,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ddbe ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #af1 #bjag,mr4 ,blumenauer introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,ways and ,means1 ,education and the ,workforce1 and ,foreign ,affairs1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to reform the safety net for farmers and ranchers1 enhance soil1 water1 and habitat conservation1 encourage beginning farmers and ranchers1 strengthen nutrition for ,americans1 support agriculture research and innovation1 reduce food waste1 improve animal welfare1 and invest in regional food systems1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,food and ,farm ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,title ,i--,commodities and ,crop ,insurance ,subtitle ,a--,cutting1 ,capping1 and ,clarifying ,agriculture ,subsidies ,sec4 #aja4 ,repealing excessive subsidy programs for commodity crops4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,comprehensive cap on total agricultural subsidies an eligible entity may receive4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,adjusted gross income limitation4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,elimination of separate payment limitation on peanut subsidies4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,strengthening prevented planting coverage4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,eliminating the yield transfer loophole4 ,sec4 #ajg4 ,ensuring planting on suitable land4 ,sec4 #ajh4 ,report on diversity in crop insurance4 ,subtitle ,b--,expansion of ,whole ,farm ,crop ,insurance ,sec4 #aba4 ,expansion of whole farm crop insurance option for farms that grow multiple crops4 ,title ,,ii--,conservation ,subtitle ,a--,strengthening ,conservation ,compliance ,sec4 #bja4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,covered cropland program ineligibility4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,exemptions4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,development and implementation of conservation plans and conservation systems4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,wetland program ineligibility4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,delineation of wetlands2 exemptions4 ,subtitle ,b--,enhancing ,environmental ,quality ,incentives ,sec4 #baa4 ,purposes4 ,sec4 #bab4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #bac4 ,establishment and administration4 ,sec4 #bad4 ,evaluation of applications4 ,sec4 #bae4 ,environmental quality incentives program plan4 ,sec4 #baf4 ,duties of the ,secretary4 ,sec4 #bag4 ,limitation on payments4 ,subtitle ,c--,reforming the ,conservation ,stewardship ,program ,sec4 #bba4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #bbb4 ,conservation stewardship program4 ,sec4 #bbc4 ,stewardship contracts4 ,sec4 #bbd4 ,duties of the ,secretary4 ,subtitle ,d--,building on the ,regional ,conservation ,partnership ,sec4 #bca4 ,improvements to the regional conservation partnership program4 ,subtitle ,e--,establishing ,innovative ,grants for ,conservation and ,loans for ,structural ,improvements ,sec4 #bda4 ,repeal and reestablishment of ,,eqip conservation innovation grant program4 ,sec4 #bdb4 ,conservation loan and loan guarantee program4 ,subtitle ,f--,ensuring ,greenhouse ,gas ,reporting for ,agriculture ,sec4 #bea4 ,greenhouse gas reporting4 ,sec4 #beb4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,subtitle ,g--,administration and ,funding ,sec4 #bfa4 ,commodity credit corporation4 ,title ,,iii--,food ,assistance ,sec4 #cja4 ,elimination of domestic procurement restriction for emergency and private assistance programs under the ,food for ,peace ,act4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,elimination of cap on support for eligible organizations for certain purposes4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,elimination of minimum level of local sales requirement under the ,food for ,peace ,act4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,food for ,peace ,act extensions4 ,title ,,iv--,nutrition ,subtitle ,a--,increasing ,access to ,healthy ,foods ,sec4 #dja4 ,expanding ,healthy ,food ,financing ,initiative4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,helping schools serve healthier meals4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,strengthening the food and agriculture service learning program4 ,sec4 #djd4 ,harvesting health program4 ,subtitle ,b--,improving the ,supplemental ,nutrition ,assistance ,program ,sec4 #daa4 ,continuing the ,farmers' ,markets ,supplemental ,nutrition ,assistance ,program ,support ,grant ,program4 ,sec4 #dab4 ,expanding and increasing support for the food insecurity nutrition incentives program4 ,sec4 #dac4 ,closing the ,meal ,gap4 ,title ,v--,future of ,american ,farmers ,subtitle ,a--,defining beginning farmer or rancher ,sec4 #eja4 ,beginning farmer or rancher defined4 ,subtitle ,b--,providing ,resources for ,beginning1 ,retiring1 and ,socially ,disadvantaged ,farmers and ,ranchers ,sec4 #eaa4 ,reauthorization and increased funding for outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers4 ,sec4 #eab4 ,ensuring permanent funding for beginning farmer and rancher development program4 ,sec4 #eac4 ,supporting beginning farmer participation in certain conservation programs4 ,sec4 #ead4 ,creating a priority for participation of beginning farmers and ranchers in ,farmers' ,market and ,local ,food ,promotion ,program4 ,sec4 #eae4 ,supporting beginning farmers and ranchers through ,farm ,service ,agency liaisons4 ,sec4 #eaf4 ,facilitating succession planning through the creation of ,farm ,service ,agency regional planners4 ,sec4 #eag4 ,ensuring a vibrant agricultural sector through the creation of a land tenure commission4 ,subtitle ,c--,creating financial incentives ,to benefit beginning farmers and ranchers ,sec4 #eba4 ,removing barriers to farming through an eligible farmer tax credit4 ,sec4 #ebb4 ,ensuring ,farm ,service ,facility loans can serve agricultural cooperatives4 ,sec4 #ebc4 ,loans to cooperatives4 ,title ,,vi--,food ,waste ,sec4 #fja4 ,sense of ,congress regarding reducing food waste4 ,sec4 #fjb4 ,establishment of ,office of ,food ,waste4 ,sec4 #fjc4 ,establishment of food loss and waste reduction task force4 ,sec4 #fjd4 ,standardizing1 aggregating1 and publishing food waste data4 ,title ,,vii--,research1 ,extension1 and ,related ,matters ,subtitle ,a--,investing in ,sustainable ,agriculture ,sec4 #gja4 ,sustainable agriculture research1 extension1 and education programs4 ,sec4 #gjb4 ,national training program4 ,subtitle ,b--,supporting research ,to help farmers adapt to a disrupted climate ,sec4 #gaa4 ,competitive1 special1 and facilities grants4 ,sec4 #gab4 ,specialty crop research initiative4 ,title ,,viii--,animal ,welfare ,subtitle ,a--,ensuring ,animal ,welfare in ,farming ,sec4 #hja4 ,definitions for humanely raised livestock and poultry certification programs4 ,sec4 #hjb4 ,requiring the issuance of the final rule for setting production standards for organic livestock and poultry without amendment4 ,sec4 #hjc4 ,increasing market access for humanely raised livestock and poultry certification programs4 ,subtitle ,b--,reforming ,animal ,welfare in ,agricultural ,research ,endeavors ,sec4 #haa4 ,animal welfare4 ,sec4 #hab4 ,establishing a research and extension program for humanely raised livestock and poultry certifications4 ,subtitle ,c--,protecting ,companion ,animals ,sec4 #hba4 ,maintenance and public availability of regulatory records4 ,sec4 #hbb4 ,prohibiting the trade of dog and cat meat4 ,title ,,ix--,regional ,food ,systems ,subtitle ,a--,expanding ,support for ,local and ,regional ,food ,systems ,sec4 #ija4 ,sense of the ,congress4 ,sec4 #ijb4 ,expanding the ,food ,leveraging ,investment for ,network ,coordination 7,,linc7 ,program4 ,sec4 #ijc4 ,ensuring success of regional food projects under the business and industry guaranteed loan program4 ,sec4 #ijd4 ,increasing support for the specialty crop block grant program4 ,subtitle ,b--,enhancing ,regional ,food ,infrastructure ,sec4 #iaa4 ,supporting regional food infrastructure assessment and collaborative planning4 ,sec4 #iab4 ,livestock1 dairy1 and poultry supply chain infrastructure grants and loans4 ,subtitle ,c--,expanding ,accessibility of ,federal ,grant ,programs ,sec4 #iba4 ,publishing information about funded ,farmers' ,market and ,local ,food ,promotion ,program projects4 ,sec4 #ibb4 ,streamlining of local and regional food program application procedures4 ,subtitle ,d--,leveling the ,playing ,field for ,small ,farmers ,sec4 #ica4 ,ensuring fair practices in agriculture4 ,i ,commodities and ,crop ,insurance ,a ,cutting1 ,capping1 and ,clarifying ,agriculture ,subsidies #aja4 ,repealing excessive subsidy programs for commodity crops 7a7 ,repeal ,part ,,ii of subtitle ,a of title ,i of the ,agriculture ,act of #bjad 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ijaa et seq47 is repealed4 7b7 ,continued application for #bjag crop year ,part ,,ii of subtitle ,a of title ,i of the ,agriculture ,act of #bjad 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ijaa et seq471 as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this ,act1 shall continue to apply through the #bjag crop year with respect to each covered commodity 7as defined in section #aaaa7f7 of such ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ijaa7f777 on a farm4 #ajb4 ,comprehensive cap on total agricultural subsidies an eligible entity may receive ,section #ajja of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #acjh-c;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7e7 through 7h7 as subsections 7f7 through 7i71 respectively2 7#b7 in such subsections1 by striking 7b7 and 7c7 and 7b7 or 7c7 each place it appears and inserting 7b71 7c71 and 7e7 and 7b71 7c71 or 7e71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following new subsection 7e73 7e7 ,limitation on total payments ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the total amount of payments and benefits described in section #ajja;,d7b77#b7 received1 directly or indirectly1 by a person or legal entity 7except a joint venture or general partnership7 during a crop1 fiscal1 or program year1 as appropriate1 may not exceed #abe1jjj4 4 #ajc4 ,adjusted gross income limitation ,section #ajja;,d7b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #acjh-c;a7b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #ijj1jjj and inserting #ejj1jjj2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,f7 ,a crop insurance premium subsidy under section #ejh7;e7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh7;e774 4 #ajd4 ,elimination of separate payment limitation on peanut subsidies ,section #ajja of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #acjh-c;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking 7other than ,peanuts72 and 7,b7 in the text1 by striking 7other than for peanuts72 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c71 by adding at the end the following new sentence3 ,effective beginning with the #bjai crop year1 subsection 7b71 rather than this subsection1 shall apply to payments received as marketing loan gains or loan deficiency payments under subtitle ,b of title ,i of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad for peanuts44 #aje4 ,strengthening prevented planting coverage 7a7 ,planting of cover crop ,section #ejh;,a7c77#a77;,a77i7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh;a7c77#a77;,a77i77 is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following3 1 but1 in that case1 the producer shall plant a cover crop on the same acreage for the same crop year unless doing so would not constitute a good farming practice1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,area conditions required for payment ,section #ejh;,a7c77#d7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh;a7c77#d77 is amended by striking 1 in the area where and inserting in the same county1 in an adjoining county1 or operating within #ajj miles of the affected producers1 whichever area is greater14 7c7 ,additional conditions ,section #ejh;,a7c7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh;a7 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs3 7#f7 ,successful planting ,in order to qualify for prevented planting coverage1 the land to be covered must have been planted in at least one of the preceding #c crop years4 7#g7 ,irrigation guidance ,the ,corporation shall develop guidance on the efficient conservative use of irrigation water when a crop is clearly lost to ensure the program does not contribute to the inefficient use of water resources4 7#h7 ,coverage levels ,prevented planting coverage levels shall not exceed the coverage factors as determined by the ,corporation4 4 #ajf4 ,eliminating the yield transfer loophole ,section #ejh7;g7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh7;g77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 ,yield transfer prohibited ,the ,corporation shall not allow a producer's actual production records from one parcel of land to be used to establish actual production history on a separate parcel of land4 4 #ajg4 ,ensuring planting on suitable land ,section #ejh7;e7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh7;e77 is amended by adding at the end the following paragraph3 7#i7 ,prohibition of subsidies on unsuitable land ,the ,corporation shall ensure that no premium benefits are provided on lands1 other than for pasture1 forage1 or rangeland policy benefits1 that are classified as generally unsuitable for cultivation by the land capability classification system1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 #ajh4 ,report on diversity in crop insurance ,section #ejh7k77#h7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aejh7k77#h77 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,g7 ,annual diversity report ,each ,standard ,reinsurance ,agreement shall include a requirement for all approved insurance providers to submit to the ,corporation on an annual basis a report-- 7i7 describing activities undertaken to promote access to crop insurance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers2 and 7ii7 containing demographic information regarding the producers being served1 including information by race and gender4 4 ,b ,expansion of ,whole ,farm ,crop ,insurance #aba4 ,expansion of whole farm crop insurance option for farms that grow multiple crops 7a7 ,elimination of liability limitation ,section #ebb7;c77#ai77;,a7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aebb7;c77#ai77;,a77 is amended by striking 1 with a liability limitation of #a1ejj1jjj14 7b7 ,administration ,section #ebb7;c77#ai7 of the ,federal ,crop ,insurance ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aebb7;c77#ai77 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs3 7,e7 ,administrative and operating expenses ,not withstanding any other provision of this subtitle1 the ,corporation shall allow approved insurance providers to utilize alternate compensation structures for the administration of the plan developed under subparagraph 7,a7 that-- 7i7 compensate agents based on the actual time it takes to write and administer a policy under the plan2 or 7ii7 another method approved by the ,corporation that proportionally compensates agents for any increased time commitments required by the plan4 7,f7 ,paperwork reduction ,the ,corporation shall seek to ensure that the paperwork requirements of agents and producers associated with the plan developed under subparagraph 7,a7 are minimized to the maximum extent possible1 while still meeting actuarial soundness standards4 7,g7 ,expanding operations ,to the maximum extent possible1 the ,corporation shall ensure that all producers1 including rapidly expanding operations1 are able to obtain coverage under the plan developed under subparagraph 7,a74 4 ,,ii ,conservation ,a ,strengthening ,conservation ,compliance #bja4 ,definitions ,section #abja7;a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chja7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking highly erodible and inserting covered2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the highly erodible and inserting covered2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 by amending subparagraph 7,b7 to read as follows3 7,b7 are designed to1 in a cost effective and technically practicable manner-- 7i7 achieve a substantial improvement in water quality2 7ii7 achieve a rate of soil erosion no greater than the soil loss tolerance level1 as determined by the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service2 7iii7 prevent ephemeral gully erosion2 and 7iv7 establish and maintain a minimum of #ej feet of perennial vegetation between covered cropland and intermittent or perennial waterways2 and 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 are based on the most recent and technically accurate soil erosion prediction models to determine if soil erosion by wind and water exceed the ,soil ,loss ,tolerance ,level on covered cropland subject to subtitle ,b4 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#f71 by striking highly erodible and inserting covered2 7#d7 by amending paragraph 7#g77;,a77ii7 to read as follows3 7ii7 before such action1 such land was wetland4 2 7#e7 in paragraph 7#i71 by striking ,any highly erodible land on which an agricultural commodity is produced after ,december #bc1 #aihe1 and that is not exempt under section #abab1 shall be considered as part of the field in which the land was included on ,december #bc1 #aihe1 unless the owner and ,secretary agree to modification of the boundaries of the field to carry out this title42 and 7#f7 by adding at the end the following3 7#bh7 ,covered cropland ,the term covered cropland means cropland1 as defined in section #gah4b of title #g1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 that is planted to a row crop4 4 #bjb4 ,covered cropland program ineligibility 7a7 ,in general ,section #abaa of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chaa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking a field on which highly erodible land and all that follows through shall be ineligible for and inserting covered cropland shall be ineligible for2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a7-- 7i7 by inserting or income after any type of price2 and 7ii7 by inserting 1 including a payment made under section #aaaf or #aaag of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad before the semicolon at the end2 and 7,c7 in paragraph 7#a77;,d71 by striking excessive erosion of highly erodible land and inserting substantial erosion or degradation of water quality2 and 7#b7 in the heading of subsection 7b71 by striking ,highly ,erodible ,land and inserting ,compliance ,determination4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,subtitle ,b of title ,,xii of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chaa et seq47 is amended in the heading by striking ,highly ,erodible ,land and inserting ,covered ,cropland4 #bjc4 ,exemptions ,section #abab of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chab7 is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subsection 7a7 to read as follows3 7a7 ,eligibility based on compliance with conservation plan 7#a7 ,in general ,if1 as of ,january #a1 #bjbc1 or #b years after the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service has completed a conservation plan for the farm1 whichever is later1 a person is actively applying the approved conservation plan1 such person shall have until ,january #a1 #bjbh1 to comply with the plan without being subject to program ineligibility4 7#b7 ,minimization of documentation ,in carrying out this subsection1 the ,secretary1 ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service1 and local soil conservation districts shall minimize the quantity of documentation a person must submit to comply with this paragraph4 7#c7 ,expiration ,on the expiration of a contract entered into under subchapter ,b of chapter #a of subtitle ,d1 the provisions of this subtitle shall apply to the acreage that was the subject of such contract4 2 7#b7 by striking subsections 7b71 7c71 and 7d72 7#c7 by redesignating subsections 7e71 7f71 7g71 and 7h7 as subsections 7b71 7c71 7d71 and 7e71 respectively2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7c71 as so redesignated1 by amending paragraph 7#d77;,a77i7 to read as follows3 7i7 a person has failed to comply with section #abaa1 and has acted in good faith and without an intent to violate section #abaa2 or 4 #bjd4 ,development and implementation of conservation plans and conservation systems ,section #abac of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chab;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and economically2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking undue and inserting serious2 7#b7 by striking subsection 7b7 and redesignating subsections 7c71 7d71 7e71 and 7f7 as subsections 7b71 7c71 7d71 and 7e71 respectively2 7#c7 in subsection 7c7 7as redesignated by paragraph 7#b77-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 by striking ,if a person makes a certification under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall not be required to and inserting ,the ,secretary shall annually2 and 7ii7 by inserting on not less than #e percent of the covered cropland subject to this subtitle after being applied2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking the last sentence and inserting ,the ,secretary may revise the person's conservation plan if the ,secretary determines the conservation plan is not meeting the standards in section #abja7;a77#d742 and 7#d7 by amending subsection 7d7 7as redesignated by paragraph 7#b77 to read as follows3 7d7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 provide technical assistance to a person throughout the development1 revision1 and application of the conservation plan and any conservation system of the person2 and 7#b7 make available annually an amount equal to #j4jb percent of the funding otherwise provided for programs specified in section #abaa7;a71 not to exceed #cej million1 to provide technical assistance1 conduct status reviews and other tasks required to fully implement the provisions of this subtitle4 4 #bje4 ,wetland program ineligibility ,section #abba of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chba7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#a71 by inserting 1 including payments made under section #aaaf or #aaag of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad before the period at the end2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 by amending paragraph 7#b77;,b7 to read as follows3 7,b7 ,new conversions ,in the case of a wetland that the ,secretary determines was converted after the date of enactment of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad1 the person shall be ineligible to receive crop insurance premium subsidies in subsequent reinsurance years unless the ,secretary determines that an exemption pursuant to section #abbb applies4 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking subparagraph 7,e72 and 7,c7 in paragraph 7#d71 by inserting at the end the following3 7,d7 ,funding ,the ,secretary shall make available annually an amount equal to #j4ja percent of the funding otherwise made available for programs specified in #abba7;b71 not to exceed #bjj million1 to provide technical assistance1 conduct status reviews and carry out other tasks needed to fully implement the provisions of this subtitle4 7,e7 ,status reviews ,the ,secretary shall annually carry out a review of the status of compliance of the person with the conservation plan under which the conservation system is being applied on no less than #e percent of the covered cropland subject to this subtitle4 4 #bjf4 ,delineation of wetlands2 exemptions ,section #abbb of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chbb7 is amended in subsection 7f77#b7-- 7#a7 by striking subparagraphs 7,d7 and 7,e72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,f7 and 7,g7 as subparagraphs 7,d7 and 7,e71 respectively4 ,b ,enhancing ,environmental ,quality ,incentives #baa4 ,purposes ,section #abdj of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa7 is amended to read as follows3 #abdj4 ,purposes ,the purpose of the environmental quality incentives program established by this chapter is to assist producers in implementing conservation systems1 practices1 and activities on their operations in order to-- 7#a7 improve water quality1 with special emphasis on reducing nutrient pollution and protecting sources of drinking water2 7#b7 avoid1 to the maximum extent practicable1 the need for resource and regulatory programs by assisting producers in protecting soil1 water1 air1 and related natural resources and meeting environmental quality criteria established by ,federal1 ,state1 tribal1 and local agencies2 7#c7 conserve ground and surface water to sustain or improve in-stream flows2 7#d7 enhance the quality of soil fertility and health2 7#e7 control invasive species2 7#f7 enhance critical aquatic and terrestrial wildlife habitat for at-risk species2 7#g7 reduce the amount and toxicity of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals found on food and in water or the air2 7#h7 reduce the nontherapeutic use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals in order to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics used in the treatment of human and animal disease2 7#i7 help producers adapt to a changing and unpredictable climate and increase resiliency to climate change impacts1 including rising temperatures and extreme weather events1 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions2 and 7#aj7 address additional priority resource concerns1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 #bab4 ,definitions 7a7 ,organic system plan ,section #abdj;,a of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#a7 is amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d71 respectively4 7b7 ,practice ,section #abdj;,a of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#a7 is further amended in paragraph 7#c77;,b7 7as redesignated by subsection 7a77-- 7#a7 in clause 7i71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating clause 7ii7 as clause 7iii72 and 7#c7 by inserting after clause 7i7 the following new clause3 7ii7 comprehensive conservation planning2 and 4 #bac4 ,establishment and administration 7a7 ,establishment ,section #abdj;,b7a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;a77 is amended by striking #bjjb through #bjae and inserting #bjai through #bjbc4 7b7 ,term ,section #abdj;,b7b77#b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;b77#b77;,b77 is amended by striking #aj years and inserting #e years4 7c7 ,priority ,section #abdj;,b7c7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;c77 is amended to read as follows3 7c7 ,priority ,if the ,secretary determines that the environmental values of two or more applications for payments are comparable1 the ,secretary shall assign a higher priority to a program application which will achieve the environment and conservation values using practices and systems the assessed cost of which is lower4 4 7d7 ,payments 7#a7 ,limitation on substantial and primary benefits ,section #abdj;,b7d7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;d77 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking or at the end2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,c77ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 #ej percent of the cost of a practice that substantially benefits the producer1 as determined by the ,secretary4 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 ,primary benefit to producer ,a producer shall not be eligible for payments for a practice on eligible land under the program that primarily benefits the producer1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7#b7 ,increased payments for certain practices ,section #abdj;,b7d77#c7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;d77#c77 is amended to read as follows3 7#c7 ,increased payments for certain practices ,the ,secretary shall provide supplemental payments and enhanced technical assistance to producers implementing land management and vegetative practices at a level that1 as determined by the ,secretary1 results in highly cost-effective treatment of priority resource concerns1 including-- 7,a7 residue and tillage management2 7,b7 contour farming2 7,c7 cover cropping2 7,d7 integrated pest management2 7,e7 nutrient management2 7,f7 stream corridor improvement2 7,g7 invasive plant species control2 7,h7 contour buffer strips2 7,i7 riparian herbaceous and forest buffers2 7,j7 filterstrips2 7,k7 stream habitat improvement and management2 7,l7 grassed waterways2 7,m7 wetland restoration and enhancement2 7,n7 pollinator habitat2 or 7,o7 conservation crop rotation4 4 7#c7 ,limitation on payments for certain practices ,section #abdj;,b7d7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;d77 is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#h7 ,limitation on payments for certain practices ,a producer who owns or operates a large confined animal feeding operation 7as defined by the ,secretary7 shall not be eligible for payments under this chapter to construct an animal waste management facility or any associated waste transport or transfer device4 4 7e7 ,allocation of funding ,section #abdj;,b7f7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;f77 is amended to read as follows3 7f7 ,allocation of funding ,of the funds made available for payments for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc-- 7#a7 not less than #aj percent shall be targeted at practices relating to improvement of fish and wildlife habitat2 and 7#b7 not less than #e percent shall be provided to producers who participate in an independent animal welfare certification program1 as defined in section #hja of the ,food and ,farm ,act4 4 7f7 ,water conservation or irrigation efficiency practice 7#a7 ,availability of payments ,section #abdj;,b7h77#a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;h77#a77 is amended to read as follows3 7#a7 ,availability of payments ,the ,secretary may provide payments under this subsection to a producer for a water conservation or irrigation practice that promotes ground and surface water conservation on the agricultural operation of the producer by-- 7,a7 improvements to irrigation systems2 7,b7 enhancement of irrigation efficiencies2 7,c7 conversion of the agricultural operation to-- 7i7 the production of less water-intensive agricultural commodities2 or 7ii7 dryland farming2 7,d7 improvement of the storage of water through measures such as water banking and groundwater recharge2 7,e7 enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat associated with irrigation systems1 including pivot corners and areas with irregular boundaries2 or 7,f7 establishment of other measures1 as determined by the ,secretary1 that improve groundwater and surface water conservation in agricultural operations4 4 7#b7 ,priority ,section #abdj;,b7h77#b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;h77#b77 is amended-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking 2 or and inserting 2 and2 and 7,b7 by amending subparagraph 7,b7 to read as follows3 7,b7 any associated water savings remain in the original source of such water for the useful life of the practice4 4 7#c7 ,duty of producers ,section #abdj;,b7h7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;h77 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,duty of producers ,the ,secretary may not provide payments to a producer for a water conservation or irrigation practice under this chapter unless the producer agrees not to use any associated water savings to bring new land1 other than incidental land needed for efficient operations1 under irrigated production1 except where the producer is participating in a watershed-wide project that will effectively conserve water1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 7g7 ,payments for conservation practices related to organic production 7#a7 ,payments authorized ,section #abdj;,b7i77#a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;i77#a77 is amended by striking subsection and inserting chapter4 7#b7 ,eligibility requirements ,section #abdj;,b7i77#b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;i77#b77 is amended to read as follows3 7#b7 ,eligibility requirements ,as a condition for receiving payments under this subsection1 a producer shall agree to develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with the regulations promulgated under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq47 and the purposes of this chapter4 4 7#c7 ,payment limitations2 coordination with organic certification2 planning ,section #abdj;,b7i7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;i77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking paragraph 7#c7 and redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e7 as paragraphs 7#e7 and 7#f71 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following new paragraphs3 7#c7 ,coordination with organic certification ,the ,secretary shall establish a transparent means by which producers may initiate organic certification under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq47 while participating in a contract under this chapter4 7#d7 ,planning 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide planning assistance to producers transitioning to certified organic production consistent with the requirements of the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq47 and the purposes of this chapter4 7,b7 ,avoidance of duplication ,the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 eliminate duplication of planning activities for a producer participating in a contract under this chapter and initiating or maintaining organic certification consistent with the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq474 4 7h7 ,payments for conservation practices related to antibiotic use ,section #abdj;,b of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7j7 ,payments for conservation practices related to antibiotic use 7#a7 ,payments authorized ,the ,secretary shall provide payments under this chapter to livestock producers for three years1 to assist in a transition to modified animal management and production systems1 for practices leading to the reduction in the need for antibiotics1 including modification of systems and spaces to-- 7,a7 improve sanitation2 7,b7 improve ventilation2 or 7,c7 support the implementation of improved animal management techniques at the operation4 7#b7 ,duty of producer ,the ,secretary shall not make payments under this chapter for practices related to antibiotic use unless the producer agrees to provide information to the ,secretary documenting the resulting reduction in antibiotic use in the operation of the producer4 4 7i7 ,payments for conservation practices related to pasture-,based production systems ,section #abdj;,b of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b71 as amended by subsection 7h71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7k7 ,payments for conservation practices related to pasture-,based production systems 7#a7 ,payments authorized ,the ,secretary shall provide payments under this subsection for conservation practices1 on some or all of the operations of a producer1 related-- 7,a7 to pasture-based1 production systems2 or 7,b7 to the transition to pasture-based production systems managed under an approved prescribed grazing plan in which animals are regularly and systematically moved to fresh pasture in such a way as to-- 7i7 maximize the quantity and quality of forage growth2 7ii7 maximize the quality of soil fertility and tilth2 7iii7 improve manure distribution and nutrient cycling2 7iv7 increase the sequestration of carbon dioxide2 7v7 improve the quality and quantity of cover for wildlife and pollinators2 7vi7 provide permanent cover to protect the soil from erosion2 and 7vii7 improve water quality and infiltration4 7#b7 ,eligibility requirements ,as a condition for receiving payments under this subsection1 a producer shall agree to implement at least #c practices and either-- 7,a7 develops and carries out a grazing management plan that includes intensive management rotational grazing2 or 7,b7 develops and implements conservation practices that are consistent with intensive rotational grazing practices for pasture-based systems4 7#c7 ,payment priorities ,in determining the amount and rate of payments under paragraph 7#b77;,b71 the ,secretary may accord great significance to practices that-- 7,a7 improve the quality of soil fertility and tilth2 7,b7 protect water quality2 7,c7 increase the sequestration of carbon dioxide2 7,d7 accelerate water infiltration2 and 7,e7 and expand pollinator habitat and protection4 4 7j7 ,comprehensive conservation planning ,section #abdj;,b of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b71 as amended by subsection 7i71 is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7l7 ,comprehensive conservation planning ,the ,secretary shall provide technical and financial assistance to producers under the program to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for the agricultural operation of the producer4 4 #bad4 ,evaluation of applications 7a7 ,evaluation criteria ,section #abdj;,c7a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#c7;a77 is amended by striking national1 ,state1 and local conservation priorities and inserting priority resource concerns identified under subsection 7d74 7b7 ,prioritization of applications ,section #abdj;,c7b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#c7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking achieving the anticipated conservation benefits of the project and inserting addressing priority resource concerns identified under subsection 7d72 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking designated resource concern or resource concerns and inserting priority resource concerns identified under subsection 7d71 including1 in the case of applications from nutrient-impacted watersheds1 the degree to which nutrient loadings would be reduced as a result of the proposed project4 7c7 ,grouping of applications ,section #abdj;,c7c7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#c7;c77 is amended by striking for evaluation purposes or otherwise evaluate applications relative to other applications for similar farming operations and inserting proposing to address the same priority resource concerns for evaluation purposes4 7d7 ,priority resource concerns ,section #abdj;,c of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#c7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7d7 ,priority resource concerns ,for the purposes of this section1 the ,secretary shall identify priority resource concerns in a particular watershed or other appropriate region or area within a ,state4 4 #bae4 ,environmental quality incentives program plan ,section #abdj;,e7a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#e7;a77 is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,plan of operations ,to be eligible to receive payments under the program1 a producer shall submit to the ,secretary for approval a plan of operations that-- 7#a7 specifies the priority resource concerns to be addressed2 7#b7 specifies the type1 number1 and sequencing of conservation systems1 practices1 or activities to be implemented to address the priority resource concerns2 7#c7 includes such terms and conditions as the ,secretary considers necessary to carry out the program1 including a description of the purposes to be met by the implementation of the plan and a statement of how the plan will achieve or take significant steps toward achieving the relevant resource management system quality criteria1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7#d7 in the case of a confined livestock feeding operation1 provides for development and implementation of a comprehensive nutrient management plan1 if applicable2 7#e7 in the case of a producer located within a nutrient-impacted watershed1 identifies methods by which the producer will limit nutrient loss2 and 7#f7 in the case of forest land1 is consistent with the provisions of a forest management plan that is approved by the ,secretary1 which may include-- 7,a7 a forest stewardship plan described in section #e of the ,cooperative ,forestry ,assistance ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #bajc;a72 7,b7 another practice plan approved by the ,state forester2 or 7,c7 another plan determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 4 #baf4 ,duties of the ,secretary ,section #abdj;,f7#b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#f7b77 is amended by striking information and inserting technical assistance1 information14 #bag4 ,limitation on payments ,section #abdj;,g of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#g7 is amended to read as follows3 #abdj;,g4 ,limitation on payments 7a7 ,limitation on total payments ,subject to subsection 7b71 a person or legal entity may not receive1 directly or indirectly1 cost-share or incentive payments under this chapter1 in the aggregate1 for all contracts entered into under this chapter by the person or entity 7excluding funding arrangements with ,indian tribes under this chapter71 regardless of the number of contracts entered into under this chapter by the person or entity1 that-- 7#a7 during any fiscal year exceed #cj1jjj2 and 7#b7 during any five-year period exceed #aej1jjj4 7b7 ,waiver authority ,in the case of contracts under this chapter for projects of special environmental significance1 as determined by the ,secretary1 the ,secretary may waive the limitation otherwise applicable under subsection 7a77#a74 7c7 ,prevention of duplication ,the ,secretary shall not approve a contract or provide payments to any individual for a practice that has already been paid for as part of a previously approved and completed contract for any particular parcel of land4 4 ,c ,reforming the ,conservation ,stewardship ,program #bba4 ,definitions ,section #abch;,d of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chch;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b77;,b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating clause 7ii7 as clause 7iii72 7,b7 by striking clause 7i7 and inserting the following3 7i7 vegetative measures1 and land management measures1 including integrated pest1 nutrient1 crop residue1 crop rotation1 and managed rotational grazing management measures1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7ii7 structural measures that are integrated with and essential to the successful implementation of such vegetative and land management measures2 and 2 and 7,c7 in clause 7iii71 as so redesignated by subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting designated before priority2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting designated before priority2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking new and existing conservation activities and inserting conservation activities needed to comprehensively address the designated priority resource concerns2 7#c7 by amending paragraph 7#e7 to read as follows3 7#e7 ,priority resource concern ,the term priority resource concern means the cause of a specific impairment that-- 7,a7 threatens-- 7i7 public health or quality of life through degradation of air or water quality2 or 7ii7 natural resources1 including soil1 fish1 and wildlife2 and 7,b7 is identified at the national1 ,state1 or local level as a priority for a particular area of a ,state4 2 7#d7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#f7 and 7#g7 as paragraphs 7#g7 and 7#h71 respectively2 7#e7 by inserting after paragraph 7#e7 the following3 7#f7 ,designated priority resource concern ,the term designated priority resource concern means #a to #e priority resource concerns identified by the ,secretary that must be addressed by the program within a local watershed or specific natural resource boundary4 2 and 7#f7 by amending paragraph 7#h71 as redesignated by paragraph 7#d71 to read as follows3 7#h7 ,stewardship threshold ,the term stewardship threshold means the conservation activities1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to comprehensively address a priority resource concern using-- 7,a7 conservation measurement tools2 7,b7 the resource management system quality criteria for the particular priority resource concerns2 7,c7 data from past and current program enrollments2 and 7,d7 other similar means to measure improvement and conservation of the priority resource concern4 4 #bbb4 ,conservation stewardship program ,section #abch;,e of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chch;e7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking fiscal years #bjad through #bjah and inserting fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc2 7,b7 by striking to address priority and inserting to comprehensively address designated priority2 and 7,c7 by striking comprehensive manner-- and all that follows through managing existing conservation activities and inserting comprehensive manner2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7b77#b71 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking the date of enactment of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad and inserting ,october #a1 #bjah4 #bbc4 ,stewardship contracts ,section #abch;,f of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chch;f7 is amended-- 7#a7 by amending subsection 7a7 to read as follows3 7a7 ,submission of contract offers ,to be eligible to participate in the conservation stewardship program1 a producer shall submit to the ,secretary a contract offer for the agricultural operation that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the ,secretary that the producer will meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for one or more designated priority resource concerns by the end of the contract period4 2 7#b7 by amending subsection 7b7 to read as follows3 7b7 ,evaluation of contract offers 7#a7 ,ranking of applications ,in evaluating contract offers submitted under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall rank applications based on-- 7,a7 the level of conservation treatment on all applicable designated priority resource concerns at the time of application2 7,b7 the number of designated priority resource concerns that meet or exceed the stewardship threshold at the end of the contract period2 7,c7 the degree to which the proposed conservation activities effectively1 efficiently1 and comprehensively address the designated priority resource concerns2 7,d7 the extent to which the contract offer will meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for one or more designated priority resource concerns at a lower cost relative to other similarly beneficial contract offers2 and 7,e7 the extent to which priority resource concerns will be addressed when transitioning from the conservation reserve program to agricultural production4 7#b7 ,prohibition ,the ,secretary may not assign a higher priority to any application because the applicant is willing to accept a lower payment than the applicant would otherwise be eligible to receive4 7#c7 ,additional criteria ,the ,secretary may develop and use such additional criteria that the ,secretary determines are necessary to ensure that designated priority resource concerns are effectively and efficiently treated to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold4 2 7#c7 by amending subsection 7c7 to read as follows3 7c7 ,entering into contracts 7#a7 ,in general ,after a determination that a producer is eligible for the program under subsection 7a71 and a determination that the contract offer ranks sufficiently high under the evaluation criteria under subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall enter into a conservation stewardship contract with the producer to enroll the eligible land to be covered by the contract4 7#b7 ,financial obligation ,consistent with section #abch;,g7c77#d71 a contract entered into under paragraph 7#a7 shall not create an obligation for financial assistance until the first ,october #a after the contract is entered into4 2 7#d7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking #e years and inserting #aj years2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,b77i71 by inserting that comprehensively address a designated priority resource concern after conservation activities2 and 7#e7 in subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking #e-year and inserting #aj-year2 and 7,b7 by amending paragraph 7#c7 to read as follows3 7#c7 has met or exceeded1 or agrees to meet or exceed1 the stewardship threshold of all designated priority resource concerns identified for the region or area in which the land that is subject to the contract is located4 4 #bbd4 ,duties of the ,secretary ,section #abch;,g of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chch;g7 is amended to read as follows3 #abch;,g4 ,duties of the ,secretary 7a7 ,in general ,to achieve the conservation goals of a contract under the conservation stewardship program1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 make the program available to eligible producers on a continuous enrollment basis with one or more ranking periods1 of which shall occur in the first quarter of each fiscal year2 7#b7 identify not more than #e designated priority resource concerns in a particular watershed or other appropriate region or area within a ,state2 7#c7 for any region or area that includes any part of a nutrient-impacted watershed 7as determined by the ,secretary71 ensure that one of the priority resource concerns identified under paragraph 7#b7 is water pollution caused by excess nutrient loads2 7#d7 develop reliable conservation measurement tools for purposes of carrying out the program2 and 7#e7 ensure that conservation measurement tools are transparent and available to producers by-- 7,a7 making interactive1 user-friendly conservation measurement tools publically available online2 7,b7 making conservation activity natural resource and environmental benefit scores available in an easy to understand format for study both before and during application2 and 7,c7 taking other steps1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7b7 ,allocation to states ,the ,secretary shall allocate acres to ,states for enrollment1 based on each ,state's proportion of eligible land to the total acreage of eligible land in all ,states as follows3 7#a7 ,source water protection ,at least #bj percent of the funds made available for financial and technical assistance under the program shall be for contracts addressing designated priority resource concerns related to enhancing the quality and quantity of source water 7as that term is used in the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act74 7#b7 ,pest management ,at least #bj percent of the funds made available for financial and technical assistance under the program shall be for contracts addressing designated priority resource concerns related to reducing the need for pesticides in agricultural production including organic farming systems and intensive integrated pest management4 7#c7 ,soil conservation ,at least #bj percent of the funds made available for financial and technical assistance under the program shall be for contracts addressing designated priority resource concerns related to reducing soil erosion and improving soil fertility and tilth4 7c7 ,conservation stewardship payments 7#a7 ,availability of payments ,the ,secretary shall provide annual payments under the program to compensate the producer for-- 7,a7 installing and adopting additional conservation activities that will meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for a designated priority resource concern2 and 7,b7 improving1 maintaining1 and managing conservation activities in place on the agricultural operation of the producer at the time the contract offer is accepted by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,payment amount ,the amount of the annual payment shall be determined by the ,secretary and based1 to the maximum extent practicable1 on the following factors3 7,a7 ,costs incurred by the producer associated with planning1 design1 materials1 installation1 labor1 management1 maintenance1 or training4 7,b7 ,income forgone by the producer4 7,c7 ,expected conservation benefits1 based to the maximum extent possible on conservation measurement tools4 7,d7 ,the extent to which designated priority resource concerns will be addressed through the installation and adoption of conservation activities on the agricultural operation4 7,e7 ,the level of stewardship in place at the time of application and maintained over the term of the contract4 7,f7 ,the degree to which the conservation activities will be integrated across the entire agricultural operation for all designated priority resource concerns over the term of the contract4 7,g7 ,such other factors as are determined appropriate by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,exclusions ,a payment to a producer under this subsection shall not be provided for-- 7,a7 the design1 construction1 or maintenance of animal waste storage or treatment facilities or associated waste transport or transfer devices for animal feeding operations2 or 7,b7 conservation activities for which there is no cost incurred or income forgone to the producer4 7#d7 ,delivery of payments ,in making payments under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall1 to the extent practicable-- 7,a7 prorate conservation performance over the term of the contract so as to accommodate1 to the extent practicable1 producers earning equal annual payments in each fiscal year2 and 7,b7 make such payments as soon as practicable after ,october #a of each fiscal year for activities carried out in the previous fiscal year4 7#e7 ,minimum payment ,if a contract requires a comprehensive conservation plan the implementation of which will1 by the end of the contract term1 meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for all designated priority resource concerns1 the minimum payment shall be not less than #c1jjj4 7d7 ,supplemental payments for resource-,conserving crop rotations1 managed intensive rotational grazing1 and transition to organic crop or livestock systems 7#a7 ,availability of payments ,the ,secretary shall provide additional payments to producers that1 in participating in the program1 agree to-- 7,a7 improve1 maintain1 and manage or adopt and maintain-- 7i7 resource-conserving crop rotations to achieve beneficial crop rotations as appropriate for the eligible land of the producers2 or 7ii7 managed intensive rotational grazing2 or 7,b7 transition to organic crop or livestock systems4 7#b7 ,beneficial crop rotations ,the ,secretary shall determine whether a resource-conserving crop rotation is a beneficial crop rotation eligible for additional payments under paragraph 7#a7 based on whether the resource-conserving crop rotation is designed to address designated priority resource concerns while providing production benefits4 7#c7 ,eligibility ,to be eligible to receive a payment described in paragraph 7#a71 a producer shall agree to adopt and maintain beneficial resource-conserving crop rotations for the term of the contract4 7#d7 ,resource-conserving crop rotation ,in this subsection1 the term resource-conserving crop rotation means a crop rotation that-- 7,a7 includes at least #a resource conserving crop 7as defined by the ,secretary72 7,b7 reduces erosion2 7,c7 prevents pollution of surface water or groundwater2 7,d7 improves soil fertility and tilth2 7,e7 interrupts pest cycles2 and 7,f7 in applicable areas1 reduces depletion of soil moisture or otherwise reduces the need for irrigation4 7#e7 ,managed intensive rotational grazing ,in this subsection1 the term managed intensive rotational grazing means a system in which animals are regularly and systematically moved to fresh pasture in such a way as to-- 7,a7 maximize the quantity and quality of forage growth2 7,b7 improve manure distribution and nutrient cycling2 7,c7 increase carbon sequestration from greater forage harvest2 7,d7 improve the quantity and quality of cover for wildlife2 7,e7 provide permanent cover to protect the soil from erosion2 and 7,f7 improve water quality4 7#f7 ,transition to organic crop or livestock systems ,in this subsection1 the term transition to organic crop or livestock systems means adoption of conservation activities for certified organic production on land or for herds not previously certified organic that meet all the requirements of the program and that are consistent with the regulations promulgated under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq474 7e7 ,payment limitation ,a person or legal entity may not receive1 directly or indirectly1 payments under the program that1 in the aggregate1 exceed #bjj1jjj under all contracts entered into during any #e-year period1 excluding funding arrangements with ,indian tribes1 regardless of the number of contracts entered into under the program by the person or legal entity4 7f7 ,specialty crop and organic producers ,the ,secretary shall ensure that outreach and technical assistance are available1 and program specifications are appropriate to enable specialty crop and organic producers to participate in the program4 7g7 ,coordination with organic certification ,the ,secretary shall establish a transparent means by which producers may initiate organic certification under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq47 while participating in a contract under the program4 7h7 ,regulations ,the ,secretary shall promulgate regulations that-- 7#a7 prescribe such other rules as the ,secretary determines to be necessary to ensure a fair and reasonable application of the limitations established under subsection 7f72 and 7#b7 otherwise enable the ,secretary to carry out the program4 7i7 ,data ,the ,secretary shall maintain detailed and segmented data on contracts and payments under the program to allow1 at a minimum1 with respect to each contract-- 7#a7 quantification of the type and extent of conservation activities for which payments were made2 7#b7 quantification of the amount of payments made for-- 7,a7 the installation and adoption of additional conservation activities and improvements to conservation activities in place on the operation of a producer at the time the conservation stewardship offer is accepted by the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 the maintenance of existing conservation activities2 and 7#c7 identification of the watershed and county in which the agricultural operation receiving payments is located4 7j7 ,payments for conservation activities related to organic production 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide payments for conservation activities related to organic production4 7#b7 ,eligibility requirements ,as a condition for receiving payments under the program1 a producer shall agree to develop and implement conservation activities for certified organic production that are consistent with the regulations promulgated under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq47 and the purposes of the program4 7#c7 ,planning 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide planning assistance to producers transitioning to certified organic production consistent with the requirements of the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq47 and the purposes of this subchapter4 7,b7 ,avoidance of duplication ,the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 eliminate duplication of planning activities for a producer participating in a contract under this subchapter and initiating or maintaining organic certification consistent with the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq474 4 ,d ,building on the ,regional ,conservation ,partnership #bca4 ,improvements to the regional conservation partnership program 7a7 ,program purposes ,section #abga7;b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking use covered programs to2 and 7#b7 by striking paragraph 7#c7 and inserting the following new paragraphs3 7#c7 ,to encourage eligible partners to cooperate with producers in implementing projects that enhance and protect the health and quality of life of individuals in the ,united ,states by-- 7,a7 enhancing and protecting the quality and quantity of source water 7as that term is used in the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;f et seq4772 7,b7 reducing the use of antibiotics and pesticides in crop and livestock production2 7,c7 enhancing opportunities for natural-resource-based recreation by improving water quality and fish and wildlife habitat2 and 7,d7 addressing other opportunities to improve public health and quality of life1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#d7 ,to avoid1 to the maximum extent practicable1 the need for statutory and regulatory programs related to the conservation of natural resources by assisting producers in protecting soil1 water1 air1 and related natural resources and in meeting environmental quality criteria established by ,federal1 ,state1 tribal1 and local governmental agencies4 4 7b7 ,definitions ,section #abga;,a of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#a72 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting the following new subparagraph3 7,a7 ,water quality restoration or enhancement projects relating to the quality of surface water and groundwater used to supply drinking water by community water systems and domestic wells1 including projects that-- 7i7 improve the management of crops and livestock production systems to avoid or control runoff and leaching of farm chemicals and manure2 7ii7 change 7including through diversifying7 the agricultural practices1 including crop rotations2 and 7iii7 trap or capture pollutants before the pollutants enter surface water or ground water4 2 and 7#c7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#f7 as paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#e71 respectively4 7c7 ,program agreements ,section #abga;,b of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga;b7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b71 by striking a period not to exceed and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting a period of at least #aj years1 but shall not exceed #ae years42 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#a7-- 7,a7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,g72 7,b7 by inserting before subparagraph 7,b7 7as so redesignated7 the following new subparagraph3 7,a7 complete natural resource and watershed assessments to effectively support planning and implementation of the proposed project that is the subject of the agreement2 2 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,f7 7as redesignated by subparagraph 7,a771 by inserting monitor results and before conduct2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#c71 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking 1 including the covered programs to be used and estimated funding needed from the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking or2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,f71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,g7 enhance the quality of surface water and groundwater used to supply drinking water by community water systems 7as defined in the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act7 and domestic wells4 4 7d7 ,assistance to producers ,section #abga;,c of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga;c7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking assistance to and all that follows through of an eligible partner4 and inserting the following3 assistance1 under the programs under this subtitle1 to producers proposing to implement conservation activities that meet the objectives of the partnership agreement entered into under section #abga;,b42 7#b7 by striking subsection 7b7 and inserting the following new subsection3 7b7 ,alternative funding arrangements 7#a7 ,in general ,for the purposes of providing assistance for land described in subsection 7a7 and section #abga;,f1 the ,secretary may enter into alternative funding arrangements with a multistate water resource agency or authority if-- 7,a7 the ,secretary determines that the goals and objectives of the program will be met by the alternative funding arrangements2 7,b7 the agency or authority certifies that the limitations established under this section on agreements with individual producers will not be exceeded2 and 7,c7 all participating producers meet applicable payment eligibility provisions4 7#b7 ,conditions ,as a condition of receiving funding under paragraph 7#a71 the multistate water resource agency or authority shall agree-- 7,a7 to submit an annual independent audit to the ,secretary that describes the use of funds under this paragraph2 7,b7 to provide any data necessary for the ,secretary to issue a report on the use of funds under this paragraph2 and 7,c7 not to use any of the funds provided pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 for administration or to provide for administrative costs through contracts with another entity4 7#c7 ,limitation ,the ,secretary may enter into not more than #bj alternative funding arrangements under this subsection4 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,in accordance with statutory requirements of the covered programs involved1 the ,secretary and inserting ,the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking a period of #e years and inserting a period of at least #aj years1 but that does not exceed #ae years2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and at the end2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iv7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 to producers participating in a project involving an activity described in section #abga;,a7#b77;,a74 4 7e7 ,funding ,section #abga;,d of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah and inserting fiscal year #bjah and #ejj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc2 7#b7 by amending subsection 7c7 to read as follows3 7c7 ,resource assessment1 outreach1 and monitoring ,of the funds made available for the program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall allocate #aj percent to eligible partners to share the cost of implementing the duties under section #abga;,b7c74 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7d71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 by striking and acres2 and 7,b7 by striking and reserved for the program under subsection 7c74 7f7 ,critical conservation areas ,section #abga;,f7b77#a77;,c7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chga;f7b77#a77;,c77 is amended by inserting enhancing the quality of surface water and groundwater used to supply drinking water by community water systems 7as defined in the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act7 and domestic wells1 after sediment control14 7g7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to partnership agreements entered into on or after ,october #a1 #bjah4 ,e ,establishing ,innovative ,grants for ,conservation and ,loans for ,structural ,improvements #bda4 ,repeal and reestablishment of ,,eqip conservation innovation grant program 7a7 ,conservation innovation grants and payments 7#a7 ,repeal ,section #abdj;,h of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#h7 is repealed4 7#b7 ,transitional provisions 7,a7 ,effect on existing contracts ,the amendment made by this subsection shall not affect the validity or terms of any contract entered into by the ,secretary of ,agriculture under section #abdj;,h of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#h7 before ,october #a1 #bjah1 or any payments required to be made in connection with the contract4 7,b7 ,funding ,the ,secretary may use funds made available to carry out conservation innovation grants and payments under section #abdj,s of title ,,xii of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe1 as added by subsection 7b7 of this section1 to continue to carry out contracts referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 using the provisions of law and regulation applicable to such contracts as they existed on ,september #cj1 #bjah4 7b7 ,conservation innovation grant program ,chapter #e of subtitle ,d of title ,,xii of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;bb et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #abdj,s4 ,conservation innovation grant program 7a7 ,competitive grants for innovative conservation approaches ,the ,secretary shall1 for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc1 carry out a conservation innovation grant program to encourage innovation in conservation on private farmland1 rangeland1 wetlands1 grasslands1 and forest lands4 7b7 ,use ,the ,secretary shall provide grants under this section to governmental and nongovernmental organizations and persons1 on a competitive basis1 to carry out projects that-- 7#a7 develop and test innovative and cost-effective technologies and practices and methods of conservation delivery to address priority resource concerns2 7#b7 involve producers who are eligible for payments or technical assistance under this title2 7#c7 leverage ,federal funds made available to carry out this section with matching funds provided by ,state and local governments and private organizations to promote environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production2 7#d7 ensure efficient and effective transfer of innovative technologies and approaches demonstrated through projects that receive funding under this subsection1 such as market systems for pollution reduction and practices for the storage of carbon in soil2 7#e7 provide environmental and resource conservation benefits through increased participation by producers of specialty crops2 7#f7 provide payments to producers to implement cost-effective and innovative technologies to address priority resource concerns related to air quality from agricultural operations2 or 7#g7 provide environmental and resource conservation benefits through increased participation by beginning farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 7c7 ,evaluation criteria ,the ,secretary shall develop criteria for evaluating applications for competitive grants under this section that will ensure that priority resource concerns are effectively addressed4 4 #bdb4 ,conservation loan and loan guarantee program ,subtitle ,e of title ,,xii of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #abdf4 ,conservation loan and loan guarantee program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may make or guarantee qualified conservation loans to eligible borrowers under this section4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,qualified conservation loan ,the term qualified conservation loan means a loan1 the proceeds of which are used to cover the costs to the borrower of carrying out a qualified conservation project4 7#b7 ,qualified conservation project ,the term qualified conservation project means conservation measures that address provisions of a comprehensive conservation plan of the eligible borrower4 7#c7 ,conservation loan plan ,the term conservation loan plan means a plan1 approved by the ,secretary1 that1 for a farming or ranching operation1 identifies-- 7,a7 the conservation activities that will be addressed with loan funds provided under this section1 including-- 7i7 the installation of conservation structures to address soil1 water1 and related resources2 7ii7 the establishment of forest cover for sustained yield timber management1 erosion control1 or shelterbelt purposes2 7iii7 the installation of water conservation measures2 7iv7 the installation of waste management systems2 7v7 the establishment or improvement of permanent pasture2 or 7vi7 other purposes consistent with the plan1 including the adoption of any other emerging or existing conservation practices1 techniques1 or technologies approved by the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 how and to what extent the conservation project will support the implementation of a comprehensive conservation plan and improve the conditions of identified priority resource concerns4 7c7 ,eligible borrowers 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may make or guarantee qualified conservation loans under this section to-- 7,a7 farmers or ranchers engaged primarily and directly in agricultural production in the ,united ,states2 or 7,b7 farm cooperatives1 private domestic corporations1 partnerships1 joint operations1 trusts1 or limited liability companies that are-- 7i7 controlled by farmers or ranchers2 and 7ii7 engaged primarily and directly in agricultural production in the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,conservation loan plan ,in order to be eligible to receive a loan or loan guarantee under this section1 an entity described in paragraph 7#a7 shall have a conservation loan plan4 7d7 ,priority ,in making or guaranteeing qualified conservation loans under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to-- 7#a7 qualified beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers2 7#b7 owners or tenants who use the loans to convert to sustainable or organic agricultural production systems2 7#c7 producers who use the loans to build conservation structures or establish conservation practices to implement a comprehensive conservation plan2 7#d7 projects that will do the most to address priority resource concerns1 as specified in a conservation loan plan2 and 7#e7 projects that are designed to help producers comply with1 or avoid the need for1 local1 ,state1 or ,federal regulation4 7e7 ,limitations applicable to loan guarantees ,the portion of a qualified conservation loan that the ,secretary may guarantee under this section shall be not more than #ij percent of the principal amount of the loan4 7f7 ,administrative provisions 7#a7 ,geographic distribution ,the ,secretary shall ensure1 to the maximum extent practicable1 that qualified conservation loans made or guaranteed under this section are distributed across diverse geographic regions1 while still prioritizing qualified conservation projects with the greatest conservation or environmental benefit4 7#b7 ,agency cooperation ,the ,secretary shall ensure proper cooperation between the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service1 which shall review and approve comprehensive loan plans and provide technical assistance for qualified conservation projects1 and the ,farm ,service ,agency1 which will approve and issue loans and loan guarantees under this section4 7#c7 ,interest rates ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a loan made under this section is made at or below market rate4 4 ,f ,ensuring ,greenhouse ,gas ,reporting for ,agriculture #bea4 ,greenhouse gas reporting 7a7 ,reporting program 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than ,january #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency and the ,secretary of the ,interior1 shall establish and implement a program to identify all major source categories of associated emissions and collect data on associated emissions from the production of agricultural commodities and their food products in the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 emissions of greenhouse gases from the livestock industry1 including from concentrated animal feeding operations1 as defined by the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 emissions of greenhouse gases from the production of commodity and specialty crops1 including the tilling of soil1 and the use of synthetic fertilizer4 7#b7 ,annual report ,not later than #ab months after the date that the ,secretary implements the program described in paragraph 7#a71 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary shall issue a report1 to be made available to the public and the appropriate committees of ,congress1 on associated emissions1 including-- 7,a7 identification of all major source categories of associated emissions2 7,b7 the total amount1 expressed in tons of carbon dioxide equivalent1 of-- 7i7 carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases emitted through transportation of agriculture products to market within the ,united ,states during the preceding calendar year2 7ii7 carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases emitted through the rearing1 raising1 slaughter1 and processing of poultry and livestock products in the ,united ,states1 including those carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases emitted by manure management systems2 7iii7 carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases emitted by the use of fertilizer in the production of commodity and specialty crops2 and 7iv7 carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases emitted by the tillage of soil in the production of commodity and specialty crops2 and 7,c7 identification of all major agricultural practices that can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases1 including-- 7i7 the use of cover crops2 7ii7 the reduction and elimination of soil tillage1 the successive planting of different crops on the same land1 and other soil management practices2 7iii7 the use of rotational grazing on pasture for livestock2 7iv7 the use of anaerobic digesters to process organic material2 7v7 the use of buffer crops to reduce soil erosion2 and 7vi7 other practices that can yield significant reductions in the emission of carbon dioxide1 methane1 and other greenhouse gases by producers of agricultural commodities and their food products4 7b7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section3 7#a7 ,greenhouse gas ,the term greenhouse gas has the meaning given such term under section #baa7o77#a77;,g7 of the ,clean ,air ,act1 as in effect on the date of the enactment of the ,food and ,farm ,act4 7#b7 ,united ,states ,the term ,united ,states has the meaning given such term under section #eiaa7;a77#d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 as in effect on the date of the enactment of the ,food and ,farm ,act4 #beb4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 ,g ,administration and ,funding #bfa4 ,commodity credit corporation 7a7 ,in general ,section #abda7;a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chda7;a77 is amended to read as follows3 7a7 ,annual funding ,for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc1 the ,secretary shall use the funds1 facilities1 and authorities of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation to carry out the following programs under this title 7including the provision of technical assistance73 7#a7 ,the conservation reserve program under subchapter ,b of chapter #a of subtitle ,d1 including1 to the maximum extent practicable-- 7,a7 #bj1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc to provide payments under section #abcd7;c72 and 7,b7 #ff1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc to carry out section #abce7;f7 to facilitate the transfer of land subject to contracts from retired or retiring owners and operators to beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers4 7#b7 ,the agricultural conservation easement program under subtitle ,h1 using1 to the maximum extent practicable1 #haj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 7#c7 ,the conservation security program under subchapter ,a of chapter #b of subtitle ,d1 using such sums as are necessary to administer contracts entered into before ,september #cj1 #bjjh4 7#d7 ,the conservation stewardship program under subchapter ,b of chapter #b of subtitle ,d4 7#e7 ,the environmental quality incentives program under chapter #d of subtitle ,d1 using1 to the maximum extent practicable1 #c1bjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 7#f7 ,the conservation innovation grant program under section #abdj,s1 using1 to the maximum extent practicable1 #ajj1jjj1jjj for each fiscal year4 7#g7 ,the conservation loan and loan guarantee program under section #abdf1 using1 to the maximum extent practicable1 for each fiscal year-- 7,a7 #bjj1jjj1jjj for direct loans2 and 7,b7 #aej1jjj1jjj for loan guarantees4 4 7b7 ,guaranteed availability of funds ,section #abda of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chda7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsections 7b7 through 7i7 as subsections 7c7 through 7j71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7a7 the following3 7b7 ,availability of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 amounts made available by subsection 7a7 shall be used by the ,secretary to carry out the programs specified in such subsection for fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc and shall remain available until expended4 ,amounts made available for the programs specified in such subsection during a fiscal year through modifications1 cancellations1 terminations1 and other related administrative actions and not obligated in that fiscal year shall remain available for obligation during subsequent fiscal years1 but shall reduce the amount of additional funds made available in the subsequent fiscal year by an amount equal to the amount remaining unobligated4 7#b7 ,conservation innovation grant program ,amounts made available by subsection 7a77#f7 for a fiscal year and not obligated in that fiscal year shall be made available for the environmental quality incentives program under chapter #d of subtitle ,d1 and shall remain available until expended4 4 7c7 ,assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for conservation access ,section #abda7;i7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7as redesignated by subsection 7b77 is amended1 in paragraph 7#a71 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 ,,iii ,food ,assistance #cja4 ,elimination of domestic procurement restriction for emergency and private assistance programs under the ,food for ,peace ,act ,title ,,ii of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agba7 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #bja 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agba71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking agricultural commodities and inserting assistance1 including agricultural commodities12 and 7#b7 in section #bjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbb7-- 7,a7 in the section heading1 by striking agricultural commodities and inserting assistance2 7,b7 in subsection 7a71 by striking agricultural commodities and inserting assistance1 including agricultural commodities12 7,c7 in subsection 7b77#a7-- 7i7 by striking agricultural commodities and inserting assistance1 including agricultural commodities12 and 7ii7 by striking the commodities and inserting the assistance2 7,d7 in subsection 7c71 by striking ,agricultural commodities and inserting ,assistance1 including agricultural commodities12 and 7,e7 in subsection 7f7-- 7i7 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,commodities and inserting ,assistance2 7ii7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking agricultural commodities and inserting assistance1 including agricultural commodities12 7iii7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking such commodities and inserting such assistance2 and 7iv7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking commodities and inserting assistance4 #cjb4 ,elimination of cap on support for eligible organizations for certain purposes ,section #bjb7;e77#a7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbb7 is amended by striking not more than #bj percent4 #cjc4 ,elimination of minimum level of local sales requirement under the ,food for ,peace ,act ,section #bjc of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by inserting before the period at the end the following3 to generate proceeds to be used as provided in this section2 7#b7 by striking subsection 7b72 and 7#c7 by redesignating subsections 7c7 and 7d7 as subsections 7b7 and 7c71 respectively4 #cjd4 ,food for ,peace ,act extensions 7a7 ,food aid quality assurance ,section #bjb7;h77#c7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbb7;h77#c77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7b7 ,minimum levels of assistance ,section #bjd7;a7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbd7;a77 is amended in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 by striking #bjah both places it appears and inserting #bjbc4 7c7 ,food ,aid ,consultative ,group termination ,section #bje7;f7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbe7;f77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7d7 ,deadline for issuance of regulations ,section #bjg7;c77#a7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbf;a7c77#a77 is amended by striking the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad and inserting the ,food and ,farm ,act4 7e7 ,program oversight1 monitoring1 and evaluation ,section #bjg7;f77#d7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbf;a7f77#d77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #bjah both places it appears and inserting #bjbc2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b77i71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7f7 ,assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation1 delivery1 and distribution of shelf-,stable prepackaged foods ,section #bjh7;f7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agbf;b7f77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7g7 ,prepositioning of agricultural commodities ,section #djg7;c77#d77;,a7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agcf;a7c77#d77;,a77 is amended by striking #bjah the both places it appears and inserting #bjbc4 7h7 ,agreements ,to finance sales or ,to provide other assistance ,section #djh of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agcf;b7 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7i7 ,minimum level of nonemergency food assistance ,section #dab7;e77#a7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agcf;f7e77#a77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7j7 ,micronutrient fortification programs ,section #dae7;c7 of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agcf;g-#b7;c77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 7k7 ,farmer-to-,farmer ,program ,section #eja of the ,food for ,peace ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #agcg7 is amended in subsections 7d7 and 7e77#a7 by striking #bjah both places it appears and inserting #bjbc4 ,,iv ,nutrition ,a ,increasing ,access to ,healthy ,foods #dja4 ,expanding ,healthy ,food ,financing ,initiative 7a7 ,inclusion of investments in mid-,tier value chain coordination ,section #bdc of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiec7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by inserting 1 to build and sustain mid-tier value chain coordination after quality jobs2 and 7,b7 by inserting and local and regional food supply networks after healthy food retailers2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#b7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 by striking and at the end of clause 7i72 7ii7 by redesignating clause 7ii7 as clause 7iii72 and 7iii7 by inserting after clause 7ii7 the following new clause3 7ii7 to link farmers1 ranchers1 and fisheries with local and regional food supply networks moving agricultural products of mid-tier value chains to consumers in underserved areas with moderate- and low-income populations2 and 2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,c77ii7-- 7i7 by redesignating subclause 7,,vi7 as subclause 7,,vii72 and 7ii7 by inserting after subclause 7,v7 the following new subclause3 7,,vi7 ,the project creates or strengthens a mid-tier value chain4 4 7b7 ,definitions ,section #bdc7;b7 of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiec7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#c7 through 7#g7 as paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#h71 respectively2 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,mid-tier value chain ,the term mid-tier value chain has the meaning given the term in section #bca of the ,agricultural ,risk ,protection ,act of #bjjj 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #afcb;a74 4 7c7 ,availability of mandatory funding ,subsection 7d7 of section #bdc of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiec7 is amended to read as follows3 7d7 ,funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use to carry out the ,initiative #be1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended1 for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 #djb4 ,helping schools serve healthier meals ,section #f7;f7 of the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agee7;f77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the subsection heading1 by striking pilot project for procurement of unprocessed fruits and vegetables and inserting ,program for procurement of unprocessed fruits and vegetables2 7#b7 by striking pilot project each place it appears and inserting program2 7#c7 by amending paragraph 7#a7 to read as follows3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall facilitate the procurement of unprocessed fruits and vegetables in not fewer than #ae ,states receiving funds under this ,act4 2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#f7 ,funding 7,a7 ,mandatory funding ,there is appropriated to carry out this section1 including through the provision of technical assistance1 outreach1 and other implementation assistance1 #ae1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 7,b7 ,reservation ,of the funds appropriated under subparagraph 7,a7 for a fiscal year1 #f1jjj1jjj shall be used to carry out technical assistance to eligible vendors to become certified to participate in the program under this section4 4 #djc4 ,strengthening the food and agriculture service learning program ,section #dac of the ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,education ,reform ,act of #aiih 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gfcc7 is amended-- 7#a7 subsection 7b77#d71 by inserting 1 to promote agricultural education1 and raise awareness about the consequences of wasted food and encourage the implementation of food recovery initiatives to reduce the quantity of wasted food before the semicolon2 7#b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking and where food comes from2 and and inserting where food comes from1 the consequences of food waste1 and food recovery initiatives22 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,e7 have the capacity to execute regional or national projects that include #b or more ,states4 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,reservation ,the majority of the funds made available to carry out this subsection shall be reserved for projects that-- 7,a7 are larger in scale as compared to other proposed projects2 7,b7 are national or regional in scope2 and 7,c7 include #b or more ,states4 2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7e77#a71 by striking the paragraph and inserting in its place the following new paragraph3 7#a7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds available to the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc to carry out the ,initiative4 ,amounts made available under this subsection shall remain available until expended4 4 #djd4 ,harvesting health program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary ,agriculture shall1 in coordination with other ,federal agencies1 award grants to eligible entities to conduct pilot projects to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription programs for low-income individuals and households4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the pilot projects required under this section is to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription programs in areas with poverty and households with diet-related health issues with respect to the following3 7#a7 ,the reduction of individual and household food insecurity4 7#b7 ,the support for local and regional agriculture and economic development4 7#c7 ,the increased domestic consumption of produce4 7#d7 ,the reduction in health care use and associated costs4 7c7 ,eligible entity ,in this section1 the term eligible entity means-- 7#a7 an emergency feeding organization 7as defined in section #bja;,a of the ,emergency ,food ,assistance ,act of #aihc 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #geja771 in partnership with-- 7,a7 a hospital2 7,b7 a ,federally-qualified health center 7as such term is defined in section #aije7l77#b77;,b7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acif;d7l77#b77;,b7772 7,c7 a hospital or clinic operated by the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 or 7,d7 a provider group2 7#b7 a farmer's market1 community supported agriculture entity1 cooperative1 local public benefit corporation1 nonprofit organization1 retail food store authorized under the supplemental nutrition assistance program2 7#c7 a local or ,state government agency1 in partnership with any of the entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d7 of paragraph 7#a72 and 7#d7 any of the entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d7 of paragraph 7#a71 in partnership with an-- 7,a7 emergency feeding organization2 7,b7 entity described in paragraph 7#b72 or 7,c7 a local or ,state government agency4 7d7 ,demonstration project ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit an application1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7#a7 a description of methods for how the produce prescription program would be targeted to low-income individuals and households with existing diet-related health issues2 7#b7 a description and plan for the screening and recruitment of low-income individuals and households with existing diet-related health issues2 7#c7 a description of plans for the evaluation of program participants and partners focused on purposes described under subsection 7b72 7#d7 a description of plans for the inclusion of nutrition education opportunities for program participants2 7#e7 a description of the program partnerships and the role of each partner in implementing and evaluating an effective program2 7#f7 documentation of the necessary partnership agreements with the relevant ,state ,medicaid agency or other appropriate entity for the purpose of evaluating the programs effectiveness in reducing health care use and associated costs2 and 7#g7 data as requested by the ,secretary for purposes of analyzing the impact of the project4 7e7 ,evaluation ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary may enter into memorandums of understanding with ,federal and ,states agencies and private partners to ensure the effective implementation and evaluation of the program4 7f7 ,produce prescription program defined ,in this section1 the term produce prescription program means a program-- 7#a7 under which fresh fruits and vegetables are prescribed to individuals or households who are at-risk due to health status or income2 and 7#b7 that may provide-- 7,a7 financial incentives for individuals described in paragraph 7#a7 to purchase fruits and vegetables2 7,b7 education resources on nutrition to such individuals2 and 7,c7 accessible locations for participants to procure fresh fruits and vegetables4 7g7 ,funding 7#a7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended1 for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 7#b7 ,discretionary funding ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 ,b ,improving the ,supplemental ,nutrition ,assistance ,program #daa4 ,continuing the ,farmers' ,markets ,supplemental ,nutrition ,assistance ,program ,support ,grant ,program 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to support the participation of farmers' markets in the supplemental nutrition assistance program by providing equipment and support grants to new markets and those currently participating in the program2 7#b7 to increase access to the supplemental nutrition assistance program and participation at farmers' markets by households that receive program benefits2 and 7#c7 to support the establishment1 expansion1 and promotion of electronic benefits transfer services at farmers' markets for the acceptance of program benefits4 7b7 ,establishment of grant program ,to carry out the purposes of this section1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall establish a program to make grants each fiscal year to eligible entities to conduct tasks that are necessary for the supplemental nutrition assistance program to operate at farmers' markets1 and to increase the frequency and effectiveness of farmers' market participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program4 7#a7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section3 7,a7 ,eligible entity the term eligible entity means-- 7i7 a ,native ,american tribal organization nonprofit organization2 7ii7 a ,native ,american tribal government2 7iii7 a ,state or unit of general purpose local government of a ,state2 7iv7 a farmers' market association2 7v7 a public benefit corporation2 7vi7 an economic development corporation2 7vii7 a regional farmers' market authority2 or 7viii7 a nonprofit organization engaged in farmers' market management4 7,b7 ,definitions 7i7 ,supplemental nutrition assistance program ,the term supplemental nutrition assistance program means the supplemental nutrition assistance program as defined in section #c of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjab74 7ii7 ,state ,the term ,state means any of the several ,states or the ,district of ,columbia4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #e1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 #dab4 ,expanding and increasing support for the food insecurity nutrition incentives program ,section #ddje of the ,food1 ,conservation1 and ,energy ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #geag7 is amended-- 7#a7 subsection 7b77#b77;,b7-- 7,a7 in clause 7v7 by striking or at the end2 7,b7 by redesignating clause 7vi7 as clause 7vii72 and 7,c7 by inserting the following after clause 7v73 7vi7 facilitate the provision of supplemental nutrition assistance program matching incentive programs1 particularly for locally sourced produce1 at approved retail stores1 particularly those located in underserved areas2 and 2 and 7#b7 by amending subsection 7c7 to read as follows3 7c7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsection 7b7 #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 7#b7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds available to the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use to carry out subsection 7b7 #gj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 #dac4 ,closing the ,meal ,gap 7a7 ,calculation of program benefits ,the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #c 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjab7-- 7,a7 by striking subsection 7u72 7,b7 by redesignating subsections 7n7 through 7t7 as subsections 7o7 through 7u71 respectively2 and 7,c7 by inserting after subsection 7m7 the following3 7n7 ,low-cost food plan means the diet required to feed a family of four persons1 consisting of a man and a woman nineteen through fifty1 a child six through eight1 and a child nine through eleven years of age1 determined in accordance with the ,secretary's calculations4 ,the cost of such diet shall be the basis for uniform allotments for all households regardless of their actual composition1 except that the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 make household-size adjustments 7based on the unrounded cost of such diet7 taking into account economies of scale2 7#b7 make cost adjustments in the low-cost food plan for ,hawaii and the urban and rural parts of ,alaska to reflect the cost of food in ,hawaii and urban and rural ,alaska2 7#c7 make cost adjustments in the separate low-cost food plans for ,guam1 and the ,virgin ,islands of the ,united ,states1 to reflect the cost of food in those ,states1 but not to exceed the cost of food in the #ej ,states and the ,district of ,columbia2 and 7#d7 on ,october #a1 #bjah1 and each ,october #a thereafter1 adjust the cost of the diet to reflect the cost of the diet in the preceding ,june1 and round the result to the nearest lower dollar increment for each household size4 2 7#b7 in section #h7;a7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjag7;a77-- 7,a7 by striking thrifty food plan each place it appears1 and inserting low-cost food plan2 and 7,b7 by striking #h percent and inserting #aj percent2 7#c7 in section #af7;c77#a77;,a77ii7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjbe7;c77#a77;,a77ii77-- 7,a7 in subclause 7,i7 by striking for fiscal year #bjad1 at an amount not greater than #cg and inserting for fiscal year #bjah1 at an amount not greater than #ej2 and 7,b7 in subclause 7,,ii7-- 7i7 by striking ,june #cj1 #bjac and inserting ,june #cj1 #bjah2 and 7ii7 by striking thrifty food plan and inserting low-cost food plan2 and 7#d7 in section #ai7;a77#b77;,a7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjbh7;a77#b77;,a77-- 7,a7 in clause 7i7 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 in clause 7ii7-- 7i7 by striking each fiscal year thereafter and inserting each of the fiscal years #bjjd through #bjah2 and 7ii7 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 for fiscal year #bjai1 #b1fej1jjj1jjj2 and 7iv7 subject to the availability of appropriations under section #ah7;a71 for fiscal year #bjai and each fiscal year thereafter1 the amount determined under clause 7iii71 as adjusted by the percentage by which the low-cost food plan has been adjusted under section #c7n77#d7 between ,june #cj1 #bjai1 and ,june #cj of the immediately preceding fiscal year4 4 7b7 ,standard medical expense deduction ,section #e7;e77#e7 of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjad7;e77#e77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a7 by striking an excess medical and all that follows through the period at the end1 and inserting a standard medical deduction or to a medical expense deduction of actual costs for the allowable medical expenses incurred by the elderly or disabled member1 exclusive of special diets42 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 ,the standard medical expense deduction shall be equal to #adj for fiscal year #bjai1 and for each subsequent fiscal year shall be equal to the applicable amount for the preceding fiscal year as adjusted to reflect changes for the #ab-month period ending the preceding ,june #cj in the ,consumer ,price ,index for ,all ,urban ,consumers3 ,medical ,care published by the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics of the ,department of ,labor1 except that for any such fiscal year the ,state agency may establish a greater standard medical expense deduction that satisfies cost neutrality standards established by the ,secretary for such fiscal year4 4 7c7 ,elimination of cap of excess shelter expenses ,section #e7;e77#f7 of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjad7;e77#f77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subparagraph 7,b72 and 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,c71 respectively4 7d7 ,work requirement ,section #f7o77#c7 of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjae7o77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,d7 by striking or at the end2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,e7 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7#c7 by adding at end the following3 7,f7 not offered a position in a program described in subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,c7 of paragraph 7#b74 4 7e7 ,funding of employment and training programs ,section #af7;h77#a77;,e77ii77,,ii7 of the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjbe7;h77#a77;,e77ii77,,ii77 is amended by inserting subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,e7 of after under4 7f7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh ,the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 is amended-- 7,a7 in section #aj 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjai7 by striking #c7p7 and inserting #c7q72 7,b7 in section #aa 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjab7-- 7i7 in subsection 7a77#b7 by striking #c7t77#a7 and inserting #c7u77#a72 and 7ii7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,i7 by striking #c7t77#a7 each place it appears and inserting #c7u77#a72 and 7,,ii7 by striking #c7t77#b7 each place it appears and inserting #c7u77#b72 7,c7 in section #ai7;a77#b77;,a77ii7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 7a77#b77;,a77ii77 by striking #c7u77#d7 and inserting #c7n77#d72 and 7,d7 in section #bg7;a77#b7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcf7;a77#b77-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c7 by striking #c7u77#d7 and inserting #c7n77#d72 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,e7 by striking #c7u77#d7 and inserting #c7n77#d74 7#b7 ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha ,section #bfje7;f77#b77;,a7 of the ,low-,income ,home ,energy ,assistance ,act of #aiha 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #hfbd7;f77#b77;,a77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking #e7;e77#f77;,c77iv77,i7 and inserting #e7;e77#f77;,b77iv77#a72 and 7,b7 by striking 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjad7;e77#f77;,c77iv77,i77 and inserting 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjad7;e77#f77;,b77iv77,i774 7g7 ,technical corrections ,the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #e7;a7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjad7;a77 by striking #c7n77#d7 each place it appears and inserting #c7m77#d72 7#b7 in section #h7;f77#a77;,a77i7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjag7;f77#a77;,a77i77 by striking #c7n77#e7 and inserting #c7m77#e72 and 7#c7 in section #ag7;b77#a77;,b77iv77,,iii77aa7 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaf7;b77#a77;,b77iv77,,iii77aa77 by striking #c7n7 and inserting #c7m74 ,v ,future of ,american ,farmers ,a ,defining beginning farmer or rancher #eja4 ,beginning farmer or rancher defined ,in this title1 the term beginning farmer or rancher means an individual or entity who-- 7#a7 has not operated a farm or ranch1 or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than #aj consecutive years2 and 7#b7 will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch4 ,b ,providing ,resources for ,beginning1 ,retiring1 and ,socially ,disadvantaged ,farmers and ,ranchers #eaa4 ,reauthorization and increased funding for outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers 7a7 ,mandatory funding ,subparagraph 7,a7 of section #beja7;a77#d7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;a77#d77 is amended to read as follows3 7,a7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall make available to carry out this section-- 7i7 #aj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah2 and 7ii7 #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #beja7;a77#d77;,e7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;a77#d77;,e77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc4 #eab4 ,ensuring permanent funding for beginning farmer and rancher development program ,section #gdje7;h77#a77;,c7 of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ccai;f7h77#a77;,c77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking #bj1jjj1jjj and inserting #ej1jjj1jjj2 and 7#b7 by striking through #bjah and inserting and each fiscal year thereafter4 #eac4 ,supporting beginning farmer participation in certain conservation programs ,section #abda7;h77#a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chda7;h77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #e percent and inserting #bj percent2 and 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking #e percent and inserting #ae percent4 #ead4 ,creating a priority for participation of beginning farmers and ranchers in ,farmers' ,market and ,local ,food ,promotion ,program ,subsection 7e7 of section #f of the ,farmer-to-,consumer ,direct ,marketing ,act of #aigf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjje7 is amended to read as follows3 7e7 ,priorities ,in providing grants under the ,program1 priority shall be given to applications that include-- 7#a7 projects that will benefit underserved communities1 including communities that are located in areas of concentrated poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally grown food2 and 7#b7 with respect to beginning farmers and ranchers1 socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers1 and veteran farmers1 projects in which such farmers and ranchers are participants4 4 #eae4 ,supporting beginning farmers and ranchers through ,farm ,service ,agency liaisons ,section #bbf of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ficb7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7i7 ,beginning farmers and ranchers liaison 7#a7 ,position established ,the ,secretary shall establish within each ,state office of the ,consolidated ,farm ,service ,agency the position of ,beginning ,farmers and ,ranchers ,liaison to carry out the duties described in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,beginning ,farmers and ,ranchers ,liaison shall-- 7,a7 provide technical assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers to direct such farmers and ranchers toward appropriate ,federal resources and opportunities1 including available ,federal grant programs2 and 7,b7 promote coordination among ,federal programs available to beginning farmers and ranchers4 4 #eaf4 ,facilitating succession planning through the creation of ,farm ,service ,agency regional planners ,section #gdje of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ccai;f7 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating subsection 7h7 as subsection 7i72 and 7#b7 by inserting after subsection 7g7 the following new subsection3 7h7 ,regional planners 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a regional planner for each of the #ab regions identified by the ,national ,agricultural ,statistics ,service4 7#b7 ,duties ,the regional planners established under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 establish and maintain one accurate1 current1 and unbiased database of resources to help farmers undertaking succession planning2 and 7,b7 coordinate with ,federal1 ,state1 and private stakeholders1 including land-grant colleges and universities and extension service1 to understand farmer and rancher needs in each state within the respective regions1 and to work with these stakeholders to provide farmers and ranchers information regarding relevant succession planning resources and opportunities based on those needs4 4 #eag4 ,ensuring a vibrant agricultural sector through the creation of a land tenure commission 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall establish a commission to be known as the ,land ,tenure ,commission 7in this section referred to as the ,commission74 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,total membership ,the ,commission shall be comprised of #aj members who shall be appointed by the ,secretary for a term of #c years in accordance with paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,members ,the ,commission members shall include one representative from each the following categories3 7,a7 ,the ,farm ,service ,agency4 7,b7 ,the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service4 7,c7 ,state programs focused on land tenure4 7,d7 ,private nonprofit organizations with active land tenure programs4 7,e7 ,the ,cooperative ,state ,research1 ,education1 and ,extension ,service4 7,f7 ,community colleges or other institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience in land tenure issues4 7,g7 ,other entities or persons providing lending for1 or technical assistance regarding1 land tenure4 7,h7 ,beginning farmers and ranchers4 7,i7 ,socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 7,j7 ,veteran farmers and ranchers4 7,k7 ,retiring or retired farmers and ranchers4 7#c7 ,reappointment ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture may reappoint members of the ,commission to a subsequent #c-year term4 7#d7 ,compensation ,members of the ,commission may not receive any compensation4 7#e7 ,vacancies ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall make appointments to fill vacancies on the ,commission as soon as practicable after the vacancy has occurred4 7c7 ,duties ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 advise the ,secretary of ,agriculture on issues involving access to land1 farm business transition1 and land tenure1 including trends in ownership and the status of farmland ownership2 7#b7 with respect to the ,commission's activities1 coordinate and consult with entities involved with farmland ownership and operation2 7#c7 appoint technical advisors1 comprised of representatives from the ,national ,agricultural ,statistics ,service of the ,department of ,agriculture1 not-for-profit organizations that assist farmers and ranchers transitioning in and out of agricultural business1 and farm succession planners with expertise in the field2 and 7#d7 focus efforts of ,federal agency staff and programs toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agriculture sector4 7d7 ,reports ,the ,commission shall submit an annual report to ,congress that includes-- 7#a7 a summary of the activities of the ,commission2 and 7#b7 recommendations with respect to access to land1 farm business transition1 and land tenure1 including recommendations for ,federal policy changes4 ,c ,creating financial incentives ,to benefit beginning farmers and ranchers #eba4 ,removing barriers to farming through an eligible farmer tax credit 7a7 ,in general ,subpart ,b of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #cj;,e4 ,eligible farmer credits 7a7 ,eligible farmer property sale credit ,in the case of a taxpayer who sells qualified farming property to an eligible farmer during the taxable year1 there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for such taxable year an amount equal to #aj percent of the sales price of such property4 7b7 ,eligible farmer property purchase credit ,in the case of a taxpayer who is an eligible farmer and purchases qualified farming property during the taxable year1 there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount equal #aj percent of the purchase price of such property4 7c7 ,definitions 7#a7 ,eligible farmer ,for purposes of this section-- 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible farmer means-- 7i7 any socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher1 as defined in section #beja7;e77#b7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;e77#b771 7ii7 any veteran farmer or rancher 7as defined in section #beja7;e77#g7 of such ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;e77#g7771 or 7iii7 any beginning farmer or rancher4 7,b7 ,beginning farmer or rancher 7i7 ,in general ,the term beginning farmer or rancher means an individual or entity who-- 7,i7 has not operated a farm or ranch1 or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than #aj consecutive years1 and 7,,ii7 will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch4 7ii7 ,material and substantial participation ,for purposes of clause 7i71 the term material and substantial participation means-- 7,i7 in the case of an individual1 that the individual provides substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch1 consistent with the practices in the county or ,state where the farm is located1 and 7,,ii7 in the case of an entity1 that all shareholders1 holders of a capital or profits interest in the case of a partnership1 or holders of a beneficial interest in the case of a trust or cooperative provide some amount of the management or labor necessary for day-to-day activities such that if each of the members did not provide these inputs1 operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously impaired4 7iii7 ,predecessor ,any predecessor of any entity shall be treated as such entity for purposes of clause 7i77,i74 7iv7 ,aggregation rules ,all persons which are treated as a single employer under subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of section #eb shall be treated as a single employer for purposes of this subparagraph4 7#b7 ,qualified farming property 7,a7 ,in general ,the term qualified farming property means any property-- 7i7 which is used in the trade or business of farming or ranching in the ,united ,states1 and 7ii7 which is-- 7,i7 property of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation1 or 7,,ii7 land used for the production of crops1 fruits1 or other agricultural products or for the sustenance of livestock4 ,in the case of any tree1 vine1 or livestock which is not subject to an allowance for depreciation solely by reason of not having reached the income-producing stage or age of maturity1 as the case may be1 such tree1 vine1 or livestock shall be treated as property of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation for purposes of this section4 7,b7 ,land use must be restricted agricultural use ,such term shall not include any land which is not subject to a ,state agricultural land preservation program1 permanent agricultural conservation easement1 is not valued as agricultural land using special use valuation requirements1 or is not under another long-term or permanent protection4 7d7 ,special rules 7#a7 ,reporting requirements ,no credit shall be allowed to a taxpayer under this section unless1 at such time and in such form and manner as the ,secretary shall prescribe-- 7,a7 there is submitted to the ,secretary a description of the qualified farming property with respect to which the credit under this section is determined1 7,b7 the eligible farmer submits to the ,secretary an attestation of intent to treat such property as qualified farming property during the #h-year period beginning on the date of the sale or purchase to which this section applies1 and 7,c7 the taxpayer who sells such property in the case of any credit determined under subsection 7a71 and the eligible farmer who purchases such property in the case of any credit determined under subsection 7b71 submits to the ,secretary an agreement consenting to the application of paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,recapture 7,a7 ,in general ,if any property with respect to which a credit is allowed under this section ceases to be qualified farming property during the #h-year period beginning on the date of the sale or purchase to which this section applies1 the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year during which such property so ceases shall be increased by the applicable percentage of the amount of credit allowed under this section with respect to such property4 7,b7 ,applicable percentage ,for purposes of this paragraph1 in the case of property which ceases to be qualified farming property during the #h-year period1 the applicable percentage shall be determined under the following table3 ,for property which so ceases during3,the applicable percentage is3,the first or second year#ajj percent,the third or fourth year#ge percent,the fifth or sixth year#ej percent,the seventh or eighth year#be percent4 7,c7 ,property beyond actual useful life ,for purposes of this paragraph1 property which1 during such #h-year period1 is no longer capable of being used in the trade or business of farming shall be treated as ceasing to be qualified farming property4 7#c7 ,related party rules 7,a7 ,in general ,a sale or purchase shall only be taken into account under this section if the property is not acquired from a person related to the person acquiring such property 7or1 if married1 such individual's spouse74 7,b7 ,related persons ,a person shall be treated as related to another person if the relationship between such persons would result in the disallowance of losses under section #bfg or #gjg7;b74 7#d7 ,application with other credits 7,a7 ,business credit treated as part of general business credit ,so much of the credit which would be allowed under this section for any taxable year 7determined without regard to this paragraph7 that is attributable to property that is land used in a trade or business of the taxpayer1 or that in the hands of the taxpayer is of a character subject to an allowance for depreciation1 shall be treated as a credit listed in section #ch7;b7 for such taxable year 7and not allowed under this section74 7,b7 ,personal credit ,the credit allowed under subsection 7a7 7after the application of paragraph 7#a77 for any taxable year shall be treated as a credit allowable under subpart ,a for such taxable year4 7#e7 ,reduction in basis ,for purposes of this subtitle1 the basis of any property for which a credit is allowable under this section shall be reduced by the amount of such credit so allowed4 4 7b7 ,conforming amendment ,section #ch7;b7 of such ,code is amended by striking plus at the end of paragraph 7#ce71 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#cf7 and inserting 1 plus1 and by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#cg7 the portion of the eligible farmer credit to which section #cj;,e7d77#c77;,a7 applies4 4 7c7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of sections for subpart ,b of part ,,iv of subchapter ,a of chapter #a of such ,code is amended by adding at the end the following new item3 ,sec4 #cj;,e4 ,eligible farmer credits4 4 7d7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after ,december #ca1 #bjah4 #ebb4 ,ensuring ,farm ,service ,facility loans can serve agricultural cooperatives ,section #afad7;a7 of the ,food1 ,conservation1 and ,energy ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #hghi7;a77 is amended by inserting 7including agricultural cooperatives7 after for producers4 #ebc4 ,loans to cooperatives ,section #caf7;a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aidf7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,loans to cooperatives ,notwithstanding subtitle ,a or this subtitle1 the liability for a farm ownership loan or farm operating loan under such subtitles to a cooperative of family farm farmers shall be required to attach to the individual members of the cooperative1 as determined by the ,secretary4 4 ,,vi ,food ,waste #fja4 ,sense of ,congress regarding reducing food waste 7a7 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,up to #dj percent of food in the ,united ,states is wasted1 the equivalent of #a1bej calories per person1 per day1 and more than #djj pounds of food per person1 per year4 7#b7 ,growing1 processing1 transporting1 and disposing of uneaten food is a significant burden on the ,united ,states economy1 costing approximately #bah1jjj1jjj1jjj annually4 7#c7 ,considerable resources in the ,united ,states are invested in the production of food that is eventually wasted1 including an estimated #ah percent of fertilizer used in agricultural production1 #ai percent of crop land1 and #ba percent of agricultural water usage4 7#d7 ,growing1 processing1 transporting1 and disposing of food that is eventually wasted contributes to greenhouse gas emissions4 7#e7 ,disposing of uneaten food costs the average household of four in the ,united ,states an estimated #a1hjj annually4 7b7 ,sense of ,congress ,in light of the findings made in subsection 7a71 it is the sense of ,congress that the ,federal ,government should invest in programs1 methodologies1 and actions to reduce food waste across the ,united ,states at the ,federal1 ,state1 and local levels1 including by-- 7#a7 providing targeted funding for food waste solutions2 7#b7 improving and standardizing the measurement and reporting of food waste data2 7#c7 standardizing food date labels2 7#d7 removing barriers to food donation2 7#e7 supporting and encouraging local and regional efforts to reduce food waste2 and 7#f7 engaging and educating the ,american public on how to reduce food waste4 #fjb4 ,establishment of ,office of ,food ,waste ,subtitle ,d of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiea et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #bdd4 ,office of ,food ,waste 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish within the executive operations of the ,department an office to be known as the ,office of ,food ,waste4 7b7 ,responsibilities ,the ,office of ,food ,waste shall be responsible-- 7#a7 for coordinating ,federal programs to measure and reduce the incidence of food waste in the ,united ,states by serving as the central office within the ,department for food waste reduction efforts1 including food waste prevention1 food donation1 recovery of surplus food for commercial purposes1 and food scrap recycling2 7#b7 for providing information about and raising awareness of food waste issues across sectors of the ,united ,states economy and across ,federal agencies2 and 7#c7 for serving as the primary point of contact for food waste reduction and food recovery issues within the ,department and across ,federal agencies4 7c7 ,funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use to carry out this section #ajj1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 #fjc4 ,establishment of food loss and waste reduction task force ,subtitle ,d of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiea et seq47 is further amended by inserting after section #bdd1 as added by section #fjb1 the following new section3 #bde4 ,food loss and waste reduction task force 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 shall establish1 in the office of the ,under ,secretary for ,food1 ,nutrition1 and ,consumer ,services1 a task force-- 7#a7 to advise and support the ,secretary and the ,administrator in meeting the national food waste reduction goal of #ej percent by #bjcj1 as specified in the announcement made on ,september #af1 #bjae1 by the ,secretary and the ,administrator2 7#b7 to provide strategic direction for efforts to meet the national food waste reduction goal2 7#c7 to monitor progress toward meeting the national food waste reduction goal2 7#d7 to support effective public reporting in the ,united ,states regarding progress toward meeting the national food waste reduction goal and any relevant benchmarks in meeting such goal2 7#e7 to raise public awareness and visibility of the national food waste reduction goal in the ,united ,states2 and 7#f7 to recommend improvements to ,federal efforts to meet the national food waste reduction goal4 7b7 ,composition ,the task force shall be composed of #ae members1 appointed jointly by the ,secretary and the ,administrator4 ,the task force shall include a representative from each of the following industries and interest groups3 7#a7 ,the agriculture industry4 7#b7 ,the food processing and manufacturing industry4 7#c7 ,the food distribution industry4 7#d7 ,the retail and grocery industry4 7#e7 ,the restaurant industry4 7#f7 ,the institutional food service industry4 7#g7 ,government1 private1 and nonprofit entities focused on nutrition4 7#h7 ,government1 private1 and nonprofit entities focused on consumer education4 7#i7 ,government1 private1 and nonprofit entities focused on food waste entrepreneurship4 7#aj7 ,nonprofit entities focused on food waste prevention4 7#aa7 ,government1 private1 and nonprofit entities focused on food donation4 7#ab7 ,government1 private1 and nonprofit entities focused on food scrap recycling4 7#ac7 ,educational institutions focused on food systems and food waste4 7#ad7 ,a ,state or local government with a food waste reduction program4 7#ae7 ,a scientist who specializes in the science of food scrap recycling and other relevant scientific processes4 7c7 ,terms ,a member of the task force shall serve on the task force for a single term of #c years4 ,a member may not be reappointed4 ,any vacancy shall be filled within #fj days in the same manner as the original appointment4 4 #fjd4 ,standardizing1 aggregating1 and publishing food waste data 7a7 ,methodology for measuring food waste ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall establish1 through a rule made in accordance with section #eec of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 a standardized methodology for consistently measuring food waste in the ,united ,states economy1 such as-- 7#a7 on-farm losses during agricultural production and harvesting2 7#b7 losses during processing and distribution2 7#c7 kitchen waste and post-consumer waste from the restaurant and hospitality industries2 7#d7 food waste occurring in schools and other institutions2 and 7#e7 food waste occurring in other industries4 7b7 ,methodology for aggregating and disseminating data ,the methodology established under subsection 7a7 shall include aggregating and disseminating any data or information collected with respect to food waste4 ,the methodology shall incorporate tools for describing why food waste occurs and the type of food wasted and take into account existing protocols and tools that may serve as resources4 7c7 ,public availability of data ,information collected with respect to food waste shall be made available through a publicly accessible internet website of the ,department of ,agriculture1 which may be disaggregated by private sector and ,state or local government data4 7d7 ,consultation ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall carry out this section in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 ,,vii ,research1 ,extension1 and ,related ,matters ,a ,investing in ,sustainable ,agriculture #gja4 ,sustainable agriculture research1 extension1 and education programs 7a7 ,federal-,state grant program ,section #afbc of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ehac7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking matching2 7#b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking matching2 and 7,b7 by inserting and centers after education programs2 7#c7 in subsection 7c77#b71 by striking 1 and shall identify the sources of matching ,state funds for the same fiscal year2 and 7#d7 by amending subsection 7d7 to read as follows3 7d7 ,duration ,the ,secretary shall provide grants to eligible ,states for a period not to exceed #e years4 4 7b7 ,mandatory funding ,section #afbd of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ehad7 is amended to read as follows3 #afbd4 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall make available to carry out this chapter #ge1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 #gjb4 ,national training program ,section #afbi7;i7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ehcb7;i77 is amended to read as follows3 7i7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall make available to carry out this section #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 ,b ,supporting research ,to help farmers adapt to a disrupted climate #gaa4 ,competitive1 special1 and facilities grants ,section #b of the ,competitive1 ,special1 and ,facilities ,research ,grant ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,g7 ,plant and animal breeding 7i7 ,in general ,classical animal and plant breeding-- 7,i7 intended to deliver public plant cultivars and animal breeds2 7,,ii7 to achieve germplasm conservation2 and 7,,iii7 to improve public access and use of such cultivars and breeds4 7ii7 ,priority ,with respect to the breeding described in clause 7i71 the ,secretary shall give priority to-- 7,i7 regionally-adapted cultivars and breeds2 and 7,,ii7 breeds that perform well in organic and sustainable production systems4 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#g71 by inserting 1 including nonprofit organizations1 private laboratories1 ,federal research entities1 and other research entities not affiliated with a university after organizations2 7,c7 by striking paragraph 7#i72 and 7,d7 in paragraph 7#aa77;,a7-- 7i7 by striking #gjj1jjj1jjj and inserting #ijj1jjj1jjj2 and 7ii7 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7k7-- 7,a7 in the heading1 by inserting and climate change mitigation and adaptation after agriculture2 and 7,b7 by inserting and climate change mitigation and adaptation after systems of sustainable agriculture4 #gab4 ,specialty crop research initiative 7a7 ,elements of initiative ,section #dab7;b7 of the ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,education ,reform ,act of #aiih 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gfcb7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 by inserting and improve the resiliency of such crops towards global climate change after crop characteristics2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by inserting 1 with priority given to responses and tolerances to global climate change after tolerances2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by inserting and threats due to global climate change after pollinators4 7b7 ,mandatory funding ,section #dab7k77#a77;,b7 of the ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,education ,reform ,act of #aiih 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #gfcb7k77#a77;,b77 is amended by striking #hj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjad and each fiscal year thereafter and inserting #hj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah and #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai and each fiscal year thereafter4 ,,viii ,animal ,welfare ,a ,ensuring ,animal ,welfare in ,farming #hja4 ,definitions for humanely raised livestock and poultry certification programs ,in this subtitle3 7#a7 ,independent animal welfare certification program ,the term independent animal welfare certification program means an entity approved by the ,secretary of ,agriculture that uses qualified third-party on-farm auditors to routinely assess a producer's #ajj percent compliance with specific animal welfare standards exceeding industry standards 7based on industry guidelines71 subject to the following conditions3 7,a7 ,the standards' protocols are made public4 7,b7 ,the standards include1 at a minimum1 provisions for space allowance1 environmental enrichment and ability to engage in natural behaviors1 pain control and physical alternations1 handling1 and responsible antibiotic use4 7,c7 ,routine caging1 crating or tethering of animals is prohibited4 7,d7 ,auditors have no vested or financial interest in audit outcomes4 7,e7 ,auditors possess a background in animal welfare science or have received equivalent training1 and are able to recognize1 review1 and apply established farm animal welfare standards and protocols4 7#b7 ,eligible costs ,the term eligible costs means costs associated with application fees1 inspections1 labeling1 shipment and marketing4 #hjb4 ,requiring the issuance of the final rule for setting production standards for organic livestock and poultry without amendment ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall implement1 without amendment1 the final rule entitled ,national ,organic ,program 7,,nop72 ,organic ,livestock and ,poultry ,practices and published in the ,federal ,register by the ,department of ,agriculture on ,january #ai1 #bjag 7#hb ,fed4 ,reg4 #gjdb74 #hjc4 ,increasing market access for humanely raised livestock and poultry certification programs 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 acting through the ,agricultural ,marketing ,service1 shall establish a cost-share program to assist producers and handlers of livestock and poultry products in obtaining and maintaining animal welfare certifications through an independent animal welfare certification program4 7b7 ,federal share ,the ,secretary may cover not more than #ge percent of the eligible costs1 but not to exceed #gej1 incurred by a producer or handler in obtaining and maintaining an animal welfare certification through an independent animal welfare certification program4 7c7 ,reporting requirements ,not later than ,march #a of each year1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate a report that describes the requests by1 disbursements to1 and expenditures for each ,state under the program during the current and previous fiscal year1 including the number of producers and handlers served by the program in the previous fiscal year4 7d7 ,funding 7#a7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall make available to carry out this section #a1bej1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjah through #bjbc1 to remain available until expended4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated #bb1jjj1jjj for fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc to carry out this section4 ,b ,reforming ,animal ,welfare in ,agricultural ,research ,endeavors #haa4 ,animal welfare ,section #ad of the ,animal ,welfare ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #badd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the first sentence1 by striking ,any and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#c71 any ,federal research facility or any other 2 7#b7 in the second sentence1 by striking ,any and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,animal exhibition ,any 2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 ,exclusions not applicable ,for purposes of the application of standards and other requirements described in paragraph 7#a7 to a ,federal research facility or any other department1 agency1 or instrumentality of the ,united ,states having laboratory animal facilities1 the exclusions contained in section #b7;g77#c7 shall not apply4 4 #hab4 ,establishing a research and extension program for humanely raised livestock and poultry certifications 7a7 ,consumer demand for animal welfare and environmentally sustainable products ,section #adjb7f7 of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caja7f77 is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following3 1 and meet growing consumer demand for animal welfare1 environmental sustainability1 pasture-based rearing1 and compliance with independent animal welfare certifications4 7b7 ,independent animal welfare certification program defined ,section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc7 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#ba7 ,independent animal welfare certification program ,the term ,independent animal welfare certification program has the meaning given that term in section #hja7a7 of the ,food and ,farm ,act4 4 7c7 ,federal-,state partnership and coordination ,section #adji;,a of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cabd;a7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#a77;,b71 by striking and environmental and inserting environmental1 animal welfare1 and marketplace demand2 7#b7 in subsection 7c77#b71 by inserting pasture-based rearing systems1 after cooperatives12 and 7#c7 in subsection 7d71 by inserting improving animal well-being1 facilitating enrollment in independent animal welfare certification programs1 after marketing systems14 7d7 ,animal well-,being research ,the heading of subtitle ,e of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7title ,,xiv of ,public ,law #ic-aac7 is amended to read as follows3 ,e ,animal ,health1 ,well-,being1 and ,disease ,research 4 7e7 ,authorizing the ,secretary ,to ,act ,section #adca7;b77#b7 of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caic7;b77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,b72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of subparagraph 7,c71 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subparagraph3 7,d7 improve the flow of information to producers regarding enrollment in1 compliance with1 and marketing benefits of independent animal welfare certification programs4 4 7f7 ,small ,farm ,research and ,extension 7#a7 ,small farm extension program ,section #ejb of the ,rural ,development ,act of #aigb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bffb7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7d71 by inserting 1 improved animal husbandry techniques including enrollment in independent animal welfare certification programs1 after marketing techniques2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7h77#a7-- 7i7 by striking and at the end of subparagraph 7,e72 7ii7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,f7 as subparagraph 7,h72 and 7iii7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,e7 the following new subparagraphs3 7,f7 opportunities for enrollment in independent animal welfare certification programs2 7,g7 animal husbandry2 and 4 7#b7 ,definition ,section #ejf of the ,rural ,development ,act of #aigb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bfff7 is amended-- 7,a7 by redesignating subsections 7a71 7b71 and 7c7 as subsections 7b71 7c71 and 7d7 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting before subsection 7b71 as so redesignated1 the following3 7a7 independent animal welfare certification program has the meaning given that term in section #hja7a7 of the ,food and ,farm ,act4 4 ,c ,protecting ,companion ,animals #hba4 ,maintenance and public availability of regulatory records 7a7 ,maintenance of information ,beginning not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall maintain information relating to the administration of the ,animal ,welfare ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #baca et seq47 and the ,horse ,protection ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #ahba et seq471 including the following3 7#a7 ,the entirety of each report of any inspection conducted1 and record of any enforcement action taken1 under-- 7,a7 the ,animal ,welfare ,act or the ,horse ,protection ,act2 and 7,b7 any regulation issued under those ,acts4 7#b7 ,with respect to the ,animal ,welfare ,act-- 7,a7 the entirety of each annual report submitted by a research facility under section #ac of that ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #badc72 and 7,b7 the name1 address1 and license or registration number of each research facility1 exhibitor1 dealer1 and other person or establishment-- 7i7 licensed by the ,secretary under section #c or #ab of that ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bacc1 #badb72 or 7ii7 registered with the ,secretary under section #f of that ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bacf74 7#c7 ,with respect to the ,horse ,protection ,act1 the name and address of-- 7,a7 any person that is licensed to conduct any inspection under section #d7;c7 of that ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #ahbc7;c772 or 7,b7 any organization or association that is licensed by the ,department of ,agriculture to promote horses through-- 7i7 the showing1 exhibiting1 sale1 auction1 or registry of horses2 or 7ii7 the conduct of any activity that contributes to the advancement of horses4 7b7 ,public availability of information ,the information required to be maintained under subsection 7a7 shall promptly be made available to the public in an online searchable database in a machine-readable format on the website of the ,department of ,agriculture4 #hbb4 ,prohibiting the trade of dog and cat meat ,the ,animal ,welfare ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #baca et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #cj4 ,prohibition of slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption 7a7 ,prohibition ,no person may-- 7#a7 knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consumption2 or 7#b7 knowingly ship1 transport1 move1 deliver1 receive1 possess1 purchase1 sell1 or donate-- 7,a7 a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consumption2 or 7,b7 dog or cat parts for human consumption4 7b7 ,penalty ,any person who violates this section shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than #a year1 or a fine of not more than #b1ejj1 or both4 7c7 ,scope ,subsection 7a7 shall apply only with respect to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the ,united ,states4 7d7 ,conflict with ,state law ,this section shall not be construed to limit any ,state or local law or regulations protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a ,state or local governing body from adopting and enforcing animal welfare laws and regulations that are more stringent than this section4 4 ,,ix ,regional ,food ,systems ,a ,expanding ,support for ,local and ,regional ,food ,systems #ija4 ,sense of the ,congress ,it is the sense of the ,congress that3 7#a7 ,local and regional food systems provide jobs and economic opportunity for farmers and ranchers1 businesses1 entrepreneurs1 and employees across the ,united ,states who cultivate1 harvest1 store1 process1 market1 and distribute food1 particularly in rural areas4 7#b7 ,local and regional food systems provide meaningful access to healthy1 fresh1 and affordable foods that are grown and processed closer to markets1 especially in food deserts and other underserved areas4 7#c7 ,local and regional food systems lower the carbon footprint of ,america's food system by growing1 processing1 distributing1 and consuming products locally and reducing the use of fossil fuels4 7#d7 ,local and regional food systems foster ,american resiliency and independence by helping communities become less dependent on external food sources4 7#e7 ,local and regional food systems increase accountability for farmers1 ranchers1 and others employed in the field to engage in sustainable and ethical practices4 7#f7 ,by supporting the growth and advancement of local and regional food systems1 the people of the ,united ,states are investing in an environmentally and economically resilient food and agriculture system that provides opportunity and livelihoods for farmers1 ranchers1 businesses1 and employees throughout the economy4 #ijb4 ,expanding the ,food ,leveraging ,investment for ,network ,coordination 7,,linc7 ,program 7a7 ,increase in number of value chain coordinators ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall expand ,rural ,development ,agency participation in the ,food ,leveraging ,investment for ,network ,coordination 7,,linc7 program1 a public-private partnership to enhance regional food-value chains1 to deploy during each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc at least #be full-time value chain coordinators to provide local food sector coordination services4 7b7 ,location of value chain coordinators ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall ensure that at least #e value chain coordinators deployed under subsection 7a7 are located in each of the following3 7#a7 ,the ,pacific ,northwest region of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,the ,northeast region of the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,the ,western region of the ,united ,states4 7#d7 ,the ,midwest region of the ,united ,states4 7#e7 ,the ,southern region of the ,united ,states4 7c7 ,coordination services described ,the duties of a value chain coordinator include the following3 7#a7 ,identifying and connecting interested persons through short-term engagement1 helping to build relationships across the food value chain by engaging interested persons1 maintaining communication channels1 and fostering a trusting environment among interested persons4 7#b7 ,identifying and pursuing resources1 such as grants1 loans1 and services to support value-chain collaborators as they develop their enterprises4 7#c7 ,raising policy issues and partnering with interested persons to address policies and procurement requirements4 7#d7 ,working with food chain members to build capacity through education and training programs in such areas as organics and other sustainable production practices1 food safety1 marketing1 and branding4 7#e7 ,utilizing grants and other external resources to test new business models to help lower the financial risk of businesses engaged in the value chain4 7d7 ,funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary of the ,agriculture shall use to carry out this section #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 #ijc4 ,ensuring success of regional food projects under the business and industry guaranteed loan program 7a7 ,use of funds ,section #caj;,b7g77#i77;,b7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aicb7;g77#i77;,b77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7v7 ,outreach and technical assistance ,not more than #e percent of the amounts reserved under clause 7iv7 for each fiscal year shall be used for outreach1 and to provide marketing and technical assistance through ,federal entities1 and through ,state and private universities and nonprofit entities 7including by contract71 to potential recipients of a loan or loan guarantee under this subparagraph1 to ensure the full utilization of any such loan or loan guarantee4 4 7b7 ,increase in funding ,section #caj;,b7g77#i77;,b77iv77,i7 of such ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aicb7;g77#i77;,b77iv77,i77 is amended by striking #e and inserting #aj4 #ijd4 ,increasing support for the specialty crop block grant program ,section #aja of the ,specialty ,crops ,competitiveness ,act of #bjjd 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #afba note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbc2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7l7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking and2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking and each fiscal year thereafter4 and inserting a semicolon2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,f7 #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai2 and 7,g7 #aaj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj and each fiscal year thereafter4 4 ,b ,enhancing ,regional ,food ,infrastructure #iaa4 ,supporting regional food infrastructure assessment and collaborative planning 7a7 ,support for region-,wide assessment and collaborative planning projects ,section #f7;b7 of the ,farmer-to-,consumer ,direct ,marketing ,act of #aigf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjje7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#a72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#b7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 full value chain assessments at the local and regional levels1 as well as projects by entities described in subsection 7c7 that maximize efficient use of existing food related infrastructure1 identify gaps in that infrastructure1 and address such gaps4 4 7b7 ,mandatory funding ,paragraph 7#a7 of section #f7;g7 of the ,farmer-to-,consumer ,direct ,marketing ,act of #aigf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjje7;g77 is amended to read as follows3 7#a7 ,mandatory funding ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary shall use to carry out this section #hj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 4 7c7 ,distribution of funds ,paragraph 7#d7 of section #f7;g7 of the ,farmer-to-,consumer ,direct ,marketing ,act of #aigf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjje7;g77 is amended to read as follows3 7#d7 ,distribution of funds ,of the funds made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year after fiscal year #bjah-- 7,a7 at least #dj percent of the funds shall be used for the purposes described in paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7b72 7,b7 at least #dj percent of the funds shall be used for the purposes described in paragraph 7#b7 of such subsection2 and 7,c7 not more than #bj percent of the funds may be used for the purposes described in paragraph 7#c7 of such subsection4 4 #iab4 ,livestock1 dairy1 and poultry supply chain infrastructure grants and loans ,subtitle ,d of title ,,iii of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aiha et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #cgi;,i4 ,livestock1 dairy1 and poultry supply chain infrastructure 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary is authorized to provide grants or make or insure loans under any of the programs authorized by this ,act1 the ,agricultural ,marketing ,act of #aidf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #afba et seq471 or the ,rural ,electrification ,act of #aicf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ija et seq471 as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate1 to assist farmers and rural businesses and cooperatives to maintain or increase the production1 aggregation1 processing1 distribution1 and marketing of value-added1 niche1 or regionally-marketed meat1 dairy1 and poultry products4 7b7 ,priority ,in implementing subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to grants or loans that will help increase or enhance the availability and geographic distribution of ,state- and ,department of ,agriculture-inspected small processing facilities4 7c7 ,small processing facility defined ,in this section1 the term small processing facility means-- 7#a7 with respect to an establishment that is subject to the requirements of the ,federal ,meat ,inspection ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq471 a certain small establishment that is eligible to be selected under section #eja7;b7 of such ,act2 or 7#b7 a selected establishment 7as defined in section #ca7;a7 of the ,poultry ,products ,inspection ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #dgb7;a7774 4 ,c ,expanding ,accessibility of ,federal ,grant ,programs #iba4 ,publishing information about funded ,farmers' ,market and ,local ,food ,promotion ,program projects ,section #f of the ,farmer-to-,consumer ,direct ,marketing ,act of #aigf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjje7 is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7h7 ,project database 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection1 shall publish1 and update on an annual basis1 on the ,internet website of the ,department of ,agriculture a database1 in a machine-readable format1 that contains information with respect to any project with respect to which a grant was awarded under this section in the previous fiscal year4 7#b7 ,information included ,the database under paragraph 7#a7 shall include1 with respect to each project for which a grant was awarded under this section in the previous fiscal year-- 7,a7 a general overview of such project1 including a summary of1 the timeline1 goals1 and objectives for1 and key partners and other stakeholders involved in1 such project2 7,b7 the steps taken to carry out such project2 7,c7 any materials used to carry out such project2 7,d7 the delivery area of the project2 7,e7 the total project cost and any non-,federal funding sources for such project costs2 7,f7 a general description of project beneficiaries2 and 7,g7 the results of such project4 4 #ibb4 ,streamlining of local and regional food program application procedures 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall1 not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 identify procedures that coordinate and streamline the application process for local and regional food programs without compromising program or application quality4 ,the ,secretary shall identify such procedures with respect to each of the following3 7#a7 ,streamlining application forms4 7#b7 ,removing repetition from forms and the online toolkit used to complete such applications4 7#c7 ,to the extent possible1 accepting applications electronically 7including through email74 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjai through #bjbc4 ,d ,leveling the ,playing ,field for ,small ,farmers #ica4 ,ensuring fair practices in agriculture ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture shall implement1 without amendment1 the final rule entitled ,unfair ,practices and ,undue ,preferences in ,violation of the ,packers and ,stockyards ,act and published in the ,federal ,register by the ,department of ,agriculture on ,december #bj1 #bjaf 7#ha ,fed4 ,reg4 #ibgjc74