,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #dhff ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bc1 #bjbf,mr4 ,bennet introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb to expand investment in farmers' markets and farmers' market nutrition programs to strengthen communities and improve access to healthy food1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,farmers' ,market ,local ,revitalization ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,purposes ,the purposes of this ,act are-- 7#a7 to increase and enhance funding for farmers' market nutrition programs-- 7,a7 to better support seniors1 food-insecure families1 and income-eligible mothers1 infants1 and children2 and 7,b7 to increase market opportunities for local farmers2 and 7#b7 to promote equitable access and support a phased transition to a more modernized farmers' market nutrition program4 #c4 ,authorization for senior farmers' market nutrition program ,section #ddjb of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjg7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,seniors and inserting ,senior2 7#b7 by striking seniors farmers' market nutrition program each place it appears and inserting senior farmers' market nutrition program2 7#c7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking #bj1fjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjjh through #bjbc and inserting #ge1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca2 7,b7 by striking ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,commodity credit corporation ,of the funds of the ,commodity ,credit ,corporation1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture 7referred to in this section as the ,secretary7 2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations 7,a7 ,in general ,in addition to the amounts made available under paragraph 7#a71 there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out subsection 7c7 #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7,b7 ,allocation formula 7i7 ,state amounts ,until the date on which a rule is promulgated under clause 7ii71 the additional amounts made available under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be allocated to ,states based on the number of seniors with household incomes at or below #bjj percent of the ,federal poverty line4 7ii7 ,revised formula ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,farmers' ,market ,local ,revitalization ,act of #bjbf1 the ,secretary shall promulgate a rule establishing a revised formula for allocating funds under this section1 which shall-- 7,i7 take into account-- 7aa7 the population of low-income seniors2 7bb7 senior food insecurity rates2 and 7cc7 rurality and cost-to-serve factors2 and 7,,ii7 include hold-harmless provisions limiting decreases in benefit amounts to not more than #aj percent during the first #b years of implementation of the revised formula4 7#c7 ,nonparticipant set-aside 7,a7 ,in general ,of the total amounts made available under this section1 not less than #aj percent shall be reserved for ,states1 territories1 and ,indian ,tribes that did not participate in the program under this section in the prior fiscal year4 7,b7 ,general availability ,if the amount reserved under subparagraph 7,a7 is not fully utilized in a fiscal year1 that amount shall be available in the subsequent fiscal year for all ,states participating in the program4 2 7#d7 by redesignating subsections 7c7 through 7f7 as subsections 7g7 through 7j71 respectively2 and 7#e7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,benefit enhancement ,the additional amounts made available under subsection 7a77#b77;,a7 shall be used-- 7#a7 to increase the minimum individual benefit available under the senior farmers' market nutrition program to #ce2 7#b7 to remove the maximum individual benefit limit under the senior farmers' market nutrition program2 7#c7 to support a phased transition to electronic incentive delivery1 including technical assistance and investments that allow farmers and seniors to continue using existing redemption models during the transition1 with an emphasis on interoperability2 and 7#d7 to allow ,state agencies to establish eligibility criteria for program participation1 which may include household income1 participation in nutrition programs for seniors1 geographic isolation1 or other indicators of need4 7d7 ,approved aggregators ,states shall allow up to #ej percent of the benefit amount provided to participants in the senior farmers' market nutrition program to be redeemed through community supported agriculture1 food hubs1 or other approved aggregators that purchase directly from farms1 including home delivery models4 7e7 ,payment technologies ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 allow ,states to use electronic benefit transfer or mobile payment technologies for redemption of benefits under the senior farmers' market nutrition program2 and 7#b7 encourage ,states to implement payment technologies that are interoperable with other ,federal nutrition benefit programs1 including-- 7,a7 the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq472 7,b7 the special supplemental nutrition program for women1 infants1 and children established by section #ag of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf71 including the farmers' market nutrition program under that program2 and 7,c7 the ,gus ,schumacher ,nutrition ,incentive ,program established under section #ddje of the ,food1 ,conservation1 and ,energy ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #geag74 7f7 ,technical assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,of the amounts made available under this section1 not more than #be1jjj1jjj per fiscal year shall be provided to ,state agencies1 territories1 and ,indian ,tribes to provide training and technical assistance-- 7,a7 to support infrastructure improvements at farmers' markets and other eligible outlets1 including modernization of equipment to integrate electronic benefit transfer1 mobile payment technologies1 and other nutrition benefit programs2 7,b7 to assist rural markets and farmers in expanding capacity to serve low-income seniors2 7,c7 to provide on-the-ground support to facilitate the transition to electronic incentive delivery for seniors and participating producers2 and 7,d7 in the case of ,states1 territories1 or ,indian ,tribes that have not previously participated in the program under this section1 in establishing and administering the program4 7#b7 ,third party ,a ,state agency1 territory1 or ,indian ,tribe may contract with a third-party entity to provide the training and technical assistance described in paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,allocation ,the amount made available under paragraph 7#a7 shall be allocated in accordance with the allocation formula under subsection 7a77#b77;,b74 4 #d4 ,minimum individual benefit increase under ,,wic farmers' market nutrition program ,section #ag7m7 of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf7m77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking 7#d7 ,subject to and inserting the following3 7#d7 ,formula for amount of grant ,subject to 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking 7#e7 ,each ,state and inserting the following3 7#e7 ,grant requirements ,each ,state 2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking funds-- in the matter preceding clause 7i7 and all that follows through the period at the end of clause 7ii7 and inserting funds provided under the grant42 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by striking #aj and inserting #ce2 and 7ii7 in clause 7ii71 by striking #cj and inserting #fj2 7,d7 in subparagraph 7,f7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by striking #ag and inserting #ah2 and 7ii7 in clause 7iii71 by striking meet the requirements of paragraph 7#c7 and inserting carry out the program2 and 7,e7 by adding at the end the following3 7,h7 ,the ,state may use not more than #aj percent of the total amount of program funds in a fiscal year for technology modernization and related administrative activities1 subject to the condition that those funds are not needed to maintain caseload or participant benefits4 7,i7 ,voluntary ,state share ,a ,state may provide additional ,state1 local1 or private funds for the program4 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#f7-- 7,a7 by striking 7#f77;,a7 ,the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7#f7 ,funding to ,states 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary 2 7,b7 by indenting subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,f7 and the clauses and subclauses therein appropriately2 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,a71 in the second sentence1 by striking subparagraph 7,g7 and inserting subparagraph 7,f72 7,d7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in clause 7i71 by striking ,subject to and all that follows through paragraph 7#c71 the ,state and inserting ,a ,state2 and 7ii7 in clause 7ii7-- 7,i7 by striking paragraph 7#aj7 and inserting paragraph 7#i72 and 7,,ii7 by striking paragraph 7#f7 and inserting this paragraph2 7,e7 in subparagraph 7,c77iv71 by striking subparagraph 7,g77i7 each place it appears and inserting subparagraph 7,f77i72 7,f7 in subparagraph 7,d77ii71 in the matter preceding subclause 7,i71 by striking this paragraph and inserting this subparagraph2 and 7,g7 in subparagraph 7,f77iii71 by striking paragraph 7#aj77;,b77ii7 and inserting paragraph 7#i77;,b77ii72 7#d7 in paragraph 7#g7-- 7,a7 by striking 7#g77;,a7 ,the value and inserting the following3 7#g7 ,other ,federal and ,state assistance programs 7,a7 ,in general ,the value 2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the designation and all that follows through ,any programs and inserting the following3 7,b7 ,supplement to nutrition assistance ,any programs 2 7#e7 in paragraph 7#h7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking 7#h7 ,for each and inserting the following3 7#h7 ,collection of ,state information ,for each 2 and 7,b7 by indenting subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f7 appropriately2 7#f7 in paragraph 7#i7-- 7,a7 by indenting the paragraph designation and heading appropriately2 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,b7-- 7i7 in clause 7ii71 by striking 7ii7 ,the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7ii7 ,reallocation procedures ,the ,secretary 2 7ii7 in clause 7i77,,ii71 by striking 7,,ii7 ,notwithstanding and inserting the following3 7,,ii7 ,reimbursement for expenses incurred ,notwithstanding 2 and 7iii7 by striking 7,b77i77,i7 ,each ,state and inserting the following3 7,c7 ,unobligated balances 7i7 ,return to secretary 7,i7 ,in general ,subject to subclause 7,,ii71 each ,state 2 and 7,c7 by striking subparagraph 7,a7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,mandatory funding ,there is appropriated1 out of amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 to the ,secretary to carry out this subsection #cj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg through #bjca4 7,b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,in addition to amounts otherwise made available to carry out this subsection1 there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection4 2 7#g7 by striking paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#aj72 7#h7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 and 7#i7 by striking 7m77#a7 ,subject to the availability of funds appropriated for the purposes of this subsection1 and as specified in this subsection1 the ,secretary and inserting the following3 7m7 ,women1 infants1 and children farmers' market nutrition program 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,coupon ,the term coupon means a coupon1 voucher1 or other negotiable financial instrument by which benefits provided under this section are transferred4 7,b7 ,program ,the term program means-- 7i7 the ,state farmers' market coupon nutrition program authorized by this subsection 7as in effect on ,september #cj1 #aiia72 and 7ii7 the farmers' market nutrition program authorized by this subsection4 7,c7 ,recipient ,the term recipient means a person or household1 as determined by the ,state1 that is-- 7i7 chosen by a ,state to receive benefits under this subsection2 or 7ii7 included on a waiting list to receive those benefits4 7,d7 ,state agency ,the term ,state agency includes-- 7i7 a ,state department of agriculture2 and 7ii7 any other agency approved by the chief executive officer of the ,state4 7#b7 ,grant program ,the ,secretary 4 #e4 ,study 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture 7referred to in this ,act as the ,secretary7 shall conduct a study-- 7#a7 to identify opportunities to better align the delivery and redemption of benefits across farmers' market programs and nutrition incentive programs under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 for a more streamlined experience for shoppers and vendors2 7#b7 to determine the feasibility of integrated or interoperable technology systems to reduce the number of platforms that farmers and markets manage2 7#c7 to determine actions to reduce administrative burden in the senior farmers' market nutrition program under section #ddjb of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjg7 and the farmers' market nutrition program under section #ag7m7 of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf7m771 including by minimizing duplicative applications1 reporting requirements1 and transaction systems for farmers1 markets1 and retailers2 and 7#d7 the feasibility and implications of creating an integrated1 modernized farmers' market nutrition program under section #ddjb of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cjjg7 that serves seniors and households that participate in the special supplemental nutrition program for women1 infants1 and children established by section #ag of the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf74 7b7 ,consultation ,in carrying out the study under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall consult with stakeholders1 including ,states1 markets1 farmers1 nonprofit organizations1 and relevant payment technology providers4 7c7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress containing-- 7#a7 the results of the study under subsection 7a72 and 7#b7 recommendations1 including any legislative or administrative actions needed1 relating to carrying out paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d7 of subsection 7a74 #f4 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry and the ,special ,committee on ,aging of the ,senate1 and the ,committee on ,agriculture and the ,committee on ,education and ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives1 a report that describes-- 7#a7 the effect of this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act on-- 7,a7 local procurement of food2 7,b7 local farmers2 and 7,c7 emergency feeding organizations1 including food banks1 food pantries1 and other community-based hunger relief partners2 7#b7 the individuals and entities procuring food locally pursuant to this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act2 and 7#c7 the communities involved in programs carried out under this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act4