,,ii  #aag? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #abea  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,april #bj1 #bjba,mr4  
,braun 7= himself1 ,ms4 ,/ab5[1 ,mr4    
,graham1 ,mr4 ,:iteh\se1 ,mr4 ,boozman1 
,ms4 ,klobu*>1 ,mrs4 ,fis*]1 ,mr4       
,b5net1 ,mr4 ,grassley1 ,ms4 ,smi?1 ,ms4
 ,ern/1 ,mr4 ,coons1 ,mr4 ,?une1 ,mr4   
,k+1 ,ms4 ,coll9s1 ,ms4 ,ros51 ,mr4 ,"y1
 ,mr4 ,br[n1 ,mr4 ,hoev51 ,mrs4 ,%ahe51 
,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4 ,he9ri*1 ,mr4         
,cassidy1 ,mrs4 ,fe9/e91 ,ms4 ,murk[ski1
 ,mr4 ,c>p]1 ,mr4 ,romney1 ,mr4 ,wyd51  
,mr4 ,crapo1 ,mr4 ,lujn1 ,mrs4          
,hyde-,smi?1 ,ms4 ,baldw91 ,ms4 ,lummis1
 ,mr4 ,w>nock1 ,mr4 ,tub]ville1 ,mr4    
,m>%all1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 & ,mr4 ,cram]7   
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read     
twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on       
,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 & ,=e/ry  ,a  
,,bill  ,to au?orize ! ,secret>y (      
,agriculture to develop a program to    
r$uce b>ri]s to entry = f>m]s1 ran*]s1 &
 private =e/ l&[n]s 9 c]ta9 volunt>y    
m>kets1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort    

title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,gr[+   
,climate ,solutions ,act ( #bjba4  #b4  
,gre5h\se gas te*nical assi/ance provid]
 & ?ird-p>ty v]ifi] c]tification program
  7a7 ,purposes ,! purposes ( ?is       
section are-- 7#a7 to facilitate !      
p>ticipation ( f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private 
=e/ l&[n]s 9 volunt>y environm5tal cr$it
 m>kets1 includ+ ?r\gh ! ,program2  7#b7
 to facilitate ! provision ( te*nical   
assi/ance ?r\gh cov]$ entities to f>m]s1
 ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s 9 ov]com+ 
b>ri]s to entry into volunt>y           
environm5tal cr$it m>kets2  7#c7 to     
assi/ cov]$ entities 9 c]tify+ "u !     
,program2 &  7#d7 to e/abli% ! ,advisory
 ,c\ncil to advise ! ,secret>y reg>d+ ! 
,program & o!r relat$ matt]s4  7b7      
,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7        
,advisory c\ncil ,! t]m ,advisory       
,c\ncil means ! ,gre5h\se ,gas ,te*nical
 ,assi/ance ,provid] & ,?ird-,p>ty      
,v]ifi] ,c]tification ,program ,advisory
 ,c\ncil e/abli%$ "u subsection 7g77#a74
  7#b7 ,agriculture or =e/ry cr$it ,!   

t]m agriculture or =e/ry cr$it means a  
cr$it d]iv$ f ! prev5tion1 r$uction1 or 
mitigation ( gre5h\se gas emissions or  
c>bon seque/ration on agricultural l& or
 private =e/ l& t may be b\ght or sold  
on a volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>ket4 
7#c7 ,beg9n+ f>m] or ran*] ,! t]m beg9n+
 f>m] or ran*] has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 
section #beja7;a7 ( ! ,food1            
,agriculture1 ,cons]vation1 & ,trade    
,act ( #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;a774  
7#d7 ,cov]$ entity ,! t]m cov]$ entity  
means a p]son or ,/ate t ei!r-- 7,a7 is 
a provid] ( te*nical assi/ance to f>m]s1
 ran*]s1 or private =e/ l&[n]s 9 c>ry+  
out su/a9able l& use managem5t practices
 t-- 7i7 prev5t1 r$uce1 or mitigate     
gre5h\se gas emissions2 or  7ii7 seque/]
 c>bon2 or  7,b7 is a ?ird-p>ty v]ifi]  
entity t conducts ! v]ification ( !     
processes describ$ 9 protocols =        
volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets4     
7#e7 ,gre5h\se gas ,! t]m gre5h\se gas  
means-- 7,a7 c>bon dioxide2  7,b7       
me?ane2  7,c7 nitr\s oxide2 &  7,d7 any 

o!r gas t ! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) 
! ,advisory ,c\ncil1 det]m9es has be5   
id5tifi$ to h heat trapp+ qualities4    
7#f7 ,program ,! t]m ,program means !   
,gre5h\se ,gas ,te*nical ,assi/ance     
,provid] & ,?ird-,p>ty ,v]ifi]          
,c]tification ,program e/abli%$ "u      
subsection 7c74  7#g7 ,protocol ,! t]m  
protocol means a sy/ematic approa* t    
foll[s a sci5ce-bas$ me?odology t is    
transp>5t & ?or\gh to e/abli%           
requirem5ts-- 7,a7 = ! developm5t (     
projects to prev5t1 r$uce1 or mitigate  
gre5h\se gas emissions or seque/] c>bon 
t include #a or m basel9e sc5>ios2 &    
7,b7 to quantify1 monitor1 report1 &    
v]ify ! prev5tion1 r$uction1 or         
mitigation ( gre5h\se gas emissions or  
c>bon seque/ration by projects describ$ 
9 subp>agraph 7,a74  7#h7 ,secret>y ,!  
t]m ,secret>y means ! ,secret>y (       
,agriculture4  7#i7 ,socially           
disadvantag$ f>m] or ran*]2 socially    
disadvantag$ gr\p ,! t]ms socially      
disadvantag$ f>m] or ran*] & socially   

disadvantag$ gr\p h ! mean+ giv5 ^? t]ms
 9 section #cee7;e7 ( ! ,consolidat$    
,f>m & ,rural ,developm5t ,act 7#g      
,u4,s4,c4 #bjjc7;e774  7#aj7 ,te*nical  
assi/ance ,! t]m te*nical assi/ance     
means te*nical exp]tise1 in=mation1 &   
tools necess>y to assi/ a f>m]1 ran*]1  
or private =e/ l&[n] :o is engag$ 9 or  
wants to engage 9 a project to prev5t1  
r$uce1 or mitigate gre5h\se gas         
emissions or seque/] c>bon to meet a    
protocol4  7#aa7 ,volunt>y environm5tal 
cr$it m>ket ,! t]m volunt>y environm5tal
 cr$it m>ket means a volunt>y m>ket     
?r\gh :i* agriculture or =e/ry cr$its   
may be b\ght or sold4  7c7 ,e/abli%m5t  
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,on ! date t is #bgj days 
aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 &    
aft] mak+ a positive det]m9ation "u     
p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,secret>y %all e/abli% 
a volunt>y program1 to be kn[n z !      
,gre5h\se ,gas ,te*nical ,assi/ance     
,provid] & ,?ird-,p>ty ,v]ifi]          
,c]tification ,program1 to c]tify cov]$ 
entities t ! ,secret>y det]m9es meet !  

requirem5ts describ$ 9 subsection 7d74  
7#b7 ,det]m9ation ,! ,secret>y %all     
e/abli% ! ,program only if1 aft]        
consid]+ relevant in=mation1 includ+ !  
in=mation collect$ or review$ relat+ to 
! assessm5t conduct$ "u subsection      
7h77#a77;,a71 ! ,secret>y det]m9es t !  
,program w fur!r ea* ( ! purposes       
describ$ 9 p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 (      
subsection 7a74  7#c7 ,report ,if !     
,secret>y det]m9es "u p>agraph 7#b7 t ! 
,program w\ld n fur!r ! purposes        
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 (      
subsection 7a7 & does n e/abli% !       
,program1 ! ,secret>y %all publi% a     
report describ+ ! reasons ! ,program    
w\ld n fur!r ^? purposes4  7d7          
,c]tification qualifications  7#a7 ,9   
g5]al  7,a7 ,protocols & qualifications 
,aft] provid+ public notice & at lea/ a 
#fj-;day p]iod = public comm5t1 !       
,secret>y %all1 dur+ ! #ij-;day p]iod   
beg9n+ on ! date on :i* ! ,program is   
e/abli%$1 publi%-- 7i7 a li/ (1 &       
docum5ts relat+ to1 recogniz$ protocols 

= volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets t  
are design$ to ensure consi/5cy1        
reliability1 effectiv5ess1 effici5cy1 & 
transp>5cy1 includ+ protocol docum5ts & 
details relat+ to-- 7,i7 calculations2  
7,,ii7 sampl+ me?odologies2  7,,iii7    
acc\nt+ pr9ciples2  7,,iv7 sy/ems =     
v]ification1 monitor+1 measurem5t1 &    
report+2 &  7,v7 me?ods to acc\nt =     
additionality1 p]man5ce1 leakage1 &1 :]e
 appropriate1 avoidance ( d\ble c\nt+2 &
  7ii7 descriptions ( qualifications =  
cov]$ entities t-- 7,i7 demon/rate t !  
cov]$ entity c assi/ f>m]s1 ran*]s1 &   
private =e/ l&[n]s 9 accompli%+ !       
purposes describ$ 9 p>agraphs 7#a7 &    
7#b7 ( subsection 7a72 &  7,,ii7        
demon/rate pr(ici5cy ) ! protocols      
describ$ 9 clause 7i74  7,b7            
,requirem5ts ,cov]$ entities c]tifi$ "u 
! ,program %all ma9ta9 exp]tise 9 !     
protocols describ$ 9 subp>agraph        
7,a77i71 adh]e to ! qualifications      
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a77ii71 & adh]e
 to any relevant conflict ( int]e/      

requirem5ts1 z det]m9$ appropriate by ! 
,secret>y1 =-- 7i7 ! provision (        
te*nical assi/ance to f>m]s1 ran*]s1 &  
private =e/ l&[n]s = c>ry+ out          
activities describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b72 or 
7ii7 ! v]ification ( ! processes        
describ$ 9 protocols = volunt>y         
environm5tal cr$it m>kets t are us$ 9   
c>ry+ out activities describ$ 9 p>agraph
 7#b74  7#b7 ,activities ,! activities =
 :i* cov]$ entities may provide te*nical
 assi/ance or conduct v]ification (     
processes "u ! ,program are curr5t &    
future activities t prev5t1 r$uce1 or   
mitigate gre5h\se gas emissions or      
seque/] c>bon1 :i* may include-- 7,a7 l&
 or soil c>bon seque/ration2  7,b7      
emissions r$uctions d]iv$ f fuel *oice  
or r$uc$ fuel use2  7,c7 live/ock       
emissions r$uctions1 includ+ emissions  
r$uctions a*iev$ ?r\gh-- 7i7 fe$s1 fe$  
additives1 & ! use ( byproducts z fe$   
s\rces2 or  7ii7 manure managem5t       
practices2  7,d7 on-f>m en]gy g5]ation2 
7,e7 en]gy fe$/ock production2  7,f7    

f]tiliz] or nutri5t use emissions       
r$uctions2  7,g7 re=e/ation2  7,h7 =e/  
managem5t1 includ+ improv+ h>ve/+       
practices & ?9n+ diseas$ trees2  7,i7   
prev5tion ( ! conv]sion ( =e/s1         
grassl&s1 & wetl&s2  7,j7 re/oration (  
wetl&s or grassl&s2  7,k7 grassl&       
managem5t1 includ+ prescrib$ graz+2     
7,l7 curr5t practices associat$ )       
private l& cons]vation programs adm9i/]$
 by ! ,secret>y2 &  7,m7 su* o!r        
activities1 or comb9ations ( activities1
 t ! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) !      
,advisory ,c\ncil1 det]m9es to be       
appropriate4  7#c7 ,requirem5ts ,9      
publi%+ ! li/ ( protocols & description 
( qualifications "u p>agraph 7#a77;,a71 
! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) !         
,advisory ,c\ncil1 %all-- 7,a7 ensure t 
! requirem5ts = cov]$ entities to c]tify
 "u ! ,program include ma9ta9+ exp]tise 
9 all relevant in=mation relat+ to      
m>ket-bas$ protocols1 z appropriate1 )  
reg>d to-- 7i7 quantification2  7ii7    
v]ification2  7iii7 additionality2  7iv7

 p]man5ce2  7v7 report+2 &  7vi7 o!r    
exp]tise1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 &   
7,b7 ensure t a cov]$ entity c]tifi$ "u 
! ,program is requir$ to p]=m1 & to     
demon/rate exp]tise1 z det]m9$ by !     
,secret>y1 9 accordance ) be/ managem5t 
practices = agricultural & =e/ry        
activities t prev5t1 r$uce1 or mitigate 
gre5h\se gas emissions or seque/] c>bon4
  7#d7 ,p]iodic review ,z appropriate1 !
 ,secret>y %all p]iodically review &    
revise ! li/ ( protocols & description (
 c]tification qualifications publi%$ "u 
p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 to include any       
additional protocols or qualifications t
 meet ! requirem5ts describ$ 9          
subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,b7 ( p>agraph     
7#c74  7e7 ,c]tification1 website1 &    
publication ( li/s  7#a7 ,c]tification  
,a cov]$ entity may self-c]tify "u !    
,program by submitt+ to ! ,secret>y1    
?r\gh a website ma9ta9$ by ! ,secret>y--
 7,a7 a notification t ! cov]$ entity   
w-- 7i7 ma9ta9 exp]tise 9 ! protocols   
describ$ 9 clause 7i7 ( subsection      

7d77#a77;,a72 &  7ii7 adh]e to !        
qualifications describ$ 9 clause 7ii7 ( 
t subsection2 &  7,b7 appropriate       
docum5tation demon/rat+ ! exp]tise      
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a77i7 &        
qualifications describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,a77ii74  7#b7 ,website & solicitation 
,dur+ ! #ahj-;day p]iod beg9n+ on ! date
 on :i* ! ,program is e/abli%$1 !       
,secret>y %all publi%1 ?r\gh an exi/+   
website ma9ta9$ by ! ,secret>y-- 7,a7   
in=mation describ+ h[ cov]$ entities may
 self-c]tify "u ! ,program 9 accordance 
) p>agraph 7#a72  7,b7 in=mation        
describ+ h[ cov]$ entities may obta91   
?r\gh private tra9+ programs or         
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture tra9+ programs1
 ! requisite exp]tise-- 7i7 9 !         
protocols describ$ 9 clause 7i7 (       
subsection 7d77#a77;,a72 &  7ii7 to meet
 ! qualifications describ$ 9 clause 7ii7
 ( t subsection2  7,c7 ! protocols &    
qualifications publi%$ by ! ,secret>y "u
 subsection 7d77#a77;,a72 &  7,d7       
in/ructions & sugge/ions to assi/ f>m]s1

 ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s 9         
facilitat+ ! developm5t ( agriculture or
 =e/ry cr$its & access+ volunt>y        
environm5tal cr$it m>kets1 includ+-- 7i7
 ?r\gh work+ ) cov]$ entities c]tifi$ "u
 ! ,program2 &  7ii7 by provid+         
in=mation relat+ to programs1 regi/ries1
 & protocols ( programs & regi/ries t   
provide m>ket-bas$ p>ticipation         
opportunities = work+ & cons]vation     
agricultural & =e/ry l&s4  7#c7         
,publication ,dur+ ! #a-ye> p]iod beg9n+
 on ! date on :i* ! ,program is         
e/abli%$1 ! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) 
! ,advisory ,c\ncil & foll[+ ! review by
 ! ,secret>y = complet5ess & accuracy ( 
! c]tification notifications &          
docum5tation submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 
%all use an exi/+ website ma9ta9$ by !  
,secret>y to publi%-- 7,a7 a li/ ( cov]$
 entities t are c]tifi$ "u p>agraph 7#a7
 z te*nical assi/ance provid]s2 &  7,b7 
a li/ ( cov]$ entities t are c]tifi$ "u 
p>agraph 7#a7 z v]ifi]s ( ! processes   
describ$ 9 protocols = volunt>y         

environm5tal cr$it m>kets4  7#d7        
,updates ,n less frequ5tly ?an qu>t]ly1 
! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) !         
,advisory ,c\ncil1 %all update ! li/s   
publi%$ "u p>agraph 7#c74  7#e7         
,submission ,! ,secret>y %all notify    
,congress ( ! publication ( ! initial   
li/ "u p>agraph 7#c74  7#f7 ,requirem5t 
,to rema9 c]tifi$ "u ! ,program1 a cov]$
 entity %all cont9ue-- 7,a7 to ma9ta9   
exp]tise 9 ! protocols describ$ 9       
subp>agraph 7,a77i7 ( subsection        
7d77#a72 &  7,b7 to adh]e to !          
qualifications describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,a77ii7 ( t subsection4  7#g7 ,audit+  
,n less frequ5tly ?an annually1 !       
,secret>y %all conduct audits ( cov]$   
entities t are c]tifi$ "u ! ,program to 
ensure compliance ) ! requirem5ts "u    
subsection 7d77#a77;,b7 ?r\gh an audit  
process t includes a repres5tative      
sample (-- 7,a7 te*nical assi/ance      
provid]s2 &  7,b7 v]ifi]s ( ! processes 
describ$ 9 protocols = volunt>y         
environm5tal cr$it m>kets4  7#h7        

,revocation ( c]tification  7,a7 ,9     
g5]al ,! ,secret>y may revoke !         
c]tification ( a cov]$ entity "u !      
,program 9 ! ev5t (-- 7i7 noncompliance 
) ! requirem5ts "u subsection           
7d77#a77;,b72 or  7ii7 a violation (    
subsection 7f77#b77;,a74  7,b7          
,notification ,if ! ,secret>y revokes a 
c]tification ( a cov]$ entity "u        
subp>agraph 7,a71 to ! ext5t            
practicable1 ! ,secret>y %all-- 7i7     
reque/ f t cov]$ entity contact         
in=mation = all f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private
 =e/ l&[n]s to :i* ! cov]$ entity       
provid$ te*nical assi/ance or !         
v]ification ( ! processes describ$ 9    
protocols = volunt>y environm5tal cr$it 
m>kets2 &  7ii7 notify ^? f>m]s1 ran*]s1
 & private =e/ l&[n]s ( ! revocation4   
7#i7 ,fair treatm5t ( f>m]s ,! ,secret>y
 %all ensure1 to ! maximum ext5t        
practicable1 t cov]$ entities c]tifi$ "u
 p>agraph 7#a7 act 9 good fai?-- 7,a7 to
 provide reali/ic e/imates ( co/s &     
rev5ues relat+ to activities &          

v]ification ( processes1 z applicable to
 ! cov]$ entity1 z describ$ 9 subsection
 7d77#b72 &  7,b7 9 ! case ( te*nical   
assi/ance provid]s1 to assi/ f>m]s1     
ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s 9 ensur+ t 
! f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s   
receive fair di/ribution ( rev5ues d]iv$
 f ! sale ( an agriculture or =e/ry     
cr$it4  7#aj7 ,sav+s clause ,no?+ 9 ?is 
section au?orizes ! ,secret>y to compel 
a f>m]1 ran*]1 or private =e/ l&[n] to  
p>ticipate 9 a transaction or project   
facilitat$ by a cov]$ entity c]tifi$ "u 
p>agraph 7#a74  7f7 ,en=cem5t  7#a7     
,prohibition on claims  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,a
 p]son t is n c]tifi$ "u ! ,program 9   
accordance ) ?is section %all n kn[+ly  
make a claim t ! p]son is a             
,,usda-c]tifi$ te*nical assi/ance       
provid] or ?ird-p>ty v]ifi] = volunt>y  
environm5tal cr$it m>kets or any        
sub/antially simil> claim4  7,b7 ,p5alty
 ,any p]son t violates subp>agraph 7,a7 
%all be-- 7i7 subject to a civil p5alty 
equal to su* am\nt z ! ,secret>y        

det]m9es to be appropriate1 n to exce$  
#a1jjj p] violation2 &  7ii7 ineligible 
to c]tify "u ! ,program = ! #e-ye> p]iod
 beg9n+ on ! date ( ! violation4  7#b7  
,submission ( fraudul5t in=mation  7,a7 
,9 g5]al ,a p]son1 reg>dless ( :e!r !   
p]son is c]tifi$ "u ! program1 %all n   
submit fraudul5t in=mation z "p ( a     
notification "u subsection 7e77#a74     
7,b7 ,p5alty ,any p]son t violates      
subp>agraph 7,a7 %all be-- 7i7 subject  
to a civil p5alty equal to su* am\nt z !
 ,secret>y det]m9es to be appropriate1 n
 to exce$ #a1jjj p] violation2 &  7ii7  
ineligible to c]tify "u ! ,program = !  
#e-ye> p]iod beg9n+ on ! date ( !       
violation4  7g7 ,gre5h\se ,gas ,te*nical
 ,assi/ance ,provid] & ,?ird-,p>ty      
,v]ifi] ,c]tification ,program ,advisory
 ,c\ncil  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,dur+ ! #ij-;day
 p]iod beg9n+ on ! date on :i* !        
,program is e/abli%$1 ! ,secret>y %all  
e/abli% an advisory c\ncil1 to be kn[n z
 ! ,gre5h\se ,gas ,te*nical ,assi/ance  
,provid] & ,?ird-,p>ty ,v]ifi]          

,c]tification ,program ,advisory        
,c\ncil4  7#b7 ,memb]%ip  7,a7 ,9 g5]al 
,! ,advisory ,c\ncil %all be compos$ (  
memb]s appo9t$ by ! ,secret>y 9         
accordance ) ?is p>agraph4  7,b7 ,g5]al 
repres5tation ,! ,advisory ,c\ncil      
%all-- 7i7 be broadly repres5tative ( ! 
agriculture & private =e/ sectors2  7ii7
 include socially disadvantag$ f>m]s &  
ran*]s & o!r hi/orically und]s]v$ f>m]s1
 ran*]s1 or private =e/ l&[n]s2 &  7iii7
 be compos$ ( n less ?an #ea p]c5t      
f>m]s1 ran*]s1 or private =e/ l&[n]s4   
7,c7 ,memb]s ,memb]s appo9t$ "u         
subp>agraph 7,a7 %all include-- 7i7 n m 
?an #b repres5tatives ( ! ,dep>tm5t (   
,agriculture1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 
7ii7 n m ?an #a repres5tative ( !       
,environm5tal ,protection ,ag5cy1 z     
det]m9$ by ! ,adm9i/rator ( !           
,environm5tal ,protection ,ag5cy2  7iii7
 n m ?an #a repres5tative ( ! ,national 
,in/itute ( ,/&>ds & ,te*nology2  7iv7 n
 few] ?an #ab repres5tatives ( !        
agriculture indu/ry1 appo9t$ 9 a mann] t

 is broadly repres5tative ( !           
agriculture sector1 includ+ n few] ?an  
#f active f>m]s & ran*]s2  7v7 n few]   
?an #d repres5tatives ( private =e/     
l&[n]s or ! =e/ry & =e/ products indu/ry
 appo9t$ 9 a mann] t is broadly         
repres5tative ( ! private =e/ sector2   
7vi7 n m ?an #d repres5tatives ( !      
relevant sci5tific rese>* community1    
includ+ n few] ?an #b repres5tatives f  
l&-grant colleges & univ]sities 7z def9$
 9 section #adjd ( ! ,national          
,agricultural ,rese>*1 ,ext5sion1 &     
,tea*+ ,policy ,act ( #aigg 7#g         
,u4,s4,c4 #cajc771 ( :i* #a %all be a   
repres5tative ( a college or univ]sity  
eligible to receive funds "u ! ,act (   
,augu/ #cj1 #ahij 7commonly kn[n z !    
,second ,morrill ,act7 7#bf ,/at4 #dag1 
*apt] #hda2 #g ,u4,s4,c4 #cba et seq471 
includ+ ,tuskegee ,univ]sity2  7vii7 n m
 ?an #b exp]ts or pr(essionals famili> )
 volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets & ! 
v]ification requirem5ts 9 ^? m>kets2    
7viii7 n m ?an #c memb]s ( nongov]nm5tal

 or civil society organizations )       
relevant exp]tise1 ( :i* n few] ?an #a  
%all repres5t ! int]e/s ( socially      
disadvantag$ gr\ps2  7ix7 n m ?an #c    
memb]s ( private sector entities or     
organizations t p>ticipate 9 volunt>y   
environm5tal cr$it m>kets ?r\gh :i*     
agriculture or =e/ry cr$its are b\ght & 
sold2 &  7x7 any o!r individual :om !   
,secret>y det]m9es to be necess>y to    
ensure t ! ,advisory ,c\ncil is compos$ 
( a div]se gr\p ( repres5tatives (      
indu/ry1 academia1 indep5d5t rese>*]s1 &
 public & private entities4  7,d7 ,*air 
,! ,secret>y %all designate a memb] ( ! 
,advisory ,c\ncil to s]ve z ! ,*air4    
7,e7 ,t]ms  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,! t]m ( a     
memb] ( ! ,advisory ,c\ncil %all be #b  
ye>s1 except t1 ( ! memb]s fir/         
appo9t$-- 7,i7 n few] ?an #h memb]s %all
 s]ve = a t]m ( #a ye>2  7,,ii7 n few]  
?an #ab memb]s %all s]ve = a t]m ( #b   
ye>s2 &  7,,iii7 n few] ?an #ab memb]s  
%all s]ve = a t]m ( #c ye>s4  7ii7      
,additional t]ms ,aft] ! initial t]m ( a

 memb] ( ! ,advisory ,c\ncil1 includ+ ! 
memb]s fir/ appo9t$1 ! memb] may s]ve n 
m ?an #d additional #b-ye> t]ms4  7#c7  
,meet+s  7,a7 ,frequ5cy ,! ,advisory    
,c\ncil %all meet n less frequ5tly ?an  
annually1 at ! call ( ! ,*air4  7,b7    
,initial meet+ ,dur+ ! #ij-;day p]iod   
beg9n+ on ! date on :i* ! memb]s are    
appo9t$ "u p>agraph 7#b77;,a71 !        
,advisory ,c\ncil %all hold an initial  
meet+4  7#d7 ,duties ,! ,advisory       
,c\ncil %all-- 7,a7 p]iodically review &
 recomm5d any appropriate *anges to--   
7i7 ! li/ ( protocols & description (   
qualifications publi%$ by ! ,secret>y "u
 subsection 7d77#a77;,a72 &  7ii7 !     
requirem5ts describ$ 9 subsection       
7d77#a77;,b72  7,b7 make recomm5dations 
to ! ,secret>y reg>d+ ! be/ practices t 
%\ld be includ$ 9 ! protocols1          
description ( qualifications1 &         
requirem5ts describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a72
 &  7,c7 advise ! ,secret>y reg>d+-- 7i7
 ! curr5t me?ods us$ by volunt>y        
environm5tal cr$it m>kets to quantify & 

v]ify ! prev5tion1 r$uction1 &          
mitigation ( gre5h\se gas emissions or  
seque/ration ( c>bon2  7ii7 additional  
consid]ations = c]tify+ cov]$ entities  
"u ! ,program2  7iii7 means to r$uce    
b>ri]s to entry 9 ! bus9ess ( provid+   
te*nical assi/ance or ! v]ification ( ! 
processes describ$ 9 protocols =        
volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets =    
cov]$ entities1 includ+ by improv+      
te*nical assi/ance provid$ by !         
,secret>y2  7iv7 means to r$uce         
compliance & v]ification co/s = f>m]s1  
ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s 9 ent]+    
volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets1     
includ+ ?r\gh me*anisms & processes to  
aggregate ! value ( activities across l&
 own]%ip2  7v7 issues relat+ to l& &    
asset own]%ip 9 light ( evolv+ volunt>y 
environm5tal cr$it m>kets2 &  7vi7      
additional means to r$uce b>ri]s to     
entry 9 volunt>y environm5tal cr$it     
m>kets = f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private =e/   
l&[n]s1 p>ticul>ly = hi/orically        
und]s]v$1 socially disadvantag$1 or     

limit$ res\rce f>m]s1 ran*]s1 or private
 =e/ l&[n]s4  7#e7 ,comp5sation ,!      
memb]s ( ! ,advisory ,c\ncil %all s]ve  
)\t comp5sation4  7#f7 ,conflict (      
int]e/ ,! ,secret>y %all prohibit any   
memb] ( ! ,advisory ,c\ncil f-- 7,a7    
engag+ 9 any det]m9ations or activities 
( ! ,advisory ,c\ncil t may result 9 !  
favor+ (1 or a direct & pr$ictable      
effect on-- 7i7 ! memb] or a family     
memb]1 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2  7ii7  
/ock own$ by ! memb] or a family memb]1 
z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 or  7iii7 !   
employ] (1 or a bus9ess own$ 9 :ole or 9
 "p by1 ! memb] or a family memb]1 z    
det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y2 or  7,b7 provid+
 advice or recomm5dations reg>d+1 or    
o!rwise p>ticipat+ 91 matt]s ( !        
,advisory ,c\ncil t-- 7i7 con/itute a   
conflict ( int]e/ "u section #bjh (     
title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 or  7ii7
 may call into "q ! integrity ( !       
,advisory ,c\ncil1 ! ,program1 or !     
te*nical assi/ance or v]ification       
activities describ$ "u subsection       

7d77#b74  7#g7 ,,faca applicability ,!  
,advisory ,c\ncil %all be subject to !  
,f$]al ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e    
,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 except t section      
#ad7;a77#b7 ( t ,act %all n apply4  7h7 
,assessm5t  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an   
#bdj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is  
,act1 ! ,secret>y1 9 consultation ) !   
,adm9i/rator ( ! ,environm5tal          
,protection ,ag5cy1 %all-- 7,a7 conduct 
an assessm5t1 includ+ by incorporat+    
in=mation f exi/+ publications & reports
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture & o!r     
entities ) relevant exp]tise1 reg>d+--  
7i7 ! numb] & categories ( non-,f$]al   
actors 9 ! nonpr(it & =-pr(it sectors   
involv$ 9 buy+1 sell+1 & trad+          
agriculture or =e/ry cr$its 9 volunt>y  
environm5tal cr$it m>kets2  7ii7 !      
e/imat$ ov]all dome/ic m>ket dem& =     
agriculture or =e/ry cr$its at ! end ( !
 prec$+ #d-;cal5d> ye> p]iod1 &         
hi/orically1 9 volunt>y environm5tal    
cr$it m>kets2  7iii7 ! total numb] (    
agriculture or =e/ry cr$its 7measur$ 9  

metric tons ( c>bon dioxide equival5t7 t
 7 e/imat$ to be 9 developm5t1 g5]at$1  
or sold 9 m>ket transactions dur+ !     
prec$+ #d-;cal5d> ye> p]iod1 &          
hi/orically1 9 volunt>y environm5tal    
cr$it m>kets2  7iv7 ! e/imat$ supply &  
dem& ( metric tons ( c>bon dioxide      
equival5t ( (fsets 9 ! global m>ketplace
 = ! next #d ye>s2  7v7 ! b>ri]s to     
entry due to compliance & v]ification   
co/s describ$ 9 subsection              
7g77#d77;,c77iv72  7vi7 ! /ate (        
monitor+ & measurem5t te*nologies ne$$  
to quantify long-t]m c>bon seque/ration 
9 soils & f o!r activities to prev5t1   
r$uce1 or mitigate gre5h\se gas         
emissions 9 ! agriculture & =e/ry       
sectors2  7vii7 means to r$uce b>ri]s to
 entry into volunt>y environm5tal cr$it 
m>kets = small1 beg9n+1 & socially      
disadvantag$ f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private   
=e/ l&[n]s & ! ext5t to :i* exi/+       
protocols 9 volunt>y environm5tal cr$it 
m>kets all[ = aggregation ( projects    
among f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private =e/      

l&[n]s2  7viii7 means to lev]age exi/+  
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture programs & o!r 
,f$]al programs t c\ld improve1 l[] !   
co/s (1 & enhance ! deploym5t ( monitor+
 & measurem5t te*nologies describ$ 9    
clause 7vi72  7ix7 ! pot5tial impact (  
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture activities on  
supply & dem& ( agriculture or =e/ry    
cr$its2  7x7 ! pot5tial role ( !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture 9 enc\rag+     
innovation 9 volunt>y environm5tal cr$it
 m>kets2  7xi7 ! ext5t to :i* ! exi/+   
regimes = g5]at+ & sell+ agriculture or 
=e/ry cr$its1 z ! regimes exi/ at ! end 
( ! prec$+ #d-;cal5d> ye> p]iod1 &      
hi/orically1 & exi/+ volunt>y           
environm5tal cr$it m>kets1 may be imp$$ 
or con/rict$1 or a*ieve great] scale &  
rea*1 if ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture 7   
involv$1 includ+ by consid]+ ! role ( ! 
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture 9 r$uc+ !      
b>ri]s to entry id5tifi$ "u clause 7v71 
includ+ by educat+ /akehold]s ab\t      
volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets2     
7xii7 ! ext5t to :i* exi/+ protocols 9  

volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets1     
includ+ v]ification1 additionality1     
p]man5ce1 & report+1 adequately take    
into consid]ation & acc\nt = factors    
enc\nt]$ by ! agriculture & private =e/ 
sectors 9 prev5t+1 r$uc+1 or mitigat+   
gre5h\se gases or seque/]+ c>bon ?r\gh  
agriculture & =e/ry practices1 consid]+ 
v>iances across regions1 topography1    
soil types1 crop or species v>ieties1 & 
bus9ess models2  7xiii7 ! ext5t to :i*  
exi/+ protocols 9 volunt>y environm5tal 
cr$it m>kets consid] options to ensure !
 cont9u$ valuation1 ?r\gh disc\nt+ or   
o!r means1 ( agriculture & =e/ry cr$its 
9 ! case ( ! practices und]ly+ ^? cr$its
 be+ disrupt$ due to unavoidable ev5ts1 
includ+ production *all5ges & natural   
disa/]s2 &  7xiv7 opportunities = o!r   
volunt>y m>kets outside ( volunt>y      
environm5tal cr$it m>kets to fo/] !     
trad+1 buy+1 or sell+ ( cr$its t are    
d]iv$ f activities t provide o!r        
ecosy/em s]vice b5efits1 includ+        
activities t improve wat] quality1 wat] 

quantity1 wildlife habitat enhancem5t1 &
 o!r ecosy/em s]vices1 z ! ,secret>y    
det]m9es appropriate2  7,b7 publi% !    
assessm5t2 &  7,c7 submit ! assessm5t to
 ! ,committee on ,agriculture1          
,nutrition1 & ,=e/ry ( ! ,s5ate & !     
,committee on ,agriculture ( ! ,h\se (  
,repres5tatives4  7#b7 ,quadri5nial     
assessm5t ,! ,secret>y1 9 consultation )
 ! ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,environm5tal       
,protection ,ag5cy & ! ,advisory        
,c\ncil1 %all conduct ! assessm5t       
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 & publi% &
 submit ! assessm5t 9 accordance )      
subp>agraphs 7,b7 & 7,c7 ( p>agraph 7#a7
 e #d ye>s aft] ! publication &         
submission ( ! fir/ assessm5t "u        
subp>agraphs 7,b7 & 7,c7 ( p>agraph     
7#a74  7i7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #b ye>s  
aft] ! date on :i* ! ,program is        
e/abli%$1 & e #b ye>s !reaft]1 !        
,secret>y %all publi% & submit to !     
,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 
& ,=e/ry ( ! ,s5ate & ! ,committee on   
,agriculture ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives

 a report describ+1 = ! p]iod cov]$ by !
 report-- 7#a7 ! numb] ( cov]$ entities 
t-- 7,a7 7 regi/]$ "u ! ,program2  7,b7 
7 new regi/rants "u ! ,program1 if      
applicable2 &  7,c7 did n r5ew _!       
regi/ration "u ! ,program1 if           
applicable2  7#b7 ea* cov]$ entity !    
c]tification ( :i* 0 revok$ by !        
,secret>y "u subsection 7e77#h72  7#c7 a
 review ( ! outcomes ( ! ,program1      
includ+-- 7,a7 ! ability ( f>m]s1       
ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s1 includ+   
small1 beg9n+1 & socially disadvantag$  
f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private =e/ l&[n]s1 to 
develop agriculture or =e/ry cr$its     
?r\gh cov]$ entities c]tifi$ "u !       
,program2  7,b7 me?ods to improve !     
ability ( f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private =e/  
l&[n]s to ov]come b>ri]s to entry to    
volunt>y environm5tal cr$it m>kets2 &   
7,c7 me?ods to fur!r facilitate         
p>ticipation ( f>m]s1 ran*]s1 & private 
=e/ l&[n]s 9 volunt>y environm5tal cr$it
 m>kets2 &  7#d7 any recomm5dations =   
improvem5ts to ! ,program4  7j7         

,confid5tiality  7#a7 ,prohibition  7,a7
 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 p>agraph  
7#b71 ! ,secret>y1 any o!r (fic] or     
employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture or
 any ag5cy ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture1
 or any o!r p]son may n disclose to !   
public ! in=mation held by ! ,secret>y  
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b74  7,b7      
,in=mation  7i7 ,9 g5]al ,except z      
provid$ 9 clause 7ii71 ! in=mation      
prohibit$ f disclosure "u subp>agraph   
7,a7 is-- 7,i7 in=mation collect$ by !  
,secret>y or publi%$ by ! ,secret>y "u  
subsection 7h7 or 7i72  7,,ii7 p]sonally
 id5tifiable in=mation1 includ+ 9 a     
contract or s]vice agreem5t1 ( a f>m]1  
ran*]1 or private =e/ l&[n]1 obta9$ by !
 ,secret>y "u p>agraph 7#g7 or          
7#h77;,b77i7 ( subsection 7e72 &        
7,,iii7 confid5tial bus9ess in=mation 9 
a contract or s]vice agreem5t ( a f>m]1 
ran*]1 or private =e/ l&[n] obta9$ by ! 
,secret>y "u p>agraph 7#g7 or           
7#h77;,b77i7 ( subsection 7e74  7ii7    
,aggregat$ release ,in=mation describ$ 9

 clause 7i7 may be releas$ to ! public  
if ! in=mation has be5 trans=m$ into a  
/ati/ical or aggregate =m t does n all[ 
! id5tification ( ! p]son :o suppli$ or 
is ! subject ( ! p>ticul> in=mation4    
7#b7 ,exception ,p>agraph 7#a7 %all n   
prohibit ! disclosure-- 7,a7 ( ! "n (   
any cov]$ entity publi%$ & submitt$ by !
 ,secret>y "u subsection 7i77#b72 or    
7,b7 by an (fic] or employee ( ! ,f$]al 
,gov]nm5t ( in=mation describ$ 9        
p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 z o!rwise direct$ by 
! ,secret>y or ! ,attorney ,g5]al =     
en=cem5t purposes4  7k7 ,fund+  7#a7    
,au?orization ( appropriations ,9       
addition to ! am\nt made available "u   
p>agraph 7#b71 !re is au?oriz$ to be    
appropriat$ to c>ry out ?is section     
#a1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbb    
?r\gh #bjbf4  7#b7 ,direct fund+  7,a7  
,rescission ,!re is resc9d$ #d1ajj1jjj (
 ! unobligat$ balance ( am\nts made     
available by section #ajjc ( ! ,am]ican 
,rescue ,plan ,act ( #bjba 7,public ,law
 #aag-b74  7,b7 ,direct fund+ ,if       

suffici5t unobligat$ am\nts made        
available by section #ajjc ( ! ,am]ican 
,rescue ,plan ,act ( #bjba 7,public ,law
 #aag-b7 are available on ! date (      
enactm5t ( ?is ,act to execute ! entire 
rescission describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 
!n on ! day aft] ! execution ( ! entire 
rescission1 !re is appropriat$ to !     
,secret>y1 out ( am\nts 9 ! ,treasury n 
o!rwise appropriat$1 #d1ajj1jjj to c>ry 
out ?is section4