,i #aahth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ciee ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #i1 #bjbc,ms4 ,budzinski 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,nunn of ,iowa1 ,mr4 ,courtney1 and ,ms4 ,spanberger7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,increasing ,land1 ,capital1 and ,market ,access ,program within the ,farm ,service ,agency ,office of ,outreach and ,education4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,increasing ,land ,access1 ,security1 and ,opportunities ,act4 #b4 ,increasing ,land1 ,capital1 and ,market ,access ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered project ,the term covered project means a project described in subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,eligible entity 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible entity means-- 7i7 a ,state1 local1 or territorial government2 7ii7 ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations1 as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd72 7iii7 a ,native community development financial institution certified by the ,secretary of the ,treasury2 7iv7 a community development financial institution 7as defined in section #ajc of the ,community ,development ,banking and ,financial ,institutions ,act of #aiid 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #dgjb77 certified by the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 acting through the ,community ,development ,financial ,institutions ,fund2 7v7 an organization described in paragraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 of section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code2 7vi7 a foundation2 7vii7 a cooperative entity2 7viii7 an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja772 and 7ix7 any other appropriate partner1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term eligible entity does not include a corporation foreign-based or foreign-owned4 7#c7 ,eligible land 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible land means-- 7i7 agricultural land2 7ii7 private land2 7iii7 urban land2 7iv7 public land1 including ,federal1 ,state1 and municipally owned or managed land2 7v7 lands held in common that are controlled and managed by groups of individuals2 7vi7 lands held in trust2 7vii7 multiple parcels of land described in any of clauses 7i7 through 7v7 that are noncontiguous2 and 7viii7 public or private shoreline or intertidal zone areas1 which may be wholly or partially underwater4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term eligible land does not include parcels of land described in subparagraph 7,a7 that are fully forested4 7#d7 ,intended beneficiaries ,the term intended beneficiaries means-- 7,a7 historically underserved farmers1 ranchers1 and forest owners2 and 7,b7 farmers1 ranchers1 and forest owners operating in high-poverty areas4 7#e7 ,program ,the term program means the ,increasing ,land1 ,capital1 and ,market ,access ,program established under subsection 7b74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a competitive program to be known as the ,increasing ,land1 ,capital1 and ,market ,access ,program within the ,farm ,service ,agency to make grants1 enter into cooperative agreements1 or provide other capital support to eligible entities to carry out covered projects in accordance with subsection 7e74 7c7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the program is-- 7#a7 to strengthen land1 capital1 and market access for the intended beneficiaries1 with the majority of funds directly reaching the intended beneficiaries2 and 7#b7 support projects designed to-- 7,a7 increase land access2 7,b7 prevent land loss2 7,c7 establish innovative ways to connect available land to intended beneficiaries2 7,d7 transition farmland from existing landowners to the next generation2 7,e7 restore lands into the hands of those who have been underserved2 7,f7 support farm establishment and long-term viability2 and 7,g7 provide appropriate technical assistance related to land1 capital1 or market access4 7d7 ,selection 7#a7 ,application requirements ,to be eligible to receive a grant or other capital support or enter into a cooperative agreement under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including-- 7,a7 information demonstrating that the covered project the eligible entity seeks to carry out is designed to-- 7i7 serve the intended beneficiaries2 7ii7 meet the program purpose2 7,b7 a description of how project activities will support overall farm viability2 7,c7 a description of how project activities will support farmer behavioral and mental health2 7,d7 a plan for notification and consultation with local ,tribal governments for future sale of land1 if applicable2 7,e7 an analysis of anticipated benefits to the community and the agricultural economy within the project area2 and 7,f7 a plan for evaluation1 data management1 communication1 and reporting of project findings and results4 7#b7 ,evaluation of applications 7,a7 ,evaluation process ,the ,secretary shall develop a process for evaluating proposals and distributing funds in collaboration with a stakeholder committee1 which the ,secretary shall establish and convene not later than #f months after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7,b7 ,consideration ,in developing the process under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall consider perspectives from diverse stakeholders1 diverse geographic distribution1 and diverse farming models1 practices1 and purposes4 7#c7 ,priority ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to covered projects that-- 7,a7 provide direct financial assistance to intended beneficiaries2 7,b7 involve a substantial and effective collaborative network or partnership of public or private entities2 7,c7 increase access to municipal1 ,state1 and federally owned or managed land2 7,d7 include a right of first refusal for ,tribal citizens or governments when land becomes available on or near ,tribal communities2 7,e7 involve mechanisms1 such as a deed restriction or conservation easement1 that restrict the resale value of eligible land to protect the land for agricultural use2 7,f7 support the transition of agricultural land from existing producers to the next generation2 7,g7 include assistance to non-,english speaking intended beneficiaries in their own language2 7,h7 include activities under subsection 7e7 designed to support farmworkers2 and 7,i7 support best-practices1 as determined by the ,secretary1 for long-term adoption of consistent1 science-based1 site-specific practices designed to achieve conservation objectives4 7e7 ,covered projects 7#a7 ,required use of funds ,an eligible entity that carries out a covered project shall provide direct assistance to intended beneficiaries in order to facilitate access to land1 capital1 and markets1 which may include payments to-- 7,a7 acquire real property 7including air rights1 water rights1 and other interests therein71 including closing costs2 7,b7 subsidize interest rates and mortgage principal amounts for intended beneficiaries2 7,c7 provide down payment assistance to decrease farm mortgages2 7,d7 secure clear title on heirs' property farmland2 7,e7 conduct surveys and assessments of agricultural land2 7,f7 improve or remediate land1 water1 and soil2 7,g7 construct or repair infrastructure2 7,h7 support land use planning2 7,i7 acquire legal or financial planning assistance2 7,j7 carry out ,tribal consultation2 7,k7 support acquisition of a ,department of ,agriculture farm number2 and 7,l7 any other activities as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,permissible activities ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may use the grant funds-- 7,a7 for activities associated with increasing access to markets and capital2 7,b7 to provide direct assistance to intended beneficiaries in assessing1 purchasing1 acquiring1 or retaining1 eligible land2 7,c7 for activities designed to support farm establishment and long-term viability2 7,d7 to establish a revolving loan fund or other innovative financial mechanism designed for the purpose of increasing land1 capital1 and market access for intended beneficiaries beyond the initial project timeline2 and 7,e7 to provide technical assistance that meets the specific needs of1 and is accessible to1 the intended beneficiaries1 and is related to increasing land1 capital1 or market access including-- 7i7 providing services to non-,english speaking producers in their own language2 7ii7 developing and carrying out strategies to identify unique needs and gaps in access1 knowledge1 and services2 and 7iii7 specialized consultation1 training1 coaching1 capacity building1 and mentoring focused on-- 7,i7 accessing and purchasing farmland2 7,,ii7 understanding ,department of ,agriculture programs2 7,,iii7 succession planning2 7,,iv7 market planning and risk analysis2 7,v7 cooperative development2 7,,vi7 legal and tax issues2 7,,vii7 developing business plans and feasibility studies2 7,,viii7 financial planning and recordkeeping2 7,,ix7 enterprise1 business1 and labor management2 and 7,x7 any other activities as determined by the ,secretary4 7#c7 ,subcontract ,an eligible entity may subcontract with an organization to carry out an activity under paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b7 if the services of such subcontractor are necessary to carry out such activity4 7#d7 ,funding mechanism 7,a7 ,eligible entities ,the ,secretary shall make funding available under this section to eligible entities through-- 7i7 grants2 7ii7 cooperative agreements2 7iii7 loan capital to finance activities under subsection 7e77#b77;,d72 or 7iv7 other means1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,intended beneficiaries ,in carrying out covered projects1 eligible entities shall provide direct assistance to intended beneficiaries through-- 7i7 grants2 7ii7 loans 7both long-term and interim72 or 7iii7 other direct payments or assistance1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#e7 ,repayment of grant funds in case of noncompliance ,an eligible entity that receives funding pursuant to this ,act that violates the terms or conditions of such funding shall reimburse the ,secretary of ,agriculture for such funds4 7f7 ,funding 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #ajj1jjj1jjj for each fiscal years #bjbd through #bjbh4 7#b7 ,administration ,of the amounts made available and authorized by this section1 the ,secretary shall allocate necessary funding for implementation of this section and administration of the ,land1 ,capital1 and ,market ,access ,program4 7#c7 ,distribution of funds 7,a7 ,limitation ,project funds shall be allocated for eligible activities by eligible entities within #e years of dispersal unless otherwise indicated by the ,secretary4 7,b7 ,exclusion ,funds distributed under the program shall not be subject to section #bjj4caa of title #b1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 in cases where eligible entities use such funds to increase secure land access opportunities for the intended beneficiaries after the #e-year period described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,c7 ,maximum award ,the maximum award for any eligible entity per fiscal year shall be not more than #ae percent of funds made available for such fiscal year4