,,ii #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #iga ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #aa1 #bjbe,mr4 ,van ,hollen 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,alsobrooks1 ,mr4 ,fetterman1 ,mr4 ,kaine1 and ,mr4 ,warner7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the conservation of the ,chesapeake ,bay1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,chesapeake ,bay ,conservation ,acceleration ,act of #bjbe4 #b4 ,chesapeake ,bay ,states ,partnership ,initiative ,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 ,chesapeake ,bay ,states ,partnership ,initiative 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,chesapeake ,bay watershed ,the term ,chesapeake ,bay watershed means-- 7,a7 the ,chesapeake ,bay2 7,b7 the portions of the ,states of ,delaware1 ,maryland1 ,new ,york1 ,pennsylvania1 ,virginia1 and ,west ,virginia that contain the tributaries1 backwaters1 and side channels 7including their watersheds7 that drain into the ,chesapeake ,bay2 and 7,c7 the ,district of ,columbia4 7#b7 ,initiative ,the term ,initiative means the ,chesapeake ,bay ,states ,partnership ,initiative established under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,establishment and purpose ,the ,secretary shall establish and carry out an initiative1 to be known as the ,chesapeake ,bay ,states ,partnership ,initiative1 to assist producers in implementing conservation activities on agricultural land in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed for the purposes of-- 7#a7 improving water quality and quantity2 7#b7 restoring1 enhancing1 and preserving soil1 air1 and related resources2 and 7#c7 increasing the resilience of agricultural production to withstand the impacts of climate change4 7c7 ,conservation activities ,the ,secretary shall provide funds made available to carry out the ,initiative through applicable programs under this subtitle1 including by providing enrollment opportunities that are targeted to the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed1 to assist producers in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed in enhancing land and water resources by-- 7#a7 controlling erosion and reducing sediment and nutrient levels in groundwater and surface water2 and 7#b7 planning1 designing1 implementing1 and evaluating habitat conservation1 restoration1 and enhancement measures in cases in which there is significant ecological value if the applicable land is-- 7,a7 retained in the current use of the land2 or 7,b7 restored to the natural condition of the land4 7d7 ,considerations ,in providing funds under the ,initiative1 the ,secretary shall give special consideration to applications-- 7#a7 submitted by producers in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed river basins in which nutrient reduction efforts would be most effective2 or 7#b7 to carry out conservation activities that reduce nitrogen and sediment1 improve management of livestock and waste1 or conserve wetlands in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed4 7e7 ,duties of ,secretary ,in carrying out the ,initiative1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 as available1 use existing plans1 models1 and assessments to assist producers in implementing conservation activities2 and 7#b7 proceed expeditiously to provide funding to producers to implement conservation activities that are consistent with ,state strategies for the restoration of the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed4 7f7 ,consultation and coordination ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 in consultation with appropriate ,federal agencies1 ensure that conservation activities carried out under the ,initiative complement ,federal1 ,state1 and local programs1 including programs that address water quality1 in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed2 and 7#b7 in carrying out this section1 coordinate with the ,farm ,service ,agency to identify needs and opportunities for buffer management on land subject to a contract under the conservation reserve program under subchapter ,b of chapter #a that may be expiring soon4 7g7 ,task ,force on ,crediting ,chesapeake ,bay ,conservation ,investments 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary and the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall jointly establish a ,federal task force1 to be known as the ,task ,force on ,crediting ,chesapeake ,bay ,conservation ,investments 7referred to in this subsection as the ,task ,force74 7#b7 ,action plan ,the ,task ,force shall develop an action plan that-- 7,a7 identifies improvements to the processes of analyzing1 reporting1 and quantifying nutrient reductions from conservation activities in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed2 7,b7 is responsive to the needs of ,states in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed 7including the ,district of ,columbia7 and the agricultural community2 7,c7 maintains the scientific integrity of the decisionmaking process and accounting tools under the ,chesapeake ,bay ,program 7as defined in section #aag7;a7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abfg7;a7772 and 7,d7 ensures producer privacy is protected4 7#c7 ,identification of opportunities ,the ,task ,force shall leverage findings from successful data-sharing pilot projects to identify opportunities to integrate time-saving technologies for the implementation of conservation activities in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed4 4 #c4 ,conservation reserve enhancement program participation 7a7 ,conservation reserve 7#a7 ,reauthorization ,section #abca7;a7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca7;a77 is amended by striking the #bjbc fiscal year and inserting fiscal year #bjbh4 7#b7 ,eligible land ,section #abca7;b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#f77;,b77ii71 by striking or at the end2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#g77;,c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 cropland1 marginal pastureland1 grasslands1 and other rural land that will-- 7,a7 have a positive impact on water quality in furtherance of the goals of the conservation reserve enhancement program under section #abca;,a2 and 7,b7 be devoted to a riparian buffer4 4 7#c7 ,conservation reserve enhancement program ,section #abca;,a7b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca;a7b77 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,updates 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide to each signatory to an agreement under this subsection an option to update the agreement1 without renegotiating other provisions of the agreement1 to include new incentives made available under this subchapter beginning on ,january #a1 #bjah1 such as riparian forest buffer management payments4 7ii7 ,matching funds ,requirements for matching funds described in paragraph 7#b77;,b7 shall not apply to an update to an agreement under clause 7i74 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,amendments 7,a7 ,in general ,in the case of an amendment to an agreement under this subsection1 including an addendum to such an agreement1 the ,secretary shall-- 7i7 streamline the amendment process relating to time-sensitive national priorities1 including the ,chesapeake ,bay total maximum daily load2 and 7ii7 give priority to simple amendments to update existing agreements in accordance with paragraph 7#c77;,c74 7,b7 ,simple amendments ,a simple amendment to an agreement described in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 shall not constitute a renegotiation of the agreement4 4 7#d7 ,payments ,section #abcd of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chcd7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b77#d7-- 7i7 by striking ,in addition and inserting the following3 7,a7 ,in general ,in addition 2 and 7ii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 ,minimum payment for certain contracts ,in the case of a contract updated under section #abca;,a7b77#c77;,c71 the incentive payment under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be in an amount that is not less than #dj percent of the actual costs described in that subparagraph4 2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7g77#a71 by striking #ej1jjj and inserting #ajj1jjj4 7b7 ,environmental quality incentives program 7#a7 ,conservation incentive contracts ,section #abdj;,b7j77#b77;,c7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#b7;j77#b77;,c77 is amended-- 7,a7 in clause 7i71 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 in clause 7ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 consider participation in the conservation reserve program and the conservation reserve enhancement program under subchapter ,b of chapter #a1 and practices under those programs 7such as riparian buffers71 in prioritizing grazing practices under the program established by this subchapter with respect to the efficient implementation of grazing systems to holistically address resource concerns4 4 7#b7 ,evaluation of applications ,section #abdj;,c7b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chci;aa-#c7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking and at the end2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 that would include grazing practices under the program established by this subchapter1 in consideration of participation in the conservation reserve program and the conservation reserve enhancement program under subchapter ,b of chapter #a1 and practices under those programs 7such as riparian buffers71 with respect to the efficient implementation of grazing systems to holistically address resource concerns4 4 #d4 ,chesapeake ,bay watershed turnkey pilot program ,section #abca;,c of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chca;c7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,chesapeake ,bay watershed turnkey pilot program 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,chesapeake ,bay watershed ,the term ,chesapeake ,bay watershed has the meaning given the term in section #abdj,n7a74 7,b7 ,,crep definitions ,the terms ,,crep1 eligible land1 and management have the meanings given those terms in section #abca;,a7a74 7,c7 ,eligible practice ,the term eligible practice means a forested riparian buffer practice under a ,,crep and any associated activities1 including-- 7i7 a stream crossing2 7ii7 fencing and alternate water systems2 7iii7 herbicide applications2 and 7iv7 any other activity that is appropriate to establish the practice4 7,d7 ,pilot program ,the term pilot program means the pilot program established under paragraph 7#b74 7,e7 ,technical service provider ,the term technical service provider means a third-party provider with which the ,secretary enters into an agreement under paragraph 7#e77;,a74 7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the ,secretary shall provide1 for voluntary owners and operators1 establishment and management of eligible practices on eligible land located in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed that is enrolled through a ,,crep4 7#c7 ,duties of ,secretary ,with respect to eligible land enrolled through the pilot program1 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 may provide1 for the owner or operator1 establishment and management of an eligible practice on the eligible land using a technical service provider pursuant to an agreement under paragraph 7#e72 and 7,b7 shall not require the owner or operator-- 7i7 to pay any costs of the establishment or management of an eligible practice1 including any compensation provided under paragraph 7#e77;,c72 or 7ii7 to submit to the ,secretary any additional paperwork with respect to the pilot program4 7#d7 ,duties of owners and operators ,each owner or operator of eligible land enrolled through the pilot program-- 7,a7 shall provide to the ,secretary and any technical service providers1 as applicable1 access to the eligible land for purposes of the establishment or management of an eligible practice under the pilot program2 and 7,b7 may not receive any cost-share payment1 practice incentive payment1 or management payment under this subchapter with respect to an eligible practice under the pilot program4 7#e7 ,agreements with technical service providers 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may enter into an agreement under section #abdb with #a or more third-party providers certified under that section1 including a third-party provider certified through a streamlined certification process under subsection 7e77#e7 of that section1 that provide technical assistance under this title in the ,chesapeake ,bay watershed to conduct the establishment and management of an eligible practice on eligible land under the pilot program4 7,b7 ,activities ,in addition to any activity that a technical service provider may conduct pursuant to section #abdb relating to the establishment of an eligible practice1 a technical service provider may carry out such activities as are necessary to conduct the establishment and management of an eligible practice under the pilot program4 7,c7 ,compensation ,under an agreement entered into under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall provide to a technical service provider reasonable compensation for services provided under the agreement1 including administrative assistance1 technical assistance1 design assistance1 and installation costs4 7#f7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this subsection1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,agriculture of the ,house of ,representatives a report describing the status of1 and any activities carried out under1 the pilot program4 4 #e4 ,workforce development 7a7 ,grants and fellowships for food and agricultural sciences education 7#a7 ,in general ,section #adag of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by inserting 1 junior or community colleges1 and postsecondary vocational institutions after other colleges and universities2 and 7ii7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking food and agricultural sciences teaching programs1 or teaching programs emphasizing and inserting teaching programs1 including paid work-based learning1 for food and agricultural sciences or2 7,b7 in subsection 7c7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 applications for teaching enhancement projects1 including paid work-based learning1 that address a need for additional trained professionals in food and agricultural sciences or rural economic development1 community development1 or business development4 2 7,c7 in subsection 7j7-- 7i7 by striking paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 as paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 respectively2 7,d7 in subsection 7l71 by striking subsection 7j7 and inserting subsection 7k72 7,e7 in subsection 7m7-- 7i7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and at the end2 7ii7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 #fj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbf through #bjca4 2 7,f7 by striking subsection 7b7 each place it appears and inserting subsection 7c72 7,g7 by redesignating subsections 7a7 through 7m7 as subsections 7b7 through 7n71 respectively2 and 7,h7 by inserting before subsection 7b7 7as so redesignated7 the following3 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#b7 ,junior or community college ,the term junior or community college has the meaning given the term in section #cab of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh74 7#c7 ,postsecondary vocational institution ,the term postsecondary vocational institution has the meaning given the term in section #ajb7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c774 7#d7 ,secondary school ,the term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#e7 ,work-based learning ,the term work-based learning has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb74 4 7#b7 ,conforming amendments 7,a7 ,section #gjh of the ,agriculture1 ,rural ,development1 ,food and ,drug ,administration1 and ,related ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #aiib 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbji;b71 is amended by striking section #adag7;b77#f7 of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg1 as amended 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb7;b77#f77 and inserting subsection 7c77#f7 of section #adag of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb74 7,b7 ,section #bea7;f77#a7 of the ,department of ,agriculture ,reorganization ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #figa7;f77#a77 is amended-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,c77v71 by striking section #adag7;b7 of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb7;b77 and inserting subsection 7c7 of section #adag of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb72 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,d77v71 by striking section #adag7;j7 of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb7;j77 and inserting subsection 7k7 of section #adag of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb74 7b7 ,experienced services program ,section #abeb7;a77#b7 of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chea7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,f7 assisting cooperative initiatives under subsection 7c77#c7 of section #adag of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeb7 to improve higher education teaching programs1 including paid work-based learning1 at-- 7i7 land-grant colleges and universities 7including the ,university of the ,district of ,columbia72 7ii7 colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences2 and 7iii7 other colleges and universities1 junior or community colleges 7as defined in section #cab of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh771 and postsecondary vocational institutions 7as defined in section #ajb7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c777 having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences4 4 7c7 ,competitive1 special1 and facilities research grants ,subsection 7b7 of the ,competitive1 ,special1 and ,facilities ,research ,grant ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #caeg7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#f77;,a71 by striking teaching and inserting teaching1 including paid work-based learning 7as defined in section #c of the ,carl ,d4 ,perkins ,career and ,technical ,education ,act of #bjjf 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #bcjb772 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#g77;,b71 by inserting 1 junior or community colleges 7as defined in section #cab of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh771 and postsecondary vocational institutions 7as defined in section #ajb7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c777 after colleges and universities4 #f4 ,,nrcs direct hire authority ,section #abdb of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #chdb7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7j7 ,,nrcs direct hire authority 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may appoint1 without regard to the provisions of subchapter ,i of chapter #cc of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code 7other than sections #ccjc and #ccbh of that title71 qualified candidates1 as described in paragraph 7#b71 directly to positions within the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service that provide technical assistance under conservation programs administered by the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service4 7#b7 ,qualifications ,paragraph 7#a7 applies to any candidate who-- 7,a7 is qualified to provide the technical assistance described in paragraph 7#a71 as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7,b7 meets qualification standards established by the ,office of ,personnel ,management4 4 #g4 ,primary regulatory oversight for domestic1 wild-caught1 invasive catfish 7a7 ,exemption from oversight 7#a7 ,food ,safety and ,inspection ,service ,section #a7w77#b7 of the ,federal ,meat ,inspection ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #fja7w77#b77 is amended by inserting 1 except for domestic1 wild-caught blue catfish 7,ictalurus furcatus7 and flathead catfish 7,pylodictis olivaris7 invasive to the ,chesapeake ,bay ecosystem before the semicolon4 7#b7 ,,usda grading program ,section #bjc7n77#a7 of the ,agricultural ,marketing ,act of #aidf 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #afbb7n77#a77 is amended by inserting 1 except for domestic1 wild-caught blue catfish 7,ictalurus furcatus7 and flathead catfish 7,pylodictis olivaris7 invasive to the ,chesapeake ,bay ecosystem before the semicolon4 7b7 ,interagency coordination ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture 7referred to in this section as the ,secretary7 shall execute a memorandum of understanding with the ,commissioner of ,food and ,drugs 7referred to in this section as the ,commissioner7 for the purpose of transferring primary regulatory oversight of the domestic and import inspection of domestic1 wild-caught blue catfish 7,ictalurus furcatus7 and flathead catfish 7,pylodictis olivaris7 invasive to the ,chesapeake ,bay ecosystem from the ,secretary to the ,commissioner1 pursuant to the authorities of the ,commissioner under the ,federal ,food1 ,drug1 and ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #cja et seq471 the ,fair ,packaging and ,labeling ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #adea et seq471 and the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bja et seq474 7c7 ,regulations ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,commissioner1 shall issue final regulations to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section in a manner that ensures that there is no duplication in inspection activities relating to domestic1 wild-caught blue catfish 7,ictalurus furcatus7 and flathead catfish 7,pylodictis olivaris7 invasive to the ,chesapeake ,bay ecosystem4