Farmer Red Tape Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to require that each agency publish in the Federal Register a biennial agricultural regulatory flexibility agenda that shall: (1) describe the subject area of any proposed rule that is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities; (2) provide a summary of, the legal basis for, and an approximate schedule for completing action on a rule under consideration; and (3) provide the name and telephone number of an agency official who is knowledgeable concerning the rule.
Authorizes an agricultural entity that is adversely affected by a final agency action to seek judicial review.
Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Advocacy of the Department of Agriculture.
[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[S. 2691 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2691
To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to provide enhanced agricultural
input into Federal rulemakings, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 4, 2008
Mr. Bond introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to provide enhanced agricultural
input into Federal rulemakings, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Farmer Red Tape Reduction Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY.
The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``TITLE IV--AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY
``SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.
``In this title:
``(1) Agency.--The term `agency' has the meaning given the
term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
``(2) Agricultural entity.--The term `agricultural entity'
means any person or entity that has income derived from--
``(A) farming, ranching, or forestry operations;
``(B) the production of crops, livestock, or
unfinished raw forestry products;
``(C) the sale (including the sale of easements and
development rights) of farm, ranch, or forest products,
including water or hunting rights;
``(D) the sale of equipment to conduct farming,
ranching, or forestry operations;
``(E) the rental or lease of land used for farming,
ranching, or forestry operations, including water or
hunting rights;
``(F) the provision of production inputs or
services to farmers, ranchers, or foresters;
``(G) the processing (including packing), storing
(including shedding), or transporting of farm, ranch,
or forestry products; or
``(H) the sale of land used for agriculture.
``(3) Chief counsel for advocacy.--The term `Chief Counsel
for Advocacy' means the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
Office of Advocacy of the Department of Agriculture appointed
under section 413(b).
``(4) Collection of information.--
``(A) In general.--The term `collection of
information' means obtaining, causing to be obtained,
soliciting, or requiring the disclosure to third
parties or the public, of facts or opinions by or for
an agency, regardless of form or format, calling for--
``(i) answers to identical questions posed
to, or identical reporting or recordkeeping
requirements imposed on, 10 or more persons,
other than agencies, instrumentalities, or
employees of the United States; or
``(ii) answers to questions posed to
agencies, instrumentalities, or employees of
the United States that are to be used for
general statistical purposes.
``(B) Exclusion.--The term `collection of
information' does not include collection of information
described in section 3518(c)(1) of title 44, United
States Code.
``(5) Recordkeeping requirement.--The term `recordkeeping
requirement' means a requirement imposed by an agency on
persons to maintain specified records.
``(6) Rule.--
``(A) In general.--The term `rule' means any rule
for which an agency publishes a general notice of
proposed rulemaking pursuant to section 553(b) of title
5, United States Code, or any other law.
``(B) Inclusion.--The term `rule' includes any rule
of general applicability governing Federal grants to
State and local governments for which an agency
provides an opportunity for notice and public comment.
``(C) Exclusions.--The term `rule' does not include
a rule of particular applicability relating to--
``(i) rates, wages, corporate or financial
structures or reorganizations of the
structures, prices, facilities, appliances,
services, or allowances; or
``(ii) valuations, costs, accounting, or
practices relating to those rates, wages,
structures, prices, facilities, appliances,
services, or allowances.
``SEC. 402. AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY AGENDA.
``(a) In General.--During the months of October and April of each
year, each agency shall publish in the Federal Register an agricultural
regulatory flexibility agenda that shall contain--
``(1) a brief description of the subject area of any rule
that the agency expects to propose or promulgate that is likely
to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of agricultural entities;
``(2) a summary of--
``(A) the nature of the rule under consideration
for each subject area listed in the agenda under
paragraph (1);
``(B) the objectives and legal basis for the
issuance of the rule; and
``(C) an approximate schedule for completing action
on any rule for which the agency has issued a general
notice of proposed rulemaking; and
``(3) the name and telephone number of an agency official
who is knowledgeable concerning the rule described in paragraph
(1).
``(b) Notice and Comment by Chief Counsel for Advocacy.--Each
agency shall transmit the agricultural regulatory flexibility agenda of
the agency to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy for any comment.
``(c) Notice and Comment by Agricultural Entities.--Each agency
shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
``(1) provide notice of each agricultural regulatory
flexibility agenda to agricultural entities or the
representatives of agricultural entities through direct
notification or publication of the agenda in publications
likely to be obtained by the agricultural entities; and
``(2) invite comments on each subject area on the agenda.
``(d) Administration.--Nothing in this section--
``(1) precludes an agency from considering or acting on any
matter not included in an agricultural regulatory flexibility
agenda; or
``(2) requires an agency to consider or act on any matter
listed in the agenda.
``SEC. 403. INITIAL AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS.
``(a) In General.--If an agency is required by section 553 of title
5, United States Code, or any other law, to publish general notice of
proposed rulemaking for any proposed rule, or publishes a notice of
proposed rulemaking for an interpretative rule involving the internal
revenue laws of the United States, the agency shall prepare and make
available for public comment an initial agricultural regulatory
flexibility analysis of the proposed rule that describes the impact of
the proposed rule on agricultural entities.
``(b) Publication.--The agency shall publish the initial
agricultural regulatory flexibility analysis or a summary of the
analysis in the Federal Register at the time of the publication of
general notice of proposed rulemaking for the rule.
``(c) Notice and Comment by Chief Counsel for Advocacy.--The agency
shall transmit a copy of the initial agricultural regulatory
flexibility analysis to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy for any comment.
``(d) Interpretative Rules.--In the case of an interpretative rule
that involves the internal revenue laws of the United States, this
title applies to interpretative rules published in the Federal Register
for codification in the Code of Federal Regulations only to the extent
that the interpretative rule impose on agricultural entities a
collection of information requirement.
``(e) Contents.--Each initial agricultural regulatory flexibility
analysis of an agency for a proposed rule required under this section
shall contain--
``(1) a description of the reasons why action by the agency
is being considered;
``(2) a succinct statement of the objectives of, and legal
basis for, the proposed rule;
``(3) a description of and, if feasible, an estimate of the
number of agricultural entities to which the proposed rule will
apply;
``(4) a description of the projected reporting,
recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the
proposed rule, including an estimate of the classes of
agricultural entities that will be subject to the requirement
and the type of professional skills necessary for preparation
of the report or record; and
``(5) an identification, to the maximum extent practicable,
of all relevant Federal rules that may duplicate, overlap, or
conflict with the proposed rule.
``(f) Alternatives.--
``(1) In general.--Each initial agricultural regulatory
flexibility analysis of an agency for a proposed rule shall
contain a description of any significant alternatives to the
proposed rule that--
``(A) accomplish the purposes of the applicable
law; and
``(B) minimize any significant economic impact of
the proposed rule on agricultural entities.
``(2) Types of alternatives.--Consistent with the purposes
of the applicable law, the analysis shall discuss significant
alternatives such as--
``(A) the establishment of differing compliance or
reporting requirements or timetables that take into
account the resources available to agricultural
entities;
``(B) the clarification, consolidation, or
simplification of compliance and reporting requirements
under the rule for agricultural entities;
``(C) the use of performance rather than design
standards; and
``(D) an exemption from coverage of the rule, or
any part of the rule, for agricultural entities.
``SEC. 404. FINAL AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS.
``(a) In General.--If an agency promulgates a final rule under
section 553 of title 5, United States Code, after being required by
that section or any other law to publish a general notice of proposed
rulemaking, or promulgates a final interpretative rule involving the
internal revenue laws of the United States as described in section
403(a), the agency shall prepare a final agricultural regulatory
flexibility analysis of the final rule that describes the impact of the
final rule on agricultural entities.
``(b) Contents.--Each final agricultural regulatory flexibility
analysis of an agency for a final rule required under this section
shall contain--
``(1) a succinct statement of the need for, and objectives
of, the rule;
``(2)(A) a summary of the significant issues raised by the
public comments in response to the initial agricultural
regulatory flexibility analysis;
``(B) a summary of the assessment of the agency of the
issues; and
``(C) a statement of any changes made in the proposed rule
as a result of the comments;
``(3) a description of and an estimate of the number of
agricultural entities to which the rule will apply or an
explanation of why no such estimate is available;
``(4) a description of the projected reporting,
recordkeeping, and other compliance requirements of the rule,
including an estimate of the classes of agricultural entities
that will be subject to the requirements and the type of
professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or
record; and
``(5) a description of the steps the agency has taken to
minimize the significant economic impact on agricultural
entities consistent with the purposes of applicable law,
including a statement of--
``(A) the factual, policy, and legal reasons for
selecting the alternative adopted in the final rule;
and
``(B) why each 1 of the other significant
alternatives to the rule considered by the agency that
affect the impact on agricultural entities was
rejected.
``(c) Public Availability.--The agency shall--
``(1) make copies of the final agricultural regulatory
flexibility analysis available to members of the public; and
``(2) publish in the Federal Register the analysis or a
summary of the analysis.
``SEC. 405. AVOIDANCE OF DUPLICATIVE OR UNNECESSARY ANALYSIS.
``(a) Other Agenda or Analysis.--An agency may perform the analyses
required by section 402, 403, or 404 in conjunction with or as a part
of any other agenda or analysis required by any other law if the other
analysis meets the requirements of that section.
``(b) No Significant Economic Impact on Agricultural Entities.--
``(1) In general.--Sections 403 and 404 shall not apply to
a proposed or final rule of an agency if the head of the agency
certifies that the rule will not, if promulgated, have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of
agricultural entities.
``(2) Publication of certification.--If the head of the
agency makes a certification under subsection (a), at the time
of publication of general notice of proposed rulemaking for the
rule or at the time of publication of the final rule, the
agency shall publish in the Federal Register the certification
and a statement providing the factual basis for the
certification.
``(3) Notice and comment by chief counsel for advocacy.--
The agency shall provide the certification and statement to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy for comment.
``(c) Closely Related Rules.--In order to avoid duplicative action,
an agency may consider a series of closely related rules as 1 rule for
the purposes of sections 402, 403, 404, and 410.
``SEC. 406. EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.
``The requirements of sections 403 and 404 do not alter any
standards otherwise applicable by law to agency action.
``SEC. 407. PREPARATION OF ANALYSES.
``In complying with sections 403 and 404, an agency may provide--
``(1) a quantifiable or numerical description of the
effects of a proposed rule or alternatives to the proposed
rule; or
``(2) more general descriptive statements, if
quantification is not practicable or reliable.
``SEC. 408. WAIVER OR DELAY OF COMPLETION.
``(a) Initial Agricultural Regulatory Flexibility Analysis.--An
agency head may waive or delay the completion of all or part of the
requirements of section 403 for a proposed rule by publishing in the
Federal Register, not later than the date of publication of the
proposed rule, a written finding, with a statements of the reasons for
the finding, that the final rule is being promulgated in response to an
emergency that makes compliance or timely compliance with section 403
impracticable.
``(b) Final Agricultural Regulatory Flexibility Analysis.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in section 405(b), an
agency head may not waive the requirements of section 404 for a
final rule.
``(2) Delayed completion.--An agency head may delay the
date for complying with section 404 for a final rule for a
period of not more than 180 days after the date of publication
in the Federal Register of the final rule by publishing in the
Federal Register, not later than the date of publication of the
final rule, a written finding, with a statement of the reasons
for the finding, that the final rule is being promulgated in
response to an emergency that makes timely compliance with
section 104 impracticable.
``(3) Effect of noncompliance.--If the agency has not
prepared a final agricultural regulatory analysis for a final
rule pursuant to section 404 within 180 days after the date of
publication of the final rule--
``(A) the rule shall lapse and have no effect; and
``(B) the rule shall not be repromulgated until a
final regulatory flexibility analysis has been
completed by the agency.
``SEC. 409. COMMENTS.
``(a) Definition of Covered Agency.--In this section, the term
`covered agency' means--
``(1) the Environmental Protection Agency; and
``(2) the Department of the Interior.
``(b) In General.--If a rule is promulgated that will have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of agricultural
entities, the head of the agency promulgating the rule or the official
of the agency with statutory responsibility for the promulgation of the
rule shall ensure that agricultural entities are given an opportunity
to participate in the rulemaking for the rule through the use of
techniques such as--
``(1) the inclusion in an advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking, if issued, of a statement that the proposed rule
may have a significant economic effect on a substantial number
of agricultural entities;
``(2) the publication of general notice of proposed
rulemaking in publications likely to be obtained by
agricultural entities;
``(3) the direct notification of interested agricultural
entities;
``(4) the conduct of open conferences or public hearings
concerning the rule for agricultural entities, including
soliciting and receiving comments over computer networks; and
``(5) the adoption or modification of agency procedural
rules to reduce the cost or complexity of participation in the
rulemaking by agricultural entities.
``(c) Requirements for Covered Agencies.--Prior to publication of
an initial agricultural regulatory flexibility analysis for a proposed
rule that a covered agency is required to conduct under this title--
``(1) the covered agency shall--
``(A) notify the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the
proposed rule; and
``(B) provide the Chief Counsel for Advocacy with
information on the potential impact of the proposed
rule on agricultural entities;
``(2) not later than 15 days after the date of receipt of
the materials described in paragraph (1), the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy shall identify individuals representative of affected
agricultural entities for the purpose of obtaining advice and
recommendations from those individuals on the potential impact
of the proposed rule;
``(3) the covered agency shall convene a review panel for
the proposed rule consisting of--
``(A) full-time Federal employees of the office
within the covered agency responsible for carrying out
the proposed rule;
``(B) the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget; and
``(C) the Chief Counsel for Advocacy;
``(4) the panel convened under paragraph (3) for the
proposed rule of a covered agency shall--
``(A) review any material the covered agency has
prepared in connection with the proposed rule,
including any draft proposed rule;
``(B) collect advice and recommendations of each
individual agricultural entity representative
identified by the covered agency, after consultation
with the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, on issues related
to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of subsection (b), and
subsection (c), of section 403(e); and
``(C) not later than 60 days after the date the
panel is convened, submit to the covered agency a
report on--
``(i) the comments of the agricultural
entity representatives; and
``(ii) the findings of the panel on issues
related to paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of
subsection (b), and subsection (c), of section
403(e); and
``(5) the covered agency shall--
``(A) make the report provided under paragraph
(4)(C) public as part of the rulemaking record; and
``(B) if appropriate, modify--
``(i) the proposed rule;
``(ii) the initial agricultural flexibility
analysis; or
``(iii) the decision on whether an initial
flexibility analysis is required.
``(d) No Significant Economic Impact on Agricultural Entities.--A
covered agency may apply subsection (c) to rules that the covered
agency--
``(1) intends to certify under subsection 405(b); but
``(2) believes may have a greater than de minimis impact on
a substantial number of agricultural entities.
``(e) Waivers.--
``(1) In general.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy, in
consultation with the individuals described in subsection
(c)(2) and the Administrator of the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget, may
waive the requirements of paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of
subsection (c) by including in the rulemaking record a written
finding, with a statement of the reasons for the finding, that
those requirements would not advance the effective
participation of agricultural entities in the rulemaking
process.
``(2) Factors.--In making a determination on a proposed
rule of a covered agency under this subsection, the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy shall consider--
``(A) in developing the proposed rule, the extent
to which the covered agency--
``(i) consulted with individuals
representative of affected agricultural
entities with respect to the potential impact
of the proposed rule; and
``(ii) took those concerns into
consideration;
``(B) special circumstances requiring prompt
issuance of the rule; and
``(C) whether the requirements of subsection (c)
would provide the individuals described in subsection
(b)(2) with a competitive advantage relative to other
agricultural entities.
``SEC. 410. PERIODIC REVIEW OF RULES.
``(a) Plan for Periodic Review of Rules.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this title, each agency shall publish in the
Federal Register a plan for the periodic review of the rules
issued by the agency that have or will have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of agricultural
entities.
``(2) Amendments.--The agency may amend the plan by
publishing the amendment in the Federal Register.
``(3) Purpose of review.--The purpose of the review shall
be to determine whether the rules should be continued without
change, or should be amended or rescinded, consistent with the
purposes of applicable law, to minimize any significant
economic impact of the rules on a substantial number of
agricultural entities.
``(4) Timetable.--Subject to paragraph (5), the plan shall
provide for--
``(A) the review of all such agency rules existing
on the date of enactment of this title not later than
10 years after that date of enactment; and
``(B) the review of each rule adopted after the
date of enactment of this title not later than 10 years
after the date of the publication of the rule as the
final rule.
``(5) Extension.--If the head of the agency determines that
completion of the review of existing rules is not feasible by
the date required under paragraph (4), the head of the agency--
``(A) shall certify the determination in a
statement published in the Federal Register; and
``(B) may extend the completion date by 1 year at a
time for a total of not more than 5 years.
``(b) Factors for Minimizing Impact.--In reviewing rules to
minimize any significant economic impact of a rule on a substantial
number of agricultural entities in a manner consistent with the
purposes of applicable law, the agency shall consider--
``(1) the continued need for the rule;
``(2) the nature of complaints or comments received
concerning the rule from the public;
``(3) the complexity of the rule;
``(4) the extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or
conflicts with other Federal rules, and, to the maximum extent
feasible, with State and local governmental rules; and
``(5) the length of time since the rule has been evaluated
or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or
other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule.
``(c) Publication of List of Rules.--
``(1) In general.--Each year, each agency shall publish in
the Federal Register a list of the rules that have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of
agricultural entities, which are to be reviewed pursuant to
this section during the succeeding 1-year period.
``(2) Content.--The list shall include a brief description
of each rule and the need for and legal basis of the rule.
``(3) Public comments.--The agency shall invite public
comment on the rule.
``SEC. 411. JUDICIAL REVIEW.
``(a) In General.--In the case of any rule subject to this title,
an agricultural entity that is adversely affected or aggrieved by final
agency action may seek judicial review, of agency compliance with--
``(1) sections 404, 405(b), 408(b), and 410, in accordance
with chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code; and
``(2) sections 407 and 409(a), in connection with judicial
review of section 404.
``(b) Jurisdiction.--Each court having jurisdiction to review a
rule for compliance with section 553, United States Code, or under any
other provision of law, shall have jurisdiction to review any claim of
noncompliance with--
``(1) section 404, 405(b), 108(b), and 110 in accordance
with chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code; and
``(2) sections 407 and 409(a), in connection with judicial
review of section 404.
``(c) Timing.--
``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, an agricultural entity may seek review under this
section during--
``(A) the 1-year period beginning on the date of
final agency action; or
``(B) if a provision of law requires that an action
challenging a final agency action be commenced before
the expiration of that 1-year, during the period
established under the provision of law.
``(2) Final agricultural regulatory flexibility analysis.--
If an agency delays the issuance of a final agricultural
flexibility analysis pursuant to section 408(b), an action for
judicial review under this section shall be filed not later
than--
``(A) 1 year after the date the analysis is made
available to the public; or
``(B) if a provision of law requires that an action
challenging a final agency regulation be commenced
before the expiration of the 1-year period, the number
of days specified in the provision of law that is after
the date the analysis is made available to the public.
``(d) Relief.--In granting any relief in an action under this
section, the court shall order the agency to take corrective action
consistent with this title and chapter 7 of title 5, United States
Code, including--
``(1) remanding the rule to the agency; and
``(2) deferring the enforcement of the rule against
agricultural entities unless the court finds that continued
enforcement of the rule is in the public interest.
``(e) Effective Date of Rule.--Nothing in this subsection limits
the authority of any court to stay the effective date of any rule or
provision of any rule under any other provision of law or to grant any
other relief in addition to the relief authorized under this section.
``(f) Agricultural Flexibility Analysis.--In an action for the
judicial review of a rule, the agricultural flexibility analysis for
the rule (including an analysis prepared or corrected pursuant to
subsection (d)) shall constitute part of the entire record of agency
action in connection with the review.
``(g) Sole Means of Review.--Compliance or noncompliance by an
agency with this title shall be subject to judicial review only in
accordance with this section.
``(h) Other Impact Statements.--Nothing in this section bars
judicial review of any other impact statement or similar analysis
required by any other law if judicial review of the statement or
analysis is otherwise permitted by law.
``SEC. 412. REPORTS AND INTERVENTION RIGHTS.
``(a) Monitoring and Reporting.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy
shall--
``(1) monitor agency compliance with this title; and
``(2) report at least annually to the President and to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry of the
Senate on agency compliance with this title.
``(b) Intervention.--
``(1) In general.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy may
appear as amicus curiae in any action brought in a court of the
United States to review a rule.
``(2) Views.--In any action described in paragraph (1), the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy may present the views of the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy with respect to--
``(A) compliance with this title;
``(B) the adequacy of the rulemaking record with
respect to agricultural entities; and
``(C) the effect of the rule on agricultural
entities.
``(3) Granting of application.--A court of the United
States shall grant the application of the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy to appear in any action under this subsection for the
purposes described in paragraph (2).
``SEC. 413. OFFICE OF ADVOCACY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Department of
Agriculture an Office of Advocacy of the Department of Agriculture.
``(b) Chief Counsel for Advocacy.--The management of the Office
shall be vested in a Chief Counsel for Advocacy who shall be a private
citizen appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate.
``(c) Primary Functions.--The primary functions of the Office of
Advocacy shall be--
``(1)(A) to measure the direct costs and other effects of
government regulation on agricultural entities; and
``(B) to make legislative and nonlegislative proposals for
eliminating excessive or unnecessary regulations of
agricultural entities;
``(2)(A) to study the ability of financial markets and
institutions to meet agricultural entity credit needs; and
``(B) to determine the impact of government demands for
credit on agricultural entities;
``(3)(A) to recommend specific measures for creating an
environment in which all agricultural entities will have the
opportunity to compete effectively and expand to the full
potential of agricultural entities; and
``(B) to ascertain the common reasons, if any, for
agricultural entity successes and failures; and
``(4)(A) to evaluate the efforts of each department and
agency of the United States, and of private industry, to assist
agricultural entities owned and controlled by veterans, and
agricultural entities concerns owned and controlled by
serviced-disabled veterans;
``(B) to provide statistical information on the use of the
programs by the agricultural entities; and
``(C) to make appropriate recommendations to the Secretary
and to Congress in order to promote the establishment and
growth of those agricultural entities.
``(d) Additional Duties.--The Office of Advocacy shall--
``(1) serve as a focal point for the receipt of complaints,
criticisms, and suggestions concerning the policies and
activities of the President and any other Federal agency that
affects agricultural entities;
``(2) counsel agricultural entities on how to resolve
questions and problems concerning the relationship of the
agricultural entity to the Federal Government;
``(3) develop proposals for changes in the policies and
activities of any agency of the Federal Government that will
better fulfill the purposes of agricultural entities and
communicate the proposals to the appropriate Federal agencies;
``(4) represent the views and interests of agricultural
entities before other Federal agencies whose policies and
activities may affect agricultural entities; and
``(5) enlist the cooperation and assistance of public and
private agencies, businesses, and other organizations in
disseminating--
``(A) information about the programs and services
provided by the Federal Government that are of benefit
to agricultural entities; and
``(B) information on how agricultural entities can
participate in or make use of the programs and
services.''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1524)
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1524-1527)
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