,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #chid ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #d1 #bjbj,mr4 ,braun 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,stabenow1 ,mr4 ,graham1 and ,mr4 ,whitehouse7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of ,agriculture to develop a program to reduce barriers to entry for farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners in certain private markets1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,growing ,climate ,solutions ,act of #bjbj4 #b4 ,greenhouse gas technical assistance provider and third-party verifier certification program ,chapter #e of subtitle ,d of title ,,xii of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe is amended by inserting after section #abdj,m 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;bb7 the following3 #abdj,n4 ,greenhouse gas technical assistance provider and third-party verifier certification program 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to encourage sustainable1 climate-friendly farming and forestry practices by providing to farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners access to private-sector capital2 7#b7 to facilitate the participation of farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners in greenhouse gas credit markets1 including through the ,program2 7#c7 to provide technical assistance to farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners in overcoming barriers to entry into greenhouse gas credit markets2 7#d7 to assist covered entities in registering under the ,program2 and 7#e7 to establish the ,advisory ,council to advise the ,secretary regarding the ,program and other related matters4 7b7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,advisory ,council ,the term ,advisory ,council means the ,greenhouse ,gas ,technical ,assistance ,provider and ,third-,party ,verifier ,certification ,program ,advisory ,council established under subsection 7g77#a74 7#b7 ,covered entity ,the term covered entity means a person or ,state that-- 7,a7 is a provider of a technical assistance to farmers1 ranchers1 or private forest landowners in carrying out sustainable land use management practices that1 as compared to traditional practices-- 7i7 prevent or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions2 or 7ii7 sequester carbon2 or 7,b7 is a third-party entity that conducts the verification of the processes described in protocols for greenhouse gas credit markets4 7#c7 ,greenhouse gas ,the term greenhouse gas means-- 7,a7 carbon dioxide2 7,b7 methane2 7,c7 nitrous oxide2 and 7,d7 any other gas that the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,council1 determines has been identified to have heat trapping qualities4 7#d7 ,program ,the term ,program means the ,greenhouse ,gas ,technical ,assistance ,provider and ,third-,party ,verifier ,certification ,program established under subsection 7c74 7#e7 ,protocol ,the term protocol means a systematic approach that follows a science-based methodology that is conservative1 transparent1 and thorough to establish requirements-- 7,a7 for the development of the #a or more baseline scenarios for a project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon2 and 7,b7 to quantify1 monitor1 report1 and verify emissions reductions or sequestration by a project described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#f7 ,technical assistance ,the term technical assistance means technical expertise1 information1 and tools necessary for activities carried out under this section4 7c7 ,establishment of program ,the ,secretary shall establish a voluntary program1 to be known as the ,greenhouse ,gas ,technical ,assistance ,provider and ,third-,party ,verifier ,certification ,program1 to certify covered entities that the ,secretary determines meet the standards described in subsection 7d74 7d7 ,standards 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,council1 shall publish a list and description of standards that accomplish the purposes described in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 and are taken from widely used industry protocols for greenhouse gas credit markets 7including calculations1 sampling methodologies1 accounting principles1 systems for verification1 monitoring1 and reporting1 and methods to account for additionality1 permanence1 and leakage1 where appropriate7 that covered entities registered under the ,program shall maintain expertise in and adhere to1 as appropriate1 for-- 7,a7 the provision of technical assistance to farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners for carrying out activities described in paragraph 7#b72 and 7,b7 the verification of the processes described in protocols for greenhouse gas credit markets that are used in carrying out activities described in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,activities ,the activities referred to in paragraph 7#a7 are current and future activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon as compared to traditional practices1 which may include-- 7,a7 land or soil carbon sequestration2 7,b7 emissions reductions derived from fuel choice or reduced fuel use2 7,c7 livestock emissions reductions1 including emissions reductions achieved through feeds and feed additives2 7,d7 on-farm energy generation1 including fuel switching2 7,e7 energy feedstock production2 7,f7 fertilizer use emissions reductions2 7,g7 reforestation2 7,h7 forest management1 including improving harvesting practices and thinning diseased trees2 7,i7 avoidance of the conversion of forests2 7,j7 grassland management1 including prescribed grazing2 and 7,k7 such other activities1 or combinations of activities1 that the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,council1 determine to be appropriate4 7#c7 ,requirements ,in publishing the list and description of standards under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,council1 shall-- 7,a7 ensure that the standards include all relevant information relating to market-based protocols with regard to-- 7i7 quantification2 7ii7 verifiability2 7iii7 additionality1 as compared to a historical baseline2 and 7iv7 permanence2 7,b7 ensure that the standards include requirements for covered entities registered under the ,program to demonstrate expertise in best management practices for agricultural and forestry practices that increase carbon sequestration or reduce greenhouse gas emissions2 and 7,c7 periodically review and revise the list and description1 as appropriate1 to include any additional standards that meet the requirements described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7e7 ,registration and publication of lists 7#a7 ,registration ,a covered entity may self-register under the ,program by submitting to the ,secretary1 through a website maintained by the ,secretary1 a notification that the covered entity will maintain expertise in and adhere to the standards published by the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#a74 7#b7 ,solicitation ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which the ,secretary establishes the ,program1 the ,secretary shall publish-- 7,a7 information describing how covered entities may self-register under the ,program in accordance with paragraph 7#a72 7,b7 the standards published by the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#a72 and 7,c7 instructions and suggestions to assist farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners in accessing greenhouse gas credit markets1 including-- 7i7 through the ,program2 and 7ii7 by providing information relating to programs1 registries1 and protocols of programs and registries that provide market-based participation opportunities for working and conservation agricultural and forestry lands4 7#c7 ,publication ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,secretary establishes the ,program1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,council1 shall use an existing website maintained by the ,secretary to publish-- 7,a7 a list of covered entities that are registered under paragraph 7#a7 as verifiers of the processes described in protocols for greenhouse gas credit markets2 and 7,b7 a list of covered entities that are registered under paragraph 7#a7 as technical assistance providers4 7#d7 ,updates ,not less frequently than annually1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,advisory ,council1 shall update the lists published under paragraph 7#c74 7#e7 ,submission ,the ,secretary shall submit the list under paragraph 7#c71 including each update under paragraph 7#d71 to ,congress4 7#f7 ,requirement ,to remain registered under the ,program1 a covered entity shall continue to maintain expertise in and adhere to the standards published by the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#a74 7#g7 ,auditing ,the ,secretary shall periodically conduct audits of covered entities that are registered under the ,program to ensure compliance with the standards published by the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#a74 7#h7 ,notification ,if the ,secretary revokes the registration of a covered entity under the ,program for noncompliance with the standards published by the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#a71 to the extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall notify farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners to which the covered entity provided technical assistance or the verification of the processes described in protocols for greenhouse gas credit markets of the revocation4 7f7 ,enforcement 7#a7 ,prohibition on claims 7,a7 ,in general ,a person that is not registered under the ,program shall not knowingly make a claim that the person is a ,,usda-certified technical assistance provider or third-party verifier for greenhouse gas credit markets or any substantially similar claim4 7,b7 ,penalty ,any person that violates subparagraph 7,a7 shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to such amount as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7#b7 ,prohibition on submission of fraudulent information 7,a7 ,in general ,a person1 regardless of whether the person is registered under the program1 shall not submit fraudulent information as part of a notification under subsection 7e77#a74 7,b7 ,penalty ,any person that violates subparagraph 7,a7 shall be subject to a civil penalty equal to such amount as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 7g7 ,greenhouse ,gas ,technical ,assistance ,provider and ,third-,party ,verifier ,certification ,program ,advisory ,council 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date on which the ,secretary establishes the ,program1 the ,secretary shall establish an advisory council1 to be known as the ,greenhouse ,gas ,technical ,service ,assistance and ,third-,party ,verifier ,certification ,program ,advisory ,council4 7#b7 ,membership 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,advisory ,council shall be composed of not fewer than #bd members1 who shall be appointed by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,representation ,members appointed under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 not fewer than #a representative of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 as determined by the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7ii7 not fewer than #aj representatives of the agriculture industry appointed in a manner that is broadly representative of the agriculture sector2 7iii7 not fewer than #c representatives from the forestry and forest products industry appointed in a manner that is broadly representative of the forestry sector2 7iv7 not fewer than #d representatives of the relevant scientific research community1 including not fewer than #a representative from land-grant colleges and universities 7as defined in section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc772 7v7 not fewer than #b1 and not more than #c1 experts or professionals familiar with private greenhouse gas credit markets and the verification requirements in those markets2 7vi7 not fewer than #b1 and not more than #c1 members of nongovernmental or civil society organizations with relevant expertise2 7vii7 not fewer than #b1 and not more than #c1 members of private sector companies or impact investors who are current and likely future purchasers of or investors in domestic greenhouse gas credits in voluntary markets and compliance markets that are derived from projects that achieve greenhouse gas mitigation or carbon sequestration through practices on agricultural land or private forest land2 and 7viii7 any other individual whom the ,secretary determines to be necessary to ensure that the ,advisory ,council is composed of a diverse group of representatives of industry1 academia1 independent researchers1 and public and private entities4 7,c7 ,chair ,the ,secretary shall designate a member of the ,advisory ,council to serve as the ,chair4 7,d7 ,terms ,the term of a member of the ,advisory ,council shall be #e years1 which may be renewed for #a additional #e-year term4 7#c7 ,meetings 7,a7 ,frequency ,the ,advisory ,council shall meet not less frequently than annually1 at the call of the ,chair4 7,b7 ,initial meeting ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph 7#b77;,a71 the ,advisory ,council shall hold an initial meeting4 7#d7 ,duties ,the ,advisory ,council shall-- 7,a7 review the list of standards published by the ,secretary under subsection 7d77#a72 7,b7 make recommendations to the ,secretary regarding the best practices that should be included in the standards under subsection 7d77#a72 and 7,c7 advise the ,secretary regarding-- 7i7 the current methods used by private markets to quantify and verify greenhouse gas emissions reduced or carbon sequestered2 7ii7 additional considerations for registering covered entities under the ,program2 7iii7 means to reduce barriers to entry in the business of providing technical assistance or the verification of the processes described in protocols for greenhouse gas markets for covered entities1 including by improving technical assistance provided by the ,secretary2 7iv7 means to reduce compliance and verification costs for farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners in entering private greenhouse gas credit markets1 including through mechanisms and processes to aggregate the value of activities across land ownership2 and 7v7 means for farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners to advertise products derived from practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon4 7#e7 ,compensation 7,a7 ,in general ,the members of the ,advisory ,council shall serve without compensation4 7,b7 ,treatment ,except in the case of a member described in paragraph 7#b77;,b77i71 the members of the ,advisory ,council shall not be considered to be ,federal employees4 7h7 ,assessment of greenhouse gas credit marketplaces and verification regimes ,not later than ,october #a1 #bjbb1 and every #d years thereafter1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency and the ,advisory ,council1 shall-- 7#a7 conduct an assessment1 including by incorporating information from existing publications of nongovernmental organizations with relevant expertise1 regarding-- 7,a7 the number and categories of non-,federal actors in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors involved in buying1 selling1 and trading domestic greenhouse gas credits in voluntary markets and compliance markets that are derived from projects that achieve greenhouse gas mitigation or carbon sequestration through practices on agricultural land or private forest land2 7,b7 the estimated overall domestic market demand for greenhouse gas credits 7measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent7 at the end of the preceding #d-;calendar year period1 and historically1 in voluntary markets and compliance markets through projects that achieve greenhouse gas mitigation or carbon sequestration through practices on agricultural land or private forest land2 7,c7 the total number of greenhouse gas credits 7measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent7 that were in development1 generated1 or sold in market transactions during the preceding #d-;calendar year period1 and historically1 in voluntary markets and compliance markets through projects that achieve greenhouse gas mitigation or carbon sequestration through practices on agricultural land or private forest land2 7,d7 the estimated supply and demand of metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of offsets in the global marketplace for the next #d years2 7,e7 the barriers to entry due to compliance and verification costs described in subsection 7g77#d77;,c77iv72 7,f7 the state of monitoring technologies needed to quantify long-term carbon sequestration in soils and from other emission reduction activities in the agriculture and forestry sectors2 7,g7 means for farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners to advertise products derived from practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon2 7,h7 means to leverage existing ,department of ,agriculture programs and other ,federal programs that could improve1 lower the costs of1 and enhance the deployment of monitoring technologies described in subparagraph 7,f72 7,i7 the potential impact of ,department of ,agriculture activities on supply and demand of greenhouse gas credits2 7,j7 the potential role of the ,department of ,agriculture in increasing innovation in greenhouse gas credit markets2 and 7,k7 the extent to which the existing regimes for generating and selling greenhouse gas credits derived from agricultural land or private forest land1 as the regimes exist at the end of the preceding #d-;calendar year period1 and historically1 would achieve greater scale and reach if the ,department of ,agriculture were involved1 including by considering the role of the ,department of ,agriculture in reducing the barriers to entry identified under subparagraph 7,e71 including by educating stakeholders about greenhouse gas credit markets and means by which to reduce the compliance and verification costs described in subsection 7g77#d77;,c77iv72 and 7#b7 submit to the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate a report describing the findings of the assessment under paragraph 7#a71 including recommendations regarding potential new authorities that would facilitate a more robust role for the ,department of ,agriculture in the domestic market for greenhouse gas emissions credits derived from practices on agricultural land or private forest land1 including-- 7,a7 whether the ,department of ,agriculture should play a larger role in developing-- 7i7 greenhouse gas credit protocols1 including new protocols for activities within the agriculture and forestry sectors that do not currently exist in the private marketplace2 and 7ii7 verification methodologies to quantify greenhouse gas emissions reduction across activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon as compared to traditional practices2 and 7,b7 whether the ,department of ,agriculture-- 7i7 should play a larger role in reducing compliance and verification costs for farmers1 ranchers1 and private forest landowners1 including by certifying greenhouse gas credits2 and 7ii7 needs additional authority to carry out the activities described in clause 7i74 4