,i  #aai? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #debi  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(           
,,repres5tatives  ,july #ag1 #bjbe,mr4  
,david ,scott ( ,georgia 7= himself1    
,mr4 ,jackson ( ,ill9ois1 ,ms4 ,adams1  
,mr4 ,bi%op1 ,ms4 ,br[n1 ,mr4 ,c>son1   
,mr4 ,c>t] ( ,l\isiana1 ,mr4 ,coh51 ,mr4
 ,fields1 ,mr4 ,figures1 ,mr4 ,johnson (
 ,georgia1 ,ms4 ,kelly ( ,ill9ois1 ,ms4 
,mc,clellan1 ,ms4 ,sewell1 ,mr4 ,soto1  
,ms4 ,/rickl&1 ,mr4 ,?an$>1 ,ms4        
,tokuda1 ,ms4 ,wat]s1 ,ms4 ,williams (  
,georgia1 ,ms4 ,wilson ( ,florida1 &    
,mrs4 ,watson ,coleman7 introduc$ !     
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to !          
,committee on ,agriculture1 & 9 addition
 to ! ,committee on ,ways & ,means1 = a 
p]iod to be subsequ5tly det]m9$ by !    
,speak]1 9 ea* case = consid]ation ( su*
 provisions z fall )9 ! jurisdiction ( !
 committee conc]n$  ,a ,,bill  ,to      
increase m>ket access = ,black f>m]s &  
socially disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s1 to
 ensure civil rights acc\ntability1 & = 
o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act

 may be cit$ z ! ,black ,f>m]s &        
,socially ,disadvantag$ ,f>m]s ,increas$
 ,m>ket ,%>e ,act4  #b4 ,food hub grants
 to increase m>ket access = socially    
disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s  7a7        
,def9itions ,9 ?is section3  7#a7       
,agricultural food product  ,! t]m      
agricultural food product means a raw1  
cook$1 or a process$ edible sub/ance1   
bev]age1 or +r$i5t produc$ & o!rwise    
prep>$ = sale 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 7includ+
 any insul> area 7z def9$ 9 section     
#adjd ( ! ,national ,agricultural1      
,rese>*1 ,ext5sion1 & ,tea*+ ,policy    
,act ( #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc7771    
d]iv$ f "o or m agricultural commodities
 ( ,unit$ ,/ates orig91 & us$ or int5d$ 
= use or = sale 9 :ole or 9 "p = human  
consumption4  7#b7 ,donat$ food ,! t]m  
donat$ food has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9    
section #bej4b ( title #g ( ! ,code (   
,f$]al ,regulations 7or any successor   
regulation74  7#c7 ,eligible entity ,!  
t]m eligible entity means--  7,a7 an    
entity =m$ by two or m agricultural     

produc]s1 n less ?an half ( :om are     
memb]s ( a socially disadvantag$ gr\p2  
or  7,b7 a non-pr(it organization or    
,tribal organization ) demon/rat$       
exp]i5ce work+ ) socially disadvantag$  
f>m]s or ran*]s4  7#d7 ,eligible p>tn]  
,! t]m eligible p>tn] means a non-pr(it 
organization1 a ,/ate coop]ative        
ext5sion s]vice or a college or         
univ]sity 7z su* t]ms are def9$ 9       
section #adjd ( ! ,national             
,agricultural ,rese>*1 ,ext5sion1 &     
,tea*+ ,policy ,act ( #aigg 7#g         
,u4,s4,c4 #cajc771 ,tribal organization1
 or o!r ,/ate or local gov]nm5t entities
 ) demon/rat$ exp]i5ce 9 provid+        
assi/ance su* z grants managem5t1       
te*nical assi/ance1 & bus9ess plan      
developm5t1 to agricultural produc]s4   
7#e7 ,food hub ,! t]m food hub means a  
bus9ess or organization t actively      
manages ! aggregation1 di/ribution1 &   
m>ket+ ( s\rce-id5tifi$ agricultural    
food products f produc]s = :olesale1    
retail1 or in/itutional m>kets4  7#f7   

,secret>y ,! t]m ,secret>y means !      
,secret>y ( ,agriculture4  7#g7         
,socially disadvantag$ f>m] or ran*] ,! 
t]m socially disadvantag$ 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#h7 ,socially   
disadvantag$ gr\p ,! t]m socially       
disadvantag$ gr\p has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m
 9 section #beja7;a7 ( ! ,food1         
,agriculture1 ,cons]vation1 & ,trade    
,act ( #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;a774  
7#i7 ,tribal organization ,! t]m ,tribal
 organization has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9  
section #c ( ! ,food & ,nutrition ,act (
 #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjab74  7b7       
,grants ,to increase m>ket access  7#a7 
,9 g5]al  ,! ,secret>y %all e/abli% a   
program to make grants on a competitive 
basis to eligible entities to support   
new or exp&+ food hubs design$ to       
increase m>ket access = socially        
disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s1 b may also 
increase m>ket access = o!r f>m]s &     

ran*]s4  7#b7  ,use ( funds  ,an        
eligible entity select$ to receive a    
grants "u ?is subsection may use grants 
funds--  7,a7 to pur*ase & develop l&1  
build+s1 & associat$ infra/ructure =    
comm]cial or indu/rial prop]ties1       
includ+ expansion or mod]nization1 = use
 9 process+1 di/ribut+1 aggregat+1 /or+1
 transport+1 or m>ket+ agricultural food
 products2  7,b7 to con/ruct or equip   
facilities = use 9 process+1 di/ribut+1 
aggregat+1 /or+1 transport+1 or m>ket+  
agricultural food products2  7,c7 to    
pur*ase ma*9]y & equipm5t = use 9       
process+1 di/ribut+1 aggregat+1 /or+1   
transport+1 or m>ket+ agricultural food 
products2  7,d7 = g5]al op]at+ exp5ses  
directly relat$ to a food hub1 includ+  
plann+ & developm5t relat$ to !         
e/abli%m5t or expansion ( any food hub2 
7,e7 to provide m>ket+ s]vices =        
agricultural food products1 includ+     
provid+ plat=ms 7su* z electronic or    
web-bas$ plat=ms7 = sales1 inv5tory1 &  
aggregation2 &  7,f7 to conduct o!r     

activities support+ ! developm5t or     
expansion ( a food hub1 z det]m9$ by !  
,secret>y4  7#c7  ,application  7,a7  ,9
 g5]al  ,an eligible entity seek+ a     
grant "u ?is subsection %all submit to !
 ,secret>y an application t conta9s--   
7i7 a description ( ! activities !      
eligible entity w c>ry out to support "o
 or m new or exi/+ food hubs1 includ+ a 
plan = ea* su* food hub to process1     
di/ribute1 /ore1 or m>ket agricultural  
food products = :olesale1 retail1 or    
in/itutional m>kets2  7ii7 a description
 ( ! ways 9 :i* ea* su* food hub t !    
eligible entity is propos+ to e/abli% or
 exp& is design$ to increase m>ket      
access = socially disadvantag$ f>m]s or 
ran*]s2  7iii7 except z provid$ 9       
subp>agraph 7,b71 a description ( !     
eligible entity's demon/rat$ compet5cy  
to develop & manage ea* su* food hub1   
provide fiscal acc\ntability1 collect   
data1 & prep>e reports & o!r necess>y   
docum5tation2 &  7iv7 any o!r in=mation1
 z det]m9$ by ! ,secret>y4  7,b7        

,requirem5t to include eligible p>tn]s  
,an eligible entity t does n h "o or m (
 ! demon/rat$ compet5cies describ$ 9    
clause 7iii7 ( subp>agraph 7,a7 %all    
submit to ! ,secret>y 9 its             
application--  7i7 a li/ ( "o or m      
eligible p>tn]s su* eligible entity is  
p>tn]+ )2  7ii7 ! responsibilities ( ea*
 eligible p>tn] 9 support+ su* eligible 
entity2 &  7iii7 a description ( !      
demon/rat$ compet5cies ( ! eligible     
p>tn] or p>tn]s 9 p]=m+ su*             
responsibilities4  7,c7  ,eligible      
entities s]v+ z eligible p>tn]s  ,an    
eligible entity specifi$ 9 subp>agraph  
7,b7 ( subsection 7a77#c7 seek+ a grant 
"u ?is section may s]ve z an eligible   
p>tn] = o!r eligible entities 9 "o or m 
grant applications "u ?is subsection4   
7#d7  ,priority  ,9 mak+ grants "u ?is  
subsection1 ! ,secret>y may give        
priority to grant applications = food   
hubs t--  7,a7 b5efit und]s]v$          
communities1 z def9$ 9 section          
#caj;,b7g77#i77;,a77ii7 ( ! ,consolidat$

 ,f>m & ,rural ,developm5t ,act 7#g     
,u4,s4,c4 #aicb7;g77#i77;,a77ii772  7,b7
 aggregate1 di/ribute1 & m>ket          
agricultural food products t meet !     
/&>ds = donat$ foods1 z det]m9$ by !    
,secret>y2 or  7,c7 h n be5 aw>d$ a     
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture grant1 includ+ 
a grant "u section #baj;,a ( !          
,agricultural ,m>ket+ ,act ( #aidf 7#g  
,u4,s4,c4 #afbg;c71 9 ! prec$+ or curr5t
 fiscal ye>4  7#e7  ,maximum grant t]m  
,! t]m ( a grant "u ?is subsection may n
 exce$ #e ye>s4  7#f7  ,no mat*+ funds  
,an eligible entity receiv+ a grant "u  
?is section %all n be requir$ to provide
 non-,f$]al mat*+ funds ) respect to su*
 grant4  7c7 ,prioritiz+ ,pur*ases =    
,,usda ,dome/ic ,food ,assi/ance        
,programs  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,secret>y   
%all e/abli% a process-- 7,a7 to        
prioritize ! pur*ase ( agricultural food
 products f socially disadvantag$ f>m]s 
& ran*]s1 includ+ f food hubs develop$  
or exp&$ "u ?is section1 = use 9        
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture programs t     

di/ribute agricultural food products )9 
! ,unit$ ,/ates 7includ+ any insul> area
 7z def9$ 9 section #adjd ( ! ,national 
,agricultural1 ,rese>*1 ,ext5sion1 &    
,tea*+ ,policy ,act ( #aigg 7#g         
,u4,s4,c4 #cajc7772 &  7,b7 t is design$
 to acc\nt = b>ri]s to m>ket entry fac$ 
by socially disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s 
:ile ma9ta9+ ! integrity ( ! pur*as+    
process e/abli%$ "u ?is subsection1     
includ+ ensur+ t any entity t is susp5d$
 or deb>r$ f p>ticipation 9 any ,f$]al  
program is n eligible to p>ticipate 9 ! 
pur*as+ process e/abli%$ "u ?is         
subsection4  7#b7 ,waiv]s  7,a7 ,9 g5]al
 ,9 e/abli%+ ! process describ$ 9       
p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,secret>y may provide =
 ! waiv] ( ! full & op5 competition     
proc$ures = ! aw>d ( ,f$]al contracts1  
section #ccbd ( title #ca1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 & section #gbe ( ! ,agriculture1
 ,rural ,developm5t1 ,food & ,drug      
,adm9i/ration1 & ,relat$ ,ag5cies       
,appropriations ,act1 #bjja 7#g         
,u4,s4,c4 #bbji;f71 if ! ,secret>y      

id5tifies requirem5ts "u su* sections & 
proc$ures z pres5t+ b>ri]s to m>ket     
entry = socially disadvantag$ f>m]s &   
ran*]s4  7,b7 ,notification ,n lat] ?an 
#aj days aft] provid+ = any waiv] "u    
subp>agraph 7,a71 ! ,secret>y %all      
notify ! ,committee on ,agriculture ( ! 
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee  
on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 & ,=e/ry ( 
! ,s5ate ( su* waiv]s & provide a       
description ( h[ su* waiv]s w\ld address
 b>ri]s to m>ket entry = socially       
disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s = a p>ticul>
 agricultural food product4  7d7        
,reports ,n lat] ?an ,decemb] #ca1      
#bjbf1 & ea* ,decemb] !reaft] until !   
completion ( ! grants aw>d$ "u          
subsection 7b71 ! ,secret>y %all make   
publicly available on ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,agriculture's website & submit to !    
,committee on ,agriculture ( ! ,h\se (  
,repres5tatives & ! ,committee on       
,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 & ,=e/ry ( !  
,s5ate1 a report t includes-- 7#a7 a    
description ( ! /atus ( ea* grant aw>d$ 

"u subsection 7b72  7#b7 ! numb] (      
socially disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s    
p>ticipat+ 9 ! food hub support$ by su* 
grant 9 ! previ\s fiscal ye>2  7#c7 to !
 maximum ext5t practicable1 ! am\nt (   
agricultural food products produc$ by   
socially disadvantag$ f>m]s & ran*]s    
process$1 di/ribut$1 aggregat$1 /or$1 or
 m>ket$ by ! food hub support$ by su*   
grant 9 ! previ\s fiscal ye>2 &  7#d7 ! 
total am\nt ( donat$ food pur*as$ by !  
,secret>y f food hubs support$ ) grants 
aw>d$ "u ?is section 9 ! previ\s fiscal 
ye>4  7e7 ,au?orization ( appropriations
 ,!re are au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to 
c>ry out subsection 7b7 #ajj1jjj1jjj =  
fiscal ye> #bjbf1 to rema9 available    
until exp5d$4  #c4 ,agriculture hub     
cr$it  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,subp>t ,d ( "p ,,iv
 ( sub*apt] ,a ( *apt] #a ( ! ,int]nal  
,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf is am5d$ by add+  
at ! end ! foll[+ new section3  #de,u4  
,agriculture hub cr$it  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,= 
purposes ( section #ch1 ! agriculture   
hub cr$it det]m9$ "u ?is section = any  

taxable ye> is an am\nt equal to #be    
p]c5t ( ! qualifi$ food hub exp5ses = ! 
taxable ye>4  7b7 ,qualifi$ food hub    
exp5ses ,= purposes ( ?is section1 ! t]m
 qualifi$ food hub exp5ses means am\nts 
paid or incurr$ by ! taxpay] dur+ !     
taxable ye>-- 7#a7 = agricultural food  
products f a food hub develop$ or exp&$ 
"u section #b ( ! ,black ,f>m]s &       
,socially ,disadvantag$ ,f>m]s ,increas$
 ,m>ket ,%>e ,act1 &  7#b7 9 accordance 
) a contract c]tifi$ by ! ,secret>y (   
,agriculture "u section #c7;c7 ( !      
,black ,f>m]s & ,socially ,disadvantag$ 
,f>m]s ,increas$ ,m>ket ,%>e ,act4  7c7 
,food hub ,! t]m food hub has ! mean+   
giv5 su* t]m 9 section #b ( ! ,black    
,f>m]s & ,socially ,disadvantag$ ,f>m]s 
,increas$ ,m>ket ,%>e ,act4  7d7        
,t]m9ation ,?is section %all n apply to 
taxable ye>s beg9n+ aft] ! ,secret>y    
det]m9es ! grant program "u section #b (
 ! ,black ,f>m]s & ,socially            
,disadvantag$ ,f>m]s ,increas$ ,m>ket   
,%>e ,act has end$4  4  7b7 ,con=m+     

am5dm5ts  7#a7 ,section #ch7;b7 ( !     
,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf is       
am5d$--  7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#cb71 by /rik+
 plus at ! end1  7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#cc71 
by /rik+ ! p]iod at ! end & ins]t+ 1    
plus1 &  7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ 
new p>agraph3  7#cd7 ! agriculture hub  
cr$it det]m9$ "u section #de,u7a74  4   
7#b7 ,! table ( sections = subp>t ,d (  
"p ,,iv ( sub*apt] ,a ( *apt] #a ( su*  
,code is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+
 new item3  ,sec4 #de,u4 ,agriculture   
hub cr$it4  4  7#c7 ,section #bhj;,c (  
su* ,code is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !   
foll[+ new subsection3  7i7 ,agriculture
 hub cr$it ,any d$uction or o!r cr$it   
o!rwise all[able ) respect to an exp5se 
= :i* a cr$it is all[$ "u section       
#de,u7a7 %all be r$uc$ by ! am\nt ( !   
cr$it "u section #de,u7a7 ) respect to  
su* exp5se4 ,if a cr$it is all[$ "u     
section #de,u7a7 ) respect to prop]ty ( 
a k9d :i* w\ld prop]ly be includ$ 9 !   
inv5tory ( ! taxpay] if on h& at ! close
 ( ! taxable ye> or prop]ty held by !   

taxpay] prim>ily = sale to cu/om]s 9 !  
ord9>y c\rse ( ! trade or bus9ess ( su* 
taxpay]1 op5+ inv5tory or pur*ases %all 
be r$uc$ by ! am\nt ( ! cr$it s all[$4  
4  7c7 ,c]tification process ,n lat] ?an
 #a ye> aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is    
section1 ! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture %all
 issue regulations to e/abli% a process 
to c]tify1 at ! reque/ ( entities seek+ 
an agriculture hub cr$it section #de,u (
 ! ,int]nal ,rev5ue ,code ( #aihf1 z    
add$ by subsection 7b71 t a contract "u 
:i* exp5ditures ref]r$ to 9 su* section 
#de,u are made--  7#a7 is n betwe5      
relat$ p>ties2  7#b7 is ! result ( arm's
 l5g? negotiations2 &  7#c7 meets any   
o!r requirem5ts1 z det]m9$ by !         
,secret>y ( ,agriculture1 9 consultation
 ) ! ,secret>y ( ,treasury4  7d7        
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by ?is 
section %all apply to exp5ses paid or   
incurr$ 9 taxable ye>s beg9n+ aft]      
,decemb] #ca1 #bjbe4  #d4 ,civil rights 
acc\ntability = ,,usda employees  7a7 ,9
 g5]al ,! ,secret>y ( ,agriculture %all 

ensure t (ficials & employees ( !       
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture are held       
acc\ntable 9 accordance ) subsection 7b7
 if1 :ile 9 ! c\rse ( _! employm5t or 9 
adm9i/]+ a ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture     
program1 su* (ficials & employees are   
f\nd to h engag$ 9 any discrim9atory    
actions1 retaliatory actions1 h>assm5t1 
civil rights violations1 or relat$      
misconduct1 includ+ any su* actions or  
misconduct involv+ any ( ! foll[+3 7#a7 
,failure to provide a receipt = s]vice 9
 accordance ) section #beja;,a7e7 ( !   
,food1 ,agriculture1 ,cons]vation or    
,trade ,act ( #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4       
#bbgi-a7;e77 to any curr5t or           
prospective applicants ( or p>ticipants 
9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture programs4    
7#b7 ,provid+ an inaccurate receipt =   
s]vice "u su* section #beja;,a7e7 to any
 curr5t or prospective applicants ( or  
p>ticipants 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture  
programs4  7#c7 ,failure to provide     
appropriate in=mation reg>d+ relevant   
programs & s]vices at ! ,dep>tm5t (     

,agriculture1 :5 reque/$ by any curr5t  
or prospective applicants ( or          
p>ticipants 9 ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture  
programs4  7#d7 ,failure to timely      
process applications or o!rwise delay+  
program s]vices to any curr5t or        
prospective applicants ( or p>ticipants 
91 ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture programs4   
7b7 ,tak+ corrective action ,! ,secret>y
 %all ensure t appropriate corrective   
action is tak5 ) respect to any (ficial 
or employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture
 :o has be5 f\nd to h engag$ 9 any ( !  
actions1 violations1 or misconduct      
ref]r$ to 9 subsection 7a7 :ile 9 !     
c\rse ( su* (ficial's or employee's     
employm5t or 9 adm9i/]+ a ,dep>tm5t (   
,agriculture program--  7#a7 9 any      
adm9i/rative f9d+ by ! ,dep>tm5t (      
,agriculture1 includ+ any f9al ag5cy    
decision issu$ by ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y 
( ,agriculture = ,civil ,rights & any   
civil rights compliance review or       
misconduct inve/igation conduct$ by !   
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture2  7#b7 9 any   

adm9i/rative or judicial proce$+2  7#c7 
9 any civil rights settlem5t2  7#d7 9   
any audit or inve/igation conduct$ by ! 
,(fice ( ! ,inspector ,g5]al ( !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture2 or  7#e7 9 any
 inve/igation conduct$ by ! ,(fice ( !  
,special ,c\nsel4  7c7 ,corrective      
action def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m      
corrective action means any action tak5 
to respond to any ( ! actions1          
violations1 or misconduct ref]r$ to 9   
subsection 7a7 t--  7#a7 w\ld enhance   
civil rights at ! ,dep>tm5t (           
,agriculture1 includ+ any policy or     
programmatic *anges to prev5t simil>    
misconduct f occurr+ 9 ! future2 &  7#b7
 may include discipl9>y actions1        
includ+--  7,a7 removal f ,f$]al s]vice2
  7,b7 susp5sion )\t pay2  7,c7 any     
r$uction 9 grade or pay2 &  7,d7 lett] (
 reprim&4  #e4 ,equitable relief  7a7   
,equitable relief f ineligibility =     
loans1 paym5ts1 or o!r b5efits ,section 
#afac ( ! ,f>m ,security & ,rural       
,inve/m5t ,act ( #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4    

#giif7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by r$esignat+    
subsections 7f7 ?r\gh 7j7 z subsections 
7g7 ?r\gh 7k71 respectively2  7#b7 by   
ins]t+ aft] subsection 7e7 ! foll[+3    
7f7 ,equitable relief by ! ,assi/ant    
,secret>y ( ,agriculture = ,civil       
,rights  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,assi/ant     
,secret>y ( ,agriculture = ,civil       
,rights 7or a designee ( ! ,secret>y 9 !
 ,(fice ( ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y = ,civil
 ,rights1 if no ,assi/ant ,secret>y (   
,agriculture = ,civil ,rights is        
confirm$ 9 accordance ) section #bah7;b7
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture           
,reorganization ,act ( #aiid 7#g        
,u4,s4,c4 #fiah7;b777 may grant relief 9
 accordance ) subsections 7b7 ?r\gh 7d7 
to a p>ticipant :o files a civil rights 
program compla9t4  7#b7 ,decisions ,!   
decision by ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y (     
,agriculture = ,civil ,rights 7or !     
designee ( ! ,secret>y7 to grant relief 
"u ?is subsection %all n require prior  
approval by any (fic] or employee ( !   
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture4  7#c7 ,o!r    

au?ority ,! au?ority provid$ to !       
,assi/ant ,secret>y ( ,agriculture =    
,civil ,rights 7or ! designee ( !       
,secret>y7 "u ?is subsection is 9       
addition to any o!r applicable au?ority 
& does n limit o!r au?ority provid$ by  
law or ! ,secret>y4  2  7#c7 9          
subsection 7g71 z s r$esignat$1 by /rik+
 or ! ,/ate ,cons]vationi/ & ins]t+ !   
,/ate ,cons]vationi/1 or ! ,assi/ant    
,secret>y ( ,agriculture = ,civil       
,rights 7or ! designee ( ! ,secret>y72 &
  7#d7 9 p>agraph 7#a7 ( subsection 7h71
 z s r$esignat$1 by /rik+ & 7e7 & ins]t+
 7e71 & 7f74  7b7 ,equitable relief =   
actions tak5 9 good fai? ,section #cff (
 ! ,consolidat$ ,f>m & ,rural           
,developm5t ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjjh;a7 
is am5d$-- 7#a7 by am5d+ subsection 7b7 
to read z foll[s3  7b7 ,limitation ,!   
,secret>y may only provide relief to a  
f>m] or ran*] "u subsection 7a7 if !    
,secret>y det]m9es t ! f>m] or ran*]--  
7#a7 act+ 9 good fai?1 reli$ on an      
action (1 or ! advice (1 ! ,secret>y    

7includ+ any au?oriz$ repres5tative ( ! 
,secret>y7 to ! detrim5t ( ! f>m+ or    
ran*+ op]ation ( ! f>m] or ran*]2 or    
7#b7 fail$ to comply fully ) !          
requirem5ts ( a program describ$ 9      
subsection 7a77#a71 b made a good fai?  
ef=t to comply ) ! requirem5ts4  2  7#b7
 by ins]t+ aft] subsection 7d7 ! foll[+3
  7e7 ,equitable relief by ! assi/ant   
secret>y ( agriculture = civil rights   
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,assi/ant ,secret>y (  
,agriculture = ,civil ,rights 7or a     
designee ( ! ,secret>y 9 ! ,(fice ( !   
,assi/ant ,secret>y = ,civil ,rights1 if
 no ,assi/ant ,secret>y ( ,agriculture =
 ,civil ,rights is confirm$ 9 accordance
 ) section #bah7;b7 ( ! ,dep>tm5t (     
,agriculture ,reorganization ,act (     
#aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fiah7;b777 may     
grant relief 9 accordance ) subsections 
7a7 ?r\gh 7d7 to an individual :o files 
a civil rights program compla9t4  7#b7  
,decisions ,! decision by ! ,assi/ant   
,secret>y ( ,agriculture = ,civil       
,rights 7or ! designee ( ! ,secret>y7 to

 grant relief "u ?is subsection %all n  
require prior approval by any (fic] or  
employee ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture4  
7#c7 ,o!r au?ority ,! au?ority provid$  
to ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y ( ,agriculture 
= ,civil ,rights 7or ! designee ( !     
,secret>y7 "u ?is subsection is 9       
addition to any o!r applicable au?ority 
& does n limit o!r au?ority provid$ by  
law or ! ,secret>y4  2  7#c7 by         
r$esignat+ subsection 7e7 z subsection  
7f72 &  7#d7 9 subsection 7f71 z s      
r$esignat$1 by /rik+ ,secret>y & ins]t+ 
,secret>y1 or ! ,assi/ant ,secret>y (   
,agriculture = ,civil ,rights 7or !     
designee ( ! ,secret>y74  #f4 ,burd5 (  
,pro( = ,national ,appeals ,division    
,he>+s ,section #bgg7;c77#d7 ( !        
,dep>tm5t ( ,agriculture ,reorganization
 ,act ( #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4             
#fiig7;c77#d77 is am5d$ to read z       
foll[s3  7#d7 ,burd5 ( pro( ,! ag5cy    
%all be> ! burd5 ( prov+ by sub/antial  
evid5ce t ! adv]se decision ( ! ag5cy 0 
valid4  4  #g4 ,(fice ( ! ,civil ,rights

 ,ombudsp]son ,title ,,iii ( ! ,f$]al   
,crop ,insurance ,re=m & ,dep>tm5t (    
,agriculture ,reorganization ,act (     
#aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbca;b et seq47 is 
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #caj4 
,(fice ( ! ,civil ,rights ,ombudsp]son  
7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #abj days aft] 
! date ( enactm5t ( ?is section1 !      
,secret>y %all e/abli% an ,(fice ( !    
,civil ,rights ,ombudsp]son 79 ?is      
section ref]r$ to z ! ,(fice7 )9 !      
,dep>tm5t4 ,! ,(fice %all be indep5d5t (
 ,dep>tm5t ag5cies & (fices4  7b7       
,ombudsp]son designation ,! ,secret>y   
%all designate a ,civil ,rights         
,ombudsp]son 79 ?is section ref]r$ to z 
! ,ombudsp]son7 = ! ,(fice4 ,!          
,ombudsp]son %all be consid]$ a s5ior   
(ficial ( ! ,dep>tm5t & h a backgr\nd 9 
civil rights en=cem5t4  7c7 ,(fice      
p]sonnel ,! ,ombudsp]son %all appo9t su*
 employees z are necess>y to p]=m !     
functions ( ! ,(fice & = ! adm9i/ration 
( ! ,(fice4  7d7 ,functions ,! functions
 ( ! ,(fice %all be--  7#a7 to assi/    

produc]s & o!r cu/om]s ( ,dep>tm5t      
programs 9 navigat+ ! civil rights      
review process2  7#b7 to ensure t       
p>ticipants 7z def9$ 9 section #bga7 are
 aw>e ( ! appeals process "u subtitle ,h
 ( title ,,ii1 includ+ in=mal he>+s "u  
section #bge2  7#c7 to promote aw>5ess (
 ! ,(fice & its responsibilities among  
produc]s & o!r cu/om]s ( ,dep>tm5t      
programs2 &  7#d7 to raise issues &     
conc]ns ) respect to1 & make            
recomm5dations to ! ,secret>y ab\t1     
equitable access or implem5tation (     
,dep>tm5t programs4  7e7 ,access to     
in=mation  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,subject to    
p>agraph 7#b71 ! ,secret>y %all e/abli% 
proc$ures to provide ! ,(fice access to 
all dep>tm5tal records necess>y to      
execute ! functions ( ! ,(fice "u       
subsection 7d74  7#b7 ,timel9es ,!      
proc$ures describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 %all 
include a requirem5t t reque/s f !      
,(fice = dep>tm5tal records %all be     
fulfill$ n lat] ?an #fj days aft] !     
reque/ is made4  7f7 ,annual report     

,beg9n+ n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( 
! enactm5t ( ?is section1 & annually    
!reaft]1 ! ,ombudsp]son %all prep>e &   
submit to ! ,h\se ,committee on         
,agriculture & ! ,s5ate ,committee on   
,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 & ,=e/ry a    
report on-- 7#a7 ! activities c>ri$ out 
by ! ,(fice2 &  7#b7 ! f9d+s &          
recomm5dations ( ! ,(fice ) respect to  
equitable access or implem5tation (     
,dep>tm5t programs4  7g7 ,au?orization (
 appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ su* sums z are necess>y to  
c>ry out ?is section = ea* ( fiscal ye>s
 #bjbf ?r\gh #bjbh4  4