpose.--
``(1) In general.--The purpose of this section is to improve
compliance with, and the integrity of, the Federal crop insurance
program.
``(2) Role of insurance providers.--The Corporation shall work
actively with approved insurance providers to address program
compliance and integrity issues as such issues develop.
``(b) Notification of Compliance Problems.--
``(1) Notification of errors, omissions, and failures.--The
Corporation shall notify in writing an approved insurance provider
of any error, omission, or failure to follow Corporation
regulations or procedures for which the approved insurance provider
may be responsible and which may result in a debt owed the
Corporation.
``(2) Time for notification.--Notice under paragraph (1) shall
be given within 3 years after the end of the insurance period
during which the error, omission, or failure is alleged to have
occurred, except that this time limitation shall not apply with
respect to an error, omission, or procedural violation that is
willful or intentional.
``(3) Effect of failure to timely notify.--Except as provided
in paragraph (2), the failure to timely provide the notice required
under this subsection shall relieve the approved insurance provider
from the debt owed the Corporation.
``(c) Reconciling Producer Information.--The Secretary shall
develop and implement a coordinated plan for the Corporation and the
Farm Service Agency to reconcile all relevant information received by
the Corporation or the Farm Service Agency from a producer who obtains
crop insurance coverage under this title. Beginning with the 2001 crop
year, the Secretary shall require that the Corporation and the Farm
Service Agency reconcile such producer-derived information on at least
an annual basis in order to identify and address any discrepancies.
``(d) Identification and Elimination of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse.--
``(1) FSA monitoring program.--The Secretary shall develop and
implement a coordinated plan for the Farm Service Agency to assist
the Corporation in the ongoing monitoring of programs carried out
under this title, including--
``(A) at the request of the Corporation or, subject to
paragraph (2), on its own initiative if the Farm Service Agency
has reason to suspect the existence of program fraud, waste, or
abuse, conducting fact finding relative to allegations of
program fraud, waste, or abuse;
``(B) reporting to the Corporation, in writing in a timely
manner, the results of any fact finding conducted pursuant to
subparagraph (A), any allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse, and
any identified program vulnerabilities; and
``(C) assisting the Corporation and approved insurance
providers in auditing a statistically appropriate number of
claims made under any policy or plan of insurance under this
title.
``(2) FSA inquiry.--If, within five calendar days after
receiving a report submitted under paragraph (1)(B), the
Corporation does not provide a written response that describes the
intended actions of the Corporation, the Farm Service Agency may
conduct its own inquiry into the alleged program fraud, waste, or
abuse on approval from the State director of the Farm Service
Agency of the State in which the alleged fraud, waste, or abuse
occurred. If as a result of the inquiry, the Farm Service Agency
concludes further investigation is warranted, but the Corporation
declines to proceed with the investigation, the Farm Service Agency
may refer the matter to the Inspector General of the Department of
Agriculture.
``(3) Use of field infrastructure.--The plan required by
paragraph (1) shall provide for the use of the field infrastructure
of the Farm Service Agency. The Secretary shall ensure that
relevant Farm Service Agency personnel are appropriately trained
for any responsibilities assigned to the personnel under the plan.
At a minimum, the personnel shall receive the same level of
training and pass the same basic competency tests as required of
loss adjusters of approved insurance providers.
``(4) Maintenance of provider effort.--
``(A) In general.--The activities of the Farm Service
Agency under this subsection do not affect the responsibility
of approved insurance providers to conduct any audits of claims
or other program reviews required by the Corporation.
``(B) Notification of providers.--The Corporation shall
notify the appropriate approved insurance provider of a report
from the Farm Service Agency regarding alleged program fraud,
waste, or abuse, unless the provider is suspected to be
included in, or a party to, the alleged fraud, waste, or abuse.
``(C) Response.--An approved insurance provider that
receives a notice under subparagraph (B) shall submit a report
to the Corporation, within an appropriate time period
determined by the Secretary, describing the actions taken by
the provider to investigate the allegations of program fraud,
waste, or abuse contained in the notice.
``(5) Corporation response to provider reports.--
``(A) Prompt response.--If an approved insurance provider
reports to the Corporation that the approved insurance provider
suspects intentional misrepresentation, fraud, waste, or abuse,
the Corporation shall make a determination and provide, within
90 calendar days after receiving the report, a written response
that describes the intended actions of the Corporation.
``(B) Cooperative effort.--The approved insurance provider
and the Corporation shall take coordinated action in any case
where misrepresentation, fraud, waste, or abuse is alleged.
``(C) Failure to timely respond.--If the Corporation fails
to respond as required by subparagraph (A), an approved
insurance provider may request the Farm Service Agency to
assist the provider in an inquiry into the alleged program
fraud, waste, or abuse.
``(e) Consultation with State FSA Committees.--The Secretary shall
establish procedures under which the Corporation shall consult with the
State committee of the Farm Service Agency for a State with respect to
policies, plans of insurance, and material related to such policies or
plans of insurance (including applicable sales closing dates, assigned
yields, and transitional yields) offered in that State under this
title.
``(f) Detection of Disparate Performance.--
``(1) Covered activities.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures under which the Corporation will be able to identify the
following:
``(A) Any agent engaged in the sale of coverage offered
under this title where the loss claims associated with such
sales by the agent are equal to or greater than 150 percent (or
an appropriate percentage specified by the Corporation) of the
mean for all loss claims associated with such sales by all
other agents operating in the same area, as determined by the
Corporation.
``(B) Any person performing loss adjustment services
relative to coverage offered under this title where such loss
adjustments performed by the person result in accepted or
denied claims equal to or greater than 150 percent (or an
appropriate percentage specified by the Corporation) of the
mean for accepted or denied claims (as applicable) for all
other persons performing loss adjustment services in the same
area, as determined by the Corporation.
``(2) Review.--
``(A) Review required.--The Corporation shall conduct a
review of any agent identified pursuant to paragraph (1)(A),
and any person identified pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), to
determine whether the higher loss claims associated with the
agent or the higher number of accepted or denied claims (as
applicable) associated with the person are the result of fraud,
waste, or abuse.
``(B) Remedial action.--The Corporation shall take
appropriate remedial action with respect to any occurrence of
fraud, waste, or abuse identified in a review conducted under
this paragraph.
``(3) Oversight of agents and loss adjusters.--The Corporation
shall develop procedures to require an annual review by an approved
insurance provider of the performance of each agent and loss
adjuster used by the approved insurance provider. The Corporation
shall oversee the conduct of annual reviews and may consult with an
approved insurance provider regarding any remedial action that is
determined to be necessary as a result of the annual review of an
agent or loss adjuster.
``(g) Submission of Information to Corporation to Support
Compliance Efforts.--
``(1) Types of information required.--The Secretary shall
establish procedures under which approved insurance providers shall
submit to the Corporation the following information with respect to
each policy or plan of insurance offered under this title:
``(A) The name and identification number of the insured.
``(B) The agricultural commodity to be insured.
``(C) The elected coverage level, including the price
election, of the insured.
``(2) Time for submission.--The information required by
paragraph (1) with respect to a policy or plan of insurance shall
be submitted so as to ensure receipt by the Corporation not later
than the Saturday of the week containing the calendar day that is
30 days after the applicable sales closing date for the crop to be
insured.
``(h) Sanctions for Program Noncompliance and Fraud.--
``(1) False information.--A producer, agent, loss adjuster,
approved insurance provider, or other person that willfully and
intentionally provides any false or inaccurate information to the
Corporation or to an approved insurance provider with respect to a
policy or plan of insurance under this title may, after notice and
an opportunity for a hearing on the record, be subject to one or
more of the sanctions described in paragraph (3).
``(2) Compliance.--A person may, after notice and an
opportunity for a hearing on the record, be subject to one or more
of the sanctions described in paragraph (3) if the person is a
producer, agent, loss adjuster, approved insurance provider, or
other person that willfully and intentionally fails to comply with
a requirement of the Corporation.
``(3) Authorized sanctions.--If the Secretary determines that a
person covered by this subsection has committed a material
violation under paragraph (1) or (2), the following sanctions may
be imposed:
``(A) Civil fines.--A civil fine may be imposed for each
violation in an amount not to exceed the greater of--
``(i) the amount of the pecuniary gain obtained as a
result of the false or inaccurate information provided or
the noncompliance with a requirement of this title; or
``(ii) $10,000.
``(B) Producer disqualification.--In the case of a
violation committed by a producer, the producer may be
disqualified for a period of up to 5 years from receiving any
monetary or nonmonetary benefit provided under each of the
following:
``(i) This title.
``(ii) The Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C.
7201 et seq.), including the noninsured crop disaster
assistance program under section 196 of that Act (7 U.S.C.
7333).
``(iii) The Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1421 et
seq.).
``(iv) The Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15
U.S.C. 714 et seq.).
``(v) The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C.
1281 et seq.).
``(vi) Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3801 et seq.).
``(vii) The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.).
``(viii) Any law that provides assistance to a producer
of an agricultural commodity affected by a crop loss or a
decline in the prices of agricultural commodities.
``(C) Disqualification of other persons.--In the case of a
violation committed by an agent, loss adjuster, approved
insurance provider, or other person (other than a producer),
the violator may be disqualified for a period of up to 5 years
from participating in any program, or receiving any benefit,
under this title.
``(4) Assessment of sanction.--The Secretary shall consider the
gravity of the violation of the person covered by this subsection
in determining--
``(A) whether to impose a sanction under this subsection;
and
``(B) the type and amount of the sanction to be imposed.
``(5) Disclosure of sanctions.--Each policy or plan of
insurance under this title shall provide notice describing the
sanctions prescribed under paragraph (3) for willfully and
intentionally--
``(A) providing false or inaccurate information to the
Corporation or to an approved insurance provider; or
``(B) failing to comply with a requirement of the
Corporation.
``(6) Insurance fund.--Any funds collected under this
subsection shall be deposited into the insurance fund established
under section 516(c).
``(i) Annual Report on Program Compliance and Integrity Efforts.--
``(1) Report required.--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 describing the operation of this section during the
preceding year and efforts undertaken by the Secretary and the
Corporation to carry out this section.
``(2) Information regarding fraud, waste, and abuse.--The
report shall identify specific occurrences of waste, fraud, or
abuse and contain an outline of actions that have been or are being
taken to eliminate the identified waste, fraud, or abuse.
``(j) Information Management.--
``(1) Systems upgrades.--The Secretary shall upgrade the
information management systems of the Corporation used in the
administration and enforcement and this title. In upgrading the
systems, the Secretary shall ensure that new hardware and software
are compatible with the hardware and software used by other
agencies of the Department to maximize data sharing and promote the
purpose of this section.
``(2) Use of available information technologies.--The Secretary
shall use the information technologies known as data mining and
data warehousing and other available information technologies to
administer and enforce this title.
``(3) Use of private sector.--The Secretary may enter into
contracts to use private sector expertise and technological
resources in implementing this subsection.
``(k) Funding.--
``(1) Available funds.--To carry out this section and sections
502(c), 506(h), 508(a)(3)(B), and 508(f)(3)(A), the Corporation may
use, from amounts made available from the insurance fund
established under section 516(c), not more than $23,000,000 during
the period of fiscal years 2001 through 2005, of which not more
than $9,000,000 shall be available for fiscal year 2001.
``(2) Prohibition.--None of the funds made available under
paragraph (1) may be used to pay the salaries of employees of the
Corporation.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 506 of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1506) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (q); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (r) and (s) as subsections (q)
and (r), respectively.

dba592faed1f08f85f7e5822a441f1ba210b11a1a6fdd565bf1b51fee3519550

Section 502 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Protection of Confidential Information.--
``(1) General prohibition against disclosure.--Except as
provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary, any other officer or
employee of the Department or an agency thereof, an approved
insurance provider and its employees and contractors, and any other
person may not disclose to the public information furnished by a
producer under this title.
``(2) Authorized disclosure.--
``(A) Disclosure in statistical or aggregate form.--
Information described in paragraph (1) may be disclosed to the
public if the information has been transformed into a
statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the
identification of the person who supplied particular
information.
``(B) Consent of producer.--A producer may consent to the
disclosure of information described in paragraph (1). The
participation of the producer in, and the receipt of any
benefit by the producer under, this title or any other program
administered by the Secretary may not be conditioned on the
producer providing consent under this paragraph.
``(3) Violations; penalties.--Section 1770(c) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276(c)) shall apply with respect to
the release of information collected in any manner or for any
purpose prohibited by this subsection.''.

fc4bfc964e6264a8acf55f6813ca7238afa7b79bed589bf4e2225647e4fe94ea

Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(a))
is amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Exclusion of losses due to certain actions of producer.--
``(A) Exclusions.--Insurance provided under this subsection
shall not cover losses due to--
``(i) the neglect or malfeasance of the producer;
``(ii) the failure of the producer to reseed to the
same crop in such areas and under such circumstances as it
is customary to reseed; or
``(iii) the failure of the producer to follow good
farming practices, including scientifically sound
sustainable and organic farming practices.
``(B) Good farming practices.--
``(i) Informal administrative process.--A producer
shall have the right to a review of a determination
regarding good farming practices made under subparagraph
(A)(iii) in accordance with an informal administrative
process to be established by the Corporation.
``(ii) Administrative review.--
``(I) No adverse decision.--The determination shall
not be considered an adverse decision for purposes of
subtitle H of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991 et seq.).
``(II) Reversal or modification.--Except as
provided in clause (i), the determination may not be
reversed or modified as the result of a subsequent
administrative review.
``(iii) Judicial review.--
``(I) Right to review.--A producer shall have the
right to judicial review of the determination without
exhausting any right to a review under clause (i).
``(II) Reversal or modification.--The determination
may not be reversed or modified as the result of
judicial review unless the determination is found to be
arbitrary or capricious.''.

b3fc31ef56f76f680711cb330da9bb6b76e39dd1ab8a6dd8d6f72c2fc152ef13

(a) Condition of Obtaining Coverage.--Section 508(f)(3) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(f)(3)) is amended by striking
subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
``(A) provide annually records acceptable to the Secretary
regarding crop acreage, acreage yields, and production for each
agricultural commodity insured under this title or accept a
yield determined by the Corporation; and''.
(b) Additional General Power.--Section 506 of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1506) is amended by striking subsection (h) and
inserting the following:
``(h) Collection and Sharing of Information.--
``(1) Surveys and investigations.--The Corporation may conduct
surveys and investigations relating to crop insurance, agriculture-
related risks and losses, and other issues related to carrying out
this title.
``(2) Data collection.--The Corporation shall assemble data for
the purpose of establishing sound actuarial bases for insurance on
agricultural commodities.
``(3) Sharing of records.--Notwithstanding section 502(c),
records submitted in accordance with this title and section 196 of
the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333) shall be
available to agencies and local offices of the Department,
appropriate State and Federal agencies and divisions, and approved
insurance providers for use in carrying out this title, such
section 196, and other agricultural programs.''.
Subtitle C--Research and Pilot Programs

63ee74c5937ebc2398f44228c8b785663dea28d040b7f77515fe94c41f58f81e

The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 522. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
``(a) Definition of Policy.--In this section, the term `policy'
means a policy, plan of insurance, provision of a policy or plan of
insurance, and related materials.
``(b) Reimbursement of Research, Development, and Maintenance
Costs.--
``(1) Research and development reimbursement.--The Corporation
shall provide a payment to reimburse an applicant for research and
development costs directly related to a policy that is--
``(A) submitted to the Board and approved by the Board
under section 508(h) for reinsurance; and
``(B) if applicable, offered for sale to producers.
``(2) Existing plans.--The Corporation shall reimburse costs
associated with research and development costs directly related to
a policy that was approved by the Board prior to the date of the
enactment of this section.
``(3) Marketability.--The Corporation shall approve a
reimbursement under paragraph (1) or (2) only after determining
that the policy is marketable based on a reasonable marketing plan,
as determined by the Board.
``(4) Maintenance payments.--
``(A) Requirement.--The Corporation shall reimburse
maintenance costs associated with the annual cost of
underwriting for a policy described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(B) Duration.--Payments with respect to maintenance costs
may be provided for a period of not more than four reinsurance
years subsequent to Board approval for payment under this
subsection.
``(C) Options for maintenance.--On the expiration of the 4-
year period described in subparagraph (B), the approved
insurance provider responsible for maintenance of the policy
may--
``(i) maintain the policy and charge a fee to approved
insurance providers that elect to sell the policy under
this subsection; or
``(ii) transfer responsibility for maintenance of the
policy to the Corporation.
``(D) Fee.--
``(i) Amount.--Subject to approval by the Board, the
amount of the fee that is payable by an approved insurance
provider that elects to sell the policy shall be an amount
that is determined by the approved insurance provider
maintaining the policy.
``(ii) Approval.--The Board shall approve the amount of
a fee determined under clause (i) for maintenance of the
policy unless the Board determines that the amount of the
fee--
``(I) is unreasonable in relation to the
maintenance costs associated with the policy; or
``(II) unnecessarily inhibits the use of the
policy.
``(5) Treatment of payment.--Payments made under this
subsection for a policy shall be considered as payment in full by
the Corporation for the research and development conducted with
regard to the policy and any property rights to the policy.
``(6) Reimbursement amount.--The Corporation shall determine
the amount of the payment under this subsection for an approved
policy based on the complexity of the policy and the size of the
area in which the policy or material is expected to be sold.
``(c) Research and Development Contracting Authority.--
``(1) Authority.--The Corporation may enter into contracts to
carry out research and development to--
``(A) increase participation in States in which the
Corporation determines that--
``(i) there is traditionally, and continues to be, a
low level of Federal crop insurance participation and
availability; and
``(ii) the State is underserved by the Federal crop
insurance program;
``(B) increase participation in areas that are underserved
by the Federal crop insurance program; and
``(C) increase participation by producers of underserved
agricultural commodities, including specialty crops.
``(2) Underserved agricultural commodities and areas.--
``(A) Authority.--The Corporation may enter into contracts
under procedures prescribed by the Corporation with qualified
persons to carry out research and development for policies that
promote the purposes of paragraph (1).
``(B) Consultation.--Before entering into a contract under
subparagraph (A), the Corporation shall consult with groups
representing producers of agricultural commodities that would
be served by the policies that are the subject of the research
and development.
``(3) Qualified persons.--A person with experience in crop
insurance or farm or ranch risk management (including a college or
university, an approved insurance provider, and a trade or research
organization), as determined by the Corporation, shall be eligible
to enter into a contract with the Corporation under this
subsection.
``(4) Types of contracts.--A contract under this subsection may
provide for research and development regarding new or expanded
policies, including policies based on adjusted gross income, cost-
of-production, quality losses, and an intermediate base program
with a higher coverage and cost than catastrophic risk protection.
``(5) Use of resulting policies.--The Corporation may offer any
policy developed under this subsection that is approved by the
Board.
``(6) Research and development priorities.--The Corporation
shall establish as one of the highest research and development
priorities of the Corporation the development of a pasture, range,
and forage program.
``(7) Study of multiyear coverage.--
``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall contract with a
qualified person to conduct a study to determine whether
offering policies that provide coverage for multiple years
would reduce fraud, waste, and abuse by persons that
participate in the Federal crop insurance program.
``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Corporation shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate a report that describes the results of the study
conducted under subparagraph (A).
``(8) Contract for revenue coverage plans.--The Corporation
shall enter into a contract for research and development regarding
one or more revenue coverage plans that are designed to enable
producers to take maximum advantage of fluctuations in market
prices and thereby maximize revenue realized from the sale of an
agricultural commodity. A revenue coverage plan may include the use
of existing market instruments or the development of new market
instruments. Not later than 15 months after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Corporation 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 contract entered into
under this paragraph.
``(9) Contract for cost of production policy.--
``(A) Authority.--The Corporation shall enter into a
contract for research and development regarding a cost of
production policy.
``(B) Research and development.--The research and
development shall--
``(i) take into consideration the differences in the
cost of production on a county-by-county basis; and
``(ii) cover as many commodities as is practicable.
``(10) Relation to limitations.--A policy developed under this
subsection may be prepared without regard to the limitations of
this title, including--
``(A) the requirement concerning the levels of coverage and
rates; and
``(B) the requirement that the price level for each insured
agricultural commodity must equal the expected market price for
the agricultural commodity, as established by the Board.
``(d) Partnerships for Risk Management Development and
Implementation.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to authorize
the Corporation to enter into partnerships with public and private
entities for the purpose of increasing the availability of loss
mitigation, financial, and other risk management tools for
producers, with a priority given to risk management tools for
producers of agricultural commodities covered by section 196 of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7333), specialty
crops, and underserved agricultural commodities.
``(2) Authority.--The Corporation may enter into partnerships
with the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service, the Agricultural Research Service, the National Oceanic
Atmospheric Administration, and other appropriate public and
private entities with demonstrated capabilities in developing and
implementing risk management and marketing options for producers of
specialty crops and underserved agricultural commodities.
``(3) Objectives.--The Corporation may enter into a partnership
under paragraph (2)--
``(A) to enhance the notice and timeliness of notice of
weather conditions that could negatively affect crop yields,
quality, and final product use in order to allow producers to
take preventive actions to increase end product profitability
and marketability and to reduce the possibility of crop
insurance claims;
``(B) to develop a multifaceted approach to pest management
and fertilization to decrease inputs, decrease environmental
exposure, and increase application efficiency;
``(C) to develop or improve techniques for planning,
breeding, planting, growing, maintaining, harvesting, storing,
shipping, and marketing that will address quality and quantity
challenges associated with year-to-year and regional
variations;
``(D) to clarify labor requirements and assist producers in
complying with requirements to better meet the physically
intense and time-compressed planting, tending, and harvesting
requirements associated with the production of specialty crops
and underserved agricultural commodities;
``(E) to provide assistance to State foresters or
equivalent officials for the prescribed use of burning on
private forest land for the prevention, control, and
suppression of fire;
``(F) to provide producers with training and informational
opportunities so that the producers will be better able to use
financial management, crop insurance, marketing contracts, and
other existing and emerging risk management tools; and
``(G) to develop other risk management tools to further
increase economic and production stability.
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Reimbursements.--Of the amounts made available from the
insurance fund established under section 516(c), the Corporation
may use to provide reimbursements under subsection (b) not more
than $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002 and not
more than $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2003 and each subsequent
fiscal year.
``(2) Contracting.--
``(A) Authority.--Of the amounts made available from the
insurance fund established under section 516(c), the
Corporation may use to carry out contracting and partnerships
under subsections (c) and (d) not more than $20,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2001 through 2003 and not more than
$25,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent fiscal
year.
``(B) Underserved states.--Of the amount made available
under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, the Corporation shall
use not more than $5,000,000 for the fiscal year to carry out
contracting for research and development to carry out the
purpose described in subsection (c)(1)(A).
``(3) Unused funding.--If the Corporation determines that the
amount available to provide either reimbursement payments or
contract payments under this section for a fiscal year is not
needed for such purposes, the Corporation may use the excess amount
to carry out another function authorized under this section.
``(4) Prohibited research and development by corporation.--
``(A) New policies.--Notwithstanding subsection (d), on and
after October 1, 2000, the Corporation shall not conduct
research and development for any new policy for an agricultural
commodity offered under this title.
``(B) Existing policies.--Any policy developed by the
Corporation under this title before that date may continue to
be offered for sale to producers.''.

92c2ea43bca5c11e064357782a3a567239b996f96022569463560d8af7280a3d

(a) Authority.--The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et
seq.), as amended by section 131, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 523. PILOT PROGRAMS.
``(a) General Provisions.--
``(1) Authority.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
the Corporation may conduct a pilot program submitted to and
approved by the Board under section 508(h), or that is developed
under subsection (b) or section 522, to evaluate whether a proposal
or new risk management tool tested by the pilot program is suitable
for the marketplace and addresses the needs of producers of
agricultural commodities.
``(2) Private coverage.--Under this section, the Corporation
shall not conduct any pilot program that provides insurance
protection against a risk if insurance protection against the risk
is generally available from private companies.
``(3) Covered activities.--The pilot programs described in
paragraph (1) may include pilot programs providing insurance
protection against losses involving--
``(A) reduced forage on rangeland caused by drought or
insect infestation;
``(B) livestock poisoning and disease;
``(C) destruction of bees due to the use of pesticides;
``(D) unique special risks related to fruits, nuts,
vegetables, and specialty crops in general, aquacultural
species, and forest industry needs (including appreciation);
``(E) after October 1, 2001, wild salmon, except that--
``(i) any pilot program with regard to wild salmon may
be carried out without regard to the limitations of this
title; and
``(ii) the Corporation shall conduct all wild salmon
programs under this title so that, to the maximum extent
practicable, all costs associated with conducting the
programs are not expected to exceed $1,000,000 for fiscal
year 2002 and each subsequent fiscal year.
``(4) Scope of pilot programs.--The Corporation may--
``(A) approve a pilot program under this section to be
conducted on a regional, State, or national basis after
considering the interests of affected producers and the
interests of, and risks to, the Corporation;
``(B) operate the pilot program, including any
modifications of the pilot program, for a period of up to 4
years;
``(C) extend the time period for the pilot program for
additional periods, as determined appropriate by the
Corporation; and
``(D) provide pilot programs that would allow producers--
``(i) to receive a reduced premium for using whole farm
units or single crop units of insurance; and
``(ii) to cross State and county boundaries to form
insurable units.
``(5) Evaluation.--
``(A) Requirement.--After the completion of any pilot
program under this section, the Corporation shall evaluate the
pilot program and 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
operations of the pilot program.
``(B) Evaluation and recommendations.--The report shall
include an evaluation by the Corporation of the pilot program
and the recommendations of the Corporation with respect to
implementing the program on a national basis.
``(b) Livestock Pilot Programs.--
``(1) Definition of livestock.--In this subsection, the term
`livestock' includes, but is not limited to, cattle, sheep, swine,
goats, and poultry.
``(2) Programs required.--Subject to paragraph (7), the
Corporation shall conduct two or more pilot programs to evaluate
the effectiveness of risk management tools for livestock producers,
including the use of futures and options contracts and policies and
plans of insurance that protect the interests of livestock
producers and that provide--
``(A) livestock producers with reasonable protection from
the financial risks of price or income fluctuations inherent in
the production and marketing of livestock; or
``(B) protection for production losses.
``(3) Purpose of programs.--To the maximum extent practicable,
the Corporation shall evaluate the greatest number and variety of
pilot programs described in paragraph (2) to determine which of the
offered risk management tools are best suited to protect livestock
producers from the financial risks associated with the production
and marketing of livestock.
``(4) Timing.--The Corporation shall begin conducting livestock
pilot programs under this subsection during fiscal year 2001.
``(5) Relation to other limitations.--Any policy or plan of
insurance offered under this subsection may be prepared without
regard to the limitations of this title.
``(6) Assistance.--As part of a pilot program under this
subsection, the Corporation may provide reinsurance for policies or
plans of insurance and subsidize the purchase of futures and
options contracts or policies and plans of insurance offered under
the pilot program.
``(7) Private insurance.--No action may be undertaken with
respect to a risk under this subsection if the Corporation
determines that insurance protection for livestock producers
against the risk is generally available from private companies.
``(8) Location.--The Corporation shall conduct the livestock
pilot programs under this subsection in a number of counties that
is determined by the Corporation to be adequate to provide a
comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility, effectiveness, and
demand among producers for the risk management tools evaluated in
the pilot programs.
``(9) Eligible producers.--Any producer of a type of livestock
covered by a pilot program under this subsection that owns or
operates a farm or ranch in a county selected as a location for
that pilot program shall be eligible to participate in that pilot
program.
``(10) Limitation on expenditures.--The Corporation shall
conduct all livestock programs under this title so that, to the
maximum extent practicable, all costs associated with conducting
the livestock programs (other than research and development costs
covered by section 522) are not expected to exceed the following:
``(A) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
``(B) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
``(C) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2004 and each subsequent
fiscal year.
``(c) Revenue Insurance Pilot Program.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to section 522(e)(4), the Secretary
shall carry out a pilot program in a limited number of counties, as
determined by the Secretary, for crop years 1997 through 2001,
under which a producer of wheat, feed grains, soybeans, or such
other commodity as the Secretary considers appropriate may elect to
receive insurance against loss of revenue, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(2) Administration.--Revenue insurance under this subsection
shall--
``(A) be offered through reinsurance arrangements with
private insurance companies;
``(B) offer at least a minimum level of coverage that is an
alternative to catastrophic crop insurance;
``(C) be actuarially sound; and
``(D) require the payment of premiums and administrative
fees by an insured producer.
``(d) Premium Rate Reduction Pilot Program.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of the pilot program established
under this subsection is to determine whether approved insurance
providers will compete to market policies or plans of insurance
with reduced rates of premium, in a manner that maintains the
financial soundness of approved insurance providers and is
consistent with the integrity of the Federal crop insurance
program.
``(2) Establishment.--
``(A) In general.--Beginning with the 2002 crop year, the
Corporation shall establish a pilot program under which
approved insurance providers may propose for approval by the
Board policies or plans of insurance with reduced rates of
premium--
``(i) for one or more agricultural commodities; and
``(ii) within a limited geographic area, as proposed by
the approved insurance provider and approved by the Board.
``(B) Determination by board.--The Board shall approve a
policy or plan of insurance proposed under this subsection that
involves a premium reduction if the Board determines that--
``(i) the interests of producers are adequately
protected within the pilot area;
``(ii) rates of premium are actuarially appropriate, as
determined by the Board;
``(iii) the size of the proposed pilot area is
adequate;
``(iv) the proposed policy or plan of insurance would
not unfairly discriminate among producers within the
proposed pilot area;
``(v) if the proposed policy or plan of insurance were
available in a geographic area larger than the proposed
pilot area, the proposed policy or plan of insurance
would--
``(I) not have a significant adverse impact on the
crop insurance delivery system;
``(II) not result in a reduction of program
integrity;
``(III) be actuarially appropriate; and
``(IV) not place an additional financial burden on
the Federal Government; and
``(vi) the proposed policy or plan of insurance meets
other requirements of this title determined appropriate by
the Board.
``(C) Time limitations and procedures.--The time
limitations and procedures of the Board established under
section 508(h) shall apply to a proposal submitted under this
subsection.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 518 of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1518) is amended--
(1) by striking ``livestock and'' after ``commodity,
excluding''; and
(2) by striking ``under subsection (a) or (m) of section 508 of
this title''.

3007cd3a02106493197b401f269a7f62bd12d29e257cc96d22c7f579a3eb112c

The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), as amended
by section 132(a), is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 524. EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.
``(a) Education Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to the amounts made available under
paragraph (4)--
``(A) the Corporation shall carry out the program
established under paragraph (2); and
``(B) the Secretary, acting through the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, shall carry out the
program established under paragraph (3).
``(2) Education and information.--The Corporation shall
establish a program under which crop insurance education and
information is provided to producers in States in which (as
determined by the Secretary)--
``(A) there is traditionally, and continues to be, a low
level of Federal crop insurance participation and availability;
and
``(B) producers are underserved by the Federal crop
insurance program.
``(3) Partnerships for risk management education.--
``(A) Authority.--The Secretary, acting through the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
shall establish a program under which competitive grants are
made to qualified public and private entities (including land
grant colleges, cooperative extension services, and colleges or
universities), as determined by the Secretary, for the purpose
of educating agricultural producers about the full range of
risk management activities, including futures, options,
agricultural trade options, crop insurance, cash forward
contracting, debt reduction, production diversification, farm
resources risk reduction, and other risk management strategies.
``(B) Basis for grants.--A grant under this paragraph shall
be awarded on the basis of merit and shall be subject to peer
or merit review.
``(C) Obligation period.--Funds for a grant under this
paragraph shall be available to the Secretary for obligation
for a 2-year period.
``(D) Administrative costs.--The Secretary may use not more
than 4 percent of the funds made available for grants under
this paragraph for administrative costs incurred by the
Secretary in carrying out this paragraph.
``(4) Funding.--From the insurance fund established under
section 516(c), there is transferred--
``(A) for the education and information program established
under paragraph (2), $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2001 and each
subsequent fiscal year; and
``(B) for the partnerships for risk management education
program established under paragraph (3), $5,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year.
``(b) Agricultural Management Assistance.--
``(1) Authority.--The Secretary shall provide cost share
assistance to producers, in a manner determined by the Secretary,
in not less than 10, nor more than 15, States in which
participation in the Federal crop insurance program is historically
low, as determined by the Secretary.
``(2) Uses.--A producer may use cost share assistance provided
under this subsection to--
``(A) construct or improve--
``(i) watershed management structures; or
``(ii) irrigation structures;
``(B) plant trees to form windbreaks or to improve water
quality;
``(C) mitigate financial risk through production
diversification or resource conservation practices, including--
``(i) soil erosion control;
``(ii) integrated pest management; or
``(iii) transition to organic farming;
``(D) enter into futures, hedging, or options contracts in
a manner designed to help reduce production, price, or revenue
risk;
``(E) enter into agricultural trade options as a hedging
transaction to reduce production, price, or revenue risk; or
``(F) conduct any other activity related to the activities
described in subparagraphs (A) through (E), as determined by
the Secretary.
``(2) Payment limitation.--The total amount of payments made to
a person (as defined in section 1001(5) of the Food Security Act (7
U.S.C. 1308(5))) under this subsection for any year may not exceed
$50,000.
``(3) Commodity credit corporation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out this
subsection through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
``(B) Funding.--The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make
available to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for fiscal
year 2001 and each subsequent fiscal year.''.

d6c8237637a7b56104a6ed4e67acffb5bdf0415eead87f307672b13706208a0d

Section 191 of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C.
7331) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence of subsection (b), by striking ``100
counties, except that not more than 6'' and inserting ``300
counties, except that not more than 25'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting before the semicolon the
following: ``during any calendar year in which a county in which
the farm of the producer is located is included in the pilot
program''; and
(3) in the first sentence of subsection (h), by inserting
before the period at the end the following: ``, except that the
amount of Commodity Credit Corporation funds used to carry out this
section shall not exceed, to the maximum extent practicable,
$9,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2002,
and $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2003''.
Subtitle D--Administration

f3e1ab9037b5f11eea10280aacb79780736743b4374a93dae91a0992d1e36bd2

Section 502 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502), as
amended by section 122, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Relation to Other Laws.--
``(1) Terms and conditions of policies and plans.--The terms
and conditions of any policy or plan of insurance offered under
this title that is reinsured by the Corporation shall not--
``(A) be subject to the jurisdiction of the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission or the Securities and Exchange
Commission; or
``(B) be considered to be accounts, agreements (including
any transaction that is of the character of, or is commonly
known to the trade as, an `option', `privilege', `indemnity',
`bid', `offer', `put', `call', `advance guaranty', or `decline
guaranty'), or transactions involving contracts of sale of a
commodity for future delivery, traded or executed on a contract
market for the purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C.
1 et seq.).
``(2) Effect on cftc and commodity exchange act.--Nothing in
this title affects the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission or the applicability of the Commodity Exchange
Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) to any transaction conducted on a contract
market under that Act by an approved insurance provider to offset
the approved insurance provider's risk under a plan or policy of
insurance under this title.''.

f313675a0234166c481bc4775215813cb73195475301d1a3efdaa626406d6aba

(a) Board of Directors of Corporation.--
(1) Change in composition.--Section 505 of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1505) is amended by striking the section
heading, ``Sec. 505.'', and subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``SEC. 505. MANAGEMENT OF CORPORATION.
``(a) Board of Directors.--
``(1) Establishment.--The management of the Corporation shall
be vested in a Board of Directors subject to the general
supervision of the Secretary.
``(2) Composition.--The Board shall consist of only the
following members:
``(A) The manager of the Corporation, who shall serve as a
nonvoting ex officio member.
``(B) The Under Secretary of Agriculture responsible for
the Federal crop insurance program.
``(C) One additional Under Secretary of Agriculture (as
designated by the Secretary).
``(D) The Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture.
``(E) One person experienced in the crop insurance
business.
``(F) One person experienced in reinsurance or the
regulation of insurance.
``(G) Four active producers who are policy holders, are
from different geographic areas of the United States, and
represent a cross-section of agricultural commodities grown in
the United States, including at least one specialty crop
producer.
``(3) Appointment of private sector members.--The members of
the Board described in subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of paragraph
(2)--
``(A) shall be appointed by, and hold office at the
pleasure of, the Secretary;
``(B) shall not be otherwise employed by the Federal
Government;
``(C) shall be appointed to staggered 4-year terms, as
determined by the Secretary; and
``(D) shall serve not more than two consecutive terms.
``(4) Chairperson.--The Board shall select a member of the
Board to serve as Chairperson.''.
(2) Implementation.--The initial members of the Board of
Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation required to be
appointed under section 505(a)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act
(as amended by paragraph (1)) shall be appointed during the period
beginning February 1, 2001, and ending April 1, 2001.
(3) Effect on existing board.--A member of the Board of
Directors of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation on the date of
the enactment of this Act may continue to serve as a member of the
Board until the members referred to in paragraph (2) are first
appointed.
(b) Expert Review of Policies, Plans of Insurance, and Related
Material.--Section 505 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1505) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Expert Review of Policies, Plans of Insurance, and Related
Material.--
``(1) Review by experts.--The Board shall establish procedures
under which any policy or plan of insurance, as well as any related
material or modification of such a policy or plan of insurance, to
be offered under this title shall be subject to independent reviews
by persons experienced as actuaries and in underwriting, as
determined by the Board.
``(2) Review of corporation policies and plans.--Except as
provided in paragraph (3), the Board shall contract with at least
five persons to each conduct a review of the policy or plan of
insurance, of whom--
``(A) not more than one person may be employed by the
Federal Government; and
``(B) at least one person must be designated by approved
insurance providers pursuant to procedures determined by the
Board.
``(3) Review of private submissions.--If the reviews under
paragraph (1) cover a policy or plan of insurance, or any related
material or modification of a policy or plan of insurance,
submitted under section 508(h)--
``(A) the Board shall contract with at least five persons
to each conduct a review of the policy or plan of insurance, of
whom--
``(i) not more than one person may be employed by the
Federal Government; and
``(ii) none may be employed by an approved insurance
provider; and
``(B) each review must be completed and submitted to the
Board not later than 30 days prior to the end of the 120-day
period described in section 508(h)(4)(D).
``(4) Consideration of reviews.--The Board shall include
reviews conducted under this subsection as part of the
consideration of any policy or plan or insurance, or any related
material or modification of a policy or plan of insurance, proposed
to be offered under this title.
``(5) Funding of reviews.--Each contract to conduct a review
under this subsection shall be funded from amounts made available
under section 516(b)(2)(A)(ii).
``(6) Relation to other authority.--The contract authority
provided in this subsection is in addition to any other contracting
authority that may be exercised by the Board under section
506(l).''.

712ad277a23bc7798614b7e94ba0d0812f80ebcbf3bb3fb2a6a81b6289c68e46

Section 507(c)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1507(c)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``actuarial, loss adjustment,'' and inserting
``actuarial services, services relating to loss adjustment and
rating plans of insurance,''; and
(2) by inserting after ``private sector'' the following: ``and
to enable the Corporation to concentrate on regulating the
provision of insurance under this title and evaluating new products
and materials submitted under section 508(h) or 523''.

7c675f5f681061fe75696b8028773d82031aa9e04627846c666438e2978482f6

Section 508(a)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(a)(5)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i)
and (ii), respectively, and moving such clauses 2 ems to the right;
(2) by striking ``The Corporation'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) Available information.--The Corporation''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Use of electronic methods.--
``(i) Dissemination by corporation.--The Corporation
shall make the information described in subparagraph (A)
available electronically to producers and approved
insurance providers.
``(ii) Submission to corporation.--To the maximum
extent practicable, the Corporation shall allow producers
and approved insurance providers to use electronic methods
to submit information required by the Corporation.''.

e0988cdee132c4e8ee1393664313be8d2db2b2010750d86f96b18c6dbe7eb496

Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(a))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Adequate coverage for states.--
``(A) Definition of adequately served.--In this paragraph,
the term `adequately served' means having a participation rate
that is at least 50 percent of the national average
participation rate.
``(B) Review.--The Board shall review the policies and
plans of insurance that are offered by approved insurance
providers under this title to determine if each State is
adequately served by the policies and plans of insurance.
``(C) Report.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 30 days after
completion of the review under subparagraph (B), the Board
shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the
review.
``(ii) Recommendations.--The report shall include
recommendations to increase participation in States that
are not adequately served by the policies and plans of
insurance.''.

59863a21313b3a5f955ea6d08c8c915a1f50aad80da384074d83e1f0eddf066d

(a) Persons Authorized To Submit.--Section 508(h)(1) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(h)(1)) is amended by inserting after
``a person'' the following: ``(including an approved insurance
provider, a college or university, a cooperative or trade association,
or any other person)''.
(b) Sale by Approved Insurance Providers.--Section 508(h)(3) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(h)(3)) is amended in the
first sentence by inserting after ``for sale'' the following: ``by
approved insurance providers''.
(c) Guidelines for Submission and Review.--Section 508(h)(4) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(h)(4)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
``(A) Confidentiality.--
``(i) In general.--A proposal submitted to the Board
under this subsection (including any information generated
from the proposal) shall be considered to be confidential
commercial or financial information for the purposes of
section 552(b)(4) of title 5, United States Code.
``(ii) Standard of confidentiality.--If information
concerning a proposal could be withheld by the Secretary
under the standard for privileged or confidential
information pertaining to trade secrets and commercial or
financial information under section 552(b)(4) of title 5,
United States Code, the information shall not be released
to the public.
``(iii) Application.--This subparagraph shall apply
with respect to a proposal only during the period preceding
any approval of the proposal by the Board.'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``Personal
presentation.--'' before ``The''; and
(3) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the
following:
``(C) Notification of intent to disapprove.--
``(i) Time period.--The Board shall provide an
applicant with notification of intent to disapprove a
proposal not later than 30 days prior to making the
disapproval.
``(ii) Modification of application.--
``(I) Authority.--An applicant that receives the
notification may modify the application, and such
application, as modified, shall be considered by the
Board in the manner provided in subparagraph (D) within
the 30-day period beginning on the date the modified
application is submitted.
``(II) Time period.--Clause (i) shall not apply to
the Board's consideration of the modified application.
``(iii) Explanation.--Any notification of intent to
disapprove a policy or other material submitted under this
subsection shall be accompanied by a complete explanation
as to the reasons for the Board's intention to deny
approval.
``(D) Determination to approve or disapprove
policies or materials.--
``(i) Time period.--Not later than 120 days after a
policy or other material is submitted under this
subsection, the Board shall make a determination to approve
or disapprove the policy or material.
``(ii) Explanation.--Any determination by the Board to
disapprove any policy or other material shall be
accompanied by a complete explanation of the reasons for
the Board's decision to deny approval.
``(iii) Failure to meet deadline.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of this title, if the Board fails to make a
determination within the prescribed time period, the
submitted policy or other material shall be deemed approved
by the Board for the initial reinsurance year designated
for the policy or material, unless the Board and the
applicant agree to an extension.''.
(d) Technical Amendments.--Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(h)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (6), (8), (9), and (10); and
(2) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).

853a1a242aa1ae3b7fe85dee642cf7cde8d60e796c07c8d6c6fe22331dc861f7

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 516(a)(2) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516(a)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``years--'' and inserting ``years the
following:'';
(2) by capitalizing the first letter of the first word of each
subparagraph;
(3) by striking ``; and'' at the end of subparagraph (A) and
inserting a period; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Costs associated with the conduct of livestock and
wild salmon pilot programs carried out under section 523,
subject to the limitations in subsections (a)(3)(E)(ii) and
(b)(10) of section 523.
``(D) Costs associated with the reimbursement, contracting,
and partnerships for research and development under section
522.''.
(b) Payment of General Corporation Expenses From Insurance Fund.--
Section 516(b)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1516(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``including--'' and inserting ``including the
following:'';
(2) by capitalizing the first letter of the first word of each
subparagraph;
(3) by striking the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (A)
and inserting a period;
(4) by striking ``; and'' at the end of subparagraph (B) and
inserting a period; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Costs associated with the conduct of livestock and
wild salmon pilot programs carried out under section 523,
subject to the limitations in subsections (a)(3)(E)(ii) and
(b)(10) of section 523.
``(E) Costs associated with the reimbursement, contracting,
and partnerships for research and development under section
522.''.
(c) Expedited Consideration and Implementation of Policies, Plans
of Insurance, and Related Materials.--Section 516(b)(2) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Research and development ex-
penses.--'' and inserting ``Policy consideration and
implementation.--'';
(2) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``may pay from'' and inserting ``may use'';
(B) by striking ``research and development expenses of the
Corporation''; and
(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting the
following: ``, to pay the following:
``(i) Costs associated with the consideration and
implementation of policies, plans of insurance, and related
materials submitted under section 508(h) or developed under
section 522 or 523.
``(ii) Costs to contract for the review of policies,
plans of insurance, and related materials under section
505(e) and to contract for other assistance in considering
policies, plans of insurance, and related materials.''; and
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``research and
development''.
(d) Deposits to Insurance Fund.--Section 516(c)(1) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``income and'' and inserting ``income,''; and
(2) by inserting ``, and civil fines collected under section
515(h)'' after ``(a)(2)''.

19292202caaecdbf430afc9384d6f712c079d738490380f4548faa9385956cb3

Notwithstanding section 536 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 1506 note; Public
Law 105-185), the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation may renegotiate
the Standard Reinsurance Agreement once during the 2001 through 2005
reinsurance years.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous

8e08c4543f6d0d85352e5020ddcf99517dd47812809918f542ed10b9631e9e32

Section 508(a)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(a)(3)), as amended by section 123, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(C) Limitation on revenue coverage for potatoes.--No
policy or plan of insurance provided under this title
(including a policy or plan of insurance approved by the Board
under subsection (h)) shall cover losses due to a reduction in
revenue for potatoes except as covered under a whole farm
policy or plan of insurance, as determined by the
Corporation.''.

05a12826882105cb190e660f9f1abbf60c06c978dcb7897ce5a6e499a5b2307f

Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(a)), as amended by 145, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(8) Special provisions for cotton and rice.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of this title, beginning with the 2001 crops of
upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, and rice, the Corporation
shall offer plans of insurance, including prevented planting
coverage and replanting coverage, under this title that cover
losses of upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, and rice
resulting from failure of irrigation water supplies due to drought
and saltwater intrusion.''.

f199035f2cd411593cd0624b300873d841bc83cefdf39e9e5a7151570b3fe03f

(a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
notwithstanding section 508(c)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7
U.S.C. 1508(c)(5)), a producer that purchased a 1999 Crop Revenue
Coverage policy for a commodity covered by Bulletin MGR-99-004 (as in
effect before being voided by subsection (d)) by the sales closing date
prescribed in the actuarial documents in the county where the policy
was sold shall receive an indemnity payment in accordance with the
policy.
(b) Base and Harvest Prices.--The base price and harvest price
under the policy for a commodity described in subsection (a) shall be
determined in accordance with the Commodity Exchange Endorsement
published by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation on July 14, 1998
(63 Fed. Reg. 37829).
(c) Reinsurance.--Subject to subsection (b), notwithstanding
section 508(c)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(c)(5)), the Corporation shall provide reinsurance with respect to
the policy in accordance with the Standard Reinsurance Agreement.
(d) Voiding of Bulletin.--Bulletin MGR-99-004, issued by the
Administrator of the Risk Management Agency of the Department of
Agriculture, is void.
(e) Effective Date.--This section takes effect on October 1, 2000.

d7996b9ef890352d5389ccc508129954b91fc3399c3e8d43268ddfd4adc6706d

PROGRAM.
It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) farmer-owned cooperatives play a valuable role in achieving
the purposes of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et
seq.) by--
(A) encouraging producer participation in the Federal crop
insurance program;
(B) improving the delivery system for crop insurance; and
(C) helping to develop new and improved insurance products;
(2) the Risk Management Agency, through its regulatory
activities, should encourage efforts by farmer-owned cooperatives
to promote appropriate risk management strategies among their
membership;
(3) partnerships between approved insurance providers and
farmer-owned cooperatives provide opportunity for agricultural
producers to obtain needed insurance coverage on a more competitive
basis and at a lower cost;
(4) the Risk Management Agency is following an appropriate
regulatory process to ensure the continued participation by farmer-
owned cooperatives in the delivery of crop insurance;
(5) efforts by the Risk Management Agency to finalize
regulations that would incorporate the currently approved business
practices of cooperatives participating in the Federal crop
insurance program should be commended; and
(6) not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation should complete
promulgation of the proposed rule entitled ``General Administrative
Regulations; Premium Reductions; Payment of Rebates, Dividends, and
Patronage Refunds; and Payments to Insured-Owned and Record-
Controlling Entities'', published by the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation on May 12, 1999 (64 Fed. Reg. 25464), in a manner
that--
(A) effectively responds to comments received from the
public during the rulemaking process;
(B) provides an effective opportunity for farmer-owned
cooperatives to assist the members of the cooperatives to
obtain crop insurance and participate most effectively in the
Federal crop insurance program;
(C) incorporates the currently approved business practices
of farmer-owned cooperatives participating in the Federal crop
insurance program; and
(D) protects the interests of agricultural producers.

754cf4bede4fc9b54c47da5eed703ee86a918b5956082b99005c1d5166744a82

AND LIMITED-RESOURCE FARMERS.
It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) rural America, including minority and limited resource
farmers, has not experienced this recent period of economic
prosperity;
(2) as a result of sustained low commodity prices, they face
significant challenges, including--
(A) a depressed farm economy;
(B) a loss of business and jobs on rural main streets;
(C) a reduction of capital investment; and
(D) a loss of independent farmers;
(3) Congress applauds American farmers and rural advocates,
including the organizers of the Rally for Rural America, for their
efforts in calling this situation to the public's attention; and
(4) Congress is committed to responding to the concerns of
rural America and pledges to devote full attention to making
necessary changes to Federal agricultural programs in a manner that
will--
(A) alleviate the agricultural price crisis;
(B) ensure competitive markets by empowering farm families;
(C) ensure that all farmers, including minority and
limited-resource farmers, participate fully in the benefits of
those programs;
(D) invest in rural education and health;
(E) increase resources for outreach and technical farming
assistance;
(F) conserve our natural resources for future generations;
and
(G) ensure a safe and secure food supply for all.
Subtitle F--Effective Dates and Implementation

94ca225ef3b0cab44a643f5032c3f9520ca5ffd16efb54f9e80a12f64d18e4da

(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act and
the amendments made by this Act take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Exceptions.--
(1) 2001 fiscal year.--The following provisions and the
amendments made by the provisions take effect on October 1, 2000:
(A) Subtitle C.
(B) Section 146.
(C) Section 163.
(2) 2001 crop year.--The amendments made by the following
provisions apply beginning with the 2001 crop of an agricultural
commodity:
(A) Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 101.
(B) Section 102(a).
(C) Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 103.
(D) Section 104.
(E) Section 105(b).
(F) Section 108.
(G) Section 109.
(H) Section 162.
(3) 2001 reinsurance year.--The amendments made by the
following provisions apply beginning with the 2001 reinsurance
year:
(A) Section 101(d).
(B) Section 102(b).
(C) Section 103(d).

806caeba7e76d4bed5589e365f670014b147d476085d40db682c11002c92e03a

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate regulations to carry
out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.

a7e8f561820205342aff20894d3bc93302a3c507a7bb49f1f2cd6ab61128c07f

The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) and section
196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 7333), as in effect on day before the date of the enactment of
this Act, shall--
(1) continue to apply with respect to the 1999 crop year; and
(2) apply with respect to the 2000 crop year, to the extent the
application of an amendment made by this Act is delayed under
section 171(b) or by the terms of the amendment.
Subtitle A--Market Loss Assistance

de7e90492e0ed980bd096c9263eeecd3d3b1b0d3625f67c2b4a683cacc4ee477

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this
title as the ``Secretary'') shall use funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to provide assistance in the form of a market loss
assistance payment to owners and producers on a farm that are eligible
for a final payment for fiscal year 2000 under a production flexibility
contract for the farm under the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.).
(b) Amount and Manner.--In providing payments under this section,
the Secretary shall--
(1) use the same contract payment rates as are used under
section 802(b) of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000 (7
U.S.C. 1421 note; Public Law 106-78); and
(2) provide the payments in a manner that is consistent with
section 802(c) of that Act.
(c) Timing.--The Secretary shall make the payments required by this
section not earlier than September 1, 2000, and not later than
September 30, 2000.

5dcf87fa9b4424e98bb20198a183305813e5ebba7aff488afbf11616c12942e6

(a) In General.--The Secretary shall use $500,000,000 of funds of
the Commodity Credit Corporation to make payments to producers of the
2000 crop of oilseeds that are eligible to obtain a marketing
assistance loan under section 131 of the Agricultural Market Transition
Act (7 U.S.C. 7231).
(b) Computation.--A payment to producers on a farm under this
section for an oilseed shall be equal to the product obtained by
multiplying--
(1) a payment rate determined by the Secretary;
(2) the acreage of the producers on the farm for the oilseed,
as determined under subsection (c); and
(3) the yield of the producers on the farm for the oilseed, as
determined under subsection (d).
(c) Acreage.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
acreage of the producers on the farm for an oilseed under
subsection (b)(2) shall be equal to the number of acres planted to
the oilseed by the producers on the farm during the 1997, 1998, or
1999 crop year, whichever is greatest, as reported by the producers
on the farm to the Secretary (including any acreage reports that
are filed late).
(2) New producers.--In the case of producers on a farm that
planted acreage to an oilseed during the 2000 crop year but not the
1997, 1998, or 1999 crop year, the acreage of the producers for the
oilseed under subsection (b)(2) shall be equal to the number of
acres planted to the oilseed by the producers on the farm during
the 2000 crop year, as reported by the producers on the farm to the
Secretary (including any acreage reports that are filed late).
(d) Yield.--
(1) Soybeans.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), in the case
of soybeans, the yield of the producers on a farm under subsection
(b)(3) shall be equal to the greatest of--
(A) the average county yield per harvested acre for each of
the 1995 through 1999 crop years, excluding the crop year with
the highest yield per harvested acre and the crop year with the
lowest yield per harvested acre; or
(B) the actual yield of the producers on the farm for the
1997, 1998, or 1999 crop year.
(2) Other oilseeds.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), in
the case of oilseeds other than soybeans, the yield of the
producers on a farm under subsection (b)(3) shall be equal to the
greatest of--
(A) the average national yield per harvested acre for each
of the 1995 through 1999 crop years, excluding the crop year
with the highest yield per harvested acre and the crop year
with the lowest yield per harvested acre; or
(B) the actual yield of the producers on the farm for the
1997, 1998, or 1999 crop year.
(3) New producers.--In the case of producers on a farm that
planted acreage to an oilseed during the 2000 crop year but not the
1997, 1998, or 1999 crop year, the yield of the producers on a farm
under subsection (b)(3) shall be equal to the greater of--
(A) the average county yield per harvested acre for each of
the 1995 through 1999 crop years, excluding the crop year with
the highest yield per harvested acre and the crop year with the
lowest yield per harvested acre; or
(B) the actual yield of the producers on the farm for the
2000 crop.
(4) Data source.--To the maximum extent available, the
Secretary shall use data provided by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service to carry out this subsection.

0a8774eb6c6b12cd2fd92bcd96849a95520fd4bfd19c2486e24b767bbfe0e33d

(a) Replenishment of Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act
Fund.--Of the amount made available under section 261(a)(2),
$30,450,000 shall--
(1) be deposited in the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act
Fund established by section 3(b)(5) of the Perishable Agricultural
Commodities Act, 1930 (7 U.S.C. 499c(b)(5));
(2) be merged with other amounts in the Perishable Agricultural
Commodities Act Fund; and
(3) be available for the same purposes and for the same time
period as other amounts in the Perishable Agricultural Commodities
Act Fund.
(b) Replenishment of Trust Funds for Services under Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), $29,000,000 shall--
(1) be deposited in the trust fund account established to cover
the cost of inspection, certification, and identification services
provided under section 203(h) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of
1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(h));
(2) be merged with other amounts in the trust fund account; and
(3) be available for the same purposes and for the same time
period as other amounts in the trust fund account.
(c) Inspection Services Improvements.--Of the amount made available
under section 261(a)(2), $11,550,000 shall be used by the Secretary to
improve the infrastructure and system used for inspecting fruits and
vegetables, including improving--
(1) the program used to train inspectors, including the
establishment of an inspector training center;
(2) the technological resources used by inspectors;
(3) the use of digital imaging by inspectors; and
(4) the office space and grading tables used by inspectors.
(d) Surplus Crop Purchases.--
(1) Purchases.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), $200,000,000 shall be used by the Secretary to purchase
specialty crops that have experienced low prices during the 1998 or
1999 crop years, including apples, black-eyed peas, cherries,
citrus, cranberries, onions, melons, peaches, and potatoes.
(2) Displacement.--The Secretary shall ensure that purchases of
specialty crops under this subsection will not displace purchases
by the Secretary under any other law.
(e) Grower Compensation.--
(1) Compensation.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), $25,000,000 shall be used by the Secretary to
compensate--
(A) growers covered by the Secretary's Declaration of
Extraordinary Emergency published on March 2, 2000 (65 Fed.
Reg. 11280), regarding the plum pox virus;
(B) growers for losses due to Pierce's disease; and
(C) commercial producers for losses due to citrus canker.
(2) Report.--Not later than July 19, 2000, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Inspector General of the Department 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 that analyzes--
(A) the economic losses to the produce industry as a result
of allegations of false inspection certificates prepared by
graders of the Department of Agriculture at Hunts Point
Terminal Market, Bronx, New York; and
(B) the restitution by the Secretary for persons damaged as
a result of losses described in subparagraph (A).
(f) Apple Loans.--
(1) Requirement.--The Secretary, acting through the Farm
Service Agency, shall use funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation
to make loans to producers of apples that are suffering economic
loss as the result of low prices for apples.
(2) Term.--The term of a loan made under this subsection shall
be not more than 3 years.
(3) Interest rate.--The interest rate for a loan made under
this subsection shall be at a rate equal to the then current cost
of money to the Government of the United States for loans of
similar maturity.
(4) Security.--The Secretary may require a loan made under this
subsection to be secured by real property or such other collateral
as the Secretary considers appropriate and protects the interests
of the Federal Government.
(5) Limitation.--The cost of all loans made under this
subsection shall not exceed $5,000,000.

b8ad25f86a111fb0913565cd05163ffc9a50a8140846b5205f4aa8a2444f4a8b

(a) Peanuts.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation to provide payments to producers of quota
peanuts or additional peanuts to partially compensate the producers
for continuing low commodity prices, and increasing costs of
production, for the 2000 crop year.
(2) Amount.--The amount of a payment made to producers on a
farm of quota peanuts or additional peanuts under paragraph (1)
shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying--
(A) the quantity of quota peanuts or additional peanuts
produced or considered produced by the producers; and
(B) a payment rate equal to--
(i) in the case of quota peanuts, $30.50 per ton; and
(ii) in the case of additional peanuts, $16.00 per ton.
(b) Tobacco.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Eligible person.--The term ``eligible person'' means a
person that owns or operates, or produces eligible tobacco on,
a farm--
(i) for which the quantity of quota of eligible tobacco
allotted to the farm under part I of subtitle B of title
III of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C.
1311 et seq.) was reduced from the 1999 crop year to the
2000 crop year; and
(ii) that is used for the production of eligible
tobacco during the 2000 crop year.
(B) Eligible tobacco.--The term ``eligible tobacco'' means
each of the following kinds of tobacco:
(i) Flue-cured tobacco, comprising types 11, 12, 13,
and 14.
(ii) Fire-cured tobacco, comprising type 21.
(iii) Burley tobacco, comprising type 31.
(iv) Cigar-filler and cigar-binder tobacco, comprising
types 42, 43, 44, 54, and 55.
(2) Payments.--Effective beginning October 1, 2000, the
Secretary shall use $340,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to make payments to eligible persons.
(3) Allocation of funds among states.--The funds made available
for eligible persons under paragraph (2) shall be allocated among
States in the following dollar amounts:
Alabama...................................................
$100,000
Arkansas..................................................
$1,000
Florida...................................................
$2,500,000
Georgia...................................................
$13,000,000
Indiana...................................................
$5,400,000
Kansas....................................................
$23,000
Kentucky..................................................
$140,000,000
Missouri..................................................
$2,000,000
North Carolina............................................
$100,000,000
Ohio......................................................
$6,000,000
Oklahoma..................................................
$1,000
South Carolina............................................
$15,000,000
Tennessee.................................................
$35,000,000
Virginia..................................................
$19,000,000
Wisconsin.................................................
$675,000
West Virginia.............................................
$1,300,000.
(4) Allocation of funds among farms in a state.--The Secretary
shall divide the amount allocated to a State under paragraph (3)
among farms in the State based on the quota of eligible tobacco
available to each farm of an eligible person for the 2000 crop
year.
(5) Division of farm payments among eligible persons in a
state.--Not later than October 20, 2000, the Secretary shall divide
amounts made available to farms in a State under paragraph (4)
among eligible persons who are quota owners, quota lessees, and
tobacco producers on farms in the State, and make payments to the
eligible persons, on the basis of--
(A) in the case of a State that is a party to the National
Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust, the formula in the Trust used
to allocate funds among quota owners, quota lessees, and
tobacco producers on farms in the State, with such adjustments
as the Secretary determines are necessary to enable the
payments to be made by October 20, 2000; or
(B) in the case of a State that is not a party to the
National Tobacco Grower Settlement Trust, a formula established
by the Secretary.
(6) Payments to eligible persons in georgia.--The Secretary
shall use the amount allocated to the State of Georgia under
paragraph (3) to make payments to eligible persons in Georgia only
if the State of Georgia agrees to use an equal amount (not to
exceed $13,000,000) to make payments at the same time, or
subsequently, to the same eligible persons in the same manner as
provided for the Federal payment under paragraphs (4) and (5).
(7) Use for administrative costs.--None of the funds made
available under paragraphs (1) through (7) may be used to pay
administrative costs incurred in carrying out those paragraphs.
(8) Transfer of allotments.--Section 318 of the Agricultural
Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1314d) is amended by striking
subsection (g) and inserting the following:
``(g) Transfer of Allotments.--Under this section, the total
acreage allotted to any farm after any transfer shall not exceed 50
percent of the acreage of cropland on the farm.''.
(9) Burley tobacco inventories of producer associations.--
Section 319(c)(3) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7
U.S.C. 1314e(c)(3)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``In'' and inserting
``Except as provided in subparagraph (D), in''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Nonapplicability of downward adjustment.--If the
Secretary determines for any of the 2001 or subsequent crop
years that noncommitted pool stocks of Burley tobacco are equal
to or less than the reserve stock level established under this
paragraph, subparagraph (B) shall not apply to the crop year
for which the determination is made and all subsequent crop
years.''.
(10) Limitations on burley tobacco quota adjustments.--
(A) Carry forward adjustment.--Section 319(e) of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1314e(e)) is
amended in the fifth sentence--
(i) by striking ``: Provided, That'' and inserting ``,
except that (1)''; and
(ii) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, and (2) the aggregate of such increases for
all farms for any crop year may not exceed 10 percent of
the national basic quota for the preceding crop year''.
(B) Lease and transfer of quota due to natural disasters.--
Section 319(k) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7
U.S.C. 1314e(k)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Limitation.--The total quantity of quota leased or
transferred to a farm during a crop year under this subsection may
not exceed 15 percent of the quota on the farm that existed prior
to any such lease or transfer for the crop year.''.
(11) Lease and transfer of burley tobacco quota.--Section 319
of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1314e) is
amended by striking subsection (l) and inserting the following:
``(l) Lease and Transfer of Burley Tobacco Quota.--
``(1) Approval by producers.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this section, the Secretary may permit the lease and
transfer of a Burley tobacco quota from one farm in a State to any
other farm in the State if, in a State-wide referendum conducted by
the Secretary, a majority of the active Burley tobacco producers
voting in the referendum approve the use of that type of lease and
transfer.
``(2) Application.--This subsection shall apply only to the
States of Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Virginia.''.
(12) Recordkeeping and sale of burley tobacco quota and
acreage.--Section 319 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7
U.S.C. 1314e) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(m) Computerized Recordkeeping System for Burley Tobacco Quota
and Acreage.--
``(1) Producer reports.--Each person that owns a farm for which
a Burley tobacco marketing quota is established under this Act
shall annually file with the Secretary a report describing the
acreage planted to Burley tobacco on the farm.
``(2) Computerized recordkeeping system.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the
Secretary shall establish a computerized recordkeeping system that
contains all information reported under paragraph (1) and related
records, as determined by the Secretary.
``(n) Sale of Burley Tobacco Quota.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this section, if a person that owns a farm for which a
Burley tobacco marketing quota is established under this Act sells all
or part of the acreage on the farm to a buyer, the Secretary shall
permit the seller and buyer of the acreage to determine the percentage
of the quota that is transferred with the acreage sold.''.
(c) Honey.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation to make available recourse loans to producers of
the 2000 crop of honey on fair and reasonable terms and conditions,
as determined by the Secretary.
(2) Loan rate.--The loan rate for a loan under paragraph (1)
shall be equal to 85 percent of the average price of honey during
the 5-crop year period preceding the 2000 crop year, excluding the
crop year in which the average price of honey was the highest and
the crop year in which the average price of honey was the lowest in
the period.
(d) Wool and Mohair.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation to make payments to producers of wool, and
producers of mohair, for the 1999 marketing year.
(2) Payment rate.--The payment rate for payments made to
producers under paragraph (1) shall be equal to--
(A) in the case of wool, 20 cents per pound; and
(B) in the case of mohair, 40 cents per pound.
(e) Cottonseed.--The Secretary shall use $100,000,000 of funds of
the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide assistance to producers and
first-handlers of the 2000 crop of cottonseed.

120dbe25cb7f2eed0e2490bd7cc352c78e3e26d3ca012f5de85b836d58fa6043

(a) Eligible Producers.--Effective for the 2001 crop year, in the
case of a producer that would be eligible for a loan deficiency payment
under section 135 of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C.
7235) 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.
(b) Payment Amount.--The amount of a payment made to a producer on
a farm under this section shall be equal to the amount determined by
multiplying--
(1) the loan deficiency payment rate determined under section
135(c) of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7235(c))
in effect, as of the date of the agreement, for the county in which
the farm is located; by
(2) the payment quantity determined by multiplying--
(A) 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
(B) the greater of--
(i) the established yield for the crop on the
farm; or
(ii) the average county yield per harvested acre of the
crop, as determined by the Secretary.
(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 135 of the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7235), except that the payment shall be
made not later than September 30, 2001.
(2) Availability.--The Secretary shall establish an
availability period for the payment authorized by this section that
is consistent with the availability period for wheat, barley, and
oats established by the Secretary for marketing assistance loans
authorized by subtitle C of the Agricultural Market Transition Act
(7 U.S.C. 7231 et seq.).
(d) Regulations.--The Secretary shall promulgate under section 263
such regulations as are necessary to administer the payments authorized
by this section in a fair and equitable manner with respect to
producers of wheat and feed grains that do not receive a payment under
this section.
(e) Funding.--The Secretary shall use funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to carry out this section.

66b297175ec776429ff1a927213b2c469985cdbe05f4a0a1adc9c021202b0a70

(a) Eligible Producers.--Section 135(a) of the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7235(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``to producers'' and inserting ``to--
``(1) producers'';
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) effective only for the 2000 crop year, producers that,
although not eligible to obtain such a marketing assistance loan
under section 131, produce a contract commodity.''.
(b) Calculation.--Section 135(b)(2) of the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7235(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``that the
producers'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting the following: ``produced by the eligible producers,
excluding any quantity for which the producers obtain a loan under
section 131.''.
(c) Transition; Beneficial Interest.--Section 135 of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7235) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(e) Transition.--A payment to a producer eligible for a payment
under subsection (a)(2) that harvested a commodity on or before the
date that is 30 days after the promulgation of the regulations
implementing subsection (a)(2) shall be determined as the date the
producer lost beneficial interest in the commodity, as determined by
the Secretary.
``(f) Beneficial Interest.--Subject to subsection (e), a producer
shall be eligible for a payment under this section only if the producer
has a beneficial interest in the commodity, as determined by the
Secretary.''.
Subtitle B--Conservation

481e6a68e4845d7a509a1f1a6f60682db2b2fdd47ce82c1f56a5fa081c8fcf29

(a) Farmland Protection.--For the purposes described in section 388
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (16
U.S.C. 3830 note; Public Law 104-127), the Secretary shall use
$10,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make
payments to--
(1) any agency of any State or local government, or federally
recognized Indian tribe, including farmland protection boards and
land resource councils established under State law; and
(2) any organization that--
(A) is organized for, and at all times since the formation
of the organization has been operated principally for, one or
more of the conservation purposes specified in clause (i),
(ii), or (iii) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986;
(B) is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of
that Code that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of
that Code;
(C) is described in section 509(a)(2) of that Code; or
(D) is described in section 509(a)(3) of that Code and is
controlled by an organization described in section 509(a)(2) of
that Code.
(b) Soil and Water Conservation Assistance.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall use $40,000,000 of
funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide financial
assistance to farmers and ranchers to--
(A) address threats to soil, water, and related natural
resources, including grazing land, wetland, and wildlife
habitat;
(B) comply with Federal and State environmental laws; and
(C) make beneficial, cost-effective changes to cropping
systems, grazing management, manure, nutrient, pest, or
irrigation management, land uses, or other measures needed to
conserve and improve soil, water, and related natural
resources.
(2) Type of assistance.--Assistance under this subsection may
be made in the form of cost share payments or incentive payments,
as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Areas.--The Secretary shall provide assistance under this
subsection to areas that are not designated under section 1230(c)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830(c)).

192c8319a5108e823f59d2889c82103f2bcadcdd7bb7fc1fc71d537c5a88dbef

REFUGE, OHIO.
The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall prepare an environmental
impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) before proceeding with any further
development of the Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge in Madison and
Union Counties, Ohio.
Subtitle C--Research

2abef6c47d708018882f50f8d07e6c01e29943658410578edff4e4b80aba3e8d

(a) In General.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), the Secretary shall use $15,000,000 to provide a grant to
the Consortium for Agricultural Soils Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases,
acting through Kansas State University, to develop, analyze, and
implement, through the land grant universities described in subsection
(b), carbon cycle research at the national, regional, and local levels.
(b) Land Grant Universities.--The land grant universities referred
to in subsection (a) are the following:
(1) Colorado State University.
(2) Iowa State University.
(3) Kansas State University.
(4) Michigan State University.
(5) Montana State University.
(6) Purdue University.
(7) Ohio State University.
(8) Texas A&M University.
(9) University of Nebraska.
(c) Use.--Land grant universities described in subsection (b) shall
use funds made available under this section--
(1) to conduct research to improve the scientific basis of
using land management practices to increase soil carbon
sequestration, including research on the use of new technologies to
increase carbon cycle effectiveness, such as biotechnology and
nanotechnology;
(2) to enter into partnerships to identify, develop, and
evaluate agricultural best practices, including partnerships
between--
(A) Federal, State, or private entities; and
(B) the Department of Agriculture;
(3) to develop necessary computer models to predict and assess
the carbon cycle;
(4) to estimate and develop mechanisms to measure carbon levels
made available as a result of--
(A) voluntary Federal conservation programs;
(B) private and Federal forests; and
(C) other land uses;
(5) to develop outreach programs, in coordination with
Extension Services, to share information on carbon cycle and
agricultural best practices that is useful to agricultural
producers; and
(6) to collaborate with the Great Plains Regional Earth Science
Application Center to develop a space-based carbon cycle remote
sensing technology program to--
(A) provide, on a near-continual basis, a real-time and
comprehensive view of vegetation conditions;
(B) assess and model agricultural carbon sequestration; and
(C) develop commercial products.
(d) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 3 percent of the funds
made available under subsection (a) may be used by the Secretary to pay
administrative costs incurred in carrying out this section.

1eee8c6313614b02f2ed8f9cee519ff2b48ce9ffb2c2fe9d854a7286dae2ad9a

(a) Assistance.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), the Secretary, acting through the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, shall use $3,000,000 to
provide a grant jointly to Georgetown University and North Carolina
State University to conduct research regarding the extraction and
purification of proteins from genetically altered tobacco that may be
used as a vaccine for cervical cancer.
(b) Relation to Other Law.--The Secretary may make the grant
described in subsection (a) notwithstanding any general prohibition on
the use of appropriated funds to carry out research related to the
production, processing, or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.

5f164584ead48888e865bd77da31134e82da40079c0ec7bef9127a22724badb3

Of the amount made available under section 261(a)(2), the Secretary
shall use $10,000,000 to provide a grant to the University of Nebraska
in Lincoln, Nebraska, for laboratories and equipment for research on
soil science and forest health and management.

c3497d62497ee28af6cb46a64fd0b417db6adb12ad353b8e3b4baf52885d4e80

Of the amount made available under section 261(a)(2), the Secretary
shall use $3,500,000 to expand current research related to technologies
for--
(1) reducing, modifying, recycling, and using waste streams
from livestock production; and
(2) eliminating associated air, water, and soil quality
problems.

74c3db3088305af75d061d7bf27508f0bca10f64ee1cd8e827c3e3d65b96e796

WASTE.
(a) Assistance.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), the Secretary shall use $5,000,000--
(1) to review and assess the actual or potential failure of
waste storage and handling systems used in livestock or poultry
production and the environmental damages associated with the
failure of the systems; and
(2) to study and demonstrate appropriate market-oriented
mechanisms to assist livestock producers and poultry producers to
prevent the failure of the systems and rectify environmental
damages associated with the failure of the systems.
(b) Implementation.--The Secretary shall carry out this section
through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements with livestock
producers, poultry producers, associations of such producers, and
foundations supported by such producers.

7b0e083104333b863f7319069724dfc19e5801fd1dee5beed7b1667744497e21

Of the amount made available under section 261(a)(2), the Secretary
shall use $14,000,000 to provide a grant to the State of Illinois to
complete the construction of a corn-based ethanol research pilot plant
(Agreement No. 59-3601-7-078) at Southern Illinois University,
Edwardsville, Illinois.

0af2274c91e224f445080fca666e18a7fd95a92fd9b59324e36e37f46ad11dc2

(a) Establishment and Purpose.--The Secretary, acting through the
Agricultural Research Service, may enter into a cooperative agreement
with the National Center for Genome Resources in Santa Fe, New Mexico,
New Mexico State University, and Iowa State University, for the
establishment and operation of an institute (to be known as the
``Bioinformatics Institute for Model Plant Species'') in Santa Fe, New
Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the accessibility and utility of
genomic information for plant genetic research.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section--
(1) $3,000,000 for the purpose of establishing the Institute
under subsection (a); and
(2) such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to carry
out the cooperative agreement authorized by subsection (a).
Subtitle D--Agricultural Marketing

439a92e3759e061ec1ef4b3c70678637738aca662e93b562be5c53857c4c24d3

(a) Grant Program.--
(1) Establishment and purposes.--Of the amount made available
under section 261(a)(2), $15,000,000 shall be used by the Secretary
to award competitive grants to eligible independent producers (as
determined by the Secretary) of value-added agricultural
commodities and products of agricultural commodities to assist an
eligible producer--
(A) to develop a business plan for viable marketing
opportunities for a value-added agricultural commodity or
product of an agricultural commodity; or
(B) to develop strategies for the ventures that are
intended to create marketing opportunities for the producers.
(2) Amount of grant.--The total amount provided under this
subsection to a grant recipient may not exceed $500,000.
(3) Producer strategies.--A producer that receives a grant
under paragraph (1) shall use the grant--
(A) to develop a business plan or perform a feasibility
study to establish a viable marketing opportunity for a value-
added agricultural commodity or product of an agricultural
commodity; or
(B) to provide capital to establish alliances or business
ventures that allow the producer to better compete in domestic
or international markets.
(b) Agricultural Marketing Resource Center Pilot Project.--
(1) Establishment.--Notwithstanding the limitation on grants in
subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall not use more than $5,000,000
of the funds made available under subsection (a) to establish a
pilot project (to be known as the ``Agricultural Marketing Resource
Center'') at an eligible institution described in paragraph (2)
that will--
(A) develop a resource center with electronic capabilities
to coordinate and provide to independent producers and
processors (as determined by the Secretary) of value-added
agricultural commodities and products of agricultural
commodities information regarding research, business, legal,
financial, or logistical assistance; and
(B) develop a strategy to establish a nationwide market
information and coordination system.
(2) Eligible institution.--To be eligible to receive funding to
establish the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, an applicant
shall demonstrate to the Secretary--
(A) the capacity and technical expertise to provide the
services described in paragraph (1)(A);
(B) an established plan outlining support of the applicant
in the agricultural community; and
(C) the availability of resources (in cash or in kind) of
definite value to sustain the Center following establishment.
(c) Matching Funds.--A recipient of funds under subsection (a) or
(b) shall contribute an amount of non-Federal funds that is at least
equal to the amount of Federal funds received.
(d) Limitation.--Funds provided under this section may not be used
for--
(1) planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or
construction of a building or facility (including a processing
facility); or
(2) the purchase, rental, or installation of fixed equipment.
Subtitle E--Nutrition Programs

5f1499d3230fdb0d3e9c6e054f928be59273792d9c65cfef16b4aa481135a54f

REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Fiscal Year 2000.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
in addition to any assistance provided under any other provision of
law, of the amount made available under section 261(a)(1), the
Secretary shall use $34,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 to purchase
commodities of the type provided under section 6 of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755) for distribution to
schools participating in the school lunch program established under
that Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
(b) Fiscal Year 2001.--Section 6(e)(1)(B) of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755(e)(1)(B)) is amended by
striking ``2000'' and inserting ``2001''.
(c) Additional Commodities in Fiscal Year 2001.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, in addition to any assistance provided
under any other provision of law (including the amendment made by
subsection (b)), of the amount made available under section 261(a)(2),
the Secretary shall use $21,000,000 in fiscal year 2001 to purchase
commodities of the type provided under section 6 of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1755) for distribution to
schools participating in the school lunch program established under
that Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).
(d) Distribution to Schools.--The commodities purchased under
subsections (a) and (c) shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be
distributed in the same manner as commodities are distributed under
section 6 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1755).

1fea797962d973fa9e542613f5bb73f28bc6bb2e3d0d5024a21241de3b33b922

(a) Limited Waiver of Confidentiality Requirement.--
(1) In general.--Section 9(b)(2)(C)(iii) of the Richard B.
Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(b)(2)(C)(iii)) is
amended--
(A) in subclause (II), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subclause (III), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(IV) a person directly connected with the
administration of the State medicaid program under
title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et
seq.) or the State children's health insurance program
under title XXI of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.)
solely for the purpose of identifying children eligible
for benefits under, and enrolling children in, such
programs, except that this subclause shall apply only
to the extent that the State and the school food
authority so elect.''.
(2) Certification and notification.--Section 9(b)(2)(C) of the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1758(b)(2)(C)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(vi) Requirements for waiver of confidentiality.--A
State that elects to exercise the option described in
clause (iii)(IV) shall ensure that any school food
authority acting in accordance with that option--
``(I) has a written agreement with the State or
local agency or agencies administering health insurance
programs for children under titles XIX and XXI of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397aa
et seq.) that requires the health agencies to use the
information obtained under clause (iii) to seek to
enroll children in those health insurance programs; and
``(II)(aa) notifies each household, the information
of which shall be disclosed under clause (iii), that
the information disclosed will be used only to enroll
children in health programs referred to in clause
(iii)(IV); and
``(bb) provides each parent or guardian of a child
in the household with an opportunity to elect not to
have the information disclosed.
``(vii) Use of disclosed information.--A person to
which information is disclosed under clause (iii)(IV) shall
use or disclose the information only as necessary for the
purpose of enrolling children in health programs referred
to in clause (iii)(IV).''.
(b) Demonstration Project.--
(1) In general.--Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966
(42 U.S.C. 1786) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(r) Demonstration Project Relating to Use of the WIC Program for
Identification and Enrollment of Children in Certain Health Programs.--
``(1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall establish a demonstration project in at least 20
local agencies in one State under which costs of nutrition services
and administration (as defined in subsection (b)(4)) shall include
the costs of identification of children eligible for benefits
under, and the provision of enrollment assistance for children in--
``(A) the State medicaid program under title XIX of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.); and
``(B) the State children's health insurance program under
title XXI of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.).
``(2) State-related requirements.--The State in which a
demonstration project is established under paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall operate not fewer than 20 pilot site locations;
``(B) as of the date of establishment of the demonstration
project--
``(i) with respect to the programs referred to in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1)--
``(I) shall have in use a simplified application
form with a length of not more than two pages;
``(II) shall accept mail-in applications; and
``(III) shall permit enrollment in the program in a
variety of locations; and
``(ii) shall have served as an original pilot site for
the program under this section; and
``(C) as of December 31, 1998, shall have had--
``(i) an infant mortality rate that is above the
national average; and
``(ii) an overall rate of age-appropriate immunizations
against vaccine-preventable diseases that is below 80
percent.
``(3) Termination of authority.--The authority provided by this
subsection terminates September 30, 2003.''.
(2) Technical amendments.--Section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``(4)'' and all that
follows through ``means'' and inserting ``(4) `Costs of
nutrition services and administration' or `nutrition services
and administration' means''; and
(B) in subsection (h)(1)(A), by striking ``costs incurred
by State and local agencies for nutrition services and
administration'' and inserting ``costs of nutrition services
and administration incurred by State and local agencies''.
(3) Grant for demonstration project.--Section 12 of the Richard
B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(p) Grant for Demonstration Project.--
``(1) Use of funds for wic demonstration project.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants of funds
under this subsection to a State--
``(i) for purposes that include carrying out the
demonstration project under section 17(r) of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(r)); and
``(ii) for the purpose described in clause (i), in
amounts not to exceed $10,000 for each fiscal year for each
site in the State.
``(B) Apportionment.--A State that receives a grant under
subparagraph (A) shall apportion the funds received to ensure
that each site in the State receives not more than $10,000 for
any fiscal year.
``(2) Evaluations of demonstration project.--The Secretary
shall conduct an evaluation of the demonstration project and grant
program for identification and enrollment efforts funded under this
subsection that include a determination of--
``(A) the number of children enrolled as a result of the
enactment of this subsection;
``(B) the income levels of the families of enrolled
children;
``(C) the cost of identification and enrollment assistance
services provided under the project or grant program;
``(D) the effect on the caseloads of local agencies that
carry out the special supplemental nutrition program for woman,
infants, and children established under section 17 of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and
``(E) such other factors as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
``(3) Funding.--
``(A) In general.--Out of any moneys in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
provide to the Secretary to carry out this subsection
$1,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2001 through 2004, to
remain available until expended but not later than September
30, 2004.
``(B) Receipt and acceptance.--The Secretary shall be
entitled to receive the funds and shall accept the funds
provided under subparagraph (A), without further
appropriation.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section take
effect on October 1, 2000.

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(a) Definition.--Section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966
(42 U.S.C. 1786(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(21) Remote indian or native village.--The term `remote
Indian or Native village' means an Indian or Native village that--
``(A) is located in a rural area;
``(B) has a population of less than 5,000 inhabitants; and
``(C) is not accessible year-around by means of a public
road (as defined in section 101 of title 23, United States
Code).''.
(b) Cost-of-Living Allowances for Members of Uniformed Services.--
Section 17(d)(2)(B) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786(d)(2)(B)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``income any'' and inserting ``income--
``(i) any'';
(2) by striking ``quarters'' and inserting ``housing'';
(3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) any cost-of-living allowance provided under section 405
of title 37, United States Code, to a member of a uniformed service
who is on duty outside the continental United States.''.
(c) Proof of Residency.--Section 17(d)(3) of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(d)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(F) Proof of residency.--An individual residing in a
remote Indian or Native village or an individual served by an
Indian tribal organization and residing on a reservation or
pueblo may, under standards established by the Secretary,
establish proof of residency under this section by providing to
the State agency the mailing address of the individual and the
name of the remote Indian or Native village.''.
(d) Adjustment of Grant.--Section 17(h)(1)(B) of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(h)(1)(B)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``the fiscal year 1987'' and
inserting ``the preceding fiscal year''; and
(2) in clause (ii)--
(A) by striking ``the fiscal year 1987'' and inserting
``the preceding fiscal year''; and
(B) by striking subclause (I) and inserting the following:
``(I) the value of the index for State and local government
purchases, as published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the
Department of Commerce, for the 12-month period ending June 30 of
the second preceding fiscal year; and''.
(e) Allocation of Funds.--Section 17(h)(5) of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(h)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(D) Remote indian or native villages.--For noncontiguous
States containing a significant number of remote Indian or
Native villages, a State agency may convert amounts allocated
for food benefits for a fiscal year to the costs of nutrition
services and administration to the extent that the conversion
is necessary to cover expenditures incurred in providing
services (including the full cost of air transportation and
other transportation) to remote Indian or Native villages and
to provide breastfeeding support in remote Indian or Native
villages.''.
(f) Effective Dates.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
amendments made by this section take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) Allocation of funds.--The amendments made by subsections
(d) and (e) take effect on October 1, 2000.
Subtitle F--Other Programs

e812c821d29cbbc5718c5543862f190570b2a75a145fba3b3fc0d01a289cfbe9

ERADICATION.
(a) Loan Authority.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary, acting through the Farm Service Agency, shall use
$10,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make a loan
to the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, Inc., to enable the
Foundation to retire certain debt associated with boll weevil
eradication zones which have ended their participation, in whole or in
part, in the federally funded boll weevil eradication program.
(b) Repayment Terms and Conditions.--The loan provided under
subsection (a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions:
(1) Repayment shall be scheduled to begin on January 1 of the
year following the first year during which the boll weevil
eradication zone, or any part thereof, responsible for the debt
retired using the loan resumes participation in any federally
funded boll weevil eradication program.
(2) No interest shall be charged.
(c) Limitation.--The cost of the loan made under this section shall
not exceed the loan subsidy sufficient to make the loan.

072b12868f43baa91460c917cb39c229814a75fe7ed2e48df20a9e39d193ca87

(a) Pseudorabies.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), the Secretary shall use $7,000,000 to cover pseudorabies
vaccination costs incurred by pork producers.
(b) Bovine Tuberculosis.--Of the amount made available under
section 261(a)(2), the Secretary shall use $6,000,000 to respond to
bovine tuberculosis in the State of Michigan. The funds shall be
available for the following purposes:
(1) The surveillance and testing of cattle and wildlife.
(2) Research regarding bovine tuberculosis, to be conducted by
the Agricultural Research Service and Michigan State University.
(3) The provision of increased indemnity payments to encourage
the depopulation of infected herds.
(4) The performance of diagnostic testing and treatment of
humans affected by bovine tuberculosis.
(5) Slaughter surveillance.
(6) The control and prevention of the exposure of livestock to
infected wildlife, including the installation of fencing to
minimize contact between livestock and wildlife.
(7) The distribution of information regarding the risk and
control of bovine tuberculosis, including technological
improvements to enhance communication.

c5fbd45868db21ba6948ddd857f6c80540894f4df2e406de694f6f0e92fdd0a4

(a) In General.--Of the amount made available under section
261(a)(2), the Secretary shall use $35,000,000, plus $200,000 for
payment of administrative costs, to make no-interest loans to producers
of the 1999 crop of grass, forage, vegetable, and sorghum seed that
have not received payments from AgriBiotech for the seed as a result of
bankruptcy proceedings involving AgriBiotech (referred to in this
section as the ``bankruptcy proceedings'').
(b) Loans.--
(1) In general.--The amount of the loan made to a seed producer
under this section shall be not more than 65 percent of the amount
owed by AgriBiotech to the seed producer for the 1999 seed crop, as
determined by the Secretary.
(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a loan under this section,
the claim of a seed producer in the bankruptcy proceedings must
have arisen from a contract to grow seeds in the United States.
(3) Control.--In determining the amount owed by AgriBiotech to
a seed producer under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider
whether the seed producer has relinquished control of the seed to
AgriBiotech or has the seed in inventory waiting to be sold.
(4) Security.--A loan to a seed producer under this section
shall be secured in part by the claim of the seed producer in the
bankruptcy proceedings.
(5) Repayment.--Each seed producer shall repay to the
Secretary, for deposit in the Treasury, the amount of the loan made
to the seed producer on the earlier of--
(A) the date of settlement of, completion of, or final
distribution of assets in the bankruptcy proceedings involving
AgriBiotech; or
(B) the date that is 18 months after the date on which the
loan was made to the seed producer.
(c) Additional Terms.--
(1) Shortfall in amount received from bankruptcy proceedings.--
If the amount that the seed producer receives as a result of the
proceedings described in subsection (b)(5)(A) is less than the
amount of the loan made to the seed producer under subsection
(b)(1), the seed producer shall be eligible to have the balance of
the loan converted, but not refinanced, to a loan that has the same
terms and conditions as an operating loan under subtitle B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941 et
seq.).
(2) Lengthy bankruptcy proceedings.--If a seed producer is
required to repay a loan under subsection (b)(5)(B), the seed
producer shall be eligible to have the balance of the loan
converted, but not refinanced, to a loan that has the same terms
and conditions as an operating loan under subtitle B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941 et
seq.).
(d) Limitation.--The cost of all loans made under this section
shall not exceed $15,000,000.

85e604f11dfaac1011e5735f7f7044244a3c837895c47592ecce5e0e921e94db

(a) Suspension.--During the period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act and ending on June 1, 2001, the Secretary may not
combine or take any action to combine, at the State level, offices of
the agencies specified in subsection (b) unless the offices are located
in the same county as of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Covered Offices.--Subsection (a) applies to an office of any of
the following agencies:
(1) The Farm Service Agency.
(2) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(3) The Rural Utilities Service.
(4) The Rural Housing Service.
(5) The Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
(c) Report.--Not later than April 1, 2001, 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 any proposed combination of offices specified in
subsection (b) that includes a certification that the proposed
combination would result in the lowest cost to the Federal Government
over the long term.

707433d28e724929da7a41d6f6b6c6daa8cc87c1d57e1af402fb2d876649f70b

During the period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
Act and ending on December 31, 2002--
(1) sections 311(c) and 319 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(c), 1949) shall have no force or
effect; and
(2) in making direct loans under subtitle B of that Act (7
U.S.C. 1941 et seq.), the Secretary shall give priority to a
qualified beginning farmer or rancher who has not operated a farm
or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 5
years.

519b8b0e58aa9fe6a3e7aede43c123c64b9cb8a4b46922f15811984e8a9ad2d8

Section 306D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1926d) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the
following:
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001
and 2002.
``(2) Training and technical assistance.--Not more than 2
percent of the amount made available under paragraph (1) for a
fiscal year may be used by the State of Alaska for training and
technical assistance programs relating to the operation and
management of water and waste disposal services in rural and Native
villages.
``(3) Availability.--Funds appropriated pursuant to the
authorization of appropriations in paragraph (1) shall be available
until expended.''.

5dce2f942f9edf0c5614a28b7d2c44d14e01f94442084d102261cf1e344fcc71

(a) Definition of Covered Land.--In this section:
(1) In general.--The term ``covered land'' means land that--
(A) was unusable for agricultural production during the
2000 crop year as the result of flooding;
(B) was used for agricultural production during at least
one of the 1992 through 1999 crop years;
(C) is a contiguous parcel of land of at least 1 acre; and
(D) is located in a county in which producers were eligible
for assistance under the 1998 Flood Compensation Program
established under part 1439 of title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations.
(2) Exclusions.--The term ``covered land'' excludes any land
for which a producer is insured, enrolled, or assisted during the
2000 crop year under--
(A) a policy or plan of insurance authorized under the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.);
(B) the noninsured crop assistance program operated under
section 196 of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C.
7333);
(C) any crop disaster program established for the 2000 crop
year;
(D) the conservation reserve program established under
subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.);
(E) the wetlands reserve program established under
subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3837 et seq.);
(F) any emergency watershed protection program or Federal
easement program that prohibits crop production or grazing; or
(G) any other Federal or State water storage program, as
determined by the Secretary.
(b) Compensation.--The Secretary shall use not more than
$24,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to compensate
producers with covered land described with respect to losses from long-
term flooding.
(c) Payment Rate.--The payment rate for compensation provided to a
producer under this section shall equal the average county cash rental
rate per acre established by the National Agricultural Statistics
Service for the 2000 crop year.
(d) Payment Limitation.--The total amount of payments made to a
person (as defined in section 1001(5) of the Food Security Act (7
U.S.C. 1308(5))) under this section may not exceed $40,000.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--H.R. 3425 of the 106th Congress (as
enacted into law by section 1000(a)(5) of Public Law 106-113 (113 Stat.
1535) and included as Appendix E of that Public Law (113 Stat. 1501A-
289)) is amended in section 207 (113 Stat. 1501A-294) by inserting ``or
Lake'' after ``Harney''.

7457925511c4e574d1bc2b9a281a6a29c16d391fcd2658f3d78b565648a82ca9

(a) Requirement.--Subject to subsection (b), as soon as practicable
after the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to land and
property described in the Flood Mitigation Study and Project
Implementation Plan for the Missouri River near Pierre, South Dakota,
prepared by the Omaha District Corps of Engineers, dated August 12,
1999, the Secretary of the Army shall--
(1) acquire the land and property from willing sellers; and
(2)(A) floodproof the land;
(B) relocate individuals located on the land;
(C) improve infrastructure on the land; or
(D) take other measures determined by the Secretary.
(b) Releases.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall not proceed with full
wintertime Oahe Powerplant releases until the Secretary amends the
economic analysis in effect on the date of the enactment of this
Act to include an assumption that the Federal Government is
responsible for mitigating any existing ground water flooding to
the land and property described in subsection (a).
(2) Reduction.--To the extent the Secretary identifies benefits
of mitigating any existing ground water flooding, full wintertime
Oahe Powerplant releases shall be reduced consistent with the
economic analysis described in paragraph (1).
(3) Minimum level.--This subsection shall not permit Oahe
Powerplant releases to be reduced below existing operational
levels.

79edf606ebbb4dfabfa30acbbff3f33106a60b7cdf41aba62ce29e1c88ee8d37

(a) Effect of Change in Legal Structure.--In the case of an
individual or entity that was not eligible for a payment pursuant to
subsection (c) of section 1102 of the Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
1999 (as contained in section 101(a) of division A of Public Law 105-
277; 7 U.S.C. 1421 note), solely because the individual or entity
changed the legal structure of the individual's or entity's farming
operation, the individual or entity shall be eligible for the payment
the individual or entity would have received pursuant to that
subsection had the individual or entity not changed the legal
structure, less the amount of any payment received by the individual or
entity pursuant to subsection (b) of that section.
(b) Multiple Farming Operations.--
(1) Eligible individuals.--In the case of an individual not
described in subsection (a) that farmed acreage as a producer as a
part of more than one farming operation, none of which received a
payment pursuant to subsection (c) of section 1102 of the
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, the individual shall be
eligible for a payment pursuant to that subsection for losses that
the Secretary determines would have been eligible for compensation
with respect to that acreage based on the individual's interest in
the production from that acreage.
(2) Reduction.--A payment made pursuant to paragraph (1) to an
individual shall be reduced by the amount of a payment made
pursuant to subsection (b) of that section 1102 attributed directly
or indirectly to the individual with respect to the acreage
described in paragraph (1).
Subtitle G--Administration

69787fd77b68f5473bb9cc31de797c14fdfaac07466b360d7b7ec6cbcf707b23

(a) Payment.--Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to the
Secretary the following:
(1) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 to carry out section
241(a).
(2) $465,500,000 for fiscal year 2001 to carry out the
following:
(A) Section 203 (other than subsection (f)).
(B) Subtitle C.
(C) Section 231.
(D) Section 241 (other than subsection (a)).
(E) Sections 252 and 253.
(b) Acceptance.--The Secretary shall be entitled to receive the
funds and shall accept the funds, without further appropriation.

54e2553a8c24347483dcb8a82a48bf3f7df7d95a4701aaf16774c36869e771bc

Except as otherwise provided in this title, the Secretary and the
Commodity Credit Corporation shall obligate and expend--
(1) funds made available under section 261(a)(1) only during
fiscal year 2000; and
(2) funds made available under section 261(a)(2), and funds of
the Commodity Credit Corporation made available under this title,
only during fiscal year 2001.

40547f2803688285406783334c33f7c2b8ac9b4829eb3250c09dac4729ae122b

(a) Promulgation.--As soon as practicable after the date of the
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. The promulgation of the regulations and administration of this
title shall be made without regard to--
(1) the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of title
5, United States Code;
(2) 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; and
(3) chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known
as the ``Paperwork Reduction Act'').
(b) Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking.--In carrying out
this section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under
section 808 of title 5, United States Code.

a328e06b72604400f687b181409581554966e381fffb3d3df3ca1d475dbc6a01

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall not make
any estimates of changes in direct spending outlays and receipts under
section 252(d) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 902(d)) resulting from enactment of this title.

d376d7150ae0b02aad379ef0d30370ac32973da8b798828db896e3de31a406eb

Out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall use such sums as may be necessary to
reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized losses
sustained, but not previously reimbursed, under this title.

c9c9eeca91f7b34c878f06c19fbcb9537ee0ac8a808043bbf126f90cec0155c5

This title may be cited as the ``Biomass Research and Development
Act of 2000''.

f2a91220349085c9d48986ebfb368cf11dc6e77bb18e4a5b74b1ec7499b5e844

Congress finds that--
(1) conversion of biomass into biobased industrial products
offers outstanding potential for benefit to the national interest
through--
(A) improved strategic security and balance of payments;
(B) healthier rural economies;
(C) improved environmental quality;
(D) near-zero net greenhouse gas emissions;
(E) technology export; and
(F) sustainable resource supply;
(2) the key technical challenges to be overcome in order for
biobased industrial products to be cost-competitive are finding new
technology and reducing the cost of technology for converting
biomass into desired biobased industrial products;
(3) biobased fuels, such as ethanol, have the clear potential
to be sustainable, low cost, and high performance fuels that are
compatible with both current and future transportation systems and
provide near-zero net greenhouse gas emissions;
(4) biobased chemicals have the clear potential for
environmentally benign product life cycles;
(5) biobased power can--
(A) provide environmental benefits;
(B) promote rural economic development; and
(C) diversify energy resource options;
(6) many biomass feedstocks suitable for industrial processing
show the clear potential for sustainable production, in some cases
resulting in improved soil fertility and carbon sequestration;
(7)(A) grain processing mills are biorefineries that produce a
diversity of useful food, chemical, feed, and fuel products; and
(B) technologies that result in further diversification of the
range of value-added biobased industrial products can meet a key
need for the grain processing industry;
(8)(A) cellulosic feedstocks are attractive because of their
low cost and widespread availability; and
(B) research resulting in cost-effective technology to overcome
the recalcitrance of cellulosic biomass would allow biorefineries
to produce fuels and bulk chemicals on a very large scale, with a
commensurately large realization of the benefit described in
paragraph (1);
(9) research into the fundamentals to understand important
mechanisms of biomass conversion can be expected to accelerate the
application and advancement of biomass processing technology by--
(A) increasing the confidence and speed with which new
technologies can be scaled up; and
(B) giving rise to processing innovations based on new
knowledge;
(10) the added utility of biobased industrial products
developed through improvements in processing technology would
encourage the design of feedstocks that would meet future needs
more effectively;
(11) the creation of value-added biobased industrial products
would create new jobs in construction, manufacturing, and
distribution, as well as new higher-valued exports of products and
technology;
(12)(A) because of the relatively short-term time horizon
characteristic of private sector investments, and because many
benefits of biomass processing are in the national interest, it is
appropriate for the Federal Government to provide precommercial
investment in fundamental research and research-driven innovation
in the biomass processing area; and
(B) such an investment would provide a valuable complement to
ongoing and past governmental support in the biomass processing
area; and
(13) several prominent studies, including studies by the
President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and the
National Research Council--
(A) support the potential for large research-driven
advances in technologies for production of biobased industrial
products as well as associated benefits; and
(B) document the need for a focused, integrated, and
innovation-driven research effort to provide the appropriate
progress in a timely manner.

4637eb3b4f5ffa36a168616440aa4f152fdbd55b3dab594c41460e37094c19a7

In this title:
(1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee'' means
the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee
established by section 306.
(2) Biobased industrial product.--The term ``biobased
industrial product'' means fuels, chemicals, building materials, or
electric power or heat produced from biomass.
(3) Biomass.--The term ``biomass'' means any organic matter
that is available on a renewable or recurring basis, including
agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood wastes and residues,
plants (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, fibers, and
animal wastes, municipal wastes, and other waste materials.
(4) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Biomass Research and
Development Board established by section 305.
(5) Initiative.--The term ``Initiative'' means the Biomass
Research and Development Initiative established under section 307.
(6) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution of
higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 102(a)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)).
(7) National laboratory.--The term ``national laboratory'' has
the meaning given the term ``laboratory'' in section 12(d) of the
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C.
3710a(d)).
(8) Point of contact.--The term ``point of contact'' means a
point of contact designated under section 304(d).
(9) Processing.--The term ``processing'' means the derivation
of biobased industrial products from biomass, including--
(A) feedstock production;
(B) harvest and handling;
(C) pretreatment or thermochemical processing;
(D) fermentation;
(E) catalytic processing;
(F) product recovery; and
(G) coproduct production.
(10) Research and development.--The term ``research and
development'' means research, development, and demonstration.

9a24bc766e07afe04529fd16f528f6bdd587091287a6a91fc98b0db15cf9d3e8

DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of
Energy shall cooperate with respect to, and coordinate, policies and
procedures that promote research and development leading to the
production of biobased industrial products.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the cooperation and coordination
shall be--
(1) to understand the key mechanisms underlying the
recalcitrance of biomass for conversion into biobased industrial
products;
(2) to develop new and cost-effective technologies that would
result in large-scale commercial production of low cost and
sustainable biobased industrial products;
(3) to ensure that biobased industrial products are developed
in a manner that enhances their economic, energy security, and
environmental benefits; and
(4) to promote the development and use of agricultural and
energy crops for conversion into biobased industrial products.
(c) Areas.--In carrying out this title, the Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with heads of
appropriate departments and agencies, shall promote research and
development--
(1) to advance the availability and widespread use of energy
efficient, economically competitive, and environmentally sound
biobased industrial products in a manner that is consistent with
the goals of the United States relating to sustainable and secure
supplies of food, chemicals, and fuel;
(2) to ensure full consideration of Federal land and land
management programs as potential feedstock resources for biobased
industrial products; and
(3) to assess the environmental, economic, and social impact of
production of biobased industrial products from biomass on a large
scale.
(d) Points of Contact.--
(1) In general.--To coordinate research and development
programs and activities relating to biobased industrial products
that are carried out by their respective Departments--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture shall designate, as the
point of contact for the Department of Agriculture, an officer
of the Department of Agriculture appointed by the President to
a position in the Department before the date of the
designation, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;
and
(B) the Secretary of Energy shall designate, as the point
of contact for the Department of Energy, an officer of the
Department of Energy appointed by the President to a position
in the Department before the date of the designation, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(2) Duties.--The points of contact shall jointly--
(A) assist in arranging interlaboratory and site-specific
supplemental agreements for research and development projects
relating to biobased industrial products;
(B) serve as cochairpersons of the Board;
(C) administer the Initiative; and
(D) respond in writing to each recommendation of the
Advisory Committee made under section 306(c).

62b22f2a00b9776a137f9f7b5a50858141d7ba33efe8f1d4bdc26c9f42232628

(a) Establishment.--There is established the Biomass Research and
Development Board, which shall supersede the Interagency Council on
Biobased Products and Bioenergy established by Executive Order No.
13134, to coordinate programs within and among departments and agencies
of the Federal Government for the purpose of promoting the use of
biobased industrial products by--
(1) maximizing the benefits deriving from Federal grants and
assistance; and
(2) bringing coherence to Federal strategic planning.
(b) Membership.--The Board shall consist of--
(1) the point of contact of the Department of Energy designated
under section 304(d)(1)(B), who shall serve as cochairperson of the
Board;
(2) the point of contact of the Department of Agriculture
designated under section 304(d)(1)(A), who shall serve as
cochairperson of the Board;
(3) a senior officer of each of the Department of the Interior,
the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science
Foundation, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy, each
of whom shall--
(A) be appointed by the head of the respective agency; and
(B) have a rank that is equivalent to the rank of the
points of contact; and
(4) at the option of the Secretary of Agriculture and the
Secretary of Energy, other members appointed by the Secretaries
(after consultation with the members described in paragraphs (1)
through (3)).
(c) Duties.--The Board shall--
(1) coordinate research and development activities relating to
biobased industrial products--
(A) between the Department of Agriculture and the
Department of Energy; and
(B) with other departments and agencies of the Federal
Government; and
(2) provide recommendations to the points of contact concerning
administration of this title.
(d) Funding.--Each agency represented on the Board is encouraged to
provide funds for any purpose under this title.
(e) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at least quarterly to enable
the Board to carry out the duties of the Board under subsection (c).

6303a689560501af6799e844e169af0567c703e4d00dbb9f35cad2a7d9d9b8f1

COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Biomass Research and
Development Technical Advisory Committee, which shall supersede the
Advisory Committee on Biobased Products and Bioenergy established by
Executive Order No. 13134--
(1) to advise the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of
Agriculture, and the points of contact concerning--
(A) the technical focus and direction of requests for
proposals issued under the Initiative; and
(B) procedures for reviewing and evaluating the proposals;
(2) to facilitate consultations and partnerships among
Federal and State agencies, agricultural producers, industry,
consumers, the research community, and other interested groups to
carry out program activities relating to the Initiative; and
(3) to evaluate and perform strategic planning on program
activities relating to the Initiative.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall consist of--
(A) an individual affiliated with the biobased industrial
products industry;
(B) an individual affiliated with an institution of higher
education who has expertise in biobased industrial products;
(C) two prominent engineers or scientists from government
or academia who have expertise in biobased industrial products;
(D) an individual affiliated with a commodity trade
association;
(E) an individual affiliated with an environmental or
conservation organization;
(F) an individual associated with State government who has
expertise in biobased industrial products;
(G) an individual with expertise in energy analysis;
(H) an individual with expertise in the economics of
biobased industrial products;
(I) an individual with expertise in agricultural economics;
and
(J) at the option of the points of contact, other members.
(2) Appointment.--The members of the Advisory Committee shall
be appointed by the points of contact.
(c) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
(1) advise the points of contact with respect to the
Initiative; and
(2) evaluate whether, and make recommendations in writing to
the Board to ensure that--
(A) funds authorized for the Initiative are distributed and
used in a manner that is consistent with the goals of the
Initiative;
(B) the points of contact are funding proposals under this
title that are selected on the basis of merit, as determined by
an independent panel of scientific and technical peers; and
(C) activities under this title are carried out in
accordance with this title.
(d) Coordination.--To avoid duplication of effort, the Advisory
Committee shall coordinate its activities with those of other Federal
advisory committees working in related areas.
(e) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly
to enable the Advisory Committee to carry out the duties of the
Advisory Committee under subsection (c).
(f) Terms.--Members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed
for a term of 3 years, except that--
(1) one-third of the members initially appointed shall be
appointed for a term of 1 year; and
(2) one-third of the members initially appointed shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years.

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Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000

Other Sections

TITLE I

TITLE II

TITLE III

TITLE IV

TITLE V

TITLE I

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