Healthy Farms, Foods, and Fuels Act of 2006 - Extends: (1) the conservation reserve program; (2) the wetlands reserve program; (3) the conservation security program; (4) the grassland reserve program; (5) the environmental quality incentives program; (6) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (7) the agricultural management assistance program; and (8) the organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the suburban and community forestry and open space program; (3) an integrated pest management initiative; and (4) a conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Revises: (1) the farmland protection program; (2) funding for the healthy forests reserve program; and (3) the national organic certification and transition cost share program.
Makes permanent funding available for: (1) the education grant program for Hispanic-serving institutions; and (2) the fresh fruit and vegetable program.
Revises and extends the biorefinery development program.
Extends: (1) the energy audit and renewable energy development program; (2) the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program; (3) the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program; (4) biomass research and development; and (5) carbon cycle research.
Extends: (1) the community food project grant program; (2) the farm-to-cafeteria program; (3) WIC farmers' market nutrition program; (4) the senior farmers' market nutrition program; and (5) farmers' market promotion program.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6064 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6064
To reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation and energy
programs and certain other programs of the Department, to modify the
operation and administration of these programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 13, 2006
Mr. Kind (for himself, Mr. Saxton, Mr. Allen, Mr. Andrews, Ms. Baldwin,
Mr. Bass, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Boehlert, Mr. Bradley of New
Hampshire, Mr. Case, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Dingell, Mr. Farr, Mr.
Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Mr. Gerlach, Mr. Holt, Ms. Kaptur, Mrs.
Kelly, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. LoBiondo, Ms. McCollum of Minnesota, Mr. Michaud,
Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mrs. Tauscher,
Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Van Hollen, and Mr. Walsh) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and
in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize Department of Agriculture conservation and energy
programs and certain other programs of the Department, to modify the
operation and administration of these programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Farms,
Foods, and Fuels Act of 2006''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The tables of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
TITLE I--CONSERVATION
Sec. 101. Conservation reserve program.
Sec. 102. Wetlands reserve program.
Sec. 103. Conservation security program.
Sec. 104. Reauthorization of and increased enrollment authority for
grassland reserve program.
Sec. 105. Environmental quality incentives program.
Sec. 106. Reauthorization of and increased funding for wildlife habitat
incentive program.
Sec. 107. Cooperative conservation partnership initiative.
Sec. 108. Regional equity in funding of certain Department of
Agriculture conservation programs.
Sec. 109. Exclusion of payments under Department of Agriculture
conservation programs from adjusted gross
income limitation.
Sec. 110. Reauthorization of and additional funding for agricultural
management assistance program.
Sec. 111. Suburban and Community Forestry and Open Space Program.
Sec. 112. Farmland protection and farm viability programs.
Sec. 113. Healthy forests reserve program.
Sec. 114. Integrated pest management initiative.
Sec. 115. National organic certification and transition cost share
program.
Sec. 116. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 117. Funding for education grants programs for Hispanic-serving
institutions.
Sec. 118. Initiative to encourage greater participation by socially
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in
conservation programs.
TITLE II--ENERGY
Sec. 201. Definition of biomass.
Sec. 202. Support for development of biorefineries.
Sec. 203. Reauthorization of energy audit and renewable energy
development program.
Sec. 204. Reauthorization of and increased funding for renewable energy
systems and energy efficiency improvements
program.
Sec. 205. Reauthorization of Department of Agriculture bioenergy
program.
Sec. 206. Reauthorization of and increased funding for biomass research
and development.
Sec. 207. Reauthorization of carbon cycle research.
TITLE III--HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES
Sec. 301. Reauthorization of and increased funding for community food
project grants.
Sec. 302. Expansion of fresh fruit and vegetable program.
Sec. 303. Authorization level for farm-to-cafeteria activities.
Sec. 304. Extension of WIC farmer's market nutrition program.
Sec. 305. Senior farmers' market nutrition program.
Sec. 306. Farmers' market promotion program.
TITLE I--CONSERVATION
SEC. 101. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Extension.--
(1) Funding extension.--Section 1241(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``2007'' and inserting ``2013''; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``The'' and
inserting ``For each of fiscal years 2002 through 2013,
the''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 1231 of such Act (16
U.S.C. 3831) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``2007'' and
inserting ``2013'';
(B) in subsection (d), by striking ``2007'' and
inserting ``2013'';
(C) in subsection (e)(3), by striking ``2002'' and
inserting ``2008''; and
(D) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``2007'' and
inserting ``2013''.
(b) Eligible Land.--Section 1231(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3831(b))
is amended--
(1) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (1) and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the end of
subparagraph (C);
(3) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(6) marginal pasture land or hay land that is otherwise
ineligible, if the land is located in the Longleaf Pine
National Conservation Priority Area and will be devoted to long
leaf pine; or
``(7) marginal pasture land or hay land that is otherwise
ineligible, if the land is to be devoted to native vegetation
appropriate to the locale and will provide suitable habitat for
a State or federally listed threatened or endangered species or
a species determined by the Secretary of the Interior to be
species of concern.''.
(c) Enrollment Goals.--Section 1231(d) of such Act (16 U.S.C.
3831(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting:
``(1) Acreage authorized.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Enrollment goals.--For the period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this paragraph and ending on December
31, 2013, the Secretary shall establish a goal--
``(A) to enroll not less than 7,000,000 acres of
eligible land through the continuous enrollment program
and the conservation reserve enhancement program; and
``(B) to maintain enrollment of at least 7,800,000
acres in the Prairie Pothole Region National
Conservation Priority Area.''.
(d) Balance of Natural Resource Purposes.--Section 1231(j) of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 3831(j)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``In determining'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) Equitable balance of conservation purposes.--In
determining'';
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``, but
need not balance all conservation purposes with respect to each
particular contract offer.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Wildlife.--In considering the extent to which a
contract offer will achieve the conservation purposes of the
program related to wildlife habitat, the Secretary shall
consider the extent to which the contract offer will contribute
to increased populations of wildlife, including waterfowl,
nongame grassland birds and neotropical migrants, and assist in
the recovery of at-risk species.''.
(e) Duties of Participants.--Section 1232(a) of such Act (16 U.S.C.
3832(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as
subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
(B) by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so
redesignated, the following new subparagraph:
``(A) approved vegetative cover shall not include
vegetative cover inappropriate to the locale;'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (10) as
paragraphs (6) through (11), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph:
``(5) to undertake appropriate management activities on the
land as needed throughout the term of the contract to achieve
the purposes of the conservation reserve program;''; and
(4) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II) of paragraph (8), as so
redesignated, by inserting after ``may be conducted'' the
following: ``, taking into account grassland types and species,
location, weather conditions, and other factors that determine
to what extent harvesting and grazing activities will advance
the conservation purposes of the program''.
(f) Conservation Plan.--Section 1232(b)(1) of such Act (16 U.S.C.
3832(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting ``, including appropriate management activities
required by subsection (a)(5);'' and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) criteria for conducting any commercial use to
be permitted, including criteria for managed harvesting
and grazing specifying frequency, timing, number of
animal units, percentage of field, and other criteria
to ensure that managed harvesting and grazing advances
the conservation purposes of the program; and''.
(g) Cost-Share and Management Assistance.--Section 1234(b) of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 3834(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the period at the
end the following: ``, except that the Secretary shall pay 75
percent of the cost of establishing bottomland hardwood trees
and longleaf pine''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(6) Management costs.--The Secretary shall pay 75 percent
of the cost of management activities, including control of
invasive species, required under a contract entered into under
this subchapter, subject to such limits as the Secretary may
establish.''.
(h) Acceptance of Contract Offers.--Section 1234(c)(3) of such Act
(16 U.S.C. 3834(c)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``In determining'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) Maximizing environmental benefits.--In
determining'';
(2) by striking ``may'' and all that follows through ``take
into consideration'' and inserting ``shall take into
consideration'';
(3) by striking ``benefits; and'' and inserting ``benefits.
The Secretary shall establish criteria for the acceptance of
contract offers that will maximize environmental benefits,
including criteria related to the characteristics of the land
that is the subject of the contract offer, its location,
proposed cover and proposed management practices.'';
(4) by striking ``(B) establish'' and inserting the
following:
``(B) Flexibility.--The Secretary may establish'';
(5) by striking ``abated.'' and inserting ``abated, in
order to more effectively address specific State or regional
resource concerns and conservation priorities.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) Relationship to other conservation
programs.--In the enrollment of land in the
conservation reserve established under this subchapter,
the Secretary shall give a priority to land that cannot
produce comparable environmental benefits if maintained
in agricultural production and enrolled in the
environmental quality incentives program or other
program designed to assist producers in improving the
environmental performance of working agricultural
land.''.
(i) Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.--Section 1234(f)(1)
of such Act is (16 U.S.C. 3834(f)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ``The Secretary may waive this payment
limitation for persons participating in a conservation reserve
enhancement program if the Secretary determines such a waiver is
necessary to achieve the objectives of the conservation reserve
enhancement program.''.
SEC. 102. WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Extension.--
(1) Funding extension.--Section 1241(a)(2) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(2)) is amended by
striking ``The'' and inserting ``For each of fiscal years 2002
through 2013, the''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 1237(c) of such Act (16
U.S.C. 3837(c)) is amended by striking ``2007'' and inserting
``2013''.
(b) Maximum and Yearly Enrollment.--Section 1237(b)(1) of such Act
(16 U.S.C. 3837(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``2,275,000 acres'' and inserting
``5,000,000 acres''; and
(2) by striking ``250,000 acres in each calendar year'' and
inserting ``350,000 acres in each of calendar years 2008 and
2009 and 250,000 acres in each of calendar years 2010 through
2013''.
(c) Wetland Easement Conservation Plan.--Section 1237A(b)(3) of
such Act (16 U.S.C. 3837a(b)(3)) is amended by inserting before the
semicolon at the end the following: ``and management activities
necessary to maintain the functional values of the wetlands''.
(d) Cost-Share and Management Assistance.--Section 1237C of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 3837c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``including
management activities,'' after ``values,''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(4) Management costs.--The Secretary may make payments to
owners to cover up to the full actual cost of undertaking any
ongoing or periodic management activities necessary to maintain
the functional values of wetland enrolled in the wetlands
reserve program.''.
SEC. 103. CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal of Funding Cap.--Section 1241(a)(3) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(3)) is amended by striking ``, using not
more than'' and all that follows through ``2015''.
(b) Program Extension.--Section 1238A(a) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838a(a)) is amended by striking ``2011'' and
inserting ``2013''.
(c) Three Tiers of Conservation Security Contracts.--Section
1238A(d) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838a(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (R) and (S) as
subparagraphs (S) and (T), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (Q), the
following new subparagraph:
``(R) enhancement of in-stream flows;'';
(2) in paragraph (5)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``paragraph (6)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(7)'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)(ii)(I), by striking ``1
significant resource'' and inserting ``2 significant
resources''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)(ii)(I), by striking ``1
significant resource'' and inserting ``3 significant
resources''; and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new
paragraph:
``(6) Soil quality requirements for certain producers.--
Certified organic producers and producers implementing a
resource-conserving crop rotation shall be deemed to meet any
minimum requirements related to soil quality and the
preservation of soil carbon that the Secretary may establish
for each tier of conservation security contracts.''.
(d) Contract Renewal.--Section 1238A(e)(4) of such Act (16 U.S.C.
3838a(e)(4)) is amended----
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subparagraph (B)''
and inserting ``subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D)''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following new subparagraphs:
``(B) Tier i renewals.--In the case of land
enrolled under a Tier I conservation security contract
of a producer, the producer may--
``(i) renew the contract if the producer
agrees to a new conservation security plan that
addresses at least one additional significant
resource concern and includes significant new
conservation practices and activities, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(ii) enroll the land under a Tier II or
Tier III conservation security contract at the
time the Tier I contract expires if the
producer demonstrates that the eligibility
criteria for a Tier III conservation security
contract are met.
``(C) Tier ii renewals.--In the case of land
enrolled under a Tier II conservation security contract
of a producer, the producer may--
``(i) renew the contract if the producer
agrees to a new conservation security plan that
includes significant new conservation practices
or activities, as determined by the Secretary;
or
``(ii) enroll the land under a Tier III
conservation security contract at the time the
Tier II contract expires if the producer
demonstrates that the eligibility criteria for
a Tier III conservation security contract are
met.
``(D) Tier iii renewals.--In the case of land
enrolled under a Tier III conservation security
contract of a producer, the producer may renew the
contract, subject to a benchmark assessment by the
Secretary to determine whether the producer fully
complied with the requirements of the Tier III
conservation security plan.''.
(e) Elimination of Maintenance Payments.--Section 1238C(b)(1)(B) of
such Act (16 U.S.C. 3838c(b)(1)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the
following new sentence: ``Effective for payments made after October 1,
2006, payments under a conservation security contract may not include
amounts for the maintenance of existing land management and vegetative
practices or the maintenance of existing land-based structural
practices.''.
(f) Minimum Contract Payment.--Section 1238C(b) of such Act (16
U.S.C. 3838c(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Minimum payment.--Notwithstanding any other provision
in this subsection, a producer participating in the
conservation security program shall be entitled to an annual
payment of not less than $1,500 under a conservation security
contract.''.
(g) Enrollment Procedures.--Subsection (f) of section 1238C of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838c) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Enrollment Procedures.--
``(1) No use of competitive bidding.--In entering into
conservation security contracts with producers under this
subchapter, the Secretary shall not use competitive bidding or
any similar procedure.
``(2) Continuous enrollment for tier iii contracts.--The
Secretary shall enroll lands that meet Tier III enrollment
criteria on a continuous basis.
``(3) Periodic enrollment opportunities for tier i and ii
contracts.--The Secretary shall ensure that producers whose
land meets the eligibility criteria for enrollment under a Tier
I or Tier II conservation security contract have the
opportunity to enroll the land in the conservation security
program once every three years.''.
(h) Technical Assistance.--Subsection (f) of section 1238C of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 3838c) is amended to read as follows:
``(g) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) Provision of technical assistance.--For each of
fiscal years 2003 through 2013, the Secretary shall provide
appropriate technical assistance to producers for the
development and implementation of conservation security
contracts.
``(2) Limitation.--The amount expended to provide technical
assistance with respect to a conservation security contract
over the life of the contract may not exceed 15 percent of the
total amount expended over the life of the contract.''.
SEC. 104. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED ENROLLMENT AUTHORITY FOR
GRASSLAND RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Extension and Funding.--Section 1241(a) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (5)
and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(5) For each of fiscal years 2002 through 2013, the
grassland reserve program under subchapter C of chapter 2.''.
(b) Maximum Enrollment and Limitation on Use of Rental
Agreements.--Subsection (b) of section 1238N of such Act (16 U.S.C.
3838N) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2,000,000 acres'' and
inserting ``5,000,000 acres''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following
new paragraph:
``(3) Limitation on use of rental agreements.--Of the total
number of acres enrolled in the program at any one time through
the methods described in paragraph (2)(A), not more than 30
percent of the acres shall be enrolled through the use of
rental agreements described in clause (i) of such paragraph.''.
(c) Enrollment Goal.--Subsection (b) of such section is further
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Enrollment goal.--For the period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this paragraph and ending on December
31, 2013, the Secretary shall establish a goal to enroll not
less than 1,000,000 acres of native grasslands in the
program.''.
(d) Equity for Pasture-Based Operations.--Such section is further
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Equity for Pasture-Based Operations.--Consistent with the
other requirements of the program, the Secretary shall implement the
program in a manner that ensures that, to the greatest extent
practicable, landowners operating pasture-based systems have an equal
opportunity to enroll in the program.''.
SEC. 105. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM.
(a) Extension.--
(1) Funding extension and increase.--Section 1241(a) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended by
striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following new
paragraph:
``(6) The environmental quality incentives program under
chapter 4, using, to the maximum extent practicable,
$2,000,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 1240B of such Act is
amended (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2)--
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``2010'' and
inserting ``2013''; and
(B) in subsection (g), by striking ``2007'' and
inserting ``2013''.
(b) Purposes.--Section 1240 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, conserving energy,''
after ``resources''; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and conserve energy,''
after ``wildlife''.
(c) Bidding Down.--Subsection (c) of section 1240B of such Act (16
U.S.C. 3839aa-2) is amended to read as follows:
``(c) Bidding Down.--The Secretary shall not assign a higher
priority to any application because the applicant is willing to accept
a lower cost-share or incentive payment than the applicant would
otherwise be entitled to receive. Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to relieve the Secretary of the obligation, when evaluating
applications for cost-share payments and incentive payments, to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the proposed conservation practices,
systems, and approaches described in the applications and to prioritize
the most cost-effective applications, as required by section
1240C(1).''.
(d) Evaluation of Applications for Cost-Share Payments and
Incentive Payments.--Section 1240C of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1240C. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR COST-SHARE PAYMENTS AND
INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.
``In evaluating applications for cost-share payments and incentive
payments, the Secretary shall--
``(1) prioritize applications based on their overall level
of cost-effectiveness to ensure that the conservation
practices, systems, and approaches proposed are the most
efficient means of achieving the anticipated environmental
benefits of the project;
``(2) prioritize applications based on how effectively and
comprehensively the project addresses the designated resource
concern or resource concerns;
``(3) reward higher levels of environmental performance,
such as advanced levels of management within land management
practices;
``(4) develop criteria for evaluating applications that
will ensure that national, State, and local conservation
priorities are effectively addressed; and
``(5) prioritize applications that will improve
environmental performance on existing operations.''.
(e) Conservation Innovation Grants.--Section 1240H of such Act (16
U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``may'' and inserting
``shall'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``may'' and inserting ``shall'';
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(2);
(C) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(3) and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) include a plan for technology transfer.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(d) Technology Transfer.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall ensure efficient, effective transfer of innovative
technologies and approaches demonstrated through projects that receive
funding under this section.
``(e) Funding.--In addition to amounts made available under section
1241(a)(6) to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use funds of
the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in the
following amounts:
``(1) 40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
``(2) 50,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
``(3) 60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
``(4) 75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through
2013.''.
(f) Funding Under Ground and Surface Water Conservation Program.--
Subsection (c) section 1240I of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-9) is
amended to read as follows:
``(c) Funding.--The Secretary shall use $100,000,000 of the funds
of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section for each
of fiscal years 2008 through 2013. These funds are in addition to
amounts made available under section 1241(a)(6) to carry out this
chapter.''.
(g) Forest Conservation and Performance Incentives for States.--
Chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of such Act is amended by adding
at the end the following new sections:
``SEC. 1240J. PROMOTION OF FOREST STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES.
``(a) Cost-Share Payments and Incentive Payments.--In carrying out
the program under this chapter, the Secretary shall promote forest
stewardship by providing cost-share payments and incentive payments to
non-industrial private forest owners to carry out eligible conservation
activities, to--
``(1) improve water quality;
``(2) improve habitat for at-risk species;
``(3) restore ecologically important forest types; or
``(4) control invasive species.
``(b) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to projects that
involve multiple landowners implementing eligible conservation
activities in a coordinated way to address the purposes described in
subsection (a).
``(c) Funding.--
``(1) Amounts.--The Secretary shall use funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in the
following amounts:
``(A) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
``(B) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
``(C) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(D) $75,000,000 million for each of fiscal years
2011 and 2012; and
``(E) $100 million for fiscal year 2013.
``(2) Relation to other funds.--The funds made available
under paragraph (1) are in addition to amounts made available
under section 1241(a)(6) to carry out this chapter.
``SEC. 1240K. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES FOR STATES.
``(a) High Level of Performance Bonus.--For each of fiscal years
2008 through 2013, 10 percent of the funds made available under this
chapter shall be reserved by the Secretary for bonus allocations to
States that demonstrate a high level of performance in implementing the
environmental quality incentives program.
``(b) Special Considerations.--In evaluating State performance
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall reward States that--
``(1) consistently meet the requirements of section 1240C
in evaluating offers and payments;
``(2) dedicate a portion of their annual environmental
quality incentives program allocation to multi-producer
cooperative efforts to address specific resource concerns;
``(3) collaborate with other Federal and State agencies,
local governments, educational institutions, and for-profit and
nonprofit organizations to monitor and evaluate the
environmental outcomes associated with implementation of the
environmental quality incentives program;
``(4) demonstrate effective and efficient program delivery,
including the provision of adequate technical assistance to all
program participants through appropriate staffing and through
cooperation with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local
agencies, for-profit and nonprofit organizations, and
individuals with demonstrated expertise in the planning and
implementation of conservation practices, systems, and
approaches;
``(5) support and encourage innovative approaches to
addressing resource concerns; and
``(6) demonstrate effective outreach and innovative
approaches to reaching and serving beginning farmers and
ranchers, limited-resource producers, and operators with lower
rates of historical participation in Federal farm and
conservation programs.''.
SEC. 106. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT
INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
(a) Extension and Funding.--Section 1241(a)(7) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(7)) is amended by striking subparagraphs
(A) through (D) and inserting the following new subparagraphs:
``(A) $85,000,000 in fiscal year 2007;
``(B) $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2008;
``(C) $140,000,000 in fiscal year 2009;
``(D) $200,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2010 and
2011; and
``(E) $300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2012 and
2013.''.
(b) Incentive Payments for Agreements Benefitting Listed Species.--
Section 1240N of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1) is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Incentive Payments for Certain Agreements and Applications.--
In a case in which the Secretary enters into an agreement or contract
to protect or restore habitat for a federally or State-listed
endangered, threatened, or candidate species or for applications that
further the goals and objectives of a State's comprehensive wildlife
conservation plan, the Secretary may provide incentive payments to
landowners to protect or restore the habitat, including the cost of
management activities needed during the term of the agreement or
contract.''.
(c) Fish Habitat.--Section 1240N of such Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-1)
is further amended by inserting after subsection (d), as added by
subsection (b), the following new subsection:
``(e) Development of Fish Habitat.--
``(1) Purposes of cost-share payments.--Subsection
(b)(1)(D) authorizes the Secretary to make cost-share payments
to landowners to develop fish habitat. The development of fish
habitat using such cost-share payments may include activities--
``(A) to protect streamside areas, including
through the installation of riparian fencing and
improved stream crossings;
``(B) to repair in-stream habitat;
``(C) to improve water flows and water quality,
including through channel restoration;
``(D) to initiate watershed management and planning
in areas in which streams are in a degraded condition
due to past agricultural or forestry practices; and
``(E) to undertake other types of stream habitat
improvement approved by the Secretary.
``(2) Priority projects.--When considering applications
describing projects to protect or restore fish habitat, the
Secretary shall give priority to applicants who will use the
cost-share payments to carry out a project--
``(A) to remove a small dam or in-stream structure;
``(B) to improve fish passage, including through
culvert repair and maintenance;
``(C) to protect streamside areas;
``(D) to improve water flows, including through
irrigation efficiency improvements; or
``(E) to improve in-stream flow quality or timing
or temperature regimes.
``(3) Priority for projects including upland
improvements.--In addition to the priority projects described
in paragraph (2), to ensure that projects intended to protect
or restore fish habitat also address the causes of stream
habitat degradation, the Secretary shall give priority among
applications describing such projects to applicants who
demonstrate that upland improvements associated with the stream
habitat improvement, including erosion and nutrient management
have been, or will be, carried out.''.
SEC. 107. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.
(a) Establishment of Grant Program.--Subtitle D of title XII of the
Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by adding at the end the following
new chapter:
``CHAPTER 6--COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
``SEC. 1240W. COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE.
``(a) Agreements.--The Secretary shall enter into agreements for
not shorter than three-year or longer than five-year terms with
eligible entities specified in subsection (c) to preferentially enroll
producers in one or more of the programs specified in subsection (b) to
carry out special projects and initiatives through which multiple
producers and other interested persons cooperate to improve water
quality or address other specific resources of concern related to
agricultural production on a local, State, or regional scale.
``(b) Covered Programs.--The conservation programs referred to in
subsection (a) are the following:
``(1) Farmland protection program.
``(2) Grassland reserve program.
``(3) Environmental quality incentives program.
``(4) Ground and surface water conservation program.
``(5) Wildlife habitat incentive program.
``(c) Eligible Partners.--Agreements may be entered into under this
section with any of the following (or a combination thereof):
``(1) States and agencies of States.
``(2) Political subdivisions of States, including State-
sponsored conservation districts.
``(3) Indian tribes.
``(4) Nongovernmental organizations and associations,
including conservation organizations and producer associations
and cooperatives.
``(d) Applications.--
``(1) Competitive process.--The Secretary shall establish a
competitive process for considering applications for agreements
under this section consistent with the evaluation criteria
listed in subsection (e).
``(2) Program allocation.--Applications shall include--
``(A) specification of the amount of funding or
acres of one or more covered programs specified in
subsection (b) proposed to be allocated to carry out
the special project or initiative; and
``(B) a schedule for utilization of funding or
acres over the life of the proposed project or
initiative.
``(e) Evaluation Criteria.--In evaluating applications for
agreements under this section the Secretary shall consider the extent
to which--
``(1) preferential enrollment in the covered programs
specified in the application will effectively address the
environmental objectives established for the special project or
initiative; and
``(2) the special project or initiative covered by the
application--
``(A) enjoys broad local and regional support from
producers and other interested persons, including
governmental and nongovernmental organizations with
appropriate expertise on the issues the project or
initiative seeks to address;
``(B) includes clear environmental objectives and a
high likelihood of success;
``(C) includes a well defined project or initiative
plan that identifies sensitive areas requiring
treatment and prioritizes conservation systems,
practices, and activities needed to achieve
environmental objectives;
``(D) promises adequate and coordinated
participation to achieve the objectives of the project
or initiative;
``(E) coordinates integration of local, State, and
Federal efforts to make the best use of available
resources and maximize cost-effective investments;
``(F) leverages financial and technical resources
from sources other than the programs authorized by this
subtitle, including financial and technical resources
provided by Federal and State agencies, local
governments, nongovernmental organizations and
associations, and other private sector entities;
``(G) describes how all necessary technical
assistance will be provided to each producer
participating in the project or initiative, including
cost estimates for technical assistance and whether
such assistance will be provided by technical service
providers;
``(H) addresses a local, State, regional, or
national environmental priority or priorities, with
particular emphasis on any priority for which there is
an existing State or federally approved plan in place
for addressing that priority;
``(I) links environmental and conservation
objectives with other objectives, such as spurring
rural economic development through increased
opportunities in the project area for recreation,
value-added enterprises, or direct marketing of
agricultural products, and assisting beginning, limited
resource, tribal, and other producers maintain the
viability of their operations;
``(J) includes a plan to evaluate progress and
measure results; and
``(K) clearly demonstrates that enrollment of
producers in covered programs will be consistent with
the purposes and policies of each individual program,
as established in statute, rules and regulations, and
program guidance promulgated by implementing agencies.
``(f) Priorities.--To the maximum extent practicable, consistent
with the requirements of subsection (d), the Secretary shall ensure
that, each fiscal year, agreements are entered into under this section
to support projects and initiatives that collectively address the full
range of resource concerns facing producers, ranchers, and small
private forest landowners, including specifically projects and
initiatives that are designed--
``(1) to achieve improvements in water quality in
watersheds impacted by agriculture, particularly by increasing
the participation of producers in implementing best management
practices in a watershed or developing environmentally and
economically viable alternative uses for manure and litter;
``(2) to achieve improvements in air quality in a
geographical area where agricultural operations impact air
quality, especially an area that, as determined by the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, is a
nonattainment area with respect to any of the national ambient
air quality standards promulgated by the Administrator under
section 109 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7409);
``(3) to conserve water for environmental purposes such as
enhanced in stream flows or aquifer recharge in regions,
States, or local areas where water quantity is a concern;
``(4) to assist in the recovery of Federal or State-listed
endangered species or species of special concern or to further
the goals and objectives of a State's comprehensive wildlife
conservation plan through the cooperative efforts of multiple
producers;
``(5) to control invasive species on rangeland or other
agricultural land through the cooperative efforts of multiple
producers in a geographical area;
``(6) to address a specific resource concern or set of
concerns on private, non-industrial forest land;
``(7) to reduce losses of pesticides to the environment by
engaging multiple producers in a geographic area in adoption of
integrated pest management practices and approaches; and
``(8) to keep working farms and ranches facing development
pressures in agricultural use.
``(g) Selection Process.--In evaluating applications under this
section, the Secretary shall consider recommendations from scientists
and others with appropriate expertise from agencies within the
Department of Agriculture, other Federal and State agencies, and
interest groups, including producer associations and conservation and
environmental organizations.
``(h) Cost Share.--
``(1) Maximum; exceptions.--The Secretary shall not require
more than 25 percent of the cost of a project or initiative
supported under an agreement entered into under this section to
come from non-Federal sources. However, the Secretary may award
more points to projects or initiatives offering to cover a
higher percentage of the cost of the project or initiative from
non-Federal sources.
``(2) In-kind contributions.--If the Secretary establishes
a cost-share requirement for a project or initiative, the
Secretary shall allow the use of in-kind contributions to meet
that requirement.
``(i) Administration With Conservation Reserve Enhancement
Program.--In implementing this section, the Secretary shall ensure that
States or other applicants seeking to combine an application for
project or initiative under this section with an application for a
conservation reserve enhancement program may do so in a manner that
does not impose additional paperwork or other burdens on the applicant.
``(j) Funding.--
``(1) Set-aside.--Of the funds provided each fiscal year to
implement the programs specified in subsection (b), the
Secretary shall use 20 percent to provide funds under
agreements entered into under this section.
``(2) Allocation to states.--The Secretary shall allocate
to States 50 percent of the funds reserved under paragraph (1)
to allow State Conservationists, with the advice of State
Technical Committees, scientists, and other persons with
appropriate expertise, to select projects and initiatives for
funding under this section at the State level.
``(3) Water quality.--To the maximum extent practicable and
consistent with the other requirements of this section, the
Secretary shall ensure that 50 percent of the funds awarded
each year under this section are awarded to projects and
initiatives that will improve water quality.''.
(b) Conforming Repeal.--Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843) is amended by striking subsection (f).
SEC. 108. REGIONAL EQUITY IN FUNDING OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.
Subsection (d) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3841) is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Regional Equity.--In allocating funds to States to implement
the conservation programs under subtitle D (excluding the conservation
reserve program under subchapter B of chapter 1, the wetlands reserve
program under subchapter C of chapter 1, and the conservation security
program under subchapter A of chapter 2), the Secretary shall ensure
that each State receives, at a minimum, $15,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2007 through 2013.''.
SEC. 109. EXCLUSION OF PAYMENTS UNDER DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS FROM ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME
LIMITATION.
(a) Exclusion.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 1001D of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is amended by striking
subparagraph (C).
(b) Duration of Adjusted Gross Income Limitation.--Such section is
further amended by striking subsection (e).
SEC. 110. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR AGRICULTURAL
MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Reauthorization.--Subsection (b)(4)(B) of section 524 of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524) is amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``fiscal years 2003 through
2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''; and
(2) in clause (iii), by striking ``fiscal years 2004
through 2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through
2013''.
(b) Funding Levels.--Such subsection is further amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``$20,000,000'' and
inserting ``$40,000,000''; and
(2) in clause (iii)--
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ``$14,000,000''
and inserting ``$28,000,000'';
(B) in subclause (II), by striking ``$1,000,000''
and inserting ``$2,000,000''; and
(C) in subclause (III), by striking ``$5,000,000''
and inserting ``$10,000,000''.
SEC. 111. SUBURBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY AND OPEN SPACE PROGRAM.
The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 21. SUBURBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY AND OPEN SPACE PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Committee.--The term `Committee' means a State Forest
Stewardship Coordinating Committee established under section
19(b).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
unit of local government or a nonprofit organization that--
``(A) the Secretary determines, in accordance with
the criteria established under subsection (c)(2)(B) is
eligible to receive a grant under subsection (d); and
``(B) the State forester, in consultation with the
Committee, determines--
``(i) has the abilities necessary to
acquire and manage interests in real property;
and
``(ii) has the resources necessary to
monitor and enforce any terms applicable to the
eligible project.
``(3) Eligible project.--The term `eligible project' means
a fee purchase, easement, or donation of land to conserve
private forest land identified for conservation under
subsection (c)(2)(A).
``(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
``(5) Nonprofit organization.--The term `nonprofit
organization' means any organization that is--
``(A) described in section 501(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986; and
``(B) exempt from taxation under 501(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(6) Private forest land.--The term `private forest land'
means land that--
``(A) consists of at least 50 percent forest cover,
with the remainder made up of--
``(i) compatible non-forest uses, including
cultivated farmlands, pastures, orchards, shrub
lands, grasslands, wetlands, or open waters; or
``(ii) preexisting structures that are
inseparable from the landholding and do not
have a detrimental effect on conservation
values;
``(B) is capable of producing commercial forest
products; and
``(C) is owned by a private entity or an Indian
tribe.
``(7) Program.--The term `program' means the Suburban and
Community Forestry and Open Space Program established by
subsection (b).
``(8) Relevant local government.--The term `relevant local
government' means the governing body of a unit of local
government that has the authority to adopt a plan for
development of an area and within which an identified eligible
project would be carried out.
``(9) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
``(b) Establishment and Purpose.--There is established within the
Forest Service a program to be known as the `Suburban and Community
Forestry and Open Space Program'. The purpose of the program is to
provide assistance to eligible entities to carry out eligible projects
in States in which less than 25 percent of the land is owned by the
United States to--
``(1) conserve private forest land and maintain working
forests in suburban areas;
``(2) provide communities a means by which to create
community forests; and
``(3) support primary and secondary value-added forest
products industries and employment in areas threatened by
conversion of forest land to nonforest uses.
``(c) Identification of Eligible Private Forest Land and
Entities.--
``(1) National criteria.--The Secretary shall establish
national criteria--
``(A) for the identification of private forest land
eligible for conservation under the program; and
``(B) for the identification of eligible entities.
``(2) Conditions for eligible private forest land.--Private
forest land identified for conservation using the criteria
established under paragraph (2)(A) shall be land that--
``(A) is located in a State in which less than 25
percent of the land is owned by the United States;
``(B) is appropriate for conservation under a
comprehensive plan for development adopted by the
relevant local government; and
``(C) is determined by the relevant local
government to be located in an area threatened by
conversion of forest land to nonforest uses.
``(d) Grant Program.--
``(1) Grants for eligible projects.--In carrying out the
program, the Secretary shall award competitive grants to
eligible entities to carry out eligible projects.
``(2) Public access.--Eligible entities are encouraged to
provide public access to land on which an eligible project is
carried out, consistent with State law and preexisting access
agreements.
``(e) Application and Stewardship Plan.--
``(1) Submission.--An eligible entity that seeks to receive
a grant under the program shall submit to the appropriate State
forester and relevant local government--
``(A) at such time and in such form as the
Secretary shall prescribe, an application for the grant
(including a description of any private forest land to
be conserved using funds from the grant and a
description of the extent of the threat of conversion
of the land to nonforest use); and
``(B) a stewardship plan that describes--
``(i) the manner in which any private
forest land to be conserved using funds from
the grant will be managed in accordance with
this section;
``(ii) the manner in which the stewardship
plan will be implemented; and
``(iii) the public benefits, including
economic and noneconomic benefits, to be
achieved from implementation of the stewardship
plan.
``(2) Assessment of need.--With respect to an application
submitted under paragraph (1)(A), the State forester shall--
``(A) assess the need for preserving working
suburban forest land and open space and community
forests in the State, taking into account the housing
needs of the area in which the eligible project is to
be carried out;
``(B) certify that the preservation of suburban
forest land as contemplated by the application is
consistent with any comprehensive plan for development
adopted by the relevant local government; and
``(C) if approved by the relevant local government,
submit the application and the assessment of need to
the Secretary.
``(f) Review of Applications.--
``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date on
which the Secretary receives an application under subsection
(e), or a resubmission of an application under subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall review the application and--
``(A) award a grant to the applicant; or
``(B) disapprove the application and provide the
applicant with a statement that describes the reasons
why the application was disapproved and specifies a
deadline by which the applicant may resubmit the
application under this subsection.
``(2) Considerations; priority.--In awarding grants under
the program, the Secretary shall--
``(A) consider the need for the eligible project
based on the assessment of need submitted under
subsection (e)(2) and subject to the criteria
established under subsection (c);
``(B) give priority to applicants that propose to
fund eligible projects that promote--
``(i) the preservation of suburban forest
land;
``(ii) the creation of community forests;
``(iii) the sustainable management of
private forest land;
``(iv) community involvement in determining
the objectives for eligible projects that are
funded under this section;
``(v) primary and secondary value-added
forest products industries and employment;
``(vi) the protection of water, wildlife,
scenic, and recreational resources on private
forest lands; and
``(vii) the protection of forestlands
recognized as conservation priorities within
Federal, regional, State, or local watershed,
open space, or other resource protection plans;
and
``(C) require a certification from the relevant
local government that the preservation of suburban
forest land as contemplated by the application is
consistent with any comprehensive plan for development
adopted by the local government.
``(g) Cost Sharing.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of a grant awarded under the
program to carry out an eligible project shall not exceed 50
percent of the total cost of the eligible project.
``(2) Assurances.--As a condition of receipt of a grant
under the program, an eligible entity shall provide to the
Secretary such assurances as the Secretary determines are
sufficient to demonstrate that the share of the cost of each
eligible project that is not funded by the grant awarded under
this section has been secured.
``(3) Form.--The share of the cost of carrying out any
eligible project that is not funded by a grant awarded under
the program may be provided in cash or in kind (including a
donation of land).
``(h) Use of Grant Funds for Purchases of Land or Easements.--
``(1) Purchases.--
``(A) Purchase at fair market value.--Except as
provided in subparagraph (B), funds made available, and
grants awarded, under the program may be used to
purchase private forest land or interests in private
forest land (including conservation easements) only
from willing sellers at fair market value.
``(B) Purchase at less than fair market value.--A
sale of private forest land or an interest in private
forest land at less than fair market value shall be
permitted only on certification by the landowner that
the sale is being entered into willingly and without
coercion.
``(2) Title.--Title to private forest land or an interest
in private forest land purchased under paragraph (1) may be
held, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, in
consultation with the State and relevant local government, by--
``(A) a State;
``(B) a unit of local government; or
``(C) a nonprofit organization.
``(3) Termination of easement.--Except as provided in
paragraph (4), all right, title, and interest of a unit of
local government or nonprofit organization in and to a
conservation easement purchased under paragraph (1) shall
terminate and vest in the State if the State determines that--
``(A) the unit of local government or nonprofit
organization is unable or unwilling to enforce the
terms of the conservation easement; or
``(B) the conservation easement has been modified
in a way that is inconsistent with the purposes of the
program.
``(4) Conveyance to another unit of local government or
nonprofit organization.--If a State makes a determination under
paragraph (3), the State may convey or authorize the unit of
local government or nonprofit organization to convey the
conservation easement to another unit of local government or
nonprofit organization.
``(i) Administrative Costs.--The State, on approval of the
Secretary and subject to any regulations promulgated by the Secretary,
may use amounts made available under subsection (k) to pay the
administrative costs of the State relating to the program.
``(j) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on
the eligible projects carried out under this section in accordance with
section 8(c) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning
Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1606(c)).
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2008 through 2013.
``(l) Private Property Protections.--
``(1) Access.--Nothing in this section--
``(A) requires a private property owner to permit
public access (including Federal, State, or local
government access) to private property; or
``(B) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or
local law with regard to public access to, or use of,
private land.
``(2) Liability.--Nothing in this section creates any
liability, or has any effect on liability under any other law,
of a private property owner with respect to any persons injured
on the private property.
``(3) Recognition of authority to control land use.--
Nothing in this section modifies any authority of Federal,
State, or local governments to regulate land use.
``(4) Participation of private property owners.--Nothing in
this section requires a private property owner to participate
in private forest conservation under this section.''.
SEC. 112. FARMLAND PROTECTION AND FARM VIABILITY PROGRAMS.
(a) Land Eligible for Protection.--Paragraph (2) of section 1238H
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838h) is amended to read
as follows:
``(2) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land' means land
on a farm or ranch that is--
``(A) cropland;
``(B) rangeland;
``(C) grassland;
``(D) pasture land; or
``(E) forest land that is an incidental part of an
agricultural operation, as determined by the
Secretary.''.
(b) Qualified State or Local Entity Defined.--Such section is
further amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Qualified state or local entity.--The term `qualified
State or local entity' means an eligible entity, public or
private, that operates a farm and ranchland protection program
under authority of State law, which has--
``(A) for at least 3 calendar or fiscal years used
or provided public or private funds to purchase
perpetual conservation easements or other interests in
land on a cumulative total of at least 10 properties
for the primary purpose of protecting the agricultural
production capacity of eligible land;
``(B) the necessary authority under State law, as
well as the technical and financial capacity, to
monitor and enforce the terms of such conservation
easements or other interests in land so that their
purpose is carried out in perpetuity, or in the case of
a governmental entity, to legally require other public
or private holders of such easements or interests in
land acquired with public funding to hold, monitor, and
enforce them for the same purpose; and
``(C) financial control policies in place to assure
that on average the purchase price of conservation
easements and other interests in land purchased by the
eligible entity or purchased using funds provided by
the eligible entity does not exceed their appraised
fair market value.''.
(c) Farmland Protection Program Changes.--Section 1238I of such Act
(16 U.S.C. 3838i) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 1238I. FARMLAND PROTECTION.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, shall establish and carry out a farm
and ranchland protection program under which the Secretary shall
facilitate and fund the purchase of conservation easements or other
interests in eligible land for the purpose of protecting the
agricultural production capacity of the land by limiting incompatible
nonagricultural uses of the land.
``(b) Protection Priorities.--The program shall give the highest
priority to protecting eligible land with prime, unique, or other
productive soils that are at risk of non-farm development.
``(c) Grants.--
``(1) Grants to qualified state or local entities.--Not
less than 75 percent of the funds made available to carry out
the program shall be awarded as grants, administered by Natural
Resources Conservation Service state conservationists, to
qualified State and local entities. The Secretary shall
distribute such grant funds among States based on demonstrated
need for farm and ranch land protection and on the relative
contribution of funds dedicated by States and eligible entities
for this purpose.
``(2) Multiple transactions.--Grants may be made under the
program for multiple transactions without regard for whether
pending purchase offers are outstanding, so long as all grant
funds are used for the purpose of purchasing conservation
easements or other interests in eligible land.
``(3) Distribution of excess funds.--Any funds not granted
to qualified State or local entities under the program shall be
available for distribution to other eligible entities as
matching funds for individual purchases of conservation
easements and other interests in eligible land.
``(d) Grant Agreements.--
``(1) Agreements authorized.--The Secretary, acting through
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, may enter into an
agreement with a qualified State or local entity, under which
the State or local entity may purchase conservation easements
or other interests in eligible land using a combination of
grant funds provided under subsection (c) and other funds
available to the entity.
``(2) Terms and conditions.--An agreement under this
subsection shall stipulate the terms and conditions under which
the qualified State or local entity shall use funds provided by
the Secretary under the program, subject to the following:
``(A) The qualified State or local entity shall be
authorized to determine their own criteria and
priorities for purchasing conservation easements and
other interests in eligible land.
``(B) The qualified State or local entity may
determine the terms and conditions for conservation
easements and other interests in eligible land
purchased using grant funds, if the attorney general of
the State in which the land is located certifies that
such terms and conditions are adequate under State law
to achieve and permit effective enforcement of the
conservation purposes of such easements or other
interests.
``(C) No Federal contingent right of enforcement or
reversionary interest in a conservation easement or
other purchase of an interest in land shall be
required.
``(e) Individual Purchases.--The Secretary may enter into
agreements with eligible entities under which the Secretary shall
provide matching funds for the purpose of purchasing conservation
easements or other interests in eligible land on individual farm and
ranch properties. The Secretary may agree to such terms as the
Secretary considers appropriate to assure that the purpose of the
program is carried out, except that subsection (d)(2)(C) shall apply to
any easement held by a State or local agency or in which a qualified
State or local entity will hold a contingent right of enforcement.
``(f) Conservation Plan.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2)(B), any
highly erodible cropland for which a conservation easement or other
interest in land is purchased using funds made available under the
program shall be subject to the requirements of a conservation plan,
except that, for easements and other interests in land that are
perpetual in duration, the Secretary may not require the conversion of
the cropland to less intensive uses if, under the conservation plan,
soil erosion can be reduced to `T' or below.
``(g) Cost Sharing.--
``(1) Maximum cost share using section 1241(d) funds.--The
share of the cost of purchasing a conservation easement or
other interest in eligible land under the program using funds
provided under section 1241(d) shall not exceed the greater
of--
``(A) 50 percent of the appraised fair market value
of the conservation easement or other interest in
eligible land; or
``(B) if a qualified conservation contribution, as
defined by section 170(h) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, of at least 25 percent of the market value of
the conservation easement or other interest in eligible
land is made by the landowner in connection with the
purchase of the easement or other interest in land,
two-thirds of the actual cost of purchasing the
conservation easement or other interest in land.
``(2) Maximum cost share using other funds.--As part of the
share of the cost of purchasing a conservation easement or
other interest in eligible land under the program using funds
that are not provided under section 1241(d), a qualified State
or local agency or other eligible entity may include a
qualified conservation contribution by the private landowner
from which the eligible land is to be purchased of not more
than 50 percent of the fair market value of the conservation
easement or other interest in eligible land.
``(3) Bidding down.--If the Secretary determines that two
or more applications under the program for the purchase of a
conservation easement or other interest in eligible land are
comparable in achieving the purposes of the program, the
Secretary shall not assign a higher priority to any one of
those applications solely on the basis of lesser cost to the
program.''.
(d) Funding for Farmland Protection Program.--Paragraph (4) of
subsection (a) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3841) is amended to read as follows:
``(4) The farmland protection program under subchapter B of
chapter 2, using, to the maximum extent practicable,
$300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
(e) Farm Viability Program.--
(1) Program required.--Subsection (a) of section 1238J of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838j) is amended by
striking ``The Secretary may'' and inserting ``Using amounts
made available under subsection (b), the Secretary shall''.
(2) Funding.--Subsection (b) of such section is amended to
read as follows:
``(b) Funding.--In addition to other funds made available to carry
out this subchapter for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013, the
Secretary shall use $50,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation each fiscal year to make grants to eligible entities under
subsection (a).''.
SEC. 113. HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Methods of Enrollment.--Section 502(f)(1)of the Healthy Forests
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(f)(1)) is amended by striking
subparagraph (C) and inserting the following new subparagraph:
``(C) a permanent easement.''.
(b) Funding.--Section 508 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 6578) is amended
to read as follows:
``SEC. 508. FUNDING FOR HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM.
``(a) Funding Source.--For each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013,
the Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the healthy forests reserve
program, including the provision of technical assistance under the
program.
``(b) Section 11 Cap.--The use of Commodity Credit Corporation
funds under subsection (a) to provide technical assistance under the
healthy forests reserve program shall not be considered an allotment or
fund transfer from the Commodity Credit Corporation for purposes of the
limitation on expenditures for technical assistance imposed by section
11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i).''.
SEC. 114. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE.
(a) Initiative Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
implement an integrated pest management initiative in priority areas
identified by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b) for the purpose
of assisting agricultural producers operating in a priority area to
comply with pest management regulations and alleviate the need for
additional regulations regarding pest management activities.
(b) Identification of Priority Areas.--
(1) Identification.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
identify priority areas where the adoption by agricultural
producers of integrated pest management practices and
approaches offers the greatest potential benefit to producers
seeking to comply with pest management regulations and
alleviate the need for additional regulations regarding pest
management activities. At a minimum, priority areas shall
include agricultural lands dominated by the production of
specialty crops and agricultural lands where agricultural pest
management activities are regulated for the purpose of
mitigating specific impacts to human health or the environment,
such as an area in which pollutants exceed authorized total
maximum daily load or an air quality non-attainment area.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall identify priority
areas in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency,
the United States Geological Service, the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, agricultural producers, appropriated
State agencies, and other interested persons.
(c) Activities in Priority Areas.--
(1) Expedited approval of management practices.--The
Secretary of Agriculture shall develop the best-available
integrated pest management practices for the primary
agricultural commodities and significant pests in each priority
area identified under subsection (b) and expedite approval of
these practices for implementation by agricultural producers.
(2) Improved evaluation of management plans.--The Secretary
shall develop and make available criteria to enable staff of
the Natural Resources Conservation Service and agricultural
producers operating in priority areas identified under
subsection (b) to effectively compare pest management plans,
considering relative risks and potential benefits to multiple
resources of concern, including air, surface water, ground
water, bees and other pollinators, wildlife, and worker safety.
(3) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may enter in
cooperative agreements, memorandums of understanding, and
contracts for services with technical service providers, other
agencies, and non-Federal organizations, as necessary, to
assist in providing technical assistance regarding integrated
pest management planning and implementation to producers
operating in priority areas identified under subsection (b).
(4) Marketing.--The Secretary may market the availability
of integrated pest management tools and training to
agricultural producers in the priority areas identified under
subsection (b).
(5) Program integration.--The Secretary shall set goals for
integrating the integrated pest management initiative with the
environmental quality incentives program established under
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) and other conservation
programs in each priority area identified under subsection (b),
including indicators of the extent to which these programs fund
integrated pest management practices and the extent to which
supported integrated pest management practices reduce pesticide
use and risk.
(d) Annual Report.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to
Congress an annual report on the integrated pest management initiative,
including progress in meeting the program integration goals set under
subsection (c)(5).
(e) Funding.--The Secretary of Agriculture may use resources
provided for programs under subtitle D of title XII of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) to implement the
integrated pest management initiative.
SEC. 115. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION AND TRANSITION COST SHARE
PROGRAM.
Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 10606. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION AND TRANSITION COST SHARE
PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit
Corporation, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Natural
Resources Conservation Service) shall use $37,500,000 for each of
fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to establish a national organic
certification and transition cost-share program to assist producers and
handlers of agricultural products in obtaining certification under the
national organic production program established under the Organic Foods
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and to assist producers
and handlers in making the transition to organic production under the
such program.
``(b) Certification Costs.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall pay under this
section a portion of the costs incurred by a producer or
handler in obtaining certification under the national organic
production program, as certified to and approved by the
Secretary.
``(2) Maximum amount.--The amount of a payment made to a
producer or handler for certification under this section shall
be $750 per year.
``(3) Funding.--Of the funds made available under
subsection (a), the Secretary (acting through the Agricultural
Marketing Service) shall use $2,500,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2008 through 2013 to share up to 75 percent of the cost
of certification.
``(c) Accreditation and Enforcement Costs.--Of the funds made
available under subsection (a), the Secretary (acting through the
Agricultural Marketing Service) shall use $5,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to fund the accreditation and
enforcement programs operated by the National Organic Program to
implement the accreditation and enforcement provisions of the Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990.
``(d) Reimbursements for Infrastructure Necessary to Implement
Organic Practice Standards.--
``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
establish a program to reimburse producers and handlers for the
costs of transition to organic production.
``(2) Program.--Under the program established under
paragraph (1), the Secretary (acting through the Natural
Resources Conservation Service) shall use $35,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to assist producers and
handlers developing and implementing infrastructure and
practices necessary to transition land and animals to meet the
requirements of the Organic Food Production Act of 1990.
``(3) Plan submission.--The Secretary may only reimburse a
producer or handler under this section if the producer or
handler submits to the Secretary an organic transition plan
that contains the expected costs for infrastructure and
practices, the environmental and economic benefits derived from
the infrastructure or implementing organic practice standards,
and a demonstration of the existence of a market or the
reasonable expectation of a future market for the products to
be produced or handled.
``(4) Appropriate infrastructure and practice standards.--
The Secretary shall only reimburse producers and handlers under
this subsection for the costs of the following:
``(A) Organic practices and activities during
transition to certified organic production consistent
with an approved plan to transition to certified
organic production.
``(B) Farm infrastructure necessary to implement
organic practice standards, including livestock
watering facilities and fencing, so long as such
infrastructure is consistent with an approved plan to
transition to certified organic production.
``(C) Organic livestock welfare measures, so long
as such infrastructure or practices and activities are
necessary to implement an organic practice standard and
are consistent with an approved plan to transition to
certified organic production.
``(D) Advanced organic practices consistent with
approved certified organic production.
``(E) Technical assistance, including the costs of
developing an approved transition plan under this
section.
``(F) Other measures the Secretary, after
consultation with the National Organic Standards Board,
determines are appropriate.
``(5) Organic transition technical advice.--The Secretary
shall consult with the National Organic Standards Board
regarding the elements of an approved organic transition plan
and to identify and recommend ways that the Secretary may
generally use the resources provided for programs under
subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) to facilitate transition to organic
production, including the resources provided by the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation
Security Program.
``(6) Maximum amount for transition reimbursement.--The
maximum amount of reimbursement paid to a producer or handler
for transition to organic production under this section shall
be $10,000 per fiscal year.
``(7) Eligible fiscal years.--A producer or handler may
only receive payments--
``(A) in four fiscal years; and
``(B) after the first payment, in the fiscal year
in which such payment was made and the three subsequent
fiscal years.
``(8) Transition reimbursements.--A certified organic
producer or handler under the national organic production
program shall be eligible for reimbursements to make the
transition to organic production for new lands and livestock.
``(9) Limitation on reimbursements.--The Secretary shall
not enroll a producer or handler under this subsection if, for
any particular agricultural product, the producers and handlers
currently enrolled in the program produce a number of that
agricultural product that is greater than 10 percent of the
amount of that agricultural product produced by all producers
and handlers certified under the Organic Foods Production Act
of 1990 on the date of the enactment of this section.
``(10) Appeals.--An applicant seeking transition assistance
under this section has the right to appeal an adverse decision
by Secretary with regard to an application for assistance, as
provided in section 275 of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995).
``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical
assistance to producers and handlers to carry out this section,
including entering into cooperative agreements with qualified entities
to implement the transition to organic production.
``(f) Reporting.--Not later than March 1 of each year, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress and the National Organic Standards
Board a report detailing State-by-State expenditures on certification,
including the number of producers and handlers served by the program,
and State-by-State expenditures on transition assistance, including the
number of producers and handlers served by the program, the practices
implemented, an assessment of the impacts of the program on organic
production, and recommended reforms, if any.''.
SEC. 116. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.
Section 1672B(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b(e)) is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Funding.--Of the funds available to the Commodity Credit
Corporation, the Secretary shall use $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2013 to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 117. FUNDING FOR EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING
INSTITUTIONS.
Subsection (c) of section 1455 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241) is
amended to read as follows:
``(c) Funding.--Of the funds available to the Commodity Credit
Corporation, the Secretary shall use $25,000,000 for each fiscal year
to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 118. INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE GREATER PARTICIPATION BY SOCIALLY
DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Socially disadvantaged group.--The term ``socially
disadvantaged group'' means a group of persons whose members
have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of
their identity as members of a group without regard to their
individual qualities.
(2) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.--The term
``socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher'' means a farmer or
rancher who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means
any of the following:
(A) Any community-based organization, network, or
coalition of community-based organizations that--
(i) has demonstrated experience in
providing agricultural education or other
agriculturally related services to socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers;
(ii) has provided to the Secretary of
Agriculture documentary evidence of work with
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers for
not less than a five-year period preceding the
submission of an application for assistance
under this section; and
(iii) does not engage in activities
prohibited under section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(B) An Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 450b)) or a national tribal organization
that has demonstrated experience in providing
agriculture education or other agriculturally related
services to socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers
in a region.
(C) An 1890 institution or 1994 institution (as
defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7601)), including West Virginia State College.
(D) An Indian tribal community college or an Alaska
Native cooperative college.
(E) An Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3103)).
(F) Any other institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) that has demonstrated experience
in providing agriculture education or other
agriculturally related services to socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers in a region.
(b) Initiative.--With respect to all programs authorized or amended
by this title, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a
conservation initiative for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
With respect to such programs that serve an Indian tribe, the Secretary
shall be required to pay the costs of office space to carry out
conservation functions authorized under this section.
(c) Special Rule for Cost-Share Payments.--The Secretary of
Agriculture shall pay 100 percent of the costs incurred by a socially
disadvantaged farmer or rancher entitled to participate in a program
authorized or amended by this title.
(d) Outreach and Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
carry out an outreach and technical assistance program to encourage and
assist socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers to participate
equitably in the full range of agricultural programs authorized or
amended by this title.
(e) Grants and Contracts.--The Secretary of Agriculture may make
grants to, and enter into contracts and other agreements with, an
eligible entity to provide information and technical assistance to
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers so that they can participate
equitably in the full range of agricultural programs authorized or
amended by this title.
(f) Relationship to Other Law.--The authority to carry out this
section shall be in addition to any other authority provided in this or
any other Act.
(g) Funding.--
(1) Availability of funds.--The Secretary of Agriculture
shall use not less $25,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation in each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to
carry out this section.
(2) Interagency funding.--In addition to funds made
available by paragraph (1), any agency of the Department of
Agriculture may participate in any grant, contract, or
agreement entered into under this section by contributing
funds, if the agency determines that the objectives of the
grant, contract, or agreement will further the authorized
programs of the contributing agency.
TITLE II--ENERGY
SEC. 201. DEFINITION OF BIOMASS.
Section 9001(3)(B)(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101(3)(B)(i)) is amended by inserting ``and crop
waste'' after ``agricultural crops''.
SEC. 202. SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BIOREFINERIES.
(a) Assistance Methods.--Subsection (c) of section 9003 of the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) to read as
follows:
``(c) Assistance.--The Secretary shall award grants and make loans
and loan guarantees to eligible entities to assist in covering the cost
of development and construction of biorefineries to carry out projects
to demonstrate the commercial viability of 1 or more processes for
converting biomass to fuels or chemicals.''.
(b) Environmental Goals.--Subsection (e)(2) of such section is
amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i);
(2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
(3) by striking after clause (i) the following new clause:
``(ii) shall select projects based upon the
extent to which the projects meet environmental
goals for feed stocks and refineries, developed
by the Secretary in consultation with the
Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of
Energy, and the National Academy of Sciences;
and''.
(c) Cost Sharing.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended to
read as follows:
``(f) Cost Sharing and Interest Rates.--
``(1) In general.--The combined amount of a grant and loan
made or guaranteed under this section shall not exceed 50
percent of the cost of the project.
``(2) Form of recipient share.--The recipient share of the
cost of a project may be made in the form of cash or the
provision of services, material, or other in-kind
contributions. The amount of the recipient share made in the
form of the provision of services, material, or other in-kind
contributions shall not exceed 25 percent of the amount of the
share determined under paragraph (1).
``(3) Interest rate.--A loan made under subsection (c)
shall bear interest at the rate equivalent to the rate of
interest charged on Treasury securities of comparable maturity
on the date the loan is approved. The interest rate shall
remain in effect for the term of the loan.''.
(d) Energy Reserve Program.--Such section is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as subsections
(h) and (i), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new
subsection:
``(g) Energy Reserve Program.--
``(1) Program required.--Until December 31, 2013, the
Secretary shall carry out an energy reserve program under which
not more than 100,000 acres of land may be enrolled through the
use of five-year contracts to assist owners and operators with
the production of feed stocks for the projects carried out
pursuant to this section.
``(2) Eligible lands.--The Secretary may include any land,
regardless of a cropping history, so long as the feed stock is
produced and harvested consistent with the needs of the
environment, as provided in paragraph (3).
``(3) Duties of owners and operators.--Under a contract
entered into under this subsection, an owner or operator of
land shall implement a feed stock conservation plan to ensure
that lands enrolled are managed consistent with the needs of
the environment, including the needs of wildlife. Paragraphs
(5) and (6) of section 1232(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3832(a)) shall apply to the contracts
``(4) Payments.--The Secretary shall provide annual rental
payments to owners and operators of lands of amounts not
greater than $25,000 for any fiscal year, and shall establish
the amounts of payments through--
``(A) the submission of bids for such contracts by
owners and operators in such manner as the Secretary
may prescribe; or
``(B) such other means as the Secretary determines
are appropriate.''.
(e) Funding.--Subsection (i) of such section, as amended by
subsection (d)(1), is amended to read as follows:
``(i) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation,
the Secretary shall make available to carry out this section
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
(f) Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``grants'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``a grant'' and
inserting ``assistance''; and
(3) in subsection (e), by striking ``grants'' both places
it appears and inserting ``assistance''.
SEC. 203. REAUTHORIZATION OF ENERGY AUDIT AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Section 9005(i) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105(f)) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002
through 2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.
SEC. 204. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
SYSTEMS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM.
Subsection (f) of section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Funding.--
``(1) Availability of funds.--Of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry
out this section the following amounts:
``(A) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
``(B) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.
``(C) $130,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.
``(D) $180,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.
``(E) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
``(2) Duration.--Funds made available under paragraph (1)
shall remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 205. REAUTHORIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BIOENERGY
PROGRAM.
Subsection (c) of section 9010 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108) is amended:
``(c) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation,
the Secretary shall use to carry out this section not more than
$150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
SEC. 206. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR BIOMASS RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 310 of the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 (7
U.S.C. 7624 note; Public Law 106-224) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 310. FUNDING.
``(a) Funding.--Of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the
Secretary shall make available to carry out this title--
``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
``(2) $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through
2013.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts
transferred under subsection (a), there are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this title $200,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2006 through 2015.
``(c) Availability of Funds.--Amounts made available under
subsection (a) or appropriated pursuant to the authorization of
appropriations in subsection (b) shall remain available until
expended.''.
SEC. 207. REAUTHORIZATION OF CARBON CYCLE RESEARCH.
(a) Research Conducted Through Consortium for Agricultural Soils
Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases.--
(1) Participants in consortium.--Subsection (b) of section
221 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C.
6711) is amended by striking ``are'' in the matter preceding
paragraph (1) and inserting ``include''.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Subsection (g) of
such section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 through
2007'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2007 through 2012''.
(b) Cooperative Research Projects.--Subsection (d)(4) of such
section is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 through 2007'' and
inserting ``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.
(c) Extension Projects.--Subsection (e)(3) of such section is
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2002 through 2007'' and inserting
``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.
TITLE III--HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES
SEC. 301. REAUTHORIZATION OF AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY FOOD
PROJECT GRANTS.
(a) Reauthorization and Funding.--Subsection (b) of section 25 of
the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2034) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``From amounts made
available to carry out this Act, the Secretary may'' and
inserting ``The Secretary shall''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following
new paragraph:
``(2) Funding amounts.--From amounts made available to
carry out this Act, the Secretary shall use $20,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 to make grants under
this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (h)(4) of such section is
amended by striking ``fiscal years 2003 through 2007'' and inserting
``fiscal years 2008 through 2013''.
SEC. 302. EXPANSION OF FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM.
(a) Expansion of Program.--Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended in subsection
(g)(1)--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``For the school year beginning
July 2004 and each subsequent school year,'' and
inserting ``For each school year,''; and
(B) by striking ``to--'' and inserting ``as
follows:'';
(2) in each of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), by
inserting ``Starting with the school year beginning July 2004,
to'' before ``25 elementary or secondary schools'';
(3) in subparagraph (A), by striking the semicolon and
inserting a period;
(4) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Starting with the school year beginning July
2007, to 100 elementary or secondary schools in each
State.''.
(b) Funding.--Such section is further amended in subsection
(g)(6)(B)(i)--
(1) by inserting after ``thereafter'' the following:
``through October 1, 2006''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following: ``On October 1,
2007, and on each October 1 thereafter, the Secretary of the
Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture to
carry out this subsection $200,000,000, to remain available
until expended.''.
SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATION LEVEL FOR FARM-TO-CAFETERIA ACTIVITIES.
Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42
U.S.C. 1769) is amended in subsection (i)(2) by striking ``such sums as
are necessary'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2013.''.
SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF WIC FARMER'S MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.
Section 17(m)(9)(A) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1786(m)(9)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i), by striking ``2009'' and inserting
``2013''; and
(2) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
``(ii) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of
the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary
shall make available to carry out this
subsection $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008,
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $45,000,000
for fiscal year 2010, $60,000,000 for fiscal
year 2011, and $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2012
and each fiscal year thereafter. Such funds
shall remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 305. SENIOR FARMERS' MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM.
Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``$5,000,000'' and all
that follows through ``2007'', and inserting ``$20,000,000 for
fiscal year 2008, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $45,000,000
for fiscal year 2010, $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, and
$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year
thereafter'', and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``and'' at the
end,
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and'', and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) to promote the transition to organic and other
environmentally beneficial food production systems.''.
SEC. 306. FARMERS' MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAM.
Subsections (d) and (e) of section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer
Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005) are amended to read as
follows:
``(d) Criteria and Guidelines.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish criteria
and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and funding of
proposed projects under the Program.
``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize for funding
projects that will support, encourage, or promote the
transition to organic and other environmentally beneficial
forms of agricultural production.
``(e) Funding.--The Secretary shall use $20,000,000 of funds of the
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this section in each of the
fiscal years 2008 through 2013.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Education Reform.
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