H.R. 5055 — Introduced in House

I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5055 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 15, 2018Mr. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico (for himself and Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to make acequias eligible for assistance, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Acequia Conservation Program Eligibility Act. 2. Eligibility for acequias (a) Definitions Section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (28) Acequia The term acequia means an entity that— (A) is a political subdivision of a State; (B) is organized for the purpose of managing the operation of an irrigation ditch; and (C) does not have the authority to impose taxes or levies. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Definitions Section 1201(a)(18)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(18)(B)) is amended by inserting acequia, after Indian tribe,. (2) Conservation security program Section 1238A(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838a(b)(2)) is amended by inserting land of an acequia, before and forested land. (3) Conservation stewardship program Section 1238G(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838g(f)) is amended by inserting or acequias after Indian tribes. (4) Administrative requirements for conservation programs Section 1244(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(a)) is amended— (A) in the subsection header, by inserting and acequias after Indian tribes; and (B) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the following: (G) Acequias. . (5) Agricultural conservation easement program Subtitle H of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq.) is amended— (A) in section 1265A(2)(A), by striking or an Indian tribe and inserting , or an Indian tribe or acequia,; (B) in section 1265C— (i) in subsection (b)(1)(D), by inserting and acequias after Indian tribes; (ii) in subsection (d)(2), by striking or Indian tribe and inserting Indian tribe, or acequia; and (iii) in subsection (e), by striking or Indian tribe and inserting Indian tribe, or acequia; and (C) in section 1265D(a)(2), by adding , other than land of an acequia before the semicolon. (6) Regional conservation partnership program Section 1271A(4)(E) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871a(4)) is amended by inserting , including an acequia before the period at the end.