National Ag Science Center Act of 2006 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to the Ag Science Center, Inc., in Stanislaus County, California, to cover a portion of the costs of establishing the National Ag Science Center. Limits the portion of such costs covered by grants made under this Act to 33% of the total costs to establish the Center.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5128 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5128
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture to make grants to facilitate the establishment of the
National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 6, 2006
Mr. Cardoza (for himself, Mr. Radanovich, and Ms. Matsui) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture to make grants to facilitate the establishment of the
National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Ag Science Center Act of
2006''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The State of California is a preeminent producer of
more than 350 different agricultural commodities, including
more than 90 percent of all of the tomatoes and grapes produced
in the United States, all of the commercial almonds, dates,
figs, olives, cling peaches, prunes and raisins produced in the
United States, and one out of every five glasses of milk
consumed in the United States.
(2) California is the leading State in terms of
agricultural exports, annually shipping more than $7 billion
dollars worth of agricultural commodities around the world.
(3) The total investment by California's 78,500 farms in
terms of direct and indirect economic impact is staggering,
and, if California is going to keep its agricultural industry
strong and vibrant, it must focus on the needs of farmers who
are valuable contributors to the economic, social, and cultural
life of the State and the United States.
(4) Since 1945, agricultural land has been rapidly
disappearing across California, as soil erosion, urbanization,
the growth of deserts, and salinization have all contributed to
loss of productive farmland. If these trends continue,
California will no longer be able to supply food for its
population, let alone the United States, and will be unable to
export food to the rest of the world.
(5) As Americans grow more and more detached from the great
agrarian history of the United States, fewer Americans
understand the fundamental importance of agriculture to
American society.
(6) Educating young Americans about agriculture and its
importance to the United States nation is an investment that
will pay off in future benefits.
(7) Greater public understanding and appreciation of the
importance of agriculture to California, the United States, and
the world is needed to secure a positive future, in which the
United States can rely on healthy food that is produced
domestically. Citizens of all ages, especially youth, must play
a meaningful, hands-on role in determining the future of
California agriculture.
(8) As planners, conservationists, and other interested
persons around the State of California organize to help protect
agricultural resources, the proposed National Ag Science Center
in Stanislaus County, California, is preparing to educate and
alert future generations about the need to preserve
agricultural land and to foster an understanding of the
importance of agriculture. The mission of the National Ag
Science Center will be to provide exciting and fun agricultural
learning opportunities and resources in order for young people
to learn how a vibrant agricultural economy is necessary for a
vibrant society, and to assure a bright future for all aspects
of the agriculture industry. The National Ag Science Center
will prepare young Americans for career and leadership
opportunities in agriculture.
(9) According to findings of the Center for Public Policy
Studies at California State University, Stanislaus, the
National Ag Science Center will create or support up to 359 new
local jobs, create or support up to $57,500,000 in economic
activity and $15,200,000 in labor income through construction
of the new facility, generate as much as $8,500,000 in total
annual economic activity, and result in as much as $3,400,000
in total annual labor income.
(10) On September 14, 2005, the Yosemite Community College
District Board, in Stanislaus County, California, voted
unanimously to approve the dedication of a 3.5 acre site on the
West Campus of Modesto Community College for the National Ag
Science Center.
(11) Establishment of the National Ag Science Center is in
the national interest, as the proposed Center will enable
future generations to help assure a healthy and profitable
place for agriculture in the economy of California and the
United States.
SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL AG SCIENCE CENTER,
STANISLAUS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
(a) Assistance Authorized.--Using such funds as may be appropriated
pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (d), the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall make
grants to the Ag Science Center, Inc., in Stanislaus County,
California, to cover a portion of the costs of establishing the
National Ag Science Center, including costs relating to the design,
planning, construction, furnishing, equipping, and expansion of the
Center.
(b) Grant Proposal.--To receive a grant under subsection (a), the
Ag Science Center, Inc. shall submit to the Secretary of the Interior
or the Secretary of Agriculture, or to both Secretaries, a proposal for
the use of the grant funds, which shall include detailed plans for the
design, construction, furnishing, equipping, and expansion of the
National Ag Science Center.
(c) Limitation on Grant Amounts.--The portion of the costs
described in subsection (a) covered by grants made under this section
shall not exceed 33 percent of the total costs to establish the Center.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of
Agriculture $10,000,000 to make grants under this section. Amounts so
appropriated shall remain available until expended.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research.
Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
Unfavorable Executive Comment Received from USDA.
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